AN: Many words you have seen before but here a few new ones:
Shinidama Chuu: snakelike youkai that fly and steal human souls. Kikyou uses then to gather souls to help keep her alive.
Shikigami: Two small children, both seem female, that help out Kikyou. They are her messengers that she created. Don't know how else to describe them.
Chapter XII
The Miko's Presence
The long snake like youkai floated ethereally on an unseen breeze as Nobara followed it. She finally jumps down into a small gully. Still crouched she looks up to a tree slightly uphill where she was, there the Shinidama Chuu drift around a single figure. The figure sat beneath the tree, her slender body slightly bent and her face obscured by the drape of black hair that fell freely around her small shoulders and flowed gently in the breeze. A bow leaning up against her shoulder, she does not acknowledge Nobara's presence. Nobara stands frozen as the figure from her nightmares focuses into her reality.
"Kikyou!"
The tragic miko suddenly moves turning her head towards Nobara as if she had heard Nobara say her name. Her dark sad eyes hauntingly focus on the hanyou, as she quickly rises, gripping the bow in her left hand and watching Nobara intently. Nobara saw that her movements were unnatural, attempting their best to be human. And despite the knowledge of what happened to her, Nobara could not help but gasp as the woman who sealed her over 50 years prior was standing before her as she did that fateful day. Kikyou stood in her red hakama and white kimono, her black hair loose around her small shoulders, no expression shown on her face. Nobara at first fears this is a dream and cuts into the back of her hand with one of her claws, just enough to draw blood, the pain comforting her that this was real. Without a word Kikyou slowly turns as if she was about to leave, her faithful Shinidama Chuu, gliding ahead of her.
"Kikyou!" Nobara suddenly yells through gritted teeth. From her dreams, the memory of the laughing miko still lingered. The inhuman figure stops. "Kikyou! I know who you are! Do you run from an enemy when you see them!" Nobara takes a step forward and unsheathes Hisuibara. The blade throbbing with jaki, anticipating the upcoming battle eagerly.
Kikyou turns, embers burning in her dark eyes as she studies the yellow haired hanyou.
"I do not know you," she finally states solemnly, her figure remaining unnaturally still.
"Keh, have you forgotten!" Nobara cracks her fingers on her free hand exposing her deadly claws. "You sealed me 50 years ago! You ikeike!"
Kikyou just stares at Nobara for a moment with the same distant and haunting expression in her eyes. She then turns to continue on her way.
"You!" Nobara's anger flares. She knew she told Kaede that she relinquished her vow, but that was before she knew Kikyou sealed her on a Goshinboku. Sealed her to be frozen in time. She grips Hisuibara in both hands and glares at the miko angrily. "Do not turn your back on me, Kikyou! Honouikari!" Nobara leaps into the air towards the miko, the now flaming katana raised above her head. Kikyou casually removes one arrow and strings it as Nobara approaches. Kikyou turns quickly and is about to fire the hamaya until a figure suddenly jumps between her and Nobara. Nobara feels a sharp pain in her arm and quickly jumps back, the blood from a deep cut on her forearm seeping through her blue kimono. "Kuso!" she exclaims as she instinctively searches for her interference. She looks back up at Kikyou and sees the small drop of her blood drip off the edge of Tessaiga.
"Inuyasha?"
The young hanyou stands between them, apparently just arriving from following two small children, Kikyou's Shikigami, who accompany the miko. Kikyou looks slightly surprised at Inuyasha's sudden appearance. Inuyasha glares at Nobara defensively.
"What in the hell are you doing!" he yells at her. "Are you going back on your word?"
Nobara glares back at Inuyasha, her cool gaze hen darts back to the serene expression of the inhuman miko.
"Inuyasha, leave us. You do not understand!"
"Like hell I don't! I was sealed by Kikyou and hated her, but then learned I was tricked by Naraku to do so," he holds Tessaiga before him and grits his teeth. "I will not let you hurt her."
Nobara looks stunned at first at him and then smirks lowering Hisuibara.
"Why did you," she asks calmly addressing Kikyou. Inuyasha looks back at Kikyou wondering what her response may be. "Do you even remember me?"
The miko squints her eyes slightly and then closes them. A small smile appearing on her lips.
"I had fought so many youkai in my past. Do you honestly expect me to remember you? Perhaps one of the many who tried to take the Shikon no Tama?"
"You heartless ikeike!" Nobara yells, grinding her teeth and showing her fangs. Her hand tightens its grip on the silk covered hilt of Hisuibara. "You sealed me as you sealed Inuyasha, on a Goshinboku, 50 years ago. Now tell me why you didn't kill me as I had asked!"
Kikyou studies Nobara carefully, her face showing no expression.
"You were the hanyou who begged for death," she says slowly, a tinge of recognition in her voice as she continues to look at Nobara.
Inuyasha glances at Kikyou then at Nobara.
