To Save Him
Chapter 3
Disclaimer – I do not own nor have any affiliation with Inu Yasha… the show, manga, etc.
** Author's notes: I generally hate these, so I'll try to keep this brief. While I didn't get as many reviews as my ego might have liked, I'm certainly very happy to see that the much overdue chapter 2 had so many views in general, more than I anticipated. =] Thanks to everyone for reading the story.
By the way, oops!… I noticed while re-reading the last chapter that in my, er, excitement to post a new chapter, I uploaded the incomplete file of chapter 2! I have fixed it now, though, and it wasn't anything but an extra paragraph or 2 thrown in at the end. =p sorry!
After a few minutes of walking into the forest (which was a major pain, with her bicycle), Kagome noticed they were approaching a well-concealed fire. A minute more of deduction, and she realized that they were at the miko's camp-site.
It was almost bewildering, because Kagome had never really pictured the miko doing anything but…well, walking around with her soul snatchers, damning Inu Yasha, and shooting an arrow. Did the dead—undead—half-dead—oh, whatever the heck the priestess was considered, have to rest and eat, like everybody else?
She wanted to protest, to say that staying there would waste time, but she didn't want to anger Kikyo. Without her assistance, she wouldn't get anywhere in this situation…she shoved down her vague irritation at that thought with humility, reminding herself that she had searched for the miko for the good of her friends, and that her personal feelings regarding the woman needed to be temporarily set aside.
The priestess didn't bother to look at Kagome, only began to fiddle with the items she had obscured beside the fire. She didn't tell Kagome that they were staying the night, but considering Kikyo's "talkative" nature, she probably wasn't going to bother.
Frowning, Kagome set up her bicycle's kick-stand, and then gently lifted the lid to the basket that contained her friend. "Kirara…"she murmured gently, eyeing the still creature. She was breathing evenly, if labored, and shivering very lightly. Her condition hadn't gotten worse, thanks to the small aid Kagome had been able to provide her, but it certainly hadn't gotten better, either.
Kikyo had scoffed at Kagome's suggestion to heal Kirara in order to find her friends. Did she dare asking her for assistance once more? The creature's life was in the balance, and Kagome did not want to risk losing her good friend's dear, loyal pet.
Suddenly, as if reading her mind, Kikyo spoke. "Bring the animal to me."
Kagome obeyed, carrying the basket over to the priestess with great care. So that was what Kikyo had been fiddling with—something for Kirara. As she handed the basket over to the now-seated Kikyo, she saw a green paste-like substance plated on a large stretch of bark at Kikyo's side. Why did all of these concoctions have to look so disgusting? She couldn't help but make a funny face.
Kikyo scooped Kirara out of the basket with a great deal of tenderness. She cradled the small animal in her arms, and gave the hurt creature a soothing pet. "This will sting greatly, but you'll find your strength improved by the morning," she said to the half-alert creature. Kirara could only whimper. After another soft pat, she dragged her fingers across the gooey leaf, then began to rub the ointment upon the animal's sore frame in a delicate, circular motion. Kirara started to whimper some more. "Shh," Kikyo whispered soothingly.
It was so strange to watch the steely woman appear so soft and comforting. Kaede had once told her that this was how the miko had spent her life-protecting the jewel, and providing comforting assistance to those who needed aid. The compassion that had driven her in life lingered in the miko still. The fire cast a warm glow upon her pallid frame. She looked natural—alive. In that moment, Kagome understood how Inu Yasha could harbor such love for the woman. Not only was she beautiful, something about her provided an ease of mind, and she knew why Inu Yasha had been drawn to her. And that is why he cannot let her go, she thought sadly to herself.
I am the re-incarnated soul of Kikyo, Kagome said internally. For the first time, she wondered if she was anything like Kikyo during her lifetime. With the way Inu Yasha had initially responded to her—and with the incorrigible attitude he still often displayed—she seriously doubted it.
Kirara's whimpering continued, but had eased somewhat, and Kagome watched the woman gently put her back into the basket, wrapped in the broad leaf. Kirara lulled into a sleep almost instantaneously.
"Is she going to be okay now?" Kagome whispered hopefully.
"Yes. The small creature possesses much spirit, and was lucky. The region we are in has many potent herbs."
"Thank you."
"You need not. It was not done for you, but for the mercy of the creature." With that, Kikyo stood. "You would do well to get some sleep if you have any hope of keeping up," the woman added, turning from Kagome.
"Kikyo," Kagome blurted suddenly, "do we really have time to be resting like this? Inu Yasha and the others—"
Kikyo interrupted her with laughter that sounded genuinely amused. She turned to meet Kagome's gaze, a lingering smirk upon her doll-like features. "Time is the least of our worries, you silly girl. The place that contains Inu Yasha is unaffected by our sense of time. It is surrounded by strong magic that cannot comprehend. You may not even be able to pass through its barrier alive," she added.
Kikyo turned again. "I have some arrangements to make for this voyage. Rest now, so you are not entirely worthless." With that, the woman made her way off into the dark expanse of forest.
You may not even be able to pass through its barrier alive…the words echoed in her mind. That was certainly comforting. Kagome struggled to push the thought of her mind, instead focusing on the faces of her lost companions. "Tomorrow, Inu Yasha…" she murmured with a yawn. "Tomorrow, I promise…."
With that thought, the heavily fatigued girl drifted off into a deep sleep.