Kiki watched sincerely as Sango stroked a three-tailed cat demon. Upon Kiki coming into the room, it had hissed at her and Sango had hushed it by softly saying, "Kirara". Kiki could only assume that it was the demon's name. For the ten minutes Kiki had been there, neither girl had spoken. She shifted her gaze from Sango's hand to her wrist; she wore a black, cloth bracelet; a sign of morning.
"I don't blame you." Sango sadly laughed, trying to smile. Kiki nodded, holding back tears and letting Sango finish. "I believe you when you say that another demon did it…"
"Sango, I really hope you mean it… I've told you that he was cut down when I wasn't looking. I didn't see him until the demon turned me around. I swear, I didn't kill him." Kiki pleaded. Sango shook her head, as if she didn't want to hear it, looking pained.
"I believe you. I really do." She whispered, letting tears roll down her face. Sango turned towards Kiki, her eyes running steadily now. "Why did he have to die?"
Kiki let Sango sob into her shoulder as the demon cat mewed in protest. It was hard, holding back tears. However, Kiki needed to be strong – for Sango's sake.
"I know it's not fair. I feel awful about it. I'm so sorry…" she whispered. Sango just sobbed harder into her, clutching the cat. This time it mewed loud enough so that Sango pulled away from Kiki.
"I'm sorry... You must think I am pathetic." Sango laughed, wiping her face with one hand and holding the cat with the other. Kiki opened her mouth to protest when the door to the room slid open with a loud bang.
"INUYASHA! Didn't I tell you not to open doors like- Oh! Miroku!" Kiki exclaimed, turning towards the door and spotting the monk. "What is it?"
The monk had a look of contorted confusion on his face, his right sleeve rolled up to his shoulder and a large mass of bandages showing through. In his left hand he clutched an unfamiliar staff with a decorative head piece that jingled when he moved. "The demon's name…" he began calmly. "Was… Naraku?"
Kiki gritted her teeth to keep from slapping him. How dare he bring up that name in front of Sango? It had only been two days since Kohaku had died. "Yes. It was Naraku." Kiki hissed. "But I don't think we should talk about it right now."
"Now is a perfect time. Sango's gotta suck it up or we'll never be able to avenge her brother." Inuyasha snapped, appearing behind Miroku. He had a stubborn look on his face, which Kiki immediately despised. She glanced at a blank-faced Sango, and watched her carefully. It was creepy, seeing her like this. It was if she hadn't a care in the world, or as if she didn't know where she was and had no part in the conversation going on before her.
Kiki looked down at her hands sadly, connecting her fingers and slowly pulling them apart. She watched in bottled fascination as small sparks kept them connected. She lifted her head quickly when Sango finally spoke. "He's right. Now is a perfect time."
The men came into the room and shut the door behind them, settling down in front of the two women. Kiki scowled unhappily and Sango dropped her head to look at Kirara. She was mewing in concern.
"Now, you're certain his name was Naraku?" Miroku persisted. Kiki bared her teeth at him, angrily growling an "I'm sure." through them. He sighed distastefully, jumping at the electric shock Kiki sent through him by slamming her hands on the floor. "Alright, alright! So it WAS Naraku…"
"I think she's made that statement clear!" Sango snapped suddenly. The three quietly looked at her and she blushed angrily, looking back down at Kirara. "I mean… Go on…"
"That is the exact same demon that put a curse on my family over 50 years ago… my grandfather fought against Naraku a long time ago. The battle lasted for several years, and every time Naraku appeared before my grandfather, he took on the form of a different human. The last time Naraku appeared before him, he appeared in the form of a beautiful woman. My grandfather was somewhat of a… How do you say it…?" Miroku paused, contemplating the word.
"Letcher? Womanizer? Pervert?" Kiki listed easily.
"How ever did you know?" he exclaimed in surprise.
Inuyasha snorted. "It's pretty obvious."