"Hai, I was that hanyou," Nobara responds then holding a clawed hand up threateningly. "Now why did you seal me?"
Kikyou just looks at Nobara, he deep sad eyes giving no answer.
"Nobara!"
Everyone turns as Kagome runs up to the scene. She sees Inuyasha with Tessaiga poised for the attack; Kikyou behind him with her helpers; Nobara before them with Hisuibara in hand. Kagome saw the desperation in Nobara's face and realizes what is going on.
Kikyou glances at Kagome, the resentment of her presence clear on the miko's face. Nobara senses this lingering resentment in the miko's heart and looks at Kagome. Her eyes widen as she senses something from the young girl she never thought she would sense. Something almost entirely hidden: the darkness of Kagome's heart with a lingering emotion of hatred for the miko. Nobara at first was puzzled then she looks back up to Inuyasha and Kikyou and immediately saw what was happening.
For a moment in her mind she imagined Inutaisho standing before her with Izayoi behind him.
"Two women, one love!"
She shook the image from her mind. And her pale cool eyes focus back on Kikyou.
"Kikyou!" Nobara yells, glaring her pale blue eyes at her, ignoring Inuyasha's presence as best she can. "Will you not answer me?"
Kikyou continues to glare at Kagome, giving little acknowledgement to the hanyou.
"Why did you seal me? Why did you seal me to Goshinboku! Answer me!"
Kikyou glances to Nobara slowly and her eyes narrow.
"Kuso!' Nobara screams angrily and tightens her grip on Hisuibara. She then leaps towards Kikyou. Inuyasha jumps up and rams her blade with Tessaiga, both warriors then land facing the other. Nobara looks at Inuyasha almost painfully.
"Inuyasha, move aside! Please!"
Inuyasha glares at Nobara coldly yet was also pained at having to attack her. In his heart he still remembered the hanyou fondly. But he could not allow her to hurt Kikyou. The young hanyou glances back at his beloved stoic miko. The living memory of the woman he once trusted everything to. He then shifts his eyes back to Nobara and smirks at the irony. There she was before him, the living memory of the woman he once trusted. He thought he could trust her again. But she had told Kaede she relinquished her vow to harm Kikyou. Inuyasha barred his teeth as he remembered his mother's words to him.
"Do not wait for her, my Inuyasha. Nobara is one of broken promises."
Inuyasha sighs and straightens up looking as if he is about to give up. Nobara looks at him strangely. There was a calm expression on his face, she didn't understand why and all she could sense from him was trust. Trust that she would not harm him. Nobara stands there conflicted, there her vengeance stood behind the boy she loved, the boy willing to protect her enemy.
"AARRRGGG!" Nobara screams in frustration and slams the tip of Hisuibara into the earth. The katana continuing to throb slightly in her hand, the steel yearning for the taste of the miko's blood. Nobara looks down at the blade commanding it to be silent, to relinquish the vow she set on it years ago. The blade soon quieted, but did not forget. Nobara looks back up at Inuyasha and the stoic miko. Kikyou continues to stand there unnaturally still, her Shikigami obediently at her side and the Shinidama chuu floating around her. Nobara looks back down at the blade and remembers its sense for blood. Her cool blue eyes then glare into the cold brown ones of Kikyou. Only the embers of the fire she remembered remained behind those eyes. Despite the beautiful recreation of the woman before her Nobara realizes the truth. Kikyou was already dead, none of her blood would fall, for her body was now no longer alive; just a shell of clay and burial soil. Nobara studies Kikyou and can see the sadness that enveloped her. Kikyou, a woman even Nobara respected once, now a wandering shadow of the past and what once was. Nobara remembers the sadness in Kaede's heart for her sister as they left Kikyou's grave the other day. She could still sense the pity in the hearts that she traveled with. Even in the young girl Kagome. Nobara looks over at Kagome who still stands to the side unsure of what to do. Nobara closes her eyes and sighs.
The tension in the scene was thick and the silence deafening. Nobara opens her pale blue eyes and focuses them on the dark ones of Kikyou. She could almost hear the laughter of the miko from her dreams and Hisuibara begins to throb with jaki again. She shook her head to drive the laughter away and clear her mind and ignore the blades eager plea. She couldn't fight Inuyasha, no matter what was to happen she could not hurt him.
Kikyou studies Nobara carefully, then her voice permeates the rigid silence.
"The reason you were sealed is a reason you have not yet discovered and one I cannot answer…."
Nobara sighs through gritted teeth and closes her eyes. She feels her anger burn the mark over her heart…..so many years lost forever and she will never know why.
