The Ribbon That Binds Us (Chapter Eleven: Unspoken Vow)
It had been some days, to a week since Kiyou's untimely death. The villagers stil mourned her loss, others had already begun to curse the forest and keep away from it, under Kaede's word. The poor girl. She was still young and lost her only family, it seemed like. Kenshin had watched her cry, despite her distaste for the tears shed from her singular eye. He understood, she'd just witnessed a very terrible thing.
At the moment, he stood at the end of the stone stairs, while she had went up, to the grave of her sister. Once there, Kaede could only stare at the wooden structure for some moments, feeling the familar sting in her right eye. Her small hands held onto a light-colored, wooden vase containing a purple flower with a small bit of white beginning from the center and going outwards, fading into the purple.
"Sister Kikyou..." she whispered underneath the passing breeze.
As the breezed stopped, a small sniffle came before the grave again. Her small hands gripped at the vase somewhat, as tears slowly leaked out of her eye, again. Soon Kaede found herself on her knees in front of the grave, and despite wanting to scream out for Kikyou, she instead settled to place the wooden vase before the resting place of her sister with shaking hands. Once done, she regarded the single flower.
Rain clouds had begun to gather overhead, with thunder and lightning heard following along. Kaede couldn't tear her eye from the grave, she just knelt before it. Her eye remained, even upon hearing the familiar voice at her back.
"Kaede! We best return home, it will be raining"
The male behind waited for a few moments, but by then, the rain had already begun to fall. He sighed out. It had been like this, nearly everyday, since Kikyou's death. He understood her pain, but he'd wager that Kikyou wouldn't want her sister to stay in the rain, and risk catching a really bad cold.
Kenshin waited for a few more stretched out moments, even as the rain had coated the dirt around with it's moisture. Seeing no movement from the girl, even then, he approched. Either of them, now coated with wet clothes and hair. To him, he was more or less used to it. But, to her... She was shivering now, and the winds passing through weren't helping. With a sigh, Kenshin knelt next to the youngin. Lightly he lay a hand over her back, speaking.
"Kaede... We should return home, you'll catch cold out here"
Part of her wanted to go, but another part wished to stay with her sister. The poor thing was heartbroken, not that he blamed her. Kenshin offered a small smile, as he held his larger hand in front of her face, palm up. That seemed to catch her attention. She jumped at the movement, but turned her head to glance his way.
"Come on, I'll make you a nice, warm meal"
Kaede merely stared at him, in silence. By then however, either of their clothes stuck to their to their skin, much like what their bangs were doing. Moments later, Kenshin found the young girl clinging to him. Honestly, it had surprised him. This was the first time she was this close, in proximity. Either of her small hands gripped at his soaked haori, while her eye had begun to let out tears again. His features soften, laying a hand at her back. Offering a light, but fairly comforting pat on the back.
"Let's go inside now" he finally said after a bit of a pause.
When she did not move, save from a shiver and sniffle now and then, he took matters into his own hands. Gently, he lifted her from the soaked Earth beneath them, with very little protest. An arm at her back, and the other underneath her legs. Kenshin wandered over to the stone steps, offering a short side ways glance to the grave then to the bundle of a mess in his arms. Finally, after just a little time had passed, he found himself at the bottom of the stone steps, heading for the hut. The very same one that once belonged to the sisters, yet now... Kenshin stayed with Kaede. He'd choosen to. For the girl's sake.
He sat her down, once she'd calmed down from her crying. Kenshin watched her for a time, before choosing to start a fire. He picked up previously cut wook in the corner by the entry, and placed them into the fire pit expertly. With some effort, he started one. Lightly blowing on the small sparks, to make them grow. Within minutes, the small hut was lit by a fire. With care, he watched and poked at the fire with an iron stick.
Soon, Kenshin rose his eyes to see Kaede finally trying to get warm but he doubted that the clothes she wore now, would help in the long run. He glanced at the fire again, prodding at the flames as it crackled.