Miroku coughed politely and continued. "Because of this form, Naraku got very close to him and pierced his hand with an abysmal hole. Naraku told my grandfather that this hole would be passed down to each generation in his family for as long as Naraku lived and that eventually, no one would remain. This same curse was passed down to me… Each year, the hole in my hand grows bigger, and the wind more powerful. If I cannot defeat Naraku, the hole will eventually consume me as well. The sacred jewel of the four souls disappeared 50 years ago, and has now reappeared, which Naraku will surely be trying to find in order to strengthen his evil forces. … Or so is the rumor going around. I know this because Naraku came close to getting the jewel 50 years ago and, in doing so, he slew the Priestess that protected it."
Inuyasha practically leaped the three feet between him and Miroku, grabbing him by the collar and heaving his face close. "Slew a priestess? Are you sure?"
"I'm positive! What's the big deal?" Miroku exclaimed shakily. Kiki shook her head in disdain. So, she really was the spawn of the demon that had killed Kikyo. Any doubt that she had formerly had was now gone. She was evil. She was a devil's child.
Inuyasha dropped Miroku with an unhappy growl at the air. Sango watched blankly at both his and Kiki's reaction. Kiki had told her about Kikyo. Even Miroku's surprising secret didn't phase her.
"As I was saying… He slew a priestess, but she took the jewel to her grave. I am searching for the priestess who is now said to carry the jewel, but I was attacked by demons on my way to this village. I luckily managed to get here…" Miroku sighed in defeat. "I must be on my way soon…"
"Wait, you mean I didn't tell you?" Kiki inquired in surprise. Miroku warily gazed at her sideways. His look read, "Tell me what?".
"Er… I have the jewel right here…"
Miroku choked as Kiki withdrew the shiny pink gem from under her shirt. Everyone in the room gazed at it dreadfully, working out how it affected its possessors' lives. Naraku had come to the village for Kiki. Why hadn't he taken the jewel? Did he want her to have it? Was he just playing games?
"Why am I still alive?" Kiki wondered aloud. The others looked at the floor in confusion. It was an interesting question.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Kiki sighed in pure annoyance as she attempted to pry herself from a horde of small, grabbing hands and dirty faces. She had been looking for Inuyasha, slipping from house to house, alley to alley, silent and shadow-like. Despite her greatest efforts, a young child had spotted her, and she was immediately mauled to near death by every child in the village. How did Inuyasha manage? His adorable dog ears attracted the children like flies. The reason they were all flocking to Kiki was because she was a priestess, and priestesses were supposed to be educated, intelligent, and fun. Currently, Kiki hadn't enough patience to put on a front like that.
"Miss Kiki! Miss Kiki! Can you tell me what this is?" "I like your kimono! Where did you get it?" "How long are you staying, Miss Kiki?" "Where's Inuyasha, Miss Kiki?" "Are you a demon, Miss Kiki?" "Miss Kiki! What is the remedy for warts?"
"GAH! Get away from me you little- I mean… Uh… I'm kind of busy right now, kids. Would you please go bother- er, grace another person with your presence?" Kiki bargained, trying to motion with her hands for them to run along. The children gave her dismayed pleads and puppy eyes, but Kiki ignored it all. Her chest ached with the need to see Inuyasha, and her head pounded with the desire to tackle him from behind.
"Are you looking for doggy-man, Miss Kiki? He's at the top of the big hill. I won't tell nobody." The only remaining child peeped at her. Kiki squatted down and smiled gently at the young girl.
"You mean, 'I won't tell anybody.'"
"Same difference."
Kiki's grin widened. "What's your name?"
"Karra."
"Well, Karra… I'm going to tell you where a secret mint patch is! It's over on that hill, under the giant oak tree! It's very well hidden, beneath lots of clovers and such." Kiki whispered. Karra's eyes grew large with happiness, and she pranced off towards the hill, waving and calling out her thanks. Kiki sighed again, somewhat happy that now she could openly walk on the streets and the children wouldn't bother her. The adults knew well enough when she was busy.
