Raven hair dropped passed brown eyes of fiery passion. Two loops of hair brushed the ivory skin of the budding priestess. Her miko outfit was slightly big on her as she had just been initiated into the circle of priestess that guard the Shikon no Tama. Gently she played with the pink jewel with a bemused expression on her face. Kikyo sighed as she placed the jewel back on the stand. She did not wish to be chained to the Shikon, as great of a honor as it was, she wished to follow in her mother's line instead.
Her mother's line, according to rumors, had descended from the 'Sleeping Queen's,' best friend Lady Mars of the Burning Fire. With that ancestor, they were meant to seek out the 'Sleeping Queen,' and free her. However, so far they had been unsuccessful in their quest to awaken the queen. Kikyo had the feeling it would be her that would awaken the Queen. Yet, the dream was squashed as she was entrusted with the Shikon no Tama. Angrily she turned to it, and toyed with the idea of tossing the bloody jewel away. Huffing she stepped away, and instead walked to the aging priest who had guarded the jewel before her.
"Sir, may I have a moment?" Kikyo inquired quietly. The priest turned away from his other dark haired student Tsubaki and instead nodded to Kikyo. He followed after the brooding Kikyo before she deemed it the right time to speak. "Sir, you know who I descend from?" Kikyo began.
"Of course," the priest returned, "which is why you are the best choice to guard the Shikon." the priest responded.
"Sir, an honor it is..." She tried, but the priest cut in before she could finish her sentence.
"Good, I would have it no other way, now I must continue my duties." He stated and turned away. Kikyo rested a hand on the back of the priest's robes.
"Sir, I DO NOT want to guard the jewel." Kikyo spoke, the priest turned curiously back.
"Kikyo, you never struck me as one who would shirk their duties." The priest commented.
"I do not, but sir, my line has another duty that must come first." She reminded tightly.
"Surely you do not believe in that old tale." He marked.
"Sir, how do you explained the natural ability of priesthood in each of my mothers's ancestors?" Kikyo inquired.
"Luck of the draw." The priest answered.
"Hardly." Kikyo responded.
"None the less, you must guard the jewel." The priest spoke.
"Then I request a sabbatical, to go on a soul journey." Kikyo stated.
"Fine, on two conditions." The priest conceded.
"What?" Kikyo asked.
"You find someone who can guard the jewel while you are gone." The priest listed.
"Done, Tsubaki can guard the Shikon no Tama while I am gone." Kikyo told him.
"The other is you must bind your soul to the Shikon." Was his other condition. Kikyo paused then, as it was a terribly serious thing to bind one's soul to the Shikon. The last person who did so was granted immortality, though normally such a sought after gift, it was actually a lonely existence. In the end, they wished their existence eradicated by the very jewel they protected. However, binding your soul to the jewel was a gamble, because if it ever fell into the wrong hands, they could control the person via the jewel. Yet, the other part of the gamble was, you never had a guarantee what the jewel would grant you, even if it did accept you. None the less, Kikyo must carry on the duty her family had been charged with by their ancestor. With a determine sigh, she turned fully to the priest and surrendered herself.
"I'll do it." and with that Kikyo sealed her fate. At fourteen years of age, Kikyo sold her soul to the very jewel she protected. Then she left on her sabbatical, and with that met a curious white haired demon named InuYasha.
InuYasha was perceived to be an extremely mean demon. Yet, there was two things wrong with that perception of him. One, he wasn't mean, merely defensive which was seen as aggression. As he had been an outcast by the world. The reason, is the second part of why ther prior perception was wrong. InuYasha is only half demon, the inu blood in him granted him dog like features, but did not disguise the human blood within him. In that, he could find no solace in his older brother, who snubbed him for what he was, and neither race wanted him.
None the less, Kikyo could see the loneliness that lived in his soul. So, she would kindly allow him to watch her as she fought, ate, sang, whatever. Her journey as it was, led her to many dead ends about the 'Sleeping Queen,' and she wondered if she would ever find the Queen Her answer, or her greatest lead, came from her silent shadow, who approached her at one of the campfires with questions.
Kikyo sighed, she found herself doing that a lot lately. It had been a quarter passed of her sabbatical gone and yet, she was no closer to the Queen. Soft steps behind her had her tensing with a hand resting on her longbow, as she was constantly attacked as a female human priestess. None the less, her coiling for attack was waved off by a low rumbling voice, that she was lucky to hear occasionally.
