Thank you for the positive reviews. I really appreciate knowing that
people are enjoying the story. Sorry that it took me so long to get this
out, I was a bit blocked and then I started a new job. I work some odd
hours, so I can't really say when I'll update next.
Kris-chan: Yes, I am a fan of Teresa's stories, but the main inspiration for this story came from a short scene between Kikyou and Kagura in the second Inuyasha movie. As soon as I saw them together, I had most of this story mapped out.
....
The Shinidamachuu swirled around her, each handing her a soul before leaving to search for more. She watched as they glided gracefully through the skies, their bodies quickly disappearing into the distance. They were such loyal creatures, always willing to do anything for her. They were her constant companions and she was grateful for the company. She had spent too many years alone.
Even when she had been alive, with only her sister for company, it had been a lonely life. She loved Kaede dearly and treasured her memories of the times they had shared, but deep inside she had always yearned for more. The life of a miko was not an easy one. Her abilities set her apart from the other villagers and had even lead to jealousy at times. Once the Shikon no tama had entered her life, she was forced to watch her every move.
The demons were easy to handle, but they still took their toll. Some of the villagers had even resented her duty to guard the jewel, angry that the village was under constant attack. She had defended the village and the jewel to the best of her abilities. Very rarely had someone been injured. But once Inuyasha had made his appearance, they began to question her motives.
Her thoughts were interrupted as a Shinidamachuu roughly nudged her shoulder. She placed a hand on its head, attempting to calm the creature. Sighing, she put aside her thoughts of Inuyasha, angered that she could still not escape him after all this time. Turning to the creature before her, she frowned as it became agitated once more. She reached over to place a restraining arm on its body. It stilled, yet continued to stare into the mists at a shadowy form made its way through the forest path. The aura of anger and betrayal easily gave her away.
So the wind user had come back at last. It had been almost a month since they had met face to face to discuss their plans. Although she would never admit it, the absence had made her worried. She knew what kind of tricks Naraku was capable of, but surely he would not intentionally harm something that had once been a part of him. But knowing Naraku as she did, she could not dismiss the thought so easily.
Kikyou sat up and watched as the shadowy form became clearer. As she neared the base of the tree, she spoke up. "I was beginning to think you forgotten about our deal."
Kagura's eyes narrowed, her chin lifting into the air. "Things came up."
The miko studied the demon in front of her. It was certainly interesting that she would not elaborate on just what had kept her away. Yet, she had taken the time to track her down to this spot. "And now you're back."
"I'm sick of being a lackey. No one controls the wind." Her arms crossed, the fan tapping impatiently against her side.
Kikyou began to smirk. Maybe if she pushed enough, she could find out just what had happened in the last month. "And yet, you listen to me. Is that not a form of control?"
The red eyes burned into her. "You do not control me. I am lending my services of my own free will."
"Interesting choice of words." She watched as Kagura's hand tightened around the fan, the fingers slightly unfurling it. If she was not careful, she would lose her most important ally. "I do not wish to fight, Kagura, merely to discuss why you were absent for so long."
Kagura's eyes narrowed, the flames dying down, but a suspicious look remained. "Why would you care as long as we reach the end goal?"
"Despite what you may believe, I am not as evil as Naraku. I wish to earn the trust of my allies." At the mention of the name, Kagura flinched slightly. It was easy to miss, but Kikyou's trained eyes caught the slight movement. Kagura remained strangely silent and Kikyou took it as a sign to continue. "We can only reach our goal together. I cannot defeat Naraku on my own. With you, I may stand a chance." She did not embellish the thought, merely watched as Kagura nodded in silent consent.
Their plan was slowly coming together. Kagura remained silent as she explained what would happen the next time they met. A nod every few minutes was the only indication that she was even paying the slightest attention.
"Kagura," she interrupted her talk, wanting to get the other woman's attention, "just what happened to you that you took off so suddenly?"
"I was summoned." The sarcasm was hard to miss and Kikyou found herself wondering just how Naraku had summoned her. The look in her eyes had shown pain and she had barely been able to mount the feather as she has left. The look in her eyes now warned Kikyou not to question further.
"The next time we meet, you should try not to stay away so long." Searching Kagura's face, she was not able to see any trace of emotion in the other woman's face.
"I make no promises." A hint of a smile played on Kagura's face. "After all, someone needs to keep you from going crazy. Soon you'll be talking to the bugs."
"I do not need to speak to them. They are aware of my every thought." As she spoke, one protectively brushed against her, winding around her body.
"And you don't find that creepy at all?" Kagura stepped back, placing some distance between herself and the Shinidamachuu.
Kikyou placed a hand on its head, stroking it lightly. "They are extremely loyal. I see no reason not to feel at ease around them. They watch over me." Kagura nodded, but did not seem to believe her words.
Looking towards the sky, Kagura pulled a feather from her hair, letting it grow in size. "As much fun as this has been, it's time for me to go. I never know when one of those damn bees is around."
Kikyou remained silent, watching as Kagura hopped onto the feather and flew away. Watching the other woman, she could not help but feel worried again. It would not be wise to become used to her presence. She had a feeling that Naraku had his own plans for the wind demon. She was certain that Kagura was more important to Naraku than he let on.
