fgh: Yep yep!! Sess/Kik is the greatest! XD Hehe, yeah, I can't wait for chapter 3 myself. That's when things get interesting :wink:
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Chapter 2 "Tsubaki's Curse"
'Kikyou-oneesama! Kikyou-oneesama! Please wake up, Kikyou-oneesama!!'
Kikyou heard the distant voice scream out. That voice... is calling for me... Her eyes slowly fluttered open as she saw young Kaede's face full of concern.
"Kikyou-oneesama!" Kaede said once more and fell on top of her older sister and gave her an embrace.
"What.. happened..?" Kikyou asked.
"You fainted. Oh sister, I was so worried!" her little sister said.
Kikyou looked at her, sat up, pat her dear sister's head and reassured her with a smile, "Gomene. I promise you it won't happen again."
Her answer put relief across Kaede's face. "Nee Kikyou-oneesama.. I think that you taught me enough for the day. You need to get some rest."
They both headed for the village. Kikyou stared at the ground as she walked, in deep thought. Each pace she took felt strange. She didn't know what exactly happened, but it felt as if she was just adjusting to her body, which was odd indeed because she had this body for 18 years now. Kaede noticed Kikyou mindlessly looking at the ground. "Are you alright, sisiter?" Her elder sister snapped out of her trance and looked at her sister and replied kindly. "Ee, daijoobu." Kaede was satisfied with the response and resumed her humming. Kikyou could not help suppress a smile as she observed her little sister. She had taken care of Kaede ever since she could remember. Her little sister looked up to her and so she had to lead by example. They entered the village as many of the villagers saluted to her. She had all their trust and their kindness for they knew that they were under her protection.
She and her sister entered the temple to be greeted by their priest and trainer, Takero.
"You two have finally come. I have news to tell you." The two sisters knelt down on both knees and listened.
"Tomorrow, a new miko who will be arriving shortly. Her name is Tsubaki. I suggest you two be there to greet her, for she will be training here for awhile."
"Hai, Takero-sama." Kikyou acknowledged with a bow, and with that, she and Kaede left the temple to their hut and slept.
The next day
Kikyou and Kaede silently stood and awaited for the priestess' arrival. Kaede felt impatience tug at her as she looked at Kikyou, who just stared blankly in the distance.
"When is she going to come, sister?" Kaede asked.
Kikyou smiled at her hastiness. "Soon, Kaede." She then felt an ominous presence as she saw the priestess and her master approach. Kikyou and Kaede both looked down, as a sign of respect, and slightly bowed their heads as the two visitors passed by. As soon as they did, Kikyou felt a dark aura surrounding that woman named Tsubaki. She knew right from that instant, Tsubaki's mind had been corrupted with hate and her desire for power was so strong that she would only put it to use for her own selfish ways.
When the newcomer and the priest walked into the village, Kaede could not help but show her distaste.
"Sister Kikyou.. I have a bad feeling about her."
This time, Kikyou did not reply, but watched Tsubaki enter the temple. When the doors were shut, she looked down at Kaede. "Let's go find some herbs. You still need a lot to learn about them." This put a big smile on her little sister's face, quickly forgetting about the new miko and replied with a "Hai"
She ran into the forest, plucking different herbs here and there with enthusiasm.
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Several days had passed and things have gotten a bit shady with Tsubaki's presence around. Kikyou expected it so it didn't come to her as a surprise. She had learned how to tolerate the woman except Kaede, who kept complaining about her each time. Her little sister's encounters with Tsubaki had not been very pleasing to say the least:
"You, girl." Tsubaki said harshly to Kaede, who was in the middle of doing some archery.
"Yes?" Kaede said.
"How is your sister holding up with her training?" she asked curiously, a glint of malice in her eye.
"She is doing very well," Kaede responded, proudly. "Our master said that she has exceeded all the levels necessary to become a qualified miko."
Tsubaki let out a shrill laugh and gave Kaede an amused glare. "Well tell your dear sister this. If she think she's that great, then she'll accept my challenge I offer to her. Send her the message. I'll be waiting," she turned and walked off. "May the best miko win."
Kaede went and immediately told Kikyou. The woman with the white haori and red hakama sighed. "Kaede.. you must really dislike Tsubaki." The girl in the orange-yellow yukata could not contain herself.
"Well, ofcourse sister! She is evil."
"Just ignore her, Kaede. She is not worth listening to since we will not be seeing much of her anymore. Takero-sama had just announced to me that from now, we will be travelling from village to village to help out the sick and injured, now that I officially obtained my post as a miko."
Kaede's face brightened at the wonderful news. "Ahh I'm very happy for you, sister!" Kikyou smiled at her. "Tomorrow, we leave right away for the village on the other side of the river. We must rest, for there's a long journey ahead of us." Kaede nodded and lay on her futon. "Goodnight, Kikyou-oneesama."
"Goodnight, Kaede."
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Today had finally arrived. Kaede was in a cheery mood, now that she knew she won't be able to see Tsubaki anymore. Bows and arrows equipped, the two sisters left the village and headed for the forest. However, they were stopped by the familiar, threatening aura that came nearby.
"Kikyou..." a malignant voice called.
Kikyou looked up and found Tsubaki in front of her.
"So it looks like you're leaving. What a shame..." the woman said, holding the usual mischievous glint. "It was really disappointing to see that you haven't come to answer my bidding last night. Shows how much of a priestess you are."
Kikyou's face showed no reaction. "Whatever you have to say to me, Tsubaki, make it quick. We have an important errand to run and I am in no mood to waste my time on you."
Tsubaki ignored the backslap comment. "On your journey, I foresee that you will fall in love with a man."
Kikyou was still unaffected. "I have no intention in falling in love with anyone."
Tsubaki countered. "Oh, but you will, Kikyou. You may be a miko, but you will be blinded by love and thus, you will meet a tragic end." Something in her eye sparkled. "I bid you farewell, for this will be the last time I'll be seeing you." She turned on her heels and walked away with arrogance and satisfaction.
Kikyou saw her leave and started to walk on. Kaede eyed her sister but said nothing. She didn't understand quite clearly what Tsubaki meant. Still looking up ahead, Kikyou cut through the silence with her calm voice.
"She has placed a curse on me." This filled Kaede with worry. She was about to speak when Kikyou interrupted her,
"But it will not work."
The little girl heard the emphasis her sister put on being so assured and firm, that it eased her somewhat. She continued to walk alongside Kikyou without saying anything.
'I will fall in love with someone......? Hm. Why would I do such a foolish thing?' Kikyou thought to herself.
They finally arrived at a small little village, where they were welcomed with bows. They were soon directed to an area where the men injured from battle lay.
She unpacked her provisions and tended to the wounded. 'I will not allow it to happen.'
