I haven't updated this story in such a long time which is odd because its actually finished. So it should be up completely within the next two weeks!
As everyone can possibly tell, the story bounces back forth between two perspectives:
-Kagome's
-Third Perspectives.
So if there's any confusion when I write the word "I" that's in the tense of first person, meaning the story is being told from Kagome's POV.
When I mention any other character including Kagome then that means it's being told by the third party perspective. It will usually have a line break where it indicates the change in perspectives.
Otherwise enjoy! Leave thoughts, comments and suggestions!
Chapter 5 Other's Shoes
"Sister Kagome!" I heard someone say in a high pitched voice. It had to be a female's voice. I stirred ignoring it when I heard it again. "Sister Kagome!"
I snapped up from my bed and looked around to see that I was in Kaede's hut. Huh? Wasn't I supposed to be dying right now? Nothing was making sense. I wonder where Inuyasha is. A little girl ran in the hut with a smile on her face. Her brown eyes shined with excitement as she clutched the bow she carried in between her hands. She looked familiar but I couldn't quite place it.
"Sister Kagome." My eyes widened at the unfamiliar term that escaped this little girl's lips. I don't remember having a little sister.
"Yes Kaede?" What? I just answered as if I knew what I had to say but… I don't? Kaede? She's a little girl though, probably fifty years younger. Am I in the past somehow? Fifty years ago?
"I'm getting better with my aim would you like to see?" I nodded and stood up carefully, letting the blanket fall to the floor. I looked down to see myself in priestess attire and I inwardly gasped. What's going on?
I followed Kaede outside where she took an arrow, aligned it with the bow, and aimed at a hole marked on the tree in front of her. When she shot it, she was able to hit it dead on and I had to admit I was pretty impressed with her accuracy.
"That's great Kaede! Now to teach you the arrow of sealing." What the hell is that? I don't even know how to do that. Why is my mouth speaking of its own accord? I grabbed the arrow from her quiver and aligned it with the bow. Oh no… I closed my eyes letting the energy flow from me and shot the arrow. When I opened my eyes I saw that it landed exactly at the spot I aimed for.
"That is the arrow of sealing. We use it on demons that are rather difficult to kill." I explained. "It sends them into a deep sleep and only the one that fired it may awaken the one fired if so desired."
That's the arrow that was used on Inuyasha. Inuyasha! My eyes caught something shining and when I looked down, I saw the Shikon Jewel—whole—around my neck. Could it be…I'm living out Kikyo's life?
Demons were attacking me from every corner and I used my last arrow to kill the demon that had chased after me for the jewel. Night had fallen and I was physically and mentally exhausted from killing demons. My senses made me alert to another presence behind me. Due to the light that the lightening produced my eyes saw a figure huddled in the trees beyond the dark forest. Inuyasha!
"Are you after the jewel?"
"What jewel?"
"If you don't know then never mind. Stay away from me if you value your life however." I warned. I turned to leave but my legs felt limp and gave out from fatigue. No wake up! I want to speak to Inuyasha.
The next morning I woke up safely in my home and was told some villagers found me passed out in the forest. After realizing I was alone I tied my hair with a white ribbon and wandered around after watching Kaede practicing. The children of the village had asked me with enthusiasm to spend the day with them and with the bright grins they had on their faces I couldn't resist.
"Lady Kagome, you're so pretty, thank you for playing with us." I giggled softly and kissed the little girl's head.
"Of course, I enjoy playing with you children."
"Sister Kagome!" I turned to see Kaede run towards me with a basket of flowers in her hands and a smile on her face. I felt this warmth in my stomach and I understood the love Kikyo had for her younger sister. Suddenly a blur of red jumped behind her and my hands moved of their own accord to grab my bow.
"Kaede get down!" I yelled and she did as instructed, sliding onto the floor and throwing her hands over her head as I fired an arrow. The figure dodged it, escaping it by mere luck.
"Feh," Inuyasha! Inuyasha! Recognize me. It's me Kagome! I'm not Kikyo. "Hello Kagome," He cracked his fingers, smirking darkly at me. Oh for the love of god. "I know what the Sacred Jewel is so why don't you hand it over and I won't make your day hard, okay?"
"You're the person from the trees…" I said idly. Well duh, last night was the night of the new moon—he was human. "However, you're different today." My eyes wandered down his form, piecing everything together. "Oh I see, you're only a half demon." He snapped his teeth at me, clearly insulted at my choice of words. Typical Inuyasha.
"Watch it, bitch." Filthy mouth even back then. I inwardly sighed. Some things never change. "I'll fight you for it." I felt myself raise an eyebrow at his bold audacity. "Get the kid out of the way and fight me."
"Go and hide in the bushes Kaede." She nodded and ran off. Within seconds, I had Inuyasha pinned onto the tree, his cocky bravado diminished but with his mouth still running. I was able to learn his name by his mouth but he warned me that the smell of demon blood lingered on me so he'd easily find me. Things were apparently just starting to get interesting.
"You have to help me get the arrow out of her stomach." Kikyo said softly as she stared at the blood that continued to leave Kagome's body. She looked chalky and her lips were bordering a faint purple color. If the poison didn't kill her then the loss of blood surely would. The priestess worried if she could somehow save the girl before she really met a terrible end.
"But won't that hurt her?" Sango's concern was evident as she cradled Kagome's face in her hands. Kikyo watched the action in fascination, analyzing how caring the gesture was, but shook her head to answer Sango's question.
"It seems she's dormant for now." She turned her eyes away from the demon slayer to Inuyasha and Miroku, giving them a faint nod. "On the count of three you must do it swiftly."
"One,"
"Two" Inuyasha's fingers gripped the arrow as the tension radiated throughout his body. His eyes didn't move from Kagome's face as Kikyo counted.
"Three!" Inuyasha plucked the arrow from Kagome's stomach, causing her body to arch in response before settling back down without any further reactions. Seeing that the arrow was removed it also allowed the blood to begin pouring out faster. At the sight of the ruby liquid, Kikyo and Sango grimaced. Sango reacted before anyone else, standing and heading over to retrieve a damp towel to wipe the blood of her closest friend. Kikyo in turn wasted no time in removing Kagome's shirt, eliminating any sort of barrier between them, which left her in her bra. Miroku and Inuyasha felt slightly uncomfortable at the sight of Kagome's flesh exposed like that but pushed it aside so that they would remain by her side.
"I'll absorb the poison and close the wound before she's truly gone." Kikyo whispered placing her hands over the girl's body. Inuyasha's ears twitched and his stomach jumped, his hand grabbing her wrist—stopping her.
"Won't you be injured?" She didn't answer with a verbal answer but Inuyasha understood. "There's no other way?"
"She'll die." Inuyasha didn't want either woman to suffer but at the moment Kagome was dying and she wouldn't be able to be resurrected like Kikyo. He released her hand with a look of dismay and Kikyo concentrated on the girl's wound.
"I'll be badly wounded after this, but it seems fair enough. The girl is…a part of me and Inuyasha would never forgive himself. He'd lose two."
