Chapter Fourteen: By The River
I guess that's the next chapter. In the next story, there would be much less emphasis on what are the 'adventurous' parts of Kikyo's life, but more on the romance part. (Yes, to all those who like to see Kikyo X Inuyasha pairings.) Okay, enjoy this story.
Chapter Fourteen
All was still for the shrine that sat on the top of the small hill. The changing season had caused the emerald leaves of the trees to turn into dazzling colours of red, yellow and orange. Autumn had set in, leaving summer behind. The temperature had also turned cooler too. A certain large spider did not care about such weather changes. It simply crawled its way up to the shrine where it saw its pink aura been emanated from it. Surely, this was the place where the Shikon Jewel was kept. Slowly as it could, the spider youkai attempted to break into the temple. Suddenly, an arrow hit its abdomen, causing it to squeal in pain.
Its many eyes shifted to see its attacker. The priestess of the shrine had somehow detected its discreet movements and had quickly rushed to the place to protect the Shikon Jewel. The arrow started to glow light blue as it began to purify the demon. Soon the foe fell limp, signaling its death.
"Bring it to the Bone Eaters Well," Kikyo commanded a few villagers who had escorted her to the shrine. "I wonder when this madness will stop," she spoke as she closed her eyes again, lowering down her wooden bow.
The priestess took her turn to observe the surroundings. The temperature was dropping and turning cooler. Rice harvests were about soon before the freezing winter would set in to stop all living plants from actively thriving on the brown earth. Each time she had to do her duties, a certain hanyou would always help her in completing these village tasks.
Don't worry, I'll help you out…
She could remember the time when Inuyasha said these words that rang in her head. His initial expressionless mouth had slowly turned into a slight smile throughout the season where he had helped her. For now, she was turning into someone different, someone who had managed to express herself to other individuals. Grabbing her bow tightly, she continued to look at the shrine which laid in serenity while the villagers took the carcass of the dead youkai away to the well.
Could I…I be falling in love…?
The sentence rang in her mind loudly. She was not supposed to have a unique relationship with anyone. After all, she was a priestess that had to be devoid of emotions which was the greatest duty to be fulfilled too. Kikyo shook off the idea in her sub-conscience as she returned to the village which lay baked in the afternoon sun's light.
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"Hey Kikyo," the priestess heard from the top of the roof again as she was about to enter her hut. Inuyasha was standing on the roof of her home again, looking at her. "Don't you have any tasks to do today?"
"No," she replied shaking her head. Looking up to the hanyou again, she called out to him, "Please get off that roof. It'll fall through if you don't." Inuyasha responded by jumping down to the ground again with a soft landing.
"Inuyasha," she suddenly spoke from behind as she was about to enter her humble abode. "Why do you wish to help me? Each time you replied that it was for no reason that you helped me."
"No reason," he shrugged his head as he looked at her from behind. The dog demon knew he was lying through his own teeth, but he refused to say that he was smitten with her. It was simply too exhausting for him to express the truth.
"Then," she replied back, still refusing to turn around to face the hanyou. "Did you take a liking to me?" Inuyasha froze as he looked at the priestess who had hit his raw nerve. "Answer me," she questioned back strictly.
"You…you…are like a…" His voice trailed off as he spoke quietly which was unusual of him. "…like a very very close friend to me." Kikyo's eyes widened as she heard what Inuyasha had spoken. He only treated her as a close friend only.
So I must have misunderstood everything…
The priestess put a hand to her forehead, closing her eyes for a while. She regained her calm posture after awhile. "Please leave," she spoke suddenly to Inuyasha as she cupped her mouth. She continued to retain her calm state again. "I'm not feeling too well." Closing the door behind him, she stood down on the ground, looking into space for a long time and leaving a confused Inuyasha outside the hut.
"Hey priestess," he knocked on the wooden door. "Open up. I wanted to show you something." He continued to knock violently on it. Kikyo opened her eyes and regained her senses. "It's okay if you're not feeling well," his voice sounded form outside. "I won't bother you if you're unwell."
There was no response to the half-demon outside the wooden hut. He looked down for a while, with disappointment in his eyes. Taking his claws, Inuyasha looked at the sandy ground for a while. He observed it for a while.
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Kikyo opened her door to find that Inuyasha had disappeared. He had probably returned to the woods since she was unwell. A sign greeted her in front of the house. It was written in manyougana, showing that Inuyasha had written it.
Kawa de deaimashou. Minai naraba, ikimasen.
The words were read out as the priestess continued to look at them. She gave a slight smile at what Inuyasha had written on the ground. The only problem was he did not indicate any time for the meeting. However she only made a small giggle at what Inuyasha had missed. Knowing that he must have meant the evening, she looked at the sky. It was also about time that she had proceeded to the river bank to see him.
I wonder what he had prepared for me…
Kikyo walked slowly as she prepared to enter the woods where the river bank was at. She suddenly felt a small tug at her leg as she turned behind to see what was holding her back.
"Kaede?!?" She questioned back in amazement as the little sibling stood beside her looking at her with her single eye. "What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that," her little sister replied with arms akimbo. She gave an annoyed but adorable expression on her face. "Onee-san, where are you going? The Sun is already setting."