"Why are you journeying?" InuYasha's voice crept down her spine and into her stomach. It was comforting and warm, Kikyo savored it for as long as possible before answering.
"I am searching for someone." Kikyo answered. It was silent and Kikyo figured that the conversation was over, but instead she was greeted by a soft thump. Sliding her brown eyes to the their very corners, she was allowed the vision known as InuYasha. In the conniving moonlight, it cast a hypnotizing glare around his silver-white mane of hair. Her fingers stretched forward to reach a few strands that had blown haphazardly close to her. However, they really began to twitch as she saw the taunt ears of white upon his head. Kikyo wondered once again what they may feel like, and ached to touch them. Then she found her eyes tracing his bewitching face with his golden eyes, and lips that belong to a god. Silently guilt crept into her cheeks turning them red, as she recalled many of her dreams that included him and her locked in a kiss. She was broken away from her dream by his voice.
"Is it a male?" He questioned, and Kikyo wondered if she heard an infliction of jealously in his tone. Vying that it must have been her imagination, she answered him.
"No." Kikyo answered.
"Oh." He sighed out, and this time Kikyo could of sworn that there was relief.
"Why?" Kikyo inquired.
"Um, no reason." InuYasha responded, his face was tinged red, but Kikyo figured the moonlight was helping her imagination. "So, why are you searching for someone?" He asked instead.
"Awfully curious tonight aren't you?" Kikyo teased.
"No, I just um..." InuYasha stumbled, but Kikyo laughed kindly.
"No matter, I'm searching for the 'Sleeping Queen,' but so far I've had no luck." Kikyo told him.
"You mean the Lunarian Queen?" InuYasha tried to clarify.
"Yes, why?" Kikyo asked, her attention fully on him.
"I saw a book in my brother's library on her..." He mumbled out.
"Could I see this book?" Kikyo asked eagearly. InuYasha turned his face away while seeming pensive. Crawling a little on her knees, she kneeled in front of him and turned his face back to hers. "Please?" She begged, and InuYasha crumbled.
"Fine." He muttered his agreement. Thus Kikyo found her luck changing, and she leapt toward him, tackling him with a hug. Then coughing at her behavior, she scurried off of him, and turned away embarrassed. Too bad she turned away before she saw his matching blush on his cheeks. "I'll take you tomorrow, go to sleep, I'll guard you." InuYasha ordered then he leapt up toward the tree he had recently descended from earlier.
"Thank you." Kikyo said, but she found it to be to the empty air once more. None the less, InuYasha had heard her, and nodded with a small smile to her.
Morning dawned with promise, and Kikyo found herself being carried in the demi-youkai's arms. Flicking her eyes curiously to him, she was greeted with an answer. "You were taking to long." InuYasha offered as by way of explanation, keeping his eyes forward.
"Oh." Kikyo commented. Yet, InuYasha didn't relinquish her from his arms, though his excuse was it was quicker just to carry her. Her musings silenced as she was graced with the sight of an aging castle with an aura of warning. Seeing InuYasha glance from side to side, she ventured a question. "What are you doing?" She asked.
"Checking for Sesshomaru." InuYasha answered.
"Who?" Kikyo inquired.
"My brother." InuYasha clarified.
"Oh, why?" Kikyo enquired.
"We aren't on the nicest of terms." He muttered. Kikyo didn't say anything to that, but she nodded to his explanation. Neither noticed that they were being watched by another with golden eyes.
"Well, that's putting it mildly, little brother." His silky voice slipped out as he followed the two. He was curious as to why InuYasha would dare venture onto his grounds, much less with a human. As this was the reason neither had been slain yet. His answer was found in the large library left to him by his mother, and he felt a tinge of anger as he saw what they had grabbed. His fingers had all ready snapped, and quite easily his whip of light curled around the claw that dared to touch such a sacred object.
"What are you doing?" He questioned and was met with two scared gazes, though with InuYasha's pride he would never admit to it.
"Merely borrowing a book." Kikyo answered the man who held InuYasha's claw in a glowing, dangerous whip.
