~Disclaimer... *shoves Inu-chan under her bed* Nope! I don't own him! *kicks him as he starts to yell for help* Nope...don't own anyone... now go on about your buisness. Nothing to see here...no bishys under the bed! No reason for you to call the men in white! No reason for me to be locked in the padded room again! *InuYasha yells from under the bed* "Don't believe her!! Help!!! She makes me eat banana pudding at every meal!! She makes me wear frilly dresses!!! And she witholds RAMEN!!! Oh Kami HELP!!!"
*Nika raises a hand to her eyes and looks out over a ocean that suddenly appears* Plot HO!!! I see it aproachin', Cap'n!
Kitsune Delight
by Mistress Nika
Chapter Three:
"Miko Standoff"
--------------------------------------------
Kagome was feeling pretty satisfied with herself as she skipped happily through the forest. 'What fun!' she thought cheerfully. 'It's been so long since I've been able to just be myself and have a little fun!'
Pausing she looked up at the sky, partially hidden by the high thick trees. Fluffy white clouds could be seen through the gaps in the trees. The brilliant sun shone down, casting dappled light across the forest floor. Stretching her arms out over her head she smiled. "Hmm!" she groaned, feeling her muscles stretch. "Today is a good day." she said aloud.
However she caught a scent on the gentle breeze that told her the good day was about to take a decidedly bad turn. Sure enough, Miroku came running up the path towards her. His purple robes fluttering out and his gold staff clinked rapidly as he ran. His scent was tinged with a concern bordering on fear.
"Kagome-sama!" he called upon spotting her and raced directly for her.
"Miroku?" she questioned as he stopped before her and gasped, trying to catch his breath. "What's wrong?"
He hurriedly began to explain. "Kagome-sama!" he said. "There's trouble at the village!"
Kagome's eyes widened and she put her hands on his shoulders. "What kind of trouble!?" she asked, now very worried.
He took several deep breaths before saying, "Kikyou trouble." At her silence he continued, "Run with me, Kagome-sama! We need to get back fast!"
She nodded and they took off together toward the village, Kagome running at his pace. As they raced through the forest he explained, "Sango-san and I hoped you had returned so I went to find you. A few hours ago a wounded kitsune female stumbled into the village. She was looking for you because she heard you were a powerful miko who traveled with a hanyou. She thought she could get help from you, as you are a miko who does not hate all demons. Before dying she told us that Naraku had attacked she and her mate. Her mate gave his life to allow her time to escape, but she was wounded in her flight. She died soon after making us promise to give you something. Apparently Naraku wasn't after the two adults. He wanted their infant child. Sango-san and Kaede-sama is watching the baby, but Kikyou insists she be allowed to kill it!"
"What!?" Kagome interrupted.
Miroku just nodded. "She says that because it's a youkai it's her duty to kill it. We've tried reasoning with her, but she isn't listening. Quite honestly we don't know what to do."
Kagome narrowed her eyes angrily. 'How dare she try to kill a child!' she ranted to herself. 'An infant at that! Incapable of protecting itself!'
Glancing once at Miroku she said deathly calm, "I'm going ahead." Then she turned and was gone in a flurry of wind that would make Kouga jealous.
'Good luck, Kagome-sama.' Miroku thought to himself as he picked up his pace, hoping to arrive before the fireworks were over.
Kagome arrived at the village in mere seconds. She found that the entire village had stopped whatever they had been doing to watch the frightening standoff. On one side was their beloved long-dead priestess, Kikyou. On the other side was her younger sister, a youkai tajiya and a kitsune kit. The villagers had gathered around them in a circle, giving them all wide berth. For the villagers they were most decidedly torn. On one hand Kikyou was their miko who had given her life to protect the Shikon no Tama and their village. But Kaede was now their village miko and both Sango and Shippou had earned their trust and respect. They honestly didn't know who to back.
"Kikyou!" Kagome shouted as she entered the village, slowing to a more human speed.
All eyes turned her way as she quickly made her way through the crowd who backed away from her in reverence.
"Kagome-chan!" Sango cried in relief, cradling a small bundle in her arms. "Houshi-sama found you!"
Kagome nodded and slowly walked past Kikyou, eyeing her warily. The dead woman returned her gaze with cold fire blazing in her eyes. Kagome chanced turning her back on Kikyou and stopped in front of Sango.
"Miroku told me what was happening." she said to her friend. "Is this the child?" she asked gesturing to the bundle in Sango's arms.