Before long she had made her way up the 'big hill', and spotted Inuyasha's red kimono in the grass at the top of the next hill over. With a great burst of energy, Kiki scrambled down her hillside and up his, tripping once or twice in her attempt to get to him.
Upon seeing the half-demon boy dozing lazily in the sun, Kiki pounced on him from the side, sprawling herself sideways over his body.
"OOF! Huh? Wha? Oh… Feh. Why'd you wake me up?" Inuyasha snapped moodily, as he tried to contain a yawn. Kiki's mood dropped slightly at his reaction, feeling a little discarded at the fact he hadn't wanted to see her as much as she had wanted to see him. Shaking it off, Kiki crawled up his chest and put her face directly above his. She cutely tilted her head to the side and watched amusedly as a blush crawled up Inuyasha's face.
"I only wanted to see you…" she softly informed him, looking down at his chest and drawing pictures on him with her right pointer finger. "I'll go if you want…"
Inuyasha sighed guiltily and then rolled his eyes. "No… It's fine. Whatever." Kiki let out a happy squeak and then pressed her lips innocently against his. She could feel his small blush explode at her reaction and then pulled away before he could even begin to kiss back. Admiring her handiwork on his facial expression, she curled her head underneath his chin and cuddled against him.
"Ah-uh-um-well…" Inuyasha stammered. Kiki peered curiously up at him, watching closely.
"Yes?" she asked sweetly, reaching up boldly to idly scratch one of his ears. "What is it?" Inuyasha ieyes suddenly drooped until they were half closed, and a small smile inching onto his lips. Kiki was certain that if he had a tail it would be wagging.
"Hmmm… Nothing…" He murmured contently, carefully slipping his arms around her. Kiki continued scratching his ear with one hand, enjoying his comfort and ease. She knew quite well it would be shattered in a minute or two – she was about to drop a bomb on him. Her mind was itching to know why he had avoided her all of last week, and why he had not allowed her more time like this with him. And why he had looked the doors to his room one night and kept very silent until daybreak?
"Well, I have a question!" She piped up happily. Her voice was still utterly adorable and sinless, giving no warning to what she was about to ask. He dimly nodded his head as if to signal he was listening although it was obvious he wasn't concentrating very hard. Kiki stopped scratching his ear, and the tone of her voice changed dramatically. "Why did you avoid me last week?" she hissed at him, pulling away from his arms and pinning his shoulders against the ground. He appeared half asleep for a moment and then his eyes shot wide open.
"Huh?"
Kiki growled, irritated, and asked again. "Why did you avoid me last week? You were going to tell me, but I was having some… issues. Why did you avoid me?"
"So that's what you came up here for? You had me put my guard down and everything! That was uncalled for!" Inuyasha accused, glaring at her. "You didn't want to see me at all!"
Kiki immediately felt hurt, her expression obviously informing Inuyasha how much that comment had injured her. She had wanted to see him. So badly. And now he was accusing her of only wanting answers? Her grip loosened and she rolled off him, quickly turning her back to his shifting body.
"Kiki, look- I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." Inuyasha sighed.
"Yes you did. You meant it. You believed it. I just can't believe you would believe that." Kiki choked, feeling her eyes water. "It's only normal for me to want answers."
Inuyasha's emotional shield was obviously beginning to come up, for his reply was far from understanding. "Feh! What do you want from me, woman?"
"I want some answers! Go damn it, Inuyasha! Don't you snap at me!" Kiki snarled, sitting up and turning towards him. He was sitting cross-legged and staring at her. His eyes were clouded over and his expression was contorted.
"I like what we were doing before more than what we're doing now." He stated blankly, averting his gaze to the ground. "I liked how bold you were more a minute ago." Kiki realized suddenly how evilly she had approached this matter – knowing that she was dropping a bomb on a very emotionally fragile person, but wholeheartedly dropping it anyway. She slunk forward and softly kissed him on the lips. When she pulled back, her eyes were apologetic.
"I'm sorry… but please. Tell me why." She whispered. Inuyasha stared at the ground and nodded slightly.