Author: Tenma
Disclaimer: This applies to all chapters; Inuyasha and all related characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Story Summary: She is a miko heiress and has the perfect life. She is secure, happy and content. She needs nothing more than what she already has. But her life belongs to her sister, and her sister belongs to the Lord – Inuyasha.
New Characters in this Chapter:
Jittai Sango: Head of the Royal Guard. She is Inuyasha's most trusted warrior and strongest of his army. Descendent of the now extinct Taijiya village. Weapon of choice is her Hiraikotsu and her partner in crime is Kirara. 18 years of age. Smart, sharp, strong, calm, disciplined.
Chapter 3: Cover Up
Date Written: 4/21/05
She was distressed. But more than that, she was hurt. Normally Kouga would give a few words of wisdom or Miroku would cheer her up with his funnily lecherous ways and all would be forgotten, but she paid no mind to them, instead seeking solace in the room she had been given.
Higurashi Kagome tossed and turned in her sleep. Dreams and memories plagued her of her family members talking of her inappropriate behavior. Kikyou sticking up for her. Her mother scolding Kikyou for speaking without being spoken to first.
Her forehead sweating and her eyes streaming, she woke up screaming.
"Kagome! Kagome it's me, Kikyou." Kikyou put a hand to her forehead gently pushing her lie back on the bed.
"Wha-what are you doing here, I locked the door. It's nighttime you should be wi–"
"Shh. Here Kagome, your nightgown. Change." Slowly, almost painfully she changed out of her kimono and into her night dress.
"Sleep Kagome, I'll be here when you awake."
Nodding drowsily, Kagome quietly fell asleep. Carefully and softly, Kikyou crawled into bed next to her sister, as she did when they were young, and they fell asleep, two sisters, the ethereal glow of the moon blanketing them.
Miroku walked calmly through the gardens. They were beautiful, the flowers. Each one had its own face and each its own scent.
Looking up at the up moon, he frowned. Kagome had come to his mind. The poor woman. Much he cared for her. They were close as children, he in monk training and her in miko training; they ended up spending a lot of time together.
Sighing, he head back to the castle. But as he went, there was an odd sound that attracted him. Someone was yelling.
Following the sound to a clearing beyond the forest's edge, a woman decked in black and magenta held a giant bone that radiated a weak demon's aura and was practicing fighting technique with a firecat.
As he watched her, he became entranced, her fluid movements mesmerizing him into a peaceful daze he had never known. Her ponytail swishing crazily, tempting him, pulling him toward her.
'She is beautiful. I wonder who she is.' He took a step forward. But to his dismay, the firecat stopped and growled, interrupting the exotic dance she did.
Turning around, he saw her face fully, and he was stunned. But quickly, he covered it up.
"What do you want?"
His mouth opened. He meant to say that he was just passing by, but his mouth said, "to gaze upon your beauty and drink from it like a sweet nectar." He blushed and slapped a hand over his mouth. Oops.
She rolled her eyes, but blushed nonetheless. Who the heck was this man?
"Well then, um, if you don't mind, I'll just be going. I've been up too long anyway. Come, Kirara." The firecat followed her and she walked briskly past him.
'No! She's leaving! Think fast Miroku! Uhh…' "Wait!"
"Yes?"
"Um…" 'Crap…what now?'
She raised an eyebrow.
'Come on Miroku, pull yourself together!' "I wish to know the name of the lovely lady who graces me so with her presence."
"Sango. Anything else?" Kirara mewled at her feet.
Smiling softly he lightly shook his head. "No."
"Well, goodnight then - " she looked at his robes, " Houshi-Sama"
"Goodnight, fair warrior.'
With a small smile and a light flush on her cheeks, she jogged off, her firecat following along after her.
And, not knowing how he managed to get back to his room while in such a daze, Miroku sighed happily and flopped on his futon.
"Buddha has blessed me."
As soon as he woke up, Inuyasha knew something was amiss, Kikyou was not next to him. He sighed remembering their 'talk' the night before. 'Kikyou…Why did we choose this lie that we live in?'
