"Talking"
'Thinking'
Memories
Stressed
Kagome sighed as she sat on top of her roof. The scarlet hakama rustled as she crossed her legs. The scarlet hakama and white bell sleeved haori were the only visible signs that she is the Miko. Kagome scoffed at the idea of being the Miko, she was honored and annoyed to hell. Her emotions were slowly beginning to over boil. It was a matter of time before she exploded and went on some rampage. Her gray-blue eyes softened for a quick moment before she buried her emotions underneath a mask. She smiled, that's what she wore an invisible mask.
Her eyes traveled to the hut about a block down. Sango and Miroku were still busy in repairing their weapons and training. Kagome wondered what they thought about the situation. A week had passed since she had been named the village Miko. Miroku had been training her in manifesting her powers. Kaede had nothing more to teach besides simple herb tips. Kagome's eyebrows furrowed as she remembered their looks and Inuyasha. It was a shocking announcement to them all. She wouldn't change her mind about becoming the village Miko; this was her path.
'Maybe it's the only thing I have left,' Kagome thought with a scowl.
Kagome frowned as she stood up and stretched. Inuyasha seemed to be keeping his distance from her. She quickly picked up her Hami-Yumi and jumped off the roof. Her feet touched the ground but her mind seemed to stay in the clouds. Sango was overjoyed at the fact Kagome had chosen to stay in the Feudal era. Miroku was supportive of her choices and wouldn't give it a negative thought. Kagome turned and watched the sun finally come over the horizon. It was time for her training; she was slowly changing everything about herself.
'Am I just wishing to remove all of me?' Kagome wondered with a sigh.
Kagome frowned at this thought as she walked down the path with renewed vigor. She could admit that she wanted to change everything about herself; she wanted to lose herself so she could be reborn. Kagome knew that she was becoming a true Miko to hide herself from emotion. Inuyasha had truly been the first love in her life, but he had served a purpose. He served as a trusted friend and somehow she felt betrayed. No matter how hard she buried the feelings, her heart screamed at her. The love of her life had shown her that her trust had beenmisplaced. It didn't matter that he never physically harmed her. He had shown her that the worst enemy was the heart. Kagome felt as if all the flaws of humanity had been shown to her that night.
Kagome stopped her steps to the hut and sighed. She leaned against the wood of the hut and focused her gaze on the ground. Her eyes focused on the scarlet Miko garb that she wore. The scarlet color didn't bother her or the fact that Kikyo once and still wore these didn't bother her. They represented that she had gone through a change that would permanently stay with her. She had changed herself into the Miko and would carry out this path. Even if she wanted to shield her emotions away, she would still do her duty with pride.
'Does being a Miko reflect what I am in my heart?' Kagome pondered with a frown.
She ran her hand down her side and briefly touched the pouch at her side. The number one hundred and eight rang through her mind. Her powers had increased and she would continue to grow. All she had to do was prove her self in battle and then her training would be complete. The flap from the hut was pushed aside and she glanced up at the person. Sango smiled warmly at Kagome and received a acknowledging nod. Sango didn't let her hurt show, but she walked passed Kagome with her mood dampened. Kagome frowned at the fact that she had hurt Sango by not being her cheerful self.
"Lady Kagome," Miroku happily greeted.
"Good Morning," Kagome calmly greeted as he walked out of the hut. His Shakujou slightly jingled with each step.
"Are you ready for training?" Miroku asked.
"I have a trick to show you," Kagome said with a smirk.
"So that's why you're smiling," Miroku stated with his own smile. Kagome's small smirk faltered into a frown. She knew he didn't mean it to be hurtful. He didn't mean to imply that she had to have a reason to smirk or show emotion. Even though he didn't mean it, it felt like it.
"I smile when I feel like," Kagome stoically said. She could see the light in his eyes fade away.
"I didn't mean to imply anything," Miroku began to apologize.
"I know, just meet me in the field," Kagome interrupted before she left.
Miroku just sighed as he watched her vanished. She had been so calmly volatile the past week. Whenever someone tried to get her to open up, she wouldn't say anything about herself. It was also calculated advice that quickly ended the talk. Shippo was the only one that she hadn't changed with. She would still smile and laugh with him when she thought no one was around. Kagome then would keep her emotions on a short leash; even the avoidant Inuyasha had noticed this change. He tried to talk to her about it and she simply stared at him like he was a moron. Kagome then walked over to him and pulled the prayer beads off his neck. Kagome then whispered that the power of the spoken word was broken.
Miroku walked the way Kagome had left with a troubled face. The prayer beads simply vanished in her hand before she had left the hut. Miroku came upon her standing on top of the well staring into its dark depths.
"Why don't you go back?" Miroku simply asked. Kagome stared into the well as his words floated to her.
"I've made a decision and will follow through with it," Kagome answered.
"Your as stubborn as Inuyasha," Miroku joked. Kagome let out a low sardonic laugh.