Kikyou glances at Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha, until next time," she says quietly as she then turns and leaves, her Shikigami following along with the ghostly Shinidama Chuu. Nobara senses the miko's departure and quickly flashes her angry eyes at her. Inuyasha sees her expression and readies Tessaiga. Nobara removes Hisuibara from the ground and Inuyasha watches her intently as Nobara sheaths the blade, silencing it. Nobara looks down, her fists clench so hard at her sides that her claws pierce her own flesh. The urge to kill the miko still as strong, and feeling as if she had failed somehow. As the eerie light of the Shinidama Chuu fades into darkness, the three figures continue to stand there quietly.
"Nobara…." Kagome whispers, seeing the hanyou's obvious struggle. Inuyasha still was watching Kikyou walking off into the distance and as she disappears he turns back to Nobara and sheaths Tessaiga. He then leaps down to stand before her.
"What in the hell were you doing!" he asks her angrily. Nobara continues to look down, unable to face the hanyou who made her fail. "You promised, Kaede-baabaa. You told her you would not try to hurt Kikyou!"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cries out as an angered Inuyasha quickly turns his back on Nobara. Nobara glares down at the ground, feeling shameful for forgetting her promise to Kaede.
Inuyasha folds his arms in his haori and huffs then looks over his shoulder at Nobara.
"Ofukuro was right about you," he said, his voice laced with sadness. "You never keep your promises."
Nobara looks up shocked as Inuyasha walks away into the shadows of the night. Nobara then quickly glances over to Kagome. The young girl's face was a mask of pity and the look made Nobara sick as she knew it was for her. She looks away and turns to leave.
"Nobara," Kagome says, reaching out to her. The hanyou stops and glances over her shoulder.
"I am fine, Kagome," she calls back as she then continues walking. "I just need to be alone." The last comment was quiet and she wasn't sure if Kagome heard it or not, and she didn't care. She walks into the darkness.
"It is what is best….."
Inuyasha runs to try and catch up to Kikyou, to find out what she was going to tell him, but the trail ran cold. At one point Inuyasha stands atop a cliff looking over a valley. He looks up at the waxing moon and remembers his mother. Then his heart began to ache for Kikyou. His heart responded that way each time he saw her. The memory of what almost was still fresh in his mind, and his heart yearned for it still. Especially when he sees her as she was, though he knows her warmth is gone, along with her sweet scent. He still remembers the kiss they once shared and the promise…..Inuyasha looks down his hair covering his face as he clenches his fists. Another promise, lost to the sands of time.
Kagome walks back into camp and Miroku and Sango had just woken up alarmed to find their comrades missing. They relax when they see the familiar school girl.
"Kagome-chan!" Sango greets her smiling and then sees the concerned look on Kagome's face. Sango looks to Miroku. They both knew this face; it was the face Kagome gets every time Inuyasha went to see Kikyou.
"Is Kikyou-sama around?" Miroku asks, trying to be sensitive to the situation.
Kagome nods slowly and looks away from the concerned eyes of her friends. Shippou was still asleep with Kirara.
"Kikyou was here," she answers slowly and tells them what she saw. Both were surprised that Nobara tried to attack Kikyou. After she was done, Kagome sat by the rekindled fire and Miroku stood watch. Sango sat next to Kagome trying to console the girl. All wondered where both hanyou's had gone and which would return first.
All look up as a figure enters the firelight. Kagome looks up and meets his gold eyes sadly, but then he looks down away from her soft brown gaze.
"Inuyasha," Miroku says, rising and walking over to the hanyou. "Were you with Kikyou-sama just now?"
Inuyasha shook his head. "No. Kikyou has disappeared again."
Miroku looks over at Sango and both walk away from the fire for a minute, leaving the two alone. Kagome just sat there and stared into the fire. Inuyasha stood across form her, his head down. Kagome sighs.
"I don't know why I still get upset," she thought to herself and looks up at Inuyasha. "No matter what, I know Inuyasha will be forever connected to Kikyou. I cannot break that bond."
Inuyasha looks up and meets Kagome's eyes. He was slightly taken aback. She was smiling sweetly at him.
"But I love him…what else can I do but be here for him."
Inuyasha curls the corner of his lip slightly upwards. He was thankful that Kagome did not appear to be angry. Though he knew she was hurting. He was about to move closer when he suddenly turns and searches the campsite. He realizes that one still had not returned.
"Where is Nobara?"
Her yellow hair illuminated in the moonlight, Nobara continues wandering to unknown destinations. Kikyou's words forever cycling in her head.
"The reason you were sealed is a reason you have not yet discovered and one I cannot answer…."
"What the hell does that mean?" she ponders, the spot over her heart burns more as she thought of it and she covers it instinctively with her hand. She stops walking as Inuyasha's voice drifts into her mind.
"Ofukuro was right about you, you never keep your promises."
Nobara sighs and rests up against a tree. She could still see Inuyasha's eyes as he defended Kikyou. Nobara looks down as she realizes the result of her reaction to the miko's presence. She covers her face with her slender hands and feels the burning ache over her heart rise into her chest.
"He will never trust me again….."
...End Chapter