Summary: Perfect but at what cost? S/K
Rating: K
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Beauty and the Beast.
Notes: Ok so I know the beginning starts off kind of cliché-ish, but hang in there with me.
Title: Perfection's Price
(Prologue)
One upon a time there was a prince. He was strong and beautiful, but he had grown arrogant and spoiled since he took over the throne and became the Lord of all the Western Lands.
One dark and stormy night a stray human woman stumbled upon the palace. Shaking she had asked for refugee from the storm only to be turned away by the lord. With anger and sadness the woman burst forth to relieve she was a goddess named Midoriko and she placed a curse upon the lord hardening his heart to everyone so that if he could not find a way to show compassion for another in 500 years he would die. For many years the lord ruled his lands with an iron grip making it the most desired land around. But as the centuries passes he grew weary of his life, but he told no one of the burdened he carried on his mind.
(498 years later)
Kagome sighed wearily from behind the tree. She had chosen this. She had said as long as she could stay she wouldn't make him choose between her and Kikyo. He had chosen. Well true he hadn't said the words, but it was written all over his face. She couldn't deny him happiness, even if it still hurt her. There wasn't enough fight left in her to be strong. It would be best if she left, at least for a while. Too many memories.
Kagome pushed away slightly from the tree and began walking towards the well. Kagome's thoughts numb as she silently walked the short distance to the well. Not a bird chirped, not a leaf rustled, and Kagome was oblivious to it all. Slowly the well appeared and Kagome's shuffling seemed to slow with each step towards it. Finally, her feet stopped moving totally. Kagome stared down into its awaiting depths as though by merely looking at it the answers to the rest of her life would suddenly appear. Kagome could have laughed at the thought. 'My destiny is always tied to this well. Mistress Centipede dragging me back in time, the shikon jewel, Naraku, Inuyasha…'
Kagome's jaw clenched slightly at his name. Silently she placed a hand on the rough wood edge. Could she do it? Could she live with out Inuyasha?
An arrow whipped past Kagome's head striking a tree behind her. Dropping her bag beside her she spun to see her attacker. Kikyo stood in there here midnight black hair swaying in the wind, her bow taunt ready to release another deadly arrow.
"Kikyo?" Kagome whispered.
"You're in the way." Was the only explanation the priestess supplied before releasing the arrow straight at Kagome's heart.
It never made it. About half way the arrow suddenly broke into two pieces as a white blur rushed past Kagome straight Kikyo. Kikyo's knees crumpled and she fell to the ground her eyes half-open with and arrow sticking out of her as if she was some sort of morbid pin cushion. Kagome blinked once before looking past the dead girl at the killer.
Sesshoumaru stood with his arms crossed staring blankly at the miko. Quickly she returned her gaze to Kikyo and stared at the arrow protruding from her chest. 'Where did the arrow..?' Kagome stole a quick glance behind her. 'Ah, Kikyo's arrow.'
"Are you done?" Asked Sesshoumaru. Kagome's head snapped around back to the lord and she gave a slight nod.
"Good now, I have a proposition for you." He paused for moment then continued. "You can stay her and be killed by Inuyasha for Kikyo's death, or you come with me. You're choice." Stated Sesshoumaru as though he was discussing what candy flavor was his favorite.
"What?"
"It's not hard. Stay and die or come with me."
"What happens if I come with you?" Kagome asked dumbfounded.
"That is for me to know." Sesshoumaru replied uncrossing his arms. "You better hurry Inuyasha is on his way here." Kagome mind immediately set on staying and waiting for Inuyasha she could deal with him.
Sesshoumaru seemed to read her mind and replied icily. "I should mention Inuyasha is in a demon rage. Oh and…"Sesshoumaru grasped Kagome's hand and forced her hand around the arrow yanking it out of Kikyo's body. "That makes it a bit harder to explain." Grinned Sesshoumaru releasing her hand, now holding the arrow.
Kagome stared down at the arrow now stained with her scent like her hand was no stained with Kikyo's blood. It didn't matter if Inuyasha would listen to her or not now, now the proof was in her hands. Glaring at Sesshoumaru she stood and threw down the cursed arrow and whipped her hands on her skirt. Kagome reached down and picked up her bag, sparing a glance at the well behind her. She'd never make in time, Sesshoumaru would grab her before she could even leap in the well. Straightening Kagome sighed. She couldn't leave, and she couldn't bring down Inuyasha if he was that angry, she'd have to go with Sesshoumaru and form a plan from there. Kagome looked back at Sesshoumaru and nodded. Sesshoumaru snatched Kagome's wrist and began to float on his cloud. Kagome squeaked at the suddenly loss of ground beneath her feet and spared a glance down.
'Ah crap!'
The ground was slowly shrinking below her as she dangled from cloud. Quickly Kagome used her hand and latched onto Sesshoumaru's own wrist reinforcing the lord's grasp, not that she needed to, he was stronger in a pinky than her whole arm. Closing her eyes Kagome just held on and prayed he wouldn't drop her as they floated along. It certainly wasn't the most comfortable way to travel, but it was defiantly faster.
Here is the first round done! Yay! Now please, oh please, review and give me some feedback. Oh and any suggestion or ideas are completely and utterly welcomed.
Aslan