Yawning, Kagome stretched, releasing some of her sore muscles. Kikyou slept soundly next to her. 'Just like when we were children.'
Sitting up, she yawned again. Kikyou, stirred by the sudden movement, smiled at her sister.
Instinctively, Kagome smiled back.
"Kagome? Are you feeling better?"
"A little, I have rested well."
"I am sorry for yesterday's dinner, I had hoped things would go better." Kikyou said, truly sorry.
"You should not apologize for his actions, he can do it himself." Kagome said firmly. Kikyou sat up next to her.
"But you came here as a guest and he was not hospitable, as his wife. It is I who should be sorry for not keeping him in check."
"Perhaps, and I accept your apology, though I shall continue to wait for his."
"Alright. But I guess that will mean you have to stay for a while, soooo… I want you to stay till my birthday!" Kikyou said happily.
Kagome giggled. "Alright. I almost forgot about it. I'll have to go get you a gift."
"No gift could be better than you coming to se me and my new life here in the castle."
Kagome giggled again, "I don't think I'll ever get used to you being married. It's just so…weird. My only sister, in love and married." She laughed.
But Kikyou did not laugh back. Instead, she cringed and looked away.
"Kikyou? What's wrong?"
"Kagome, if I tell you this, you must not say anything – to anyone. Please." Kikyou took Kagome's hands and searched her sister's eyes. For what, Kagome did not know.
"O-of course. I promise, just, do not look at me with those eyes Kikyou, they are broken and they pain me."
"Oh, Kagome!" Kikyou hugged her sister around the neck and burst into tears.
Kagome rubbed her sister's back, comforting her as best she could.
"Kagome, my marriage to the Lord…it…I …we do not love each other. Or, I do not love him. Not in the way our mother loved our father, or in the way Lord Kouga loves Ayame.
"Our love, has no passion. When I met the Lord, he was alone, as I was. We both needed each other, for solace and comfort. We knew each other for one week and then I left to travel the Southern kingdom, but we needed each other. We needed the common hurt. It is nothing but a mutual agreement. I do not love him…and he…he does not love Me." she sobbed again.
"O sister, what do I do, I have married man who does not love me, and I do not love him. And worse, I feel as if what we share is only because we have nothing else. We are only hurting each other by staying near each other."
Kagome said nothing. She was only slightly shocked, but somehow, she knew her sister was never in love with the man.
"Kikyou, he needed you, and you needed him. I can see that, I do not think you two went about this the right way, but at least you are no longer alone. Though at the same time, I do not think you should abuse each other in such a way. I love you Kikyou, I want you to be happy. So no matter what you choose to do, I will support you in your decision…unless of course you go crazy on me and try to rule the world in your nightgown!"
Kikyou giggled. "Thank you Kagome. But until I decide I will just have to cover up my feelings so that my choice will be solely unbiased."
"That sounds like a good idea. But for now, we should go get changed. I'm starving." Kagome's stomach grumbled loudly.
The two laughed together.
That morning, Kouga and Miroku arrived at the breakfast hall early. The two had not yet eaten, instead opting to wait for Kagome.
What they did not expect was for Kagome and Kikyou to come into the dining hall, laughing at something completely inane, and dressed identically in red and white kimonos.
"Good morning Lady Kikyou, Lady Kagome." Miroku said pleasantly.
"I trust you both slept well?" Kouga asked concernedly.
"Good morning Kouga, Miroku. And yes, we both slept soundly." Kagome answered.
The two burst into giggles again.
And soon, the four of them were seated at the table, eating breakfast in polite company, laughing and giggling like schoolchildren.
But, unknowingly, two jealous eyes watched from the corridor.
So far, you've found only the base of Inuyasha and Kikyou's odd relationship. But you've only heard Kikyou's side. What of Inuyasha?
Special thanks to my Beta: Holy Pancake
In the next chapter: determined to make things right, Kikyou makes three deals: one with Inuyasha, Kouga, and Kagome. Each deal is kept secret from the other. But what are the terms?
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