"You never struck me as the type to read InuYasha." The other man commented, though InuYasha's name seemed sneered out with disgust.
"What business is it of yours Sesshomaru?" InuYasha spit out with equal venom. Kikyo seeing as the situation was about to become a hazard spoke up.
"Please sir, I am a descendant of Lady Mars, our line has been charged with the awakening of the Queen." Kikyo explained hastily. Sesshomaru raised an elegant eyebrow, before turning away from the pair.
"Leave now, and take that useless book with you." Sesshomaru ordered, and the pair left quickly. What Sesshomaru spoke was the truth, as he had memorized that book a long time ago. His memory had never failed, so he had no doubt had memorized it word for word.
A sigh escaped her as InuYasha landed outside the boundaries of the Western Lands. Without thought, Kikyo planted a thank you kiss on InuYasha's cheek. Though a few minutes later she realized what she had done. Turning to apologize, Kikyo was caught in the spell of InuYasha's golden gaze. Slowly he lowered his head, and Kikyo froze...Only to find herself being nuzzled softly by the adolescent InuYasha.
Honestly Kikyo didn't understand the seriousness of this action, not that it would have mattered to her if she did. As it was the beginning of a courtship according to demonic rules. None the less, she chuckled softly before hugging the half demon. Minutes more InuYasha stopped and let Kikyo down from his arms. Smiling she turned her attention to the book, and she gave such a shout of triumph. Curious InuYasha poked her in the side in his way of asking what.
"All the things I need to summon the Queen, reside in my home domain." She informed him. InuYasha nodded before picking her back up with a sweep of his arms and rushed off.
Days later, as the journey was much quicker being carried by InuYasha, she arrived back home. As she walked toward the village, InuYasha disappeared into the treetops. Though Kikyo was hardly worried as she could feel his penetrating gaze upon her. Stepping quicky through the village, she entered the shrine that housed the jewel and found the priest with Tsubaki. "I am back sir." Kikyo stated as she entered.
"Good, then you must resume your duties." The priest commanded.
"Not yet, as a sabbatical is a year, and I still need time to summon the Queen who slumbers." Kikyo returned.
"Very well, but you can still guard the Shikon no Tama correct?" He asked.
"Yes." Kikyo responded. Neither noticed the growing jealously in Tsubaki as she was blatantly ignored by the pair.
"Then guard the jewel while alighting to the duty left by your ancestor." The priest ordered.
"Fair enough." Kikyo conceded. With a nod, she reached for the Shikon no Tama, clasping the jewel around her neck. However, before she could return back to InuYasha or even begin collecting the items needed to summon the Queen, she had a stop to make. Entering her home she gently roused the sleeping bundle that was her younger sister. "Kaede, I have a gift." Kikyo bespoke as she tickled the younger sibling.
"You got me the herb I wanted?" Kaede asked sleepily as she rubbed the sandman's evidence away.
"Yes." Kikyo answered, handing over a wrapped plant.
"Now I can help Luc." Kaede chirped as she tumbled in haste to escape the house. Kikyo shook her head, before picking out clean robes. Humming she walked to the lake and preceded to wash, again forgetting her constant watcher.
"You guard the Shikon no Tama?" She heard InuYasha question, and she squealed in surprise. Whirling around she ducked under the water while covering herself.
"What?" Kikyo asked while blushing furiously. She could of sworn he winked before he turned his head.
"I said, you guard the Shikon?" InuYasha repeated.
"Yes." Kikyo answered.
"I see." InuYasha remarked, while stretching slightly.
"Why?" Kikyo inquired.
"No reason." InuYasha answered.
"Hmm, InuYasha?" Kikyo ventured.
"What?" He mumbled back.
"Will you help me raise the Queen?" Kikyo asked, and watched as he turned toward her to show her his expression. Forgetting once again in his presence that she was bathing.
"Sure, Kikyo." He answered, and Kikyo withheld a gasp, it was the first time he had said her name, which sent pleasant chills up and down her spine.
"Thank you InuYasha." She returned, and InuYasha nodded while hopping away. Kikyo then noticed her state of dress, or rather undress, her face dyed red. Ignoring what had happened she finished scrubbing and then swam toward the waterfall that was just down the stream.