"Kaede... You should change, you'll catch cold otherwise"
He was saddened that she hadn't spoken a word save for her sister's name. The red head couldn't be of much help, if she herself, wasn't seeking any. After some time, Kaede could take it no more. She stood and went behind the seperator, changing into something less cold and damp. Kenshin smiled a little, proceeding to grab a small cauldron, and setting it just over the fire. He begun to pour some water within it from a bucket left by the door, soon followed with meat and vegetables when it came to a boil.
Kenshin paused as young Kaede stepped out from behind the seperator. She had changed into a white yukata of her size, with small pink patterns at the base and sleeves with a lavender colored obi. He offered her a small smile, hoping to comfort the girl but she merely lowered her eyes to the flame under the cauldron. She stayed that way for a time, but soon found herself, sitting to his left. He watched her with half-lidded eyes, and his expression suddenly solemn. Kaede patted down the yukata at her lap, as if too brush away imaginary wrinkles. Perhaps, a way to try and distract herself.
"Kaede, are you hungry?"
She said nothing, much to his dismay. Kaede merely stared down at the floorboards, but occasionally her eye wandered to the fire or the cauldron. Kenshin, stirred the stew in silence, he wanted to help the girl and the only way to do that, was to help her keep healthy. The smell of the stew filled the room then, and he gathered two wooden bowls, one of which he filled to about half and handed to the youngin to his left.
"You have to eat, Kaede... If you don't, you're going to starve yourself, that you will"
Kaede only pouted and rose her head to look at the food contained within the bowl. The smell slowly lifted to her nose, and into her nostrils, causing a reaction in her stomach. Her stomach growled out, as if begging for food. Kenshin smiled when she took hold of the bowl to eat. Poor thing, she had refused to eat for two whole days, despite the constain growls. It seems that the smell of this meal, had gotten a little bit too much for her resolve. Slowly, he shut his eyes with a sigh of relief. Opening them once again, after a few short moments, only to see her bowl held in front of his face. He blinked.
"More, please" She said, her voice shaky, and her single eye begin to fill with tears again but they would not fall.
Kenshin looked to her with a smile and a nod, slowly he stirred the stew, only to fill her bowl again. He watched her eat for a moment before filling his own, eating it's contents. For some time after their meal, they both enjoyed each others company, though both knew that something... Someone was missing. Either tried to avoid the topic, though.
Later that night, Kenshin brought a make-shift blanket, which was actually a kimono too large for her to wear. Kaede fallen asleep some few moments ago, despite her resistance. He smiled at her sleeping face and rose to stand, only to hear a mutter behind him. He turned his head to look over his shoulder, with a look of solemnness. She had muttered her sister's name in her sleep. He too, was pained to have seen the priestess die, and all because of that creature. The very one pinned to that tree.
Slowly he moved closer to the door, grabbing onto his sheathed blade leaning against the wall only proceeding to lift the mat and exit. He now stood above the softened earth, and he turned to his left, glacing over to the stone steps. Above those, is where he grave lay. Kenshin gripped at the sheath, turning his knuckles white. Slowly he rose his gaze to the top of the steps, while the rain fell onto his frame. Within seconds, the red head was drenched again.
For a while, he stood there, merely staring up a the top of the stone stairs. Lightning clapped into the clouds above, and only then, did he lift a foot to ascend. Once he got the top, Kenshin had his eyes downcast. Few rain drop fell from his hair, continously onto his face and travelled to his chin only to end up falling to the stone path, which was already drenched. Slowly he lifted his gaze to look at the grave, and his eyes softened for just a moment, but just as suddenly steeled. The swordsman stepped in front of where she was laid to rest, he merely stared at the flower that was left earlier that day. Some raindrops fell from it's petals, one after the other, as another boom came from the cloud a distance away.
A while longer, he remained completely still. Without another thought however, he reached out with his right hand and pulled his sword from the sheath. Time slowed then, the sheath fell on the stone with a soft thud as he followed the motion and fell to his knees. As another lightning struck over head, he turned the blade. He reached for the steel with his left hand and turned his head to the right. With steady hands he laid the very end to his left cheek, for a moment he seemed to hesitate but as time picked up again, Kenshin pressed the end into his skin slightly. The steel blue eyes he had, closed to the world as he moved his head. The cut created by that motion overlapped the other he had.