"I have to do something first," she replied to her little sister. Kneeling on one knee and holding her sister's shoulders, she gave a warm smile to the little girl. "Don't wait for me at home. Go to Kanazawa-jiisan's home first and wait for me to take you back." Kaede gave a slight nod as she ran back to the village. She stopped for a moment and turned back to look at her elder sister.
"Bye Onee-san!" She waved back at her sister with a smile before running down the hill to the village. Kikyo turned back to travel through the woods that would lead her to the river side.
"So you did read my message, eh?" Inuyasha sneered in a cheerful tone as he replied back to her while waiting by the river. Kikyo looked down with a slight glum look while looking at the green grass by the water. The priestess gave a nod in return. "Human girls are weird, after all."
Inuyasha took her soft hand abruptly. For the first time, he had touched a human with the soft skin. His face turned a little red, with Kikyo's cheeks a little more crimson than his. She followed him as he brought her along the river side.
"Where are you bring me?" Kikyo questioned the inu-hanyou. He did not reply. Her answer was to come into sight within moments. The village jetty was in sight, but with no one to be seen. Usually, it was supposed to be full of the village fishermen who had to bring back the fish for dinner in the evening. "How did you get…?"
"Well, I scared them away," he replied for a while before laughing out loud a little. "There is too much fish already rotting in your homes already." He continued to laugh before seeing a slightly annoyed Kikyo looking at him. His laugh lessened into a simple smile. Feeling like he had a large sweat drop on his head, he placed his hands on the priestess' shoulders. "Don't worry, it's only for one time."
"Where are you taking me?"
"Just get in the boat," he gave back his reply. The half-demon pointed to the floating boat on the water. The current was a little calm as it continued to bob up and down in the water.
"But I won't be able to protect the village…"
"No buts!" He snapped back at her. Grabbing her by the hand, he guided Kikyo onto the boat. She could only agree to board the boat as the hanyou gently led her onto the floating contraption. Taking the wooden stick nearby, he proceeded to row the boat from the wooden jetty. Fishes swam throughout the clear waters of the moving river.
"Why do you want me to take this senseless boat ride?" Kikyo questioned as he continued to guide the boat up the course of the river. For a half-demon like him, it was possible for him to summon enough strength to guide the boat against the river current. "Don't you have anything better to do?"
"I just want you to relax," he replied as he continued to look ahead at the boat. He continued to stick the wooden pole in the water to guide the boat along the river. "A great priestess like you deserves a break too." He complimented his passenger.
That tree is so beautiful…
Kikyo had shifted her focus to one certain tree which still had most of its leaves on it. Knowing that the current was not flowing in that portion, Inuyasha took out the wooden pole and placed on the boat. He sat down on the deck while watching the priestess observe the tree. Her smile alone made him happy too. Knowing that he did not want to do anything strange, he simply maintained a fierce expression as he looked at her. Kikyo was not paying attention, for she was looking at the orange and red tree.
But soon…it'll lose its leaves and became another sleeping tree again…
She looked at the tree which had its leaves still on it. It was to drop them soon and fall into a deep hibernation. It clearly represented her thoughts too.
When I fall into an eternal sleep…what would happen to the Shikon Jewel…?
These thoughts swirled through her mind. She looked at Inuyasha as he continued to maintain a fierce gaze at her as soon as her eyes had made contact with his.
Will Inuyasha take the Shikon Jewel after I die…?
"Why are you looking at me like this?" Inuyasha questioned back, feeling a little annoyed that she was staring at him with a peaceful gaze. His cheeks turned a little red as she continued to look at him. There was silence. Only the flow of the water continued to make the surrounding ambience.
Kikyo regained her focus and returned to her conscience. She shook her head a little as she returned to look up at the hanyou. "It's nothing," she replied to him. "Thank you for bringing me out on this trip." She returned his sudden cold stare with a warm smile which lightened up his mood.
"It's nothing," he replied back with a coy expression. He looked at the sun which was rapidly returning below the horizon. "You'd better return. The night is coming." Kikyo nodded her head as she relaxed on the boat. He slowly took the wooden stick, and began to maneuver the boat back to the jetty. The sounds of birds chirping sounded the area coupled with the beautiful hues of the nearby trees.
The boat stopped at the wooden jetty as it arrived back. Kikyo took her bow as she climbed up onto the wooden boardwalk guided by Inuyasha's strong grip on her hand. Failing to notice a slight uneven level between the wooden planks that made up the deck, her wooden slippers was caught in one bump as she suddenly fell onto Inuyasha's strong body. Dropping her bow, she clutched his red haori from falling further.
The half-demon grabbed her with his hands. For the first time, both of them hugged each other basked in the orange evening sun. Inuyasha leaned down and hugged her tightly for the first time.
Konna kimochi ga...Nanda...?
A strange new feeling had sprung up in her heart.
More pointless romantic fluff for this part, this is probably one of the fluffiest chapters I guess. Okay, I guess that should be all for now. See ya for now!
Glossary:
Manyougana : The Japanese written system then.
Kawa de deaimashou. Minai naraba, ikimasen. : This means 'Let's meet at the river. If we don't see each other, I won't leave.'
Jiisan : Grandfather in Japanese. What Kikyo had meant is that of a respectable elder in the village.
Konna kimochi ga...Nanda...? : This means 'This kind of feeling...What is it...?'
