Chapter 2: Becoming
Kagome's mouth hung open, her mind a jumble of protests and questions. Sister? She had none. Her only sibling was Sota! She was not a princess! Kikyo, her sister! No way! How could it be?
Kikyo watched this patiently, seeming to wait for the shock to pass.
After a moment, Kagome slowly closed her mouth, her face still holding a look of confusion on it. She looked at the ground, then the sky, then Kikyo. She whispered, "Sister?"
Kikyo nodded gravelly. "I hadn't known that my father would re-marry, but he did. He married your mother. I believe he is dead now, correct?" She said this all very plainly. It was understandable though. Why would she feel remorse for loosing a father she never knew?
Kagome nodded sadly. "He died some years ago." She replied.
Kikyo's eyes softened, the first signs of feelings she had shown all night. "Listen to me. I know that this is all very confusing, but you must understand, you are my sister." She stood up and moved forward to take a seat across from Kagome on the cold grass. She took one of Kagome's hands and held it in her own. "We are sisters." She said again.
Kagome looked at the woman in front of her, realizing how very similar they looked. Both long, black hair, same color eyes. They even had the same nose. Kikyo looked older though, which she was. Kagome looked at this girl, and felt the first spark of kinship for this woman. She produced a lop-sided smile and commented, "We're like twins."
Kikyo returned the smile, a small one. "Yes, we are very much alike."
After this moment, Kagome knew that Kikyo was her sister. She needed no proof. She could simply feel it. It was like she'd found the other side of herself. Kikyo was so calm and reserved, quite the opposite of Kagome. She was somewhat closed off and cold, but that didn't really matter. She felt comfortable with her, her sister.
They spent hours talking, mostly Kagome doing the talking and Kikyo the listening. After a while, once they'd found out more about each other, Kikyo changed the subject, her expression growing serious again.
"Kagome, I have something very important to tell you." She began, scooting closer to her sister, lowering her voice slightly.
"What is it?" Kagome asked quickly, feeling excited.
"I have a lover in the Northern Lands. His name is Naraku. He is a traveling merchant. I am going to run away to him and leave the kingdom."
Kagome's eyes sparkled. "A lover! Oh, Kikyo, that's simply romantic…" Kagome clasped her hands to her chest, her eyes shining as she imagined running away into the sunset with her lover, laughing and smiling…
"Yes, I do love him. But there is a problem to my plan." Kikyo spoke out, taking Kagome away from her fantasy.
Kagome looked at her, wondering what it could be. Then it dawned on her. "You can't go because of the kingdom. You're the heir to the throne!" She said sadly, feeling bad for her newly discovered sister.
Kikyo nodded, looking up into the stars, no doubt picturing her lover's face, wishing she could see it for real. She turned back, with a smile on her face. "But you can help me, Kagome."
"I can?" She asked, raising a brow in confusion. "What can I do?"
Kikyo took both of Kagome's hands and looked into her eyes solemnly. "Will you take my place in the palace, and become Princess Kikyo?" She asked gravelly, hope veiled in her eyes.
Kagome's first response would have been, "I cannot!" But seeing the look in her sister's eyes, and knowing the story of her lover, she paused to think it over.
Being a princess was not something she had planned for. Could she do it? One part of her screamed, "There's no way!" This was her scared side. "Of course I can!" exclaimed her brave side. "I could at least try, for Kikyo's sake." said her rational side. Pushing each voice away, she looked into her heart.
She tried to picture loving someone as much as Kikyo loved Naraku. She had never loved a man like that, but knew what it must feel like. She would be happy, full of joy and peace. Then she pictured being ripped away from that joy, never to see Naraku or hear from him again. She couldn't bare it!
Looking at Kikyo, she could not say no. She would not wish that kind of life upon anyone.
She would be giving up a lot: Her family, whom she might never see again. Her village and friends, which she had livedin and knownsince she was a baby. Her life, which she had grown used to. Everything would be left behind. Still, she knew what she had to do.
"Kikyo…" She said, for the woman had been looking at her knees, her hope slowly dwindling away. She raised her head, preparing for the answer.
"I would be honored, dear sister, to take your place."
A cry of happiness rose from Kikyo's throat, and her whole face shown with joy, a wide smile on her face. She embraced Kagome, her grip firm and strong. Kagome hugged back, feeling better than she ever had before. Tears stained Kagome's shirt, making her start and pull away. She held her sister by the shoulders lightly, and looked to see what troubled Kikyo.
Kikyo noticed the look, and waved her hand, saying, "I'm not sad. I'm just so happy. I never thought I would get to see him again. Thank you, Kagome. Thank you so much!" As she said this, she wiped her eyes, trying to clean her face away in embarrassment.
After the tears were shed, Kikyo smiled fondly and questioned, "Are you ready to become a princess?"
Kagome felt the fear and the doubt well up inside of her. Suddenly, she felt scared. What if she messed up? What if she ruined everything? What if…All at once, her fears were squelched by excitement and anticipation. Raising her head high, she replied in a mock regal tone, "Madame, I have always been ready." Her stony expression turned into a bursting laugh, and Kikyo couldn't help but join in.
And so it went. Kikyo spent the rest of the night going over everything Kagome needed to know: how to sit, where to go, what to say. She learned how to laugh, holding your hand to your face, your palm facing you, and fingers slightly curled. She learned how to sit, with hands placed just so in your lap, and your ankles crossed left in back. Soon, her head was swimming with edict and directions.
The sun was just beginning to rise as they stood to part ways.
"Now remember, the horse is tied to a tree just outside the village. Once you find him, take the rode south to the kingdom. You will know it when you see it." Kikyo reminded Kagome once more.
Kagome nodded, pulling Kikyo's cloak around her head, feeling the warmth envelope her head and shoulders. "What about my parents?" She asked.
"They will be informed that you have gone to work at the palace and are quite well taken care of." Seeing Kagome's look of discomfort at leaving her family, Kikyo added, "They won't worry, trust me."
"All right." Kagome took a deep breath and faced the southern direction, pretending she could see the tops of the palace roofs already.
"Remember, silence is always your best defense. Never say to much, but never to little." Kikyo reminded her. Kagome turned back and smiled. "I'll remember."
Without preamble, Kagome took Kikyo into a farewell hug. Kikyo sounded surprised, but returned the gesture heartily. Once they parted, Kagome's eyes were moist with unshed tears.
"I hope that I will find a love like yours someday, Kikyo. I think you'll be very happy." Kagome said.
"You will find him." Kikyo reassured her. "I know it."
And so they went their separate ways: Kikyo to the North, Kagome to the South. As she walked back towards the village to collect the horse, she didn't feel sad, or even scared. She felt lighter than air knowing that she had a sister, and that her sister would have a life that she always wanted. Plus, she was going to be a princess. She grinned sarcastically as she walked. How many chances would I get to do that?
She put a finger to her chin as she walked, and replied to herself out loud, "It seems I only get one." She laughed out right, feeling the beginnings of a new chapter in her life unfold.
AN: Sorry, it's a little short...the next one will be longer, I promise. Thanks for reading! Now, maybe review...?