A silent vow, had been made that night.
Many years into the future, five hundred years into the future in fact. An elderly man stood just outside a room, raising and lowering either of his arms in celebration.
"Oh, It's a baby girl, my first grandchild! A beautiful baby girl!" he cried out in happiness.
Beyond the door, the cry of a young babe was heard. Currently, the mother held her young one, gently rocking. The wailing continued, yet Emi, the mother continued on with a smile.
"It's okay, good girl. Oh, we're going to call you Kagome" she spoke softly.
Kagome seemed small, wrapped in a bright pink blanket. A small tuff of raven black hair lay atop her head, little hands clenched and unclenched and the wails continued, despite Emi's best efforts. Tears peeked from the corners of her eyes, slowly a soft pink glow appeared on her chest then.
Fifteen years later, there lay large city upon the earth. Tokyo, it was called. There were buildings all around, all in different shapes and sizes. The streets buzzed with young ones, teens, mid-aged and elderly. Each of them walking at their own paces, going shopping or otherwise.
In a particular part of the lay rather large shrine, the Higurashi shrine, to me more exact. A young girl slipped with raven hair going down to the middle of her back and light skin, her bangs fell over her forehead beautifully. She slid open the front door with a smile. Taking a single step out, she tapped the toe of her brown colored, low heel shoes, onto the stone entry to her home, twice. The young girl, aside from the shoes, wore white knee length socks. She a school uniform, cosisting of a green thigh low skirt and white, long sleeved shirt. There ws a green neck line, with a red bow neatly tied at her front. A dark blue backpack lay against her back. Her name? Kagome Higurashi.
Kagome continued even as she ran out the door, believing she'd be late to school otherwise. She halted in her steps however, in seeing her younger brother at the door of an old wooden shed. The school girl approached him, blinking.
"Souta? You know you're not supposed to go in there"
"But... The cat..." he said, looking up at her.
Souta, Kagome's younger brother had light-tanned skin with a head of short black hair. His bangs rounded his face fairly well. That day, he wore light blue long sleeved button shirt with a pair of tan colored pants. Black shoes at his feet, and white socks. He carried a dark backpack, and what he carried in his left hand at the moment was in fact, a bowl filled with cat food. Kagome approached the boy with her large brown eyes falling onto the bowl for a moment, either of their eyes fell into the darkness of the shed.
"Did he go into the well?" she stepped next to her brother, within the confines of the shed.
Both stayed above the old wooden stairs, leading down to the infamous well in the center of the room. Two large planks covered the mouth of the well, a time worn seal over those planks. There were some unidentifiable bones scattered around the well, all shapes and sizes as well as positioned in many ways.
"Buyo... I don't know where else he could be..." the boy cried, nearly discouraged.
By then, Kagome had taken off her backback to deposit it just at the door of the shed. She crouched by her brother, who in that time and gotten on all fours, looking worried and afraid. Kagome lay her left arm over her crouched legs, while pressing her right elbow over her thighs and laying her chin onto her palm.
"So, go down" she answered.
"But, why do I gotta be the one?"
"Because you're the one that's looking for him"
Suddenly there was a scratch in the darkness, where neither of them could see. Upon hearing it, Souta's eyes grew wide in panic and got up to rush behind his older sister.
"Something's down there!" he said with a voice filled with panic.
"Uh, yeah, the cat" she said, looking over her shoulder to the cowardly brother.
Kagome stood as he just huffed out his frustration, brows slightly lowering at her response. Inhaling, and exhaling slowly, the teenaged school girl took slow steps down the stairs. Each step caused the wood to creak lightly with this added weight and then... The scratching started again, that stopped her from going any further down.
/ That sound... From Inside the well. /
A large, strange sound to her left startled her out of her thoughts. She got scared and in turn, so did her brother, who was still at the top of the stairs. Souta got so startled that had ended up on his behind. Either of them screaming, one after the other, that is until they noticed the feline. Buyo a white, black and brown spotted cat with blue slitted eyes, now stood on four legs, rubbing against Kagome's leg with a content purr. Kagome moved her leg back, and leaned over to pick up the chubby cat, placing two hands under his friend legs to do so.