Sango nodded and pulled back the blanket wrapped protectively around it. A lock of silver hair fell over the side and a pair of fuzzy silver ears atop it's head twitched at the sudden noises that had been dampened previously by the blanket. The baby woke from it's peaceful slumber and opened it's eyes to look questioningly at Kagome. They were both as blue as sapphires. A single baby fang hung over it's slightly parted lips and a hand tipped in tiny claws reached up towards her. Kagome took the tiny hand in hers and the baby instinctively wrapped it's fingers around her own.
"I see." Kagome said softly. "He's a silver jikan (time) kitsune. That explains why Naraku wants him." Her eyes, previously full of anger, softened as the baby cooed up at her. She smiled gently and said to him, "Don't worry, little one. I'll keep you safe." Then she gently removed her fingers from his grasp and turned to face Kikyou.
Before Kagome could say anything Kikyou stated, "It is a demon. It must die. It can only bring trouble to this village."
Kagome's eyes flashed with anger and she replied, "He is just a baby. A special one. And I will not allow you to harm him. InuYasha may have allowed you to join us, but I promise you...you do not have a place here and you do not have a say in this matter."
Kikyou narrowed her eyes at her reincarnation. Her dislike of the situation was apparent. "If InuYasha did not consider you his friend, I would have killed you already."
That was the last straw. Kagome threw up her hands and cried, "Oh like you haven't tried before! You are so dead set on killing me and dragging InuYasha to Hell that anyone can see it!" Kagome swung her arm around motioning to the villagers surrounding them. "Look at them! You were a legend dead! You were the great Shikon no Tama no Miko who died in her duty, protecting her village and the jewel. But now, look at them! They fear you! You're the walking dead! You are just a glimmer of the great woman you used to be! You don't belong in this world and you don't belong in this village!" Kagome paused as her words sunk in. She took a breathe and a moment to compose herself before continuing. "You...and I. We share several things in common, and not just our soul. The Shikon no Tama, our hatred of Naraku, our devotion to duty...and our love for InuYasha. And the reason I have decided to allow you to join us, with little protest, is because InuYasha is my friend. And however sick and twisted I think it is, he does still love you." Here she advanced on the undead miko until they were mere inches apart. A silent war of wills raged as the two women stared into each other's eyes, both so similar and yet so far apart. "Understand this." Kagome said in a soft voice full of determination. "I will not allow you to harm InuYasha. And in the end, one of us must die. And you...are already dead." Having put in her two sense Kagome turned her back on the angry miko and returned to Sango's side.
Shippou, having previously been hiding behind the aging priestess Kaede, left his safe place and leapt into his surrogate mother's chest. He hugged her neck tight and said, "That was scary, okaasan! I thought you were never coming back and Kikyou was gonna kill all us demons! Promise you'll never leave me alone with her again!"
Kagome chuckled and petted his soft fur soothingly. "You weren't alone, Shippou-chan. I'm sure Miroku and Sango would have protected you. But...I promise. I won't leave you again." Shippou seemed content with this and perched happily on her shoulder, after sticking his tongue out at Kikyou. He looked at the now squirming baby in Sango's arms and said, "Wow, so it's really a jikan kitsune? They're really rare, aren't they?"
The action apparently over, all the villagers began to return to their chores. Kikyou remained as a rock, staying in her place and glaring at the group who was now ignoring her. Kaede came up to Kagome's side and asked, "Kagome, child, what is a jikan kitsune?"
Sango's eyes bulged out of her head. "You mean, you don't know, Kaede-sama!?" she asked incredulously. "I mean, I don't know myself, but I thought with your vast knowledge you would have some information on them!"
Kaede shook her head and said, "No, I have never heard of such a creature. It is common knowledge that kitsune come in various forms and colors. Red, such as our friend, Shippou. Then there are black, brown, orange. Some have pointed ears, some have ears atop their heads. But I've never seen anything like this child before." Here she gestured to the baby.
At that moment a cry of dismay reached their ears and they looked over to see Miroku standing behind them. "I can't believe I missed it all!" he cried. "I wanted to see what Kagome-sama did!"
Sango and Kagome laughed and Sango said, "You should have seen her, houshi. She...what was that phrase you used, Kagome-chan? Oh yes! She told her exactly where to stick it!" Then they laughed more at his crestfallen look. Even the baby joined in with his own giggles.
