A Change of Heart
Chapter 2: Encounter
"Oh, Kagome, this looks amazing!" Sango exclaimed as the young priestess placed the food out on a picnic blanket. They were sitting on a grassy hill top beneath the shade of a tree as the sun beat down relentlessly. Inuyasha sat in one of the branches, refusing to come down.
"Inuyasha, stop sulking and come eat," Kagome called up to him, a twinge of annoyance in her voice.
"Keh," Inuyasha grunted. "I'm not hungry." A low rumbling sound erupted from his stomach. He clutched it, hoping to quiet its protests, but it was too late and his friends had already heard it. The half-demon's cheeks flushed red as he scowled and jumped down to sit next to Kagome.
"This is delicious," Miroku complimented with enthusiasm as he took another bite.
"Thanks!" Kagome's face lit up and a smile blessed her lips. Inuyasha scoped out all of the new treats she had brought with her.
"What is this stuff?" he asked, sniffing one of the containers. "Is it even edible?"
Kagome became annoyed and almost hurt. "You haven't even tried it yet!" she yelled at him. She was at the end of her rope when it came to the half-demon's inconsideration. Sheesh, Inuyasha. You can be such a jerk sometimes. she thought, looking away to finish her own food. Glancing back at him, she watched him continue to stuff his face.
"Well?" Kagome asked impatiently. "How do you like it?" He only stared at her before swallowing. Then his ears twitched and his face brightened with recognition.
"Wait, I knew there was something missing." He searched the food before them. Frustrated for not being able to find what he was looking for, he turned his eyes onto the contents of Kagome's bag.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Kagome asked, curiosity sparked in her eyes. She eyed him warily, watching him dig through her bag on a hunt.
"Here we go!" Inuyasha pulled out a container of Ramen. "Hey, Kagome! Boil up some hot water, would ya?"
Anger flashed across the young priestess's face as she stood up. He turned to look at her and gazed up with fear in his eyes. "INUYASHA ... !" she screamed, infuriated.
He knew what was coming next as he lowered his head. His ears flattened against his hair and he stuck his hands up in front of his face, waving them drastically. "Wait Kagome! Don't ..."
"SIT BOY!" she yelled without hesitation. Her face flushed red with anger. The subjagation beads brought the half-demon to the ground, face first.
"SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!" Kagome finally looked down at the hole that Inuyasha's body had created. She stood straight up, arms at her sides, with her hands clenched into fists. "Inuyasha! You are such a JERK!" She turned on her heel and stalked off angrily towards the forest.
Miroku, Sango and Shippo watched her walk off before turning their attention to the agonized half-demon.
"Well, you really did it that time," Miroku said, sighing in frustration.
Sango gazed across the hill towards the cluster of trees her young friend disappeared through. "I've never seen her that mad before."
Shippo only shook his head. "Idiot."
The sun began to set as Kikyo finished saying a prayer for the corpses littering the village. She had searched the entire area, dispersing of a few demons in the process, only to come up with not a living soul. Houses were completely burned and blood drenched the ground. "What am I to tell the poor girl?" Kikyo mused aloud. Taking a final glance around the desolate village, she turned back towards the forest.
As the graveyard quietly receded into the distance behind her, the undead priestess sensed an evil presence lurking in the shadows. She felt the aura of a tainted jewel shard and pinpointed the source among the surrounding forest. Kikyo reached up to grab an arrow when suddenly, a vine-like arm shot out from amongst the trees and grasped her wrist.
"Heh, heh, heh ..." someone laughed maliciously. Thoughts swirled around in her mind as the ominous aura accompanying the voice invaded the small clearing in which she stood. The figure began to step out from the shadows while a rare smile flitted across her lips.
"Naraku ... " she seethed, her voice absent of resentment or terror.
"Well, well. If it isn't the mighty priestess Kikyo. I see you have a Sacred Jewel Shard." He sneered at her as his grip tightened around her wrist, earning him a small gasp from the seemingly calm woman. The tentacle enveloped her hand completely.
"You can not harm me," she protested with a smirk, although anger flared from her dark eyes. Not with the heart of Onigumo beating within your chest.
The half-demon's eyes flashed with recognition. "That's true, Kikyo. I can not harm you because of the wretched human, Onigumo." She stared at him a moment, hiding her surprise with ease. "Did I forget to mention?" he asked, an evil smirk plasterd on his lips. "I have yet absorbed another powerful demon. This one had the power to read thoughts, and now its mine."
Kikyo glared at him, the cold smile widening slightly. "Don't make me laugh. I know you did not acquire that skill so you could merely read thoughts. Tell me, what is it you're up to?" Her eyes glazed over with curiosity as she questioned the half-demon.
He grinned menacingly at her. As long as I am touching her, I can read her thoughts. He chuckled. "You will learn soon enough, Kikyo."
What are you planning? she thought. I must gather the remaining shards quickly, before he can use that ability to his advantage. Then the jewel with become whole and ... Kikyo watched as a smile slowly appeared on Naraku's visage.
"What's wrong, Kikyo?" She glared at him before a purifying light shined from her hand. Immediately, Naraku's limb was blown to pieces as her priestess powers overcame his own. He was stunned for a moment and, before he could recover, Kikyo grabbed an arrow and placed it in tune with her bow.
I refuse to let you know of my plan, Naraku. You shall burn in Hell for your sins. He quickly composed himself as he smiled at her futile attempt to harm him. "You can not kill me, Naraku," she stated in an icy tone. "No matter how many incarnations you create, they too can not touch me. You are a mere half-demon with Onigumo's heart that once beat for me."
"Do not worry, Kikyo," he replied, retreating to the shadows. "I have no need to kill you just yet." He chuckled before entirely disappearing from the undead priestess's view.
She stayed in the same position with her arrow still armed, waiting until she no longer felt his ominous presence. Kikyo finally relaxed and stood up, dropping her guard. If he had held onto my wrist a moment longer, then all would have been lost. He must not know of my plan to destroy him and the jewel.
Her auburn eyes glanced in the direction of Inuyasha's forest beyond the next village as she felt the pull of a large piece of the Sacred Jewel. "Kagome ... " she mumbled. With her soul collectors by her side, the priestess began her walk towards her reincarnation and the large jewel shard she held in her possession. I have to get that shard, whatever it takes.
A/N: Alright, there is chapter two. Sorry it took me a while to get this one out. Remember, I wrote this story a while ago and have to rewrite each chapter as I go along, plus keeping up with the rest of my stories and everything else going on in my life. Well, hope it didn't suck too bad. Let me know what you think of this chapter and I'll try to get the next one out soon. Please take my poll!