"You make fun of me 'cause I'm scared, but then your all like bwalwaah" he said leaning in a bit, as he peered down at his sister.
"Look who's talking, why do I have to go"
The scatching started once again, from behind Kagome then, even though she still held onto the cat. Souta's brown eyes lowered to his sister, and then the feline in her arms. Looking beyond her, to the well, the scratching... Was coming from there!
"Sis! Behind you!" he yelled, standing up quite quickly and he looked paniced.
Suddenly, the planks blocking the mouth of the well, erupted in strange white tendrils. Slowly each one took Kagome by the arms and pulled her backwards before she could react to the possible danger. A gasp escaped her, and as she was being pulled back, she dropped the cat, allowing it to land on one of the steps that lead to the well. Souta yelled out but could do nothing.
Kagome was pulled further into the well, she felt... Hands on her arms. One lifted and placed a hand onto her right cheek, to turn her attention on the problem she was now faced with. A woman, at least a part of her was, stared directly at her. Another gasp escaped Kagome then, only this time her eyes grew as wide as her body would allowy. The creature before her, was a topless woman with six arms and the lower body of a centipede. Long locks of raven hair fluttered about the imaginary wind. Blue lights surrouned either of them, while, much to Kagome's dismay, the lower part of the woman seemed to be regenerating from bones.
"Oh, to be alive, already my strength returns" the womans said, with a strange voice.
Kagome struggled to get free, but despite her best efforts, she hadn't the strength too. The woman was too strong for her, that or it ought have been the several arms she had.
"You have it, don't you? Give it to me" she said, sticking out a long pink tongue from between her red painted lips.
"W-what are you doing?! Let go!" Kagome shouted aloud.
Suddenly, a blast of brilliant pink light erupted from her left hand, which she'd moments before slapped into the woman's face. In doing so, one of her arms were torn off, and she, the centipede woman fell down further into the blue light.
"wretched girl... I must have the Scared Jewel!" she said, falling and fading from her sight.
"The... Sacred Jewel?" Kagome repeated.
Slowly, but surely, Kagome floated down to the dirt, on all fours. Her hair and clothes slowly falling into place again. She let out heavy breathes, and after some moments, she sat back and spoke her thoughts aloud.
"I guess I must have fallen... In the well..."
/ Maybe I bumped my head or... /
That was her thoughts, before she turned to look over her shoulder, and the arm that was torn from the woman in the well, sat some inches away from her.
"Maybe not... Either way" She said, pushing herself to her feet.
Kagome rose to her feet, her eyes rising up to glance up at the sky... Wait... Sky? She blinked a few times, and pinched herself. Wincing, she sighed out. Not a dream.
"Souta?... Souta, get grandpa!"
Waiting a moment or so, with no response, Kagome sighed out and used the vines to climg out while mumbling about cowardly younger brothers. But still... Something tugged at her mind. As she reached the top and glanced around, she could only gasp.
There was greenery all around, a whole lot of trees being blown through by the wind. Even birds were heard singing in the distance, while a few white butterflies fluttered around the grassy plain.
/ I'm definately NOT in Tokyo anymore / Kagome thought, as she slowly climbed up onto the lip of the well.
Bright, wide chocolate colored eyes looked in every which direction before pushing herself onto her feet. She took a final glance around, just as a light breeze brushed across the field. The grass along with her clothes and hair fluttered with the breeze. Kagome had to brush some annoying strands that had made it's way into her face because of it. That done, the wind died down to a mid-spring warmth.
The birds continued to tweet around, occasionally moving from branch to branch, while small ground-bound animals was seen scurrying at the sudden appearance of her. Kagome had, taken some steps forward, to anyone familiar to her, while the sun rays shine down on her from between some branches.
"Souta! Mama!... Grandpa?" she yelled aloud, slowly losing hope that they might be able to hear her.