Their laughter was cut short though as a certain hanyou dropped out of a tree. After a tense minute where they all stared at each other, he turned, put his arm around Kikyou and led her off saying, "Come tell me what happened."
Kagome shook her head. "Honestly, he is so blind. Can't he see she doesn't love him the same way he loves her? Not anymore." She sighed sadly, but then thought, 'No, I don't love him that way anymore. He's my friend and I'll protect him from her...but he's just my friend.' Her demeanor quickly shifted. She put on a bright smile and looked at her friends. "Well!" she said happily. "Why don't we all go to Kaede's and I'll tell you what I know!"
_________________________________________________________________________
(A/N) Oh yeah! I'm back! (does freaky dances) I'm back in the groove! See, I've had a minor problem called "G**d*** Computer! I'm gonna freaking throw you out the window if you don't **** well work right this minute!" It's a serious disease that plagues the average person throughtout their lives and I was going through a rather serious bout of it. Actually, I still am...but I can use it at least now! And I can go online! Peas for you! So I'm back to writing after my unexpected and unexplained absense!
(A/N 2) Oh, the word "jikan" come from my limited knowledge of Japanese. According to my "teach yourself to read kanji" program it means "time". Which means that it has something to do with time. Actually it was seperated into "ji kan" but I combined it into one word. So consider this me grasping for straws. Uh...yeah. I'll explain more about it next chapter.
UFO's are abducting my cat!! O__O
_________________________________________________________________________
Reviews have made me realize the REAL meaning of life! "Monkeys fly by night."
Japanese_Dragon: YAY!!! I'm so glad you thought it was funny! Yep, Kag-chan was throwing the nuts at them! ^^
Kage Otome: Thank you! I'm glad it didn't disappoint! A little humor to lighten the situation before a plot starts to emerge. LOL
lilhillbillie: ^__^ Yep! Kurama will be making an appearance in a few chapters! I gotta set the stage for his big entrance first! lol Hey, if Kurama were to get the better of you...what would Miroku say..? Well, let's find out! *tosses a Kurama clone at her* Look! You're in luck! It's his mating season! BWAHAHAHAHA!!! *runs off laughing maniacally*
Killiara: YAY!!! I'm being original!!! ^___^ Who'd have thought I had it in me!? Not a chance this chapter for her to sit him, but if not next chapter then the chapter after it she will get him once for you! ^^ Kookie? Thanks for your review!
blue fox demon: YAY!!! Here's your update!
*reviews now done, she dances off into the sunset with her entire bishy army skipping after her humming Change the World*
*Nika raises a hand to her eyes and looks out over a ocean that suddenly appears* Plot HO!!! I see it aproachin', Cap'n!
Kitsune Delight
by Mistress Nika
Chapter Three:
"Miko Standoff"
--------------------------------------------
Kagome was feeling pretty satisfied with herself as she skipped happily through the forest. 'What fun!' she thought cheerfully. 'It's been so long since I've been able to just be myself and have a little fun!'
Pausing she looked up at the sky, partially hidden by the high thick trees. Fluffy white clouds could be seen through the gaps in the trees. The brilliant sun shone down, casting dappled light across the forest floor. Stretching her arms out over her head she smiled. "Hmm!" she groaned, feeling her muscles stretch. "Today is a good day." she said aloud.
However she caught a scent on the gentle breeze that told her the good day was about to take a decidedly bad turn. Sure enough, Miroku came running up the path towards her. His purple robes fluttering out and his gold staff clinked rapidly as he ran. His scent was tinged with a concern bordering on fear.
"Kagome-sama!" he called upon spotting her and raced directly for her.
"Miroku?" she questioned as he stopped before her and gasped, trying to catch his breath. "What's wrong?"
He hurriedly began to explain. "Kagome-sama!" he said. "There's trouble at the village!"
Kagome's eyes widened and she put her hands on his shoulders. "What kind of trouble!?" she asked, now very worried.
He took several deep breaths before saying, "Kikyou trouble." At her silence he continued, "Run with me, Kagome-sama! We need to get back fast!"
She nodded and they took off together toward the village, Kagome running at his pace. As they raced through the forest he explained, "Sango-san and I hoped you had returned so I went to find you. A few hours ago a wounded kitsune female stumbled into the village. She was looking for you because she heard you were a powerful miko who traveled with a hanyou. She thought she could get help from you, as you are a miko who does not hate all demons. Before dying she told us that Naraku had attacked she and her mate. Her mate gave his life to allow her time to escape, but she was wounded in her flight. She died soon after making us promise to give you something. Apparently Naraku wasn't after the two adults. He wanted their infant child. Sango-san and Kaede-sama is watching the baby, but Kikyou insists she be allowed to kill it!"
