Onigumo? That was an odd name. Now my decision was to be made. I could either let this thief live, or kill him right now. Both were tempting to me. The grip I had on Onigumo was getting smaller. He was beginning to give me his cocky smile that I was starting to really hate. I didn't have to put up with this non sense. Lowering my bow I turned my back and started walking away with him still pinned to the wall.
I think it shocked the boy that I was just leaving, without saying goodbye. "This won't be the last time you see me priestess." Having heard this 'threat' several times before his statement didn't bother me. Ignoring him I continued back toward the village, it was officially dawn and I had things to attend to.
Getting Onigumo out of my mind was a harder task than I originally thought. I kept thinking about his dark hair and those eyes. Praying was difficult and for a week I worked even harder to keep him out of my thoughts. It was then I realized how alone I really was. There was no one for me to confide in, or trust in. Everyone was a suspect and I had a duty that I could not leave even for a moment. This was not what I trained for. Two weeks after our meeting I thought that maybe my life could go back to its 'normal' ways. Unfortunately I was wrong.
"Sister! Sister! You've received a letter." Little Kaede came running up to me one afternoon. "All this excitement over a little note?" I asked her gently, it was not like Kaede to get so worked up over a letter. Especially when I received letters all the time for various reasons, why was this one so special? She handed me the folded parchment as I set down my basket of herbs and read the contents.
Priestess Kikyou,
Meet me at tonight at the cave outside your village.
"What does it say Kikyou? Please tell me!" Kaede was getting inpatient with me, but what could I possibly tell her? "It is nothing to worry about, just business to be taken care of." I could see the disappointment in her eyes. She probably expected something a little more exciting. She turned to leave but I just had to figure something out. "Kaede why did you get so excited over this letter?" She was halfway down the steps from the temple but still looked back at me. "A man gave me the letter and said to deliver it to you with urgent importance."
"Did you see his face?" I asked
"No. His face was covered." She must have seen the disproval in my face. Instantly she ran down the stairs and caught up with the children of the village. This letter could be taken many ways. I knew it was from Onigumo. That part was easy. But what was this man after? He could know about being the protectoress of the Shikon no Tama and wants to battle for it. Or he might want to get even for embarrassing him the other day. Either way I needed to be prepared. It would still be a little bit till nighttime but there was no way I would be able to think about anything else for awhile. I decided to go into the temple and pray a little more.
Nighttime consumed the sky very slowly. Now it was my turn to act. I would like to say that I wasn't nervous or anxious to go to the cave. But then it would be a lie. I suited up and packed many arrows along with my bow. Kaede was asleep in her bed. I gave my sister a quick kiss on the cheek and headed out into the darkness.
The cave was a short walk from the outskirts of the village. It was once inhabited by several small demons. Soon they became greedy for the Shikon Jewel. Now the cave lies barren still avoided by the villagers for superstitious reasons. I was in font of this cave wondering what my next move should be. Taking in all the courage I had inside I walked into the cave.
It wasn't very dark by the mouth. I decided to stay there, if I was attacked I could have an easier escape route to higher grounds, and Onigumo will come to me if it is so important. Time passed on. It felt like forever and every now and then I just wanted to leave. Something kept me there. My stomach was telling me to run the other way but somehow I did stay.
"Welcome priestess." A deep cool voice said behind me. Instinct had me turn around to see Onigumo standing a few feet behind me. He was in a dark red kimono and stood very confidently with that cocky grin he always seemed to wear. Now that I looked he was just as old as I.
"What do you want Onigumo?" I asked after a moment. I did not come here to exchange hellos. I wanted to know a few things and he was the only one who could answer them.
"Just you Priestess. I am after nothing else." He started walking closer and closer to where I was standing. Strutting towards me somehow made me want him even more. I can't explain how the little things he did made such an impact on me. It was scary, and I knew scary. He finally was up to my face. Raising his hand trying to touch my face, I wouldn't let him touch me that easily.
Instantly I took a bow from my pack and raised it up to where his neck meets the face. The side of the arrow was digging dangerously into his flesh. "How am I to believe that? You have no idea about the power that I alone can guard." Did he honestly not know about the Shikon or was he just toying with me?
"Priestess Kikyou, You are right. I have no idea about what powers you possess or guard. I just know of you and your beauty." He brought up his hand and guided my arrow away from his face. "Let me learn more about you." Again he put his hands up to my face, but this time I let him. Gently stroking my cheeks I was about ready to slip into his mystery till I grabbed onto my senses.
"How can I let you do this? You are a thief and I am a priestess protecting a power that in the wrong hands could change the world as we know it. I won't let a day dream run my life!" I wanted my voice to come out strong and demanding, but that was a failure. I realized my limits and how weak I really was. Even if I was the one chosen to protect the Shikon no Tama, I was just a girl. And really that was it.
"You aren't as strong as you believe you are Kikyou. Why can't I be the one beside you?"
"You are a child, who knows nothing of the world, or my pain." I struggled to get out of his grasp but physically he was stronger than I.
"You know priestess. You cannot keep everyone out." With that he lowered in and kissed my lips. I wanted to reject him, I knew that I should. This would not be allowed by my superiors, but I couldn't. His kiss was deep and meaning full. My body betrayed me and tingled down to my toes. He pulled me closer and I…kissed him back putting my arms gently around his neck.
After a sweet eternity Onigumo pulled out of our kisses. He took my hand and led me deeper into the cave. I knew what was coming but at the same time I didn't. Deep into the cave 2 oil lamps burned showing a make shift room. There was a bed, table and a few necessities. Taking the hand he was holding he gently guided me in towards the bed.
He flashed me his cocky smile and I about melted. I knew what he was asking even without him having to ask. All I did was look up and nodded. He started slowly. Pushing untying my sash and I unwrapped his kimono. I felt myself pulsing in excitement. He was anxious and dominant. I loved every second. Finally we fell in to bed just my body and his. Onigumo reached for me, but I stopped him.
And blew out the neighboring light…
Note:
Do I get my cookie now?