Kagome looked around the forest surrounding her, feeling panic beginning to grow into her chest. The a thought occured to her, follow the Goshinboku, or the Sacred tree as many refered to it as most, and she'd find home. So began her search...
Eventually with a little bit of wandering around, she spotted a large tree located slightly to her right. A smile slowly turned her lips upwards somewhat, and hope begun to fester within her. Without much more of a thought, the young teenaged schoolgirl rushed besides some trees and pushes through some bushes.
Upon doing so, she glanced up only to see a red-clad figure pinned to the tree by a single arrow, that had with time had grown worn. Her smile vanished, as a soft wind passed by. The one clad in red, his white shimmering hair blew with the wind, and the rays of the sun gave him a bit of an etheral glow. She could not help but stare at his light-tanned skin, and the way his face seemed so... Peaceful. Several tree roots had wrapped around the man's body, as if the tree had slowly attempted to ease him into a cacoon of protection, yet... A good portion of the man pinned there, could still be seen.
Kagome blinked a few times, slowly she approached him and steadily climbed the roots that lead up to him.
"Hey there..." she said sofly, cautiously approaching the male that had yet to move.
As Kagome approached the red-clad man, her eyes fell onto two triangles atop his head. She blinked once, then another time, and neither one vanished. That made it clear to her, that was wasn't being tricked by sight, but what about... Touch.
/ They're like... Dog ears. I think I'll touch 'em. /
With that being said within her mind, she obliged her curiousity. Small hands reached up as she leaned higher, grasping the appendages between her fingers and thumb. They were soft to the touch, incrediably so. Carefully, she took that time to give light rubs over the triangular ears. After some short moments she huffed out and lets go, taking notice that he hadn't even stirred once. Not that she minded much, it would have been quite embarrassing otherwise.
"Now that that's out of my system" she whispered, while turning slightly, with a content sigh escaping her mouth.
"Get away from there!" a male voice shouted.
Kagome turned her head, just in time to see three mid-aged, or so she assumed, males pointing arrows ready to be fired in her direction. Each one dressed in different attire. They shot their arrows, and with speed Kagome didn't think she had, threw herself against the pinned male. She hid her face while the arrows landed into the trunk of the tree around him and avoiding her... Thankfully.
Upon realizing this, Kagome opened her eyes that she'd closed beforehand, and turned to look back. Each male with bow approached her and the tree, panic begun to grip at her chest again.
Next thing she knew, was she was tied on, what she assumed to be a straw mat of some kind, with either of her hands tied at her back and her feet bound together with a piece of rope. Chocolate brown eyes glared at the numerous men, women and children around her.
"The girl in strange clothes"
"Is she a foreiner?"
"You reckon it's war?" an old man asked a younger male.
"of course it is, and right in the middle of rice planting season too..." he answered.
Two females to her left caught her eye, they seemed to be diccussing. One of the woman was youthful, holding a baby in her arms, who seemed to be looking right at her with curiousity, it looked like. The other seemed to be a bit older then the other, holding a small bucket in her arms, she had a rounded face. Kagome would have probably smiled to the boy, if not for the fact, that she was tied up which left her with the option to glance around, looking nothing short of an idiot. A look of complete confusion on her face.
"She could be a kitsune in disguise" the youthful woman turned to the slightly aged woman.
"Nah, them shape changing foxes are a lot trickier than that"
The muttering around her continued, by men and women alike. The children were ushered away, and her mood became foul with the increasing mutters.
/ Top-knot, topknot, topknottopknottopknot... What is this? The Japan Medieval times? /
"Make way for hight priestess Kaede"
Kagome tore her glaring eyes towards the female passing by the males that made way for her. Dark brown eyes stared back at her, as she approached. A red haired male, trailing behind her.
~~~~**~~~~ This may or may not be as long as I had anticipated, but I did try. And this could just be me, but I think I make it harder for myself, every chapter, to make the next better then the last. x3. Ah well, I do hope you all enjoy this one. I spent a while on this one, occasionally taking short breaks of course, but still...
The name Emi means "blessing, favour" (E) or "picture" (E) and mi means "beautiful"
Thank you for reading, much love to you 3 ~~~~**~~~~