"What!?" Kagome interrupted.
Miroku just nodded. "She says that because it's a youkai it's her duty to kill it. We've tried reasoning with her, but she isn't listening. Quite honestly we don't know what to do."
Kagome narrowed her eyes angrily. 'How dare she try to kill a child!' she ranted to herself. 'An infant at that! Incapable of protecting itself!'
Glancing once at Miroku she said deathly calm, "I'm going ahead." Then she turned and was gone in a flurry of wind that would make Kouga jealous.
'Good luck, Kagome-sama.' Miroku thought to himself as he picked up his pace, hoping to arrive before the fireworks were over.
Kagome arrived at the village in mere seconds. She found that the entire village had stopped whatever they had been doing to watch the frightening standoff. On one side was their beloved long-dead priestess, Kikyou. On the other side was her younger sister, a youkai tajiya and a kitsune kit. The villagers had gathered around them in a circle, giving them all wide berth. For the villagers they were most decidedly torn. On one hand Kikyou was their miko who had given her life to protect the Shikon no Tama and their village. But Kaede was now their village miko and both Sango and Shippou had earned their trust and respect. They honestly didn't know who to back.
"Kikyou!" Kagome shouted as she entered the village, slowing to a more human speed.
All eyes turned her way as she quickly made her way through the crowd who backed away from her in reverence.
"Kagome-chan!" Sango cried in relief, cradling a small bundle in her arms. "Houshi-sama found you!"
Kagome nodded and slowly walked past Kikyou, eyeing her warily. The dead woman returned her gaze with cold fire blazing in her eyes. Kagome chanced turning her back on Kikyou and stopped in front of Sango.
"Miroku told me what was happening." she said to her friend. "Is this the child?" she asked gesturing to the bundle in Sango's arms.
Sango nodded and pulled back the blanket wrapped protectively around it. A lock of silver hair fell over the side and a pair of fuzzy silver ears atop it's head twitched at the sudden noises that had been dampened previously by the blanket. The baby woke from it's peaceful slumber and opened it's eyes to look questioningly at Kagome. They were both as blue as sapphires. A single baby fang hung over it's slightly parted lips and a hand tipped in tiny claws reached up towards her. Kagome took the tiny hand in hers and the baby instinctively wrapped it's fingers around her own.
"I see." Kagome said softly. "He's a silver jikan (time) kitsune. That explains why Naraku wants him." Her eyes, previously full of anger, softened as the baby cooed up at her. She smiled gently and said to him, "Don't worry, little one. I'll keep you safe." Then she gently removed her fingers from his grasp and turned to face Kikyou.
Before Kagome could say anything Kikyou stated, "It is a demon. It must die. It can only bring trouble to this village."
Kagome's eyes flashed with anger and she replied, "He is just a baby. A special one. And I will not allow you to harm him. InuYasha may have allowed you to join us, but I promise you...you do not have a place here and you do not have a say in this matter."
Kikyou narrowed her eyes at her reincarnation. Her dislike of the situation was apparent. "If InuYasha did not consider you his friend, I would have killed you already."
That was the last straw. Kagome threw up her hands and cried, "Oh like you haven't tried before! You are so dead set on killing me and dragging InuYasha to Hell that anyone can see it!" Kagome swung her arm around motioning to the villagers surrounding them. "Look at them! You were a legend dead! You were the great Shikon no Tama no Miko who died in her duty, protecting her village and the jewel. But now, look at them! They fear you! You're the walking dead! You are just a glimmer of the great woman you used to be! You don't belong in this world and you don't belong in this village!" Kagome paused as her words sunk in. She took a breathe and a moment to compose herself before continuing. "You...and I. We share several things in common, and not just our soul. The Shikon no Tama, our hatred of Naraku, our devotion to duty...and our love for InuYasha. And the reason I have decided to allow you to join us, with little protest, is because InuYasha is my friend. And however sick and twisted I think it is, he does still love you." Here she advanced on the undead miko until they were mere inches apart. A silent war of wills raged as the two women stared into each other's eyes, both so similar and yet so far apart. "Understand this." Kagome said in a soft voice full of determination. "I will not allow you to harm InuYasha. And in the end, one of us must die. And you...are already dead." Having put in her two sense Kagome turned her back on the angry miko and returned to Sango's side.
