They did not know how long they had walked. Time was irrelevant at that point to them. Kagome, who was drained from crying, clasped her hands gently and walked with her eyes cast down. Her sights were solely focused on the spiritual mother's kimono hem.
Sango, who had let the anger dissipate a few hours passed, held her hands in the same fashion as Kagome. Her eyes were also downcast, but not in sadness, hers were cast down in respect of the spiritual mother.
They walked until the sun was angled to go down, then the spiritual mother stopped and turned around slowly.
"Girls, It is now time to rest and talk about what you are about to go through." Both girls nodded and raised their eyes to meet the spiritual mother's.
Sango then stepped forward slightly and said "Spiritual mother, I have had anger built inside me this whole journey. It is wrong and I am sorry." Then she bowed her head in shame. The spiritual mother just smiled and rested her hand on Sango's shoulder before saying "My dear, though it is wrong to hate. It is alright to have been angry, because now it is in the past."
Then she stepped back as Sango raised her head. Kagome felt like she needed to tell the spiritual mother now about the dream or she would lose it completely. So she said quickly, "Spiritual mother, I had a dream last night. It was not an ordinary dream either. I could feel-
She paused because suddenly she felt like she was doused in the icy water again. Once that feeling settled she continued with her story, Spiritual mother's eyes were completely focused on her, unmoving.
"I could feel the dream when I awoke. In the dream I saw a man, he had blue eyes and he was sad. He was warm though, after I had been doused in water…just a mere touch to his shoulder filled me with warmth. Then when I was awoken the warmth left and I was left cold."
After the story had finished Kagome addressed Spiritual Mothers reaction. She looked perfectly calm. Her hands were folded and inserted into her sleeves in a thoughtful manner. Her eyes were locked with Kagome's but they were full of questions.
Then she lifted her eyes to the sun and shook her head in dismay before speaking, "Girls let us discuss the entrance. Kagome, that dream is special. Keep it close to your heart and in the front of your mind. That dream could be a key factor in your life. Now let us sit and discuss."
They searched around where they had stopped and found a small shaded area. Spiritual mother pulled out bread from her sleeves and offered it to the girls. The girls took it graciously and nibbled on it slowly as their spiritual mother started to talk about the ordeal they were about to face.
"Girls, I want you to realize that you may not even be chosen for this. For that I pray because what this entire thing is, is hell. The land is made up of four kingdoms. There is the North kingdom, where the people are as cold as the weather. The prince there is as ruthless as a blizzard. There is the South kingdom, where the people are considered savage. The prince there is said to be as controlling as ivy. There is the East kingdom, where the people act as if they will never live to see tomorrow. The prince there is said to be perverted and lecherous. Then there is the West kingdom, where the people are as stone. The prince there is said to have had a curse cast on him that turned his heart to granite."
Kagome felt herself shake in fear as she pictured to most horrendous people. For the North she pictured people made of ice and the prince to be a person who tortures. For the South she pictured people running around and screaming with blood dripping down their mouths. For the prince she pictured a man who abused. For the East she pictured drunkards and people who despise faith. For the prince she pictured him surrounded by revealing women. For the West she pictured goblins with maces. For the prince she pictured a man who would laugh at his own parents' deaths.
Her heart felt heavy at these images. She felt like if she was put into this competition she would not survive. Spiritual mother saw her concern and placed her hand softly on her shoulder with a smile. Then she continued the explanation.
"We as the priestesses serve every kingdom. We go when we are called and stay for as long as they need us. Some of us never return and then a new Spiritual mother is chosen to watch the trainees. In this competition though, you will be stripped of that title. Priestesses are not supposed to marry, to love, or to have children. They are merely to serve, though because you are not yet priestesses you are required to enter."
Sango felt her heart drop and felt tears come to her eyes. She loved her home. She loved her sisters and she loved the Spiritual mother. She did not want to enter into a competition where she had to go against her entire life teachings. Spiritual mother looked up to the canopy of trees and saw a flash of orange and pink go across the sky. She smiled before continuing the explanation.
"In this competition every girl of ages sixteen to eighteen will be entered. Of those girls only twelve will be sent to the middle kingdom. The middle kingdom is only used during this time. The kings, queens, princesses, and princes will all travel to the middle kingdom to stay there until they leave with the next queens. There will be challenges placed before the contestants. As the weeks turn into months the princes will start to collaborate and eliminate off girls. Soon only four girls will be left standing. Of those girls they will compete to see which girl is right for each prince. Then the princes will choose their brides."
Both girls shuddered and clasped hands. They had been together their whole lives. They had been raised together and viewed each other as more than just friends, they were family. Sango looked down at her lap and asked quietly,
"Spiritual mother, of the twelve who are not chosen and are eliminated, what is there fate?" Kagome looked at Sango in surprise for asking such a question. Spiritual mother then looked down at her own lap and then looked at Sango before answering,
"It is either, returning to what they once were or death. Death because once put into this competition they are viewed as the prince's belongings, and some princes do not want anyone else touching what is theirs."
Kagome felt her chest shudder as tears started to leak down her face. She fell to her knees with her hands clasped and she called out,
"Kami please, please do not have us chosen! We will dedicate our lives to you for eternity! Please do not give us a fate of death!" Sango looked horrified and tried to grab Kagome to lift her back onto the makeshift seat.
Spiritual mother however walked over grabbed one of Kagome's wrists with one hand and with the other she lifted Kagome's chin to look dead into her eyes before saying.
"Kagome, this is a hard thing yes. If it is the Kami's wish however, you will do what happens. Whatever is to be will happen. If that is your death so be it. You will do, what is asked of you, is that understood?" The Spiritual mother took on a strict tone as she pulled her hands back and went back to her previous seat.
As Kagome was getting up and settled back into her original seat the Spiritual mother looked to the canopy and saw that no more light graced the sky. She looked at the girls who know took on the look of exhaustion.
"Get to sleep girls. Tomorrow will be a long day." With that Spiritual mother stood up and laid down on the ground with her eyes closed. Kagome followed suit quickly, not wanting to be reprimanded again.
Sango however walked off a little bit to pray, "Please I ask of you. If it is our destiny's to be chosen for this. Please do not wish death upon us. I know I am selfish to ask but please, anything but our deaths." Then she stood up to walk back to where Kagome was laying. She quickly lay down to get a long needed rest.
Unknown to her, Spiritual mother was still wide awake. Once Spiritual mother knew both girls were fast asleep, she sat up. She then got on her knees and looked up to the canopy.
"I do not know why they decreed it for all girls. Do you have a plan for my girls? If you do, please show me some part of the plan, just so I know they will be safe in your hands." Then she closed her eyes. Her body started to pulse as her eyes opened they did not see the forest surrounding them.
She saw the four princes' arrival to the middle kingdom. She saw the list coming out of the twelve maidens. She saw in big black letters, the names of her two girls. She then skipped ahead in time. She saw the snow falling, and then she saw blood splattered on the snow and heard blood curdling screams and cries.
With that her vision ended. She shook as her vision adjusted to the forest around her. She touched her face to find it wet with tears. She felt her heart drop in her stomach. She saw enough of what was to come to have her heart break.
She looked over at the girls who were so peaceful in their sleep. She smiled at them before lying down because now she would need her energy as a priestess, because her job was to protect these girls with all her might.