Luna: Chapter 2 is here! This one is hopefully going to be received well.

Veron: Hopefully? Aren't you confident today.

Luna: Shut up...

Disclaimer: I own this idea. SO NYEH! And the story. But no the characters are Takahashi-Sama's...But Himwawari-Sama is mine! ((Hiss))

Chapter 2: Silver Ripples

Kikyo's eyebrow almost twitched at the chubby, bald headed man that sat before her on his knees, looking incredibly puzzled. His beady black eyes rose to meet her stern gray orbs, trying to keep the flinch at bay as he looked into them.

"You seek counsel with my daughter?" He asked for what seemed to be the hundredth time, his hands wringing in his lap as she felt her eyes narrow into slits, her fist dying to clench at her side as she sat before him.

"Yes. I do. Will you allow me this privilege, Himawari-Sama?"

The man breathed deeply for a moment, the lines of weariness suddenly apparent on his skin. He stood his robes rather simple but made with fine cloth and the insignia of his family embroidered upon his left shoulder.

"You may."

The deceased miko let a slight curve come across her lips for but a moment as Kagome turned abruptly, unknowingly sensing her aura. She smiled up at the woman from her spot upon the ground. Her hair was loose, as it once had been every day; her body clothed a mere three-layer kimono of blue and pink. Her eyes were decorated with blue paint once more and the red wax decorated her lips, although not as heavily as when she had last seen her.

"Ohayo, Miko-Sama."

Kikyo bowed in respect to the girl, her eyes closed as she stood. Her eyes opening as the young girl waved her hands in front of her.

"You don't have to bow to me Miko-Sama!"

"Is it not required to show respect to you. Kori-Hime-Sama?" The woman replied, sitting beside the younger girl, whose posture slumped as she nodded wearily. Her large eyes set in one of sadness as she gazed over at the priestess.

"I know. I just can't feel comfortable in all of this. The clothing and the make up, the living style and all the regulations. I can't even go outside into the village you know."

Kikyo nodded, she had suspected that would be a rule. For who would want their only heir to be in danger if it should arise? Setting, her bow and quiver by her side, she let her hands fall into her lap, akin to what Kagome was doing as she gazed into the vast expanse of the blue sky.

"Is it true you've lost all your memories?"

Kagome blinked and turned, before her face turned into one of slight embarrassment. "I suppose the villagers told you as soon as possible..." She trailed off for a moment, her expression one of distraught sorrow weighing on her slender shoulders.

"...Yes." Kagome swallowed as she sighed, her eyes closing, showing the lines of her own weariness. "It is true. I have lost all of my memories.

Every single one of them."

Kikyo's eyes shimmered for a brief moment with sympathy before returning to her impassive expression. Standing, she bowed respectfully to the young woman, having heard enough for the day to contemplate upon.

"Wait!" The princess abruptly stood and ran over to Kikyo's side, placing a hand upon the woman's arm. Her large eyes pleading as she stood before her.

"I order you to wait." She breathed, before looking up at the miko, who was almost amused at the way she finally exerted her power as the hime of the region. It was the first time she had shown any defiance towards her since she first spoken to her.

"Please...when I first saw you two weeks ago at the parade. That night I had a dream. And I know it was triggered by your presence. I...I heard this man's thoughts. He had a very gruff voice but it softened but I can never make out what he's saying. All I see is darkness for the most part and I feel this despairing sadness and heartbreak...as if I'm dying inside."

Kagome paused, her hand clenched and above her heart, her gaze cast down to the side as tears glimmered in her eyes.

"And I feel as if I'm doing something I cannot control. Then I hear a female scream and a vile laugh before I see fading colors of red, silver, and gold. Then I wake up. It's been that same dream ever since I saw you."

Kikyo watched her reincarnation for a moment before deciding to speak.

"And when you awake?"

Kagome paused.

"My face is covered in tears."

The priestess sat upon the grass, her face stern as she gently ran her fingers over the curve of her bow. Standing, she notched a single arrow and pulled the bowstring back, her eyes narrowed as she gazed at her target. Without a word, she released the projectile and allowed herself a small smile as the children of the village applauded her marksmanship.

"Sugoi Kikyo-Sama!"