Shippou, having previously been hiding behind the aging priestess Kaede, left his safe place and leapt into his surrogate mother's chest. He hugged her neck tight and said, "That was scary, okaasan! I thought you were never coming back and Kikyou was gonna kill all us demons! Promise you'll never leave me alone with her again!"
Kagome chuckled and petted his soft fur soothingly. "You weren't alone, Shippou-chan. I'm sure Miroku and Sango would have protected you. But...I promise. I won't leave you again." Shippou seemed content with this and perched happily on her shoulder, after sticking his tongue out at Kikyou. He looked at the now squirming baby in Sango's arms and said, "Wow, so it's really a jikan kitsune? They're really rare, aren't they?"
The action apparently over, all the villagers began to return to their chores. Kikyou remained as a rock, staying in her place and glaring at the group who was now ignoring her. Kaede came up to Kagome's side and asked, "Kagome, child, what is a jikan kitsune?"
Sango's eyes bulged out of her head. "You mean, you don't know, Kaede-sama!?" she asked incredulously. "I mean, I don't know myself, but I thought with your vast knowledge you would have some information on them!"
Kaede shook her head and said, "No, I have never heard of such a creature. It is common knowledge that kitsune come in various forms and colors. Red, such as our friend, Shippou. Then there are black, brown, orange. Some have pointed ears, some have ears atop their heads. But I've never seen anything like this child before." Here she gestured to the baby.
At that moment a cry of dismay reached their ears and they looked over to see Miroku standing behind them. "I can't believe I missed it all!" he cried. "I wanted to see what Kagome-sama did!"
Sango and Kagome laughed and Sango said, "You should have seen her, houshi. She...what was that phrase you used, Kagome-chan? Oh yes! She told her exactly where to stick it!" Then they laughed more at his crestfallen look. Even the baby joined in with his own giggles.
Their laughter was cut short though as a certain hanyou dropped out of a tree. After a tense minute where they all stared at each other, he turned, put his arm around Kikyou and led her off saying, "Come tell me what happened."
Kagome shook her head. "Honestly, he is so blind. Can't he see she doesn't love him the same way he loves her? Not anymore." She sighed sadly, but then thought, 'No, I don't love him that way anymore. He's my friend and I'll protect him from her...but he's just my friend.' Her demeanor quickly shifted. She put on a bright smile and looked at her friends. "Well!" she said happily. "Why don't we all go to Kaede's and I'll tell you what I know!"
_________________________________________________________________________
(A/N) Oh yeah! I'm back! (does freaky dances) I'm back in the groove! See, I've had a minor problem called "G**d*** Computer! I'm gonna freaking throw you out the window if you don't **** well work right this minute!" It's a serious disease that plagues the average person throughtout their lives and I was going through a rather serious bout of it. Actually, I still am...but I can use it at least now! And I can go online! Peas for you! So I'm back to writing after my unexpected and unexplained absense!
(A/N 2) Oh, the word "jikan" come from my limited knowledge of Japanese. According to my "teach yourself to read kanji" program it means "time". Which means that it has something to do with time. Actually it was seperated into "ji kan" but I combined it into one word. So consider this me grasping for straws. Uh...yeah. I'll explain more about it next chapter.
UFO's are abducting my cat!! O__O
_________________________________________________________________________
Reviews have made me realize the REAL meaning of life! "Monkeys fly by night."
Japanese_Dragon: YAY!!! I'm so glad you thought it was funny! Yep, Kag-chan was throwing the nuts at them! ^^
Kage Otome: Thank you! I'm glad it didn't disappoint! A little humor to lighten the situation before a plot starts to emerge. LOL
lilhillbillie: ^__^ Yep! Kurama will be making an appearance in a few chapters! I gotta set the stage for his big entrance first! lol Hey, if Kurama were to get the better of you...what would Miroku say..? Well, let's find out! *tosses a Kurama clone at her* Look! You're in luck! It's his mating season! BWAHAHAHAHA!!! *runs off laughing maniacally*
Killiara: YAY!!! I'm being original!!! ^___^ Who'd have thought I had it in me!? Not a chance this chapter for her to sit him, but if not next chapter then the chapter after it she will get him once for you! ^^ Kookie? Thanks for your review!
blue fox demon: YAY!!! Here's your update!
*reviews now done, she dances off into the sunset with her entire bishy army skipping after her humming Change the World*