Welcome ladies and gentlemen. I hope you have all enjoyed my first work 'In the Arms of His Brother' and will continue to enjoy my newest piece 'The Den'. I hope you will review and let me know how you feel about this chapter, once I receive sufficient feed back I will determine if I shall continue. Thank you all for visiting.
I do not own Inuyasha or the characters from it, but this story line is mine; please keep it that way.
Your humble serving author,
Pearl Knight
Young innocent blue eyes gazed to the sky lovingly. It was play time, Kaede loved this time of day as much as she.
"Come now child! Ye'll get no exercise just layin in the grass!" Kaede watched as a small child nearly 8 sprang to her feet to run back to her side.
"Kaede! The flowers budded! Look!" The small body crashed into Kaedes legs with a cheerful smile.
"Aye! That they have Kagome, ye have the prettiest garden here." Kaede smiled down at the child and watched her skip to her flower bed. The small budding flowers were carefully tended to by the child, each plant acknowledged and loved.
"Kaede-san." The voice was deep and from behind. The older woman turned and saw a group of three men standing in the doorway leading out of the courtyard, "May we have a word?"
Kagome laughed happily as Kaede nodded.
"Kagome, stay with the garden for now."
"Yes Kaede!"
Two men stood on either side of a large oak door in front of them sat Kaede and the man that had spoken in the courtyard. Kaede look down as her mind swarmed in thought. She was older now her skin reflecting her age… but her mind was sharp.
"What do ye mean exactly? What are ye truly get'in at." Kaede asked quietly.
"The head of the city will be passed to Kikyo in light of this… realization