"I am not stubborn, I am just determined," Kagome whispered.
"Are you sure you want to be a Miko?" Miroku questioned.
"I am sure I want to be a Miko," Kagome assured.
"You know you don't have to act so stoic," Miroku told her. Kagome turned her bored eyes to him and simply stared at him.
"Why would I put on an act?" Kagome questioned.
"We all worry that you're becoming to detached," Miroku softly spoke, "even Inuyasha worries."
"I don't care about what Inuyasha worries about, I am doing this my own way. This is where I am and where I stay," Kagome let the anger show.
"Very well, I shall test you and see if you are ready to be the new Miko," Miroku announced.
"Don't we need witnesses?" Kagome questioned.
"You have yourself and I," Miroku answered.
"Very well," Kagome agreed.
Kagome untied her pouch and pulled out the string of beads. Miroku cautiously watched as she pulled out the length of red and white prayer beads. She held the beads and wrapped them around her wrist. The beads weren't connected in a necklace; it was a simple string with the red and white beads placed upon it. Kagome took one end of the bead and let it rest in between her middle and ring finger. Kagome set her ya aside and carefully placed her Hami-Yumi on the ledge of the well. She smiled as she waited for him to attack.
"No weapons?" Miroku questioned in worry.
"Worry for yourself, I have my weapon," Kagome assured.
Miroku quickly pulled out and ofuda and tossed it at her. Kagome smirked; he was looking to subdue her. Kagome held her hand in front of and watched the paper vanish in a flash of bluish-white light. She didn't have long to savor her victory. Miroku used his Shakujou and aimed for her head. Kagome grabbed her string of beads and smirked when she used it to block the Shakujou. Miroku froze in shock as he watched the beads lengthen to the size of his staff. A quick flash signaled that were indeed more then they appeared. Kagome held her beads in the middle and they remained as sturdy as any pole or staff.
"How?" Miroku whispered.
"Like my trick?" Kagome questioned as she pushed him away.
"Just a new challenge," Miroku assured.
Kagome watched as he vanished and appeared overheard. She moved out of the way and allowed the Shakujou to impale itself into the ground. Miroku pulled the staff from the ground and blocked another attack. Kagome grew tried of the staff battle and decided to end it. The beads flashed again with her energy. She held the beads by one end and used it like a whip. They wrapped around the staff like a serpent. A flick of the wrist and the Shakujou was impaled in one of the trees. Kagome grinned as Miroku began chanting.He pulled out an ofuda and held it in front of him. She didn't want any chances taken so she charged him. The ofuda was sent flying into the air and smacked her on the forehead. A gasp escaped her lips as she froze in place. The beads scattered and fell around her as she watched Miroku.
"You must never allow an enemy any advantage," Miroku scolded.
"I am not finished," Kagome coldly said as Miroku stood in front of her. "Tide pool still, as if tomorrow, I'm not here!"
The beads began to glow a whitish blue and floated into the air. One floated over to Kagome and the ofuda exploded into flames. Miroku jumped back with another ofuda in his hands. Kagome grinned as she pointed at him
"Beads of red and white, work to restrain my enemy, listen and obey my call!" Kagome chanted.
The beads pulsed and Miroku jumped away as the beads circled around him. He dodged every bead as they chased after him. Kagome grinned in triumph as they wrapped around his arms and legs. It reminded her of the time Inuyasha was first bound with the prayer beads. Kagome walked over to the fallen Miroku and was careful to not show her pride. He was on his side and bound by beads in the grass.
"Nice trick," he muttered as he tried to sit up.
"Give up?" Kagome asked.
"I give up and you past the test," Miroku acknowledge.
"I'm the best!" Kagome shouted as she did a little dance around Miroku.
He rolled his eyes at her antics but didn't dare speak up. It had been a while since she truly smiled. He lightly chuckled at her and she began to blush. She bowed and kneeled next to him. She held her hands out in front of her like she was cupping water.
"Release," Kagome ordered. The beads flashed before they floated into her hands appearing like they were on a string. Miroku sat up and rubbed his wrist as he watched her put the beads back into the pouch.
"Where'd you get those?" Miroku asked.
"I made them," Kagome simply answered.
"They're amazing," Miroku honestly said.
"Thank you," Kagome accepted the praise.
"May I hold them?" Miroku asked.
"NO!" Kagome quickly snapped, "They will harm anyone that touches them."
"A powerful weapon with a safe guard, you have changed," Miroku observed.
"I know," Kagome whispered.
Kagome stared into the night sky with little on her mind. She had already been named and recognized as the village Miko. Kaede was able to step down from her duty and live like a normal old woman. Inuyasha seemed agitated as he watched her take her oaths. Sango beamed and cheered the woman on as she accepted her duties. The villagers were finally resting from their day's works and excitement. Kagome sat by the Torii of the temple and allowed a smile to show. It felt wonderful to be apart of something. A soft landing told her she had a visitor. Kagome stood and faced her visitor with an uncaring look.