....
Tbc..
Kris-chan: Yes, I am a fan of Teresa's stories, but the main inspiration for this story came from a short scene between Kikyou and Kagura in the second Inuyasha movie. As soon as I saw them together, I had most of this story mapped out.
....
The Shinidamachuu swirled around her, each handing her a soul before leaving to search for more. She watched as they glided gracefully through the skies, their bodies quickly disappearing into the distance. They were such loyal creatures, always willing to do anything for her. They were her constant companions and she was grateful for the company. She had spent too many years alone.
Even when she had been alive, with only her sister for company, it had been a lonely life. She loved Kaede dearly and treasured her memories of the times they had shared, but deep inside she had always yearned for more. The life of a miko was not an easy one. Her abilities set her apart from the other villagers and had even lead to jealousy at times. Once the Shikon no tama had entered her life, she was forced to watch her every move.
The demons were easy to handle, but they still took their toll. Some of the villagers had even resented her duty to guard the jewel, angry that the village was under constant attack. She had defended the village and the jewel to the best of her abilities. Very rarely had someone been injured. But once Inuyasha had made his appearance, they began to question her motives.
Her thoughts were interrupted as a Shinidamachuu roughly nudged her shoulder. She placed a hand on its head, attempting to calm the creature. Sighing, she put aside her thoughts of Inuyasha, angered that she could still not escape him after all this time. Turning to the creature before her, she frowned as it became agitated once more. She reached over to place a restraining arm on its body. It stilled, yet continued to stare into the mists at a shadowy form made its way through the forest path. The aura of anger and betrayal easily gave her away.
So the wind user had come back at last. It had been almost a month since they had met face to face to discuss their plans. Although she would never admit it, the absence had made her worried. She knew what kind of tricks Naraku was capable of, but surely he would not intentionally harm something that had once been a part of him. But knowing Naraku as she did, she could not dismiss the thought so easily.
Kikyou sat up and watched as the shadowy form became clearer. As she neared the base of the tree, she spoke up. "I was beginning to think you forgotten about our deal."
Kagura's eyes narrowed, her chin lifting into the air. "Things came up."
The miko studied the demon in front of her. It was certainly interesting that she would not elaborate on just what had kept her away. Yet, she had taken the time to track her down to this spot. "And now you're back."
"I'm sick of being a lackey. No one controls the wind." Her arms crossed, the fan tapping impatiently against her side.
Kikyou began to smirk. Maybe if she pushed enough, she could find out just what had happened in the last month. "And yet, you listen to me. Is that not a form of control?"
The red eyes burned into her. "You do not control me. I am lending my services of my own free will."
"Interesting choice of words." She watched as Kagura's hand tightened around the fan, the fingers slightly unfurling it. If she was not careful, she would lose her most important ally. "I do not wish to fight, Kagura, merely to discuss why you were absent for so long."
Kagura's eyes narrowed, the flames dying down, but a suspicious look remained. "Why would you care as long as we reach the end goal?"
"Despite what you may believe, I am not as evil as Naraku. I wish to earn the trust of my allies." At the mention of the name, Kagura flinched slightly. It was easy to miss, but Kikyou's trained eyes caught the slight movement. Kagura remained strangely silent and Kikyou took it as a sign to continue. "We can only reach our goal together. I cannot defeat Naraku on my own. With you, I may stand a chance." She did not embellish the thought, merely watched as Kagura nodded in silent consent.
Their plan was slowly coming together. Kagura remained silent as she explained what would happen the next time they met. A nod every few minutes was the only indication that she was even paying the slightest attention.
"Kagura," she interrupted her talk, wanting to get the other woman's attention, "just what happened to you that you took off so suddenly?"
"I was summoned." The sarcasm was hard to miss and Kikyou found herself wondering just how Naraku had summoned her. The look in her eyes had shown pain and she had barely been able to mount the feather as she has left. The look in her eyes now warned Kikyou not to question further.
"The next time we meet, you should try not to stay away so long." Searching Kagura's face, she was not able to see any trace of emotion in the other woman's face.
"I make no promises." A hint of a smile played on Kagura's face. "After all, someone needs to keep you from going crazy. Soon you'll be talking to the bugs."
"I do not need to speak to them. They are aware of my every thought." As she spoke, one protectively brushed against her, winding around her body.
"And you don't find that creepy at all?" Kagura stepped back, placing some distance between herself and the Shinidamachuu.
Kikyou placed a hand on its head, stroking it lightly. "They are extremely loyal. I see no reason not to feel at ease around them. They watch over me." Kagura nodded, but did not seem to believe her words.
Looking towards the sky, Kagura pulled a feather from her hair, letting it grow in size. "As much fun as this has been, it's time for me to go. I never know when one of those damn bees is around."
Kikyou remained silent, watching as Kagura hopped onto the feather and flew away. Watching the other woman, she could not help but feel worried again. It would not be wise to become used to her presence. She had a feeling that Naraku had his own plans for the wind demon. She was certain that Kagura was more important to Naraku than he let on.
....
Tbc..