Chapter 6

A Feudal Threat?

Kikyo bounced a ball back and forth with some of the village children who were more then happy to see the priestess. Older men and women were in awe that the Lady Kikyo had returned from the dead but they held nothing of it merely thanking the power of the sacred jewel for granting her return. Kikyo looked around and caught the ball as it was passed to her. She looked around as if sensing something "what's the matter Lady Kikyo?" a young girl asked.

"Nothing is wrong Kasumi" Kikyo told her as she passed the ball. "However I am afraid I must step away for the moment. There is something I must see" she said and turned and left the children who went back to playing. Kikyo entered the hut where Kaede was speaking with Sango and Miroku "has InuYasha returned?" she asked them.

Sango and Miroku exchanged confused looks "no, he is probably still with Kagome. Why?" Miroku asked.

Kikyo walked over and grabbed her bow and quiver "I'll be back shortly" she said and pushed the matted door aside so she could pass.

"Lady Kikyo, what is going on?" Miroku called after her but Kikyo didn't respond as she rushed towards the temple where the sacred jewel rested. Kikyo looked around as she walked up the steps and stopped at the temple door. She pulled out an arrow and set it she then opened the door and looked around, her eyes on alert as she looked for any strange movement. She returned her arrow but did not release her guard as she walked over to the sacred jewel, it glowed and sparkled with its purple shine and she reached down and took it in her hands. The light dimmed when she took it and she gripped it close to her heart "damn" she said quietly before putting it back on its resting place allowing the glow to emit once more. The priestess then cautiously turned heel and began to walk away from the jewel. Even if there had been someone in the temple earlier, they were gone now but Kikyo took note to keep more watch on the jewel.

She exited the sacred temple and released a sigh before looking at the sky, she closed her eyes as she listened to the chatter of the villagers and the clanks of hammers against nails for the huts. Every sound seemed to be so much more meanful to her then when she was dead. "Lady Kikyo" came a female voice knocking the priestess out of her thoughts, she saw Sango slowly running up to her "Lady Kikyo, what is wrong, you seemed in such a rush" Sango said when she reached Kikyo. She looked over at the temple. "Did something happen to the jewel?" she asked only receiving a shake of Kikyo's head.

"No, however we cannot let our guard down" Kikyo said and descended down the steps. She looked over at Sango who put on a tough face as she headed down the stairs Kikyo walked over "do not push yourself Sango" she said and wrapped the demon slayers arm around her neck and assisted in returning to the hut Kaede resided in. Sango quickly removed her arm before they entered the hut showing a quick flinch. Kikyo couldn't help but smile "it is good to know that there are still such strong people out there" she said to Sango before leaving into the hut leaving a quiet Sango outside. Sango shook her head, she still didn't completely trust Kikyo.

After a long peaceful night of sleep everyone woke up still in pain but much more refreshed then they had been the other day. Kikyo awoke to the smell of something burning she turned and saw Miroku cooking not fish or rice but some strange food she walked over to him "ah, good morning Lady Kikyo" he greeted cheerfully.

"What is that?" she asked as she watched Miroku.

"Oh, just something I found in Kagome's bag" he said to her.

Kikyo looked outside, another clear day she smiled "I see, where are Sango and Kaede?" she asked.

Miroku looked at Kikyo "Kaede is attending a sick girl, as for Sango she and Kirara went for a walk earlier today" he said. Before he could say anything else he heard the flapping of the mat and smiled despite himself.

Kikyo walked along the village boarders enjoying the sight with a freshness that she hadn't felt in a long time. She stopped when she heard an old voice "Lady Kikyo, Lady Kikyo" an old man was running towards her his face had a worried look on it.

"What is it?" she asked when he reached her.

He looked at her, his wrinkled face made it almost impossible to make out his eyes which seemed to be only like dots. "My granddaughter" he said to her. "She has collapsed and she won't awaken" he said to her.

"Please, take me to her" Kikyo said and followed him to his hut so she could attend to the girl.

"Ho ho, so its true the legendary Priestess Kikyo really has come back to life" a high pitched voice said as she looked at a mirror which showed Kikyo following the old man. "Guardian of the Sacred Jewel," she smirked and turned her head "well she's the only one really standing in our way now isn't she my dear" she said looking over at a small demon fox. Its eyes glowed red as it opened its mouth in a threatening way "that's right, we certainly can't have her around" she smiled and opened her eyes wide, the fox ran off. "Now, let out games begin" she said as she watched through the foxes eyes.

Kikyo sat by the girl, the old man watched as Kikyo felt her forehead, and checked her pulse as she listened to her breath. She changed the cloth on the girls forehead and reached over into a small basket. It isn't from the heat she thought and I don't sense any demon presence Kikyo looked at the girl as she poured a liquid into her mouth. Some of it dripped down the side and Kikyo wiped it away. She looked over at the old man "she has no strange bites or anything that seems relatively dangerous" Kikyo said "every hour give her this drink in small portions. She should be awake by sundown, I will come back to check on her when the sunsets" she said.

"Thank-you so much Lady Kikyo, whatever would we do without you" the old man said to her as he held to bottle in his hands. "Please accept this as a token of my appreciation" he said and held out a basket of vegetables for her to take.

"Thank-you" Kikyo said, "make sure to give her that every hour in small portions, and I will see you at sunset" she then left the hut with the basket of food in her hand hearing another thank-you from the villager. She smiled and looked around she had sensed something from the girl but there was no demonic energy or signs of trouble when she had inspected her. It must only be my imagination Kikyo thought before thinking back to the presence she felt back at the temple. She walked back to the hut and placed the basket down by the wall and left to go check on the jewel, she didn't sense anything but she knew she needed to be careful.