"Why are you truly doing this?" He roughly asked. Kagome glared at him as he finished that sentence.
"What do you mean Inuyasha?" Kagome coldly demanded. His red hakama and haori shifted in the slight breeze.
"You've never strived to become a Miko before," Inuyasha stated.
"I came to a decision Inuyasha," Kagome said.
"Why take on the burden of a Miko…what will happen once the Tama is complete? Are you selfish enough to leave the village and vanish?" Inuyasha growled. Kagome's eyes flashed with all that pent up anger.
"I will not leave the village. They survived without a Miko before…or did you forget that?" Kagome sharply asked.
"That was different!" Inuyasha argued.
"So Kikyo's death is different from if I'm ripped out of this world or if I die in the final battle." Kagome softly assumed.
"That's not what I meant," Inuyasha angrily sighed.
"That's exactly what you meant! I am no fool," Kagome warned.
"You're not meant to be here!" Inuyasha yelled.
Kagome took an involuntary step back before glared at him. She took one step forward and slapped him hard. The slap echoed as the wind picked up. He touched his face and his mouth struggled for words.
"Unlike you I know my place. My place is as the Miko and I will take my duty to heart," Kagome informed.
"Kagome I-"
"Silence Inuyasha, leave me now," Kagome ordered as she turned her face from him.
"But I-"
"Leave!" Kagome growled.
She heard his growl before she watched his form vanish. Kagome hid her face in her left hand as she bit her lower lip. Her eyes begged her to release her tears. She shook her head no before she walked down the temple steps. Kagome froze as her eyes widened in fear. A soft white blur swiftly moved from roof to roof. Her eyes caught sight of about ten more blurs. She could feel the youki radiating from the white blurs. Kagome ran down the shrine steps and towards Sango and Miroku's hut. A man stepped out of his hut and stretched.
"Get back inside!" Kagome yelled, but it was to late.
Blood rushed from his mouth as he fell to pieces. Kagome jumped over the body and dodged the white blur. She rolled into her friends hut and watched as they turned to her.
"Youkai attack," Kagome simply said.
"What kind?" Sango asked as she picked up her Hiraikotsu.
"I think they're Kamaitachi," Kagome answered.
"Damn weasels," Sango cursed as they stepped outdoors.
Kagome watched at a white blur raced towards them. Miroku quickly killed it with an ofuda. Kagome stared down at the youkai with clear disdain. It was a small weasel and in its paws were sickles. Kagome frowned and jumped onto the roof so she could see the area. Kamaitachi were a type of youkai that had no real society. They attacked and killed for no known reason. Kamaitachi were considered a low level youkai in the food chain. They were agile and annoying, but they weren't the smartest. Kagome took hold of her Hami-Yumi and noched her ya. She pulled the tsuru back with the ya and took aim.
A white blur stopped and she saw the youkai. It was quickly sniffing the air with its twitching nose. Kagome released the ya and watched, as it became a Hamaya. The weasel turned around just in time to stare at the Hamaya. The Hamaya pinned the weasel to the side of a hut. It screeched as it exploded into flames.
"There's nine more Kamaitachi!" Kagome shouted to Sango and Miroku.
They nodded and took off in different directions. Kagome set her quiver of arrows down and placed her Hami-Yumi next to her. She pulled out her beads and took a deep breath. This task would tire her out. Kagome couldn't do this with high-level youkai or she would risk losing to much energy and living herself vulnerable.
"Red and white, seek the invaders, search and destroy," Kagome commanded.
The beads left her hands and shot off in different directions. Kagome held her concentration as she focused her Miko ki into the beads. Sango sliced a weasel in half and watched as a glowing bead shot past her. Turning around she watched as the bead shot through the head of an approaching weasel. The weasel froze and turned to dust the instant the bead left. Sango turned her gaze to the roofs and found Kagome sitting still. Her eyes widened in realization as a bead returned to Kagome's hand. The rest of the beads returned to her hand and stopped glowing.
Miroku ran towards the hut Kagome was on when he sensed another Kamaitachi. Kagome placed the beads in her pouch and fell to her side. He heard Kirara growl as she picked him up. A man with long brown hair approached the fallen Miko. He had to sickles at his sides in a sash. Sango launched her Hiraikotsu and he dodged it both times. He picked up Kagome and fled into the forest. Kagome opened her eyes and watched as the black eyes glared ahead.
'This isn't good,' Kagome thought as she drifted into darkness.
Author's Note:
I can't think of any notes…
Sorry I can't answer reviews indvidually, but if you have a question, I'll answer it on the next post
Thanks to the reviewers and readers
Reviews are my anti-drug
Translations:
Hakama- divided skirt
Haori- a long, wide sleeved kimono
Tabi- divided toe sock that came to the ankle
Hami-Yumi- sacred longbow
Hamaya- purifying arrow
Tsuru- string of the bow
Ya- arrow
Kamaitachi- a sickle weasel youkai