"Will you teach me how to do that?"

"Do it again Kikyo-Sama!"

She chuckled as the children swarmed about her legs, letting herself drop to one knee; she gazed over at them. Her face reminiscent of her reincarnations as she smiled at them all.

"Do you truly wish for me to do it again?"

The young faces nodded eagerly, their black eyes shining with adoration of their newfound idol.

"But it is getting late, and I haven't anymore arrows. Perhaps tomorrow?"

The pouts of their faces made a slight bout of guilt override her false body and she stood; gazing down at them as one tiny child retrieved her bow and empty quiver, handing it back to her. Tossing her long hair over her shoulder, she smiled broadly down at them.

"I will walk all of you home if you wish."

The cries of happiness gave her the answer.

Shippo was perched upon a branch of the Goshinboku, his aquamarine orbs hidden in the foliage of the tree. His tiny hands clenched and his eyes narrowed as he surveyed the area around him, his nose twitching every so often as to scan the woods for the scent of intruding demons.

Relaxing for a moment, he let his line of sight fall upon the sealed hanyou and sighed regretfully as he placed his hands before his eyes, analyzing them with painful scrutiny.

"I'm not as strong as you Inuyasha or you Papa..." He trailed off and looked up at the full moon that bathed the lands with its warm glow, the stars twinkling in response to his soft musings as the cool wind ruffled his orange hair. "But, I'm trying. I'm trying as hard as I can to help Kaede-Baa-Chan to protect the villagers, the jewel and you Inuyasha. I hope you're proud of me Papa, where ever you are."

He huddled deeper into his nook amongst the branches, his arms wrapping about his body as he closed his eyes. His tail curled protectively around his body and he snuggled to the left, when his eyes opened and filled with tears.

"I miss you Kagome..." He murmured, pulling out a tiny locket that she had given him one day. Inside was a picture of her, she was smiling and the wind was pulling at her raven hair. Her hand was trying to push her hair aside as she held Shippo at her stomach. He gazed at his face and almost berated himself for the love filled look that was his expression. "I hope...you're okay Kagome. I think Kikyo knows something we don't. And I hope she doesn't do anything bad. I really miss you...

Come back soon."

And if one squinted hard enough, you could almost make out a faint pink glimmer that briefly appeared around the arrow's shaft that protruded from Inuyasha's chest.

Kagome's awoke suddenly whimpering some as she sat up, dried tears staining her cheeks and a cold sweat covering her body from head to toe, causing her hair to stick to her skin. Breathing deeply, she placed a shaking hand over her heart, desperately willing it to return to a normal pace. Her posture slumped as she pulled her covers away from her body and stood up.

Striding over to her balcony, she slid the rice paper door open and smiled as a cool breeze cooled her heated flesh, the dream momentarily forgotten. Sighing, she stretched her arms reaching up as if to embrace the heavens above her head, when she stopped in mid motion and gazed curiously over into the distance.

There was a strange holy light emitting from a grouping of trees in the deeper parts of the forest that surrounded the large village. Placing a fisted hand over her heart, she squinted her eyes, trying desperately to see the image clearer.

Then a deep pain shot through her abdomen and her iris's turned a blank gray color. Her heart beat painfully in her ribcage and a deep throbbing headache caused her to drop to her knees and clutch her head in pain. Tears brimming in her eyes, she felt another flash of pain across her left cheekbone. Kagome's eyes snapped open, both of her iris's a deep black as a piercing fire erupted from the middle of her back, causing her to fall backwards in a dead faint amongst her tears to the floor.

Kagome searched through the blackness that surrounded her weightless body. Slowly, her hand came up to touch the flesh of her skin and pulled it away, gazing at her fingertips. She bit her lip, her stormy eyes narrowing in desperation trying to see if there was anything solid or present beside herself.

"Am I dead?" Her voice echoed around her, making her shiver in apprehension.

-No, you are not dead-

She gasped and turned her raven hair in a flurry around her. Her breathing becoming quicker and her eyes darting around in fear, trying to place where the voice was coming from.