Reaching the waterfall, she quickly scanned for any males, including InuYasha, before sliding up the rock and under the falls. It was terribly non prudent to cleanse the soul by baring the naked body, but the priest said it was better this way then using the ceremonial robe. Then she slipped into mediation as her thoughts melted away into the very stream.
"Ginzuishou, awaken!" A female voice ordered from within her dreamworld. She had felt her precious soul gem return to her from the death of her daughter and her granddaughter. For eons she mourned them, but she had been visited by each spirit which promised they could all come back. All, but her precious Endymion, he had surrendered his to Hades and could no longer return as his existence was torn apart. He had not fully believed in the Neo-Queen, who would return, and his sorrow tore his existence apart. The golden crystal was dismayed in his choice, blatant weakness, and therefore sacrificed his soul. "Kinshou release!" She ordered once more, and the gold crystal stopped twirling. With the silver Ginzuishou pulsing, it left for it sense it was time for the sleeping queen to awaken as someone was aligning the spell.
Kikyo panted, as she crawled down the last ledge of the large cliff. "All right, who's idea was it to plant this herb all the way up there?" She asked, not really expecting an answer.
"Some human." InuYasha's voice startled her, and she bumped into the jagged cliff face, injuring her elbow.
"Ah!" Kikyo yelped favoring her elbow. Immediately InuYasha was there checking her over. "I'm all right." Kikyo reassured him as he nosed the mark.
"Is this the last one?" He inquired tightly.
"No, I need one more." Kikyo responded.
"Where?" He asked.
"Across Lake Sui." Kikyo returned. "Just a small boat ride." She added.
"Fine." With that he scooped her up and bounded away. Landing on the lake shores he dragged the boat over and gently placed Kikyo in. Hopping in after he grasped the oars and paddled to the small shore on the other side. "Where is is?" InuYasha asked.
"I'll get it." Kikyo told him. Yet, her protest was negated as he huffed and scooped her up. "InuYasha, I am not unable to walk." Kikyo informed him and was ignored. Sighing she instead directed the stubborn demi-youkai to the blue herb that was needed. Snagging a couple, they were back in the boat and across to the familiar shores.
As Kikyo stepped upon the wooden pier she miscalculated and stumbled. However, like always InuYasha was there to catch her, and the spell began again. This time it was different, for InuYasha figured it was time to move on and gently captured Kikyo's lips with his own. Warmth flooded them both as Kikyo responded, and the herbs fell from her hands.
Later, after their expression of affection, Kikyo gathered the herbs and wandered to her fire. Arranging the herbs in a symbolic order she raised a dark red herb with forest green leaves. Gently she painted a symbol of Pluto upon it before casting it onto the fire. "Pluto of the Distant Time summon forth the spirit forgotten." Kikyo chanted as the smoke of the fire turned garnet. Moving on she picked up a dark purple flower and carved a Saturn symbol upon it. "Saturn of the Sorrowful Fate bring forth the spirit forgotten." Kikyo commanded, and the garnet flame was joined by an amethyst one. Ignoring the changing colors she picked the next herb. The bulbs were a light teal, initialed the symbol of Neptune, and she stared at it before tossing it in. "Neptune of Tidal Waves invoke the forgotten spirit." She persuaded, a teal light joined the other two. Another herb was in her fingers, this one had light yellow bulbs and the symbol of Uranus upon it. "Uranus of the Proud Winds allow the forgotten spirit." Kikyo stated and sandy yellow flame danced with the other three. Then she paused and raised herself away from the flames. Stepping away she waited for night to truly fall to complete the ritual.
"Why did you stop?" InuYasha questioned. He had been concerned for Kikyo, because she had grown cold over these couple of months. Not to him, but to others, as she was focused upon her tasks and only that. As such her people skills suffered and the light Shikon dimmed a bit, but InuYasha cared only for Kikyo.
"There is distance between the outer senshi and the inner senshi, much like the planets they are named after." Kikyo explained.
"Whatever." InuYasha muttered and instead nuzzled her neck to calm her. He had felt her tension all day, and it was beginning to irk him. InuYasha couldn't wait until the ritual was done and the Queen was summoned. His intended mate would be fully his then and he would be human by the power of the Shikon. "Mmm, it's almost twilight." InuYasha rumbled in her ear.
