Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me.

Chapter Nine: Priestess Set Free

October 1st

The sunlight glinted off the sharp blade. Kikyo experienced her first real sense of fear in many years. As it came closer she shut her eyes tight and clenched her hands into fists. She tried to calm the rapid heartbeat in her chest, but it was no use.

A gasp escaped her lips as the blade cut slowly.

"Please stop that," Souta begged, "You're making me nervous." He continued to cut slowly and steadily. "Besides, it's just hair. It will grow back."

Kikyo remained silent with her eyes closed. The snipping sound caused her to cringe. She could feel tendrils of her beautiful long hair floating to the floor. She couldn't remember why she was allowing the young boy to destroy her hair.

"Kagome's hair is a little shorter than yours. To make people believe you are her, you have to look like her. And for heaven's sake smile once in awhile!"

After long torturous minutes, Souta announced that he was finished. Kikyo was reluctant to open her eyes. She never thought that she was vain… until Souta made the first cut. It bothered her that she felt that way. As a priestess, vanity is not allowed.

But… am I still a priestess? She wondered.

Kikyo opened one eye to peek at herself in the mirror, then the other. She was stunned at how much she looked like Kagome. Turning to the side she tried to see what her hair looked like from the back. It was still long, about halfway down her back, but much shorter than she was used to. And the ends were slightly uneven.

"Do you usually cut your sister's hair?" Kikyo asked.

Souta nodded. "Yeah, she hates spending the money at a salon, so she buys me a sundae if I cut it for her."

"Sundae?"

"Yeah, it's a scoop of ice cream with chocolate or caramel on it with nuts and whipped cream and a cherry." Souta's eyes dropped to the carpet. He wondered if his sister would ever come back to share another sundae. He fought against the tears that were pricking his eyes.

"Ice cream?"

Souta looked up at Kikyo and gave her a smile. "Yeah, it's a frozen treat, made from milk and sugar and… uh… lots of other tasty stuff. It's really good." He was beginning to drool. "Hey, let's go get one! After all, it's almost a tradition to go get ice cream after a haircut."

Kikyo allowed the boy to grab her hand and to pull her down the stairs. At the base of the stairs stood an old man in traditional priest clothing.

"Kagome," he said, "I need your help in the Shrine."

"Keep going… and pretend you don't hear him… it will be suspicious if you stop…" whispered Souta.

Following the lead of her 'little brother', Kikyo hurried down the stairs. She allowed her eyes to wander in the direction of the old man.

"You need to take your duties at the Shrine more seriously, young lady!" the old man yelled as the two young people bolted out of the house. He was waving a broom at them and complained about lazy grandchildren.

"Just keep running."

Kikyo ran.

As she ran she began to smile. She was free. She was really and truly free. For the first time since she could recall, Kikyo laughed. It felt good.

Really really good.

She laughed again as she ran faster after her new brother.