- I am you-

"What do you mean?" Kagome asked, her voice strained as she tiptoed around the strange blackness at her feet and that coated the walls. She watched as silver ripples erupted from where her feet touched the floor. The princess continued to move forward, as if hoping it would lead her to the source, not realizing that the ripples never dissolved but instead became larger and began to glow.

- I am who you once were-

"What do you mean by that?" She cried out indignantly, her gaze flashing with annoyance as she stopped and placed her hands upon her hips. Her annoyance rapidly transformed into anger as she realized the voice was coming from all around and couldn't be followed to one place.

After a brief silence, her brow ticked and she turned around, and glared at the walls. Her eyes widened as she watched the ripples grow.

-I am who you were before you forgot-

"Forgot?" Kagome trailed off; slowly realizing whom this person was talking about. Her anger dissipated as she stepped forward again, slowly walking toward the ever widening ripples that floated upon the dark floor.

"You are who I was before I forgot my memories? Then...why am I here? Who am I? What's my name? Please, tell me something! Why do I have those nightmares? What do those colors mean?!" She yelled, her eagerness causing the voice to scoff in annoyance.

-I cannot tell you anything. If I did you would likely go into madness from learning too many things at once. You must learn everything on your own.-

"What? If you're me you have to help me! It's your duty as being me isn't it?!" She cried out and almost sobbed in frustration at the silence.

The voice was gone.

"Why do I have to figure it out on my own? Is there something I have to discover in all of this? Is this...a test? A test from the Fates' to see if I'm worthy enough to regain my memories?" Kagome stopped, realizing how heinous it sounded. She was at the edge of the ripple now; it was warm and inviting as the light played across her skin.

Breathing deeply, she leapt in.

Kikyo was summoned when news of the collapsed Hime reached the ears of the gossiping villagers. She merely bowed and followed the messager back to the castle. Her eyes were downcast in a respectful manner as she entered the throne room where the Lord Himawari awaited her presence.

Bowing low, she stood up and gazed squarely at his pudgy face, her gray irises narrowed in suspicion. The man nodded at her and motioned for her to sit before him on the pillow upon the floor. Seating herself, she sat back and gauged his words as he finally spoke.

"My daughter fainted last night and has yet to wake up."

Kikyo nodded, acknowledging the fact that she had heard of the incident long before he sent for her. She waited for him to finish his thoughts, half-curious if he would be pompous enough to try and place an accusation upon her.

"Please, heal my daughter. She's been murmuring since we found her and has been breaking out in cold sweats and fevers, it has been puzzling my healers for hours."

He paused, before bowing low, pressing his greasy forehead to the ground, his eyes closed and his palms flat upon the floor. The miko's eyes had widened considerably at this action of the lord. Her lips upturned in a rueful smile as he stayed in that position for a moment more before speaking.

"I beg of you, Miko-Sama, if you help cure my daughter. You shall always be welcome to this village and never turned away. Food and shelter shall always be here for you, should you decide to leave. And if you ever need help, you may use my finest warriors at your whim. Just save my daughter."

Kikyo stood and nodded, knowing full well that this "illness" was anything but normal. She must have had something trigger her memory. For a brief moment Kikyo wondered what had brought the fainting spell on and wondered if it would grow more painful for her reincarnation as she would slowly returned to her former self.

"I accept your request and will do my best."

The lord looked as if he was going to cry from relief as he bowed once more, thanking her profusely before demanding that his servant show Kikyo to his daughter's chambers. As Kikyo followed the young man and a guard shut the door behind her, a whispered voice reached her ears.

"I couldn't bear to lose my daughter." He murmured, grief staining his baritone voice.

And Kikyo's breath caught in her throat.

Luna: The reason for Kikyo's reaction is because she has realized just how insane the lord really is. He is taking Kagome as if she truly was his real daughter, when in fact his daughter has been dead for a long time.

Veron: I take it this will play in later chapters?

Luna: ((evil maniacal grin)) Oh yes

Veron: ((hides))

Terms

-Sama: A suffix that means something to "Lady" for a woman or "Lord "For a man.

Miko: A priestess

Kitsune: Fox spirit/Fox demon

Kori: Ice

Sugoi: Amazing

Ohayo: A simple form of "Good Morning"

Hime: Princess

((If I'm wrong on any of this, please correct me in your review or feel free to email me over it n.n))