"Indeed, I must continue." She informed him. He huffed but let her go, the scents of the herbs were bothering him. Already in her fingers was a full green herb and she was sketching the symbol of Jupiter in it.
"Jupiter of the Amazon Strength and Thunder arise the forgotten spirit." Kikyo invoked, and a forest green flame jostled the prior four. She waited to see if the five flames would entwine before she could continue. A tight breath later they were all dancing merrily together. Kikyo picked up the next herb and felt tears come to her eyes. The herb was completely red with a flower of ruby blossoming upon it. With a tired sigh she etched the symbol of Mars upon it. "Mars of the Burning Fire shove forth the forgotten spirit." She cried, and a fiery red flame wrapped around the others. Slightly anxious she picked up the blue herb that she had retrieved from the shore of Lake Sui. Scratching the symbol of Mercury upon it she tossed it into the fire. "Mercury of the Knowledge Ice Bearer surrender forth the forgotten spirit." Kikyo instructed and an ice blue flame tentatively joined the others. Her fingers wrapped around the last herb and she marveled at it. It had slightly gold leaves and a proud yellow bud, without pause she carved Venus's symbol in it. "Venus of Love Incarnate strive forth the forgotten spirit." She instructed and sure enough a merry orange-yellow flame bounce into the others. Kikyo dug her pale fingers into the soil and tosssed into the flames. A golden flame with blue strands filtered through. Finally she reached for the only rock that laid at her feet. It was flawlessly white and had several small cracks in it. Now she only had to wait for the full moon to reach it's zenith. That however wouldn't be for several hours yet.
"Put the moon rock down and come here." InuYasha demanded. Kikyo uncoiled from her lotus position and instead slunk over to her InuYasha. She was turning into a beautiful fifteen year old and would have to find a husband soon before the village head picked one for her. However, her InuYasha was to become human and she wanted no on but him. With that thought in mind she wound herself into her demi-youkai's arms. "Kikyo." He softly growled and she shivered. She had found out that he was mighty possessive and protective. Not that she minded, because sometimes she could be the same way.
"I love you InuYasha." Kikyo purred in his ear and softly kissed him before curling into his lap to watch the bewitching flames. She found the familiar weight of InuYasha's head on her shoulder as they watched the flames together. Time passed pleasantly and the moonlight struck the flames, without prompt Kikyo hurled the moon rock into the fire. "Hear your servant and your people, arise Queen of the Forgotten Moon!" Kikyo summoned and swore she felt a second spirit cry it with her. "I beseech you come, and restore the Earth you loved." She yelled. As the last syllable died out the flames morphed together and melded with the moonlight. The light shot back to the moon and everything went black. Kikyo was granted a vision of several people standing before her.
"We thank you for awakening the Queen, the rest is up to her." Their voices spoke. "Now sleep and forget was has happen until it is time." They ordered and both Kikyo and InuYasha were asleep in each other's arms.
"You know, they kind of remind me of Serenity and Endymion." One of them mentioned. All was heard was groans before another voice it's dissatisfaction.
"Venus, do you ever give up?" was grumbled out and the spirits faded away.
For the first time in centuries sapphire blue eyes snapped open. A loud shattering sound was heard as the crystal prison broke apart. Raining shards of the prison hit the marble floor and the tinkling herald the awakening soul. The Kinshou, figuring it was time to find it's new owner disappeared. Long cascading blond hair fell around the youthful face and for the first time in a while she took a deep breath. "Senshi." She called.
For future reference, Kinshou means gold crystal. Kin-gold, Shou-Crystal. Anyways, this story is Kikyo/InuYasha friendly.
Kagome/Hojo (Yes, I am going to follow the Naraku storyline.) Miroku/Sango(Given.)
Koga/Ayame (Much as I love him, not going to be a major player.) Ami/Saffir Sapphire (All in good time.)
Rubius/Rei (Do not ask...)
Demando/Tsubaki( Again do not ask.)
Michiru/Haruka (Feel no need to mess with this.)
Makoto/Hiten (Wow, thunder pair.)
Minako/Bankotsu. (I think this couple will be understood later.)
Hotaru/Suikotsu (I'm thinking Sui...But, I'm not to sure, up for vote or suggestion.) Please review and vote on which story you think I should work on. So far I have 2 votes for this one, one to Stella's Secret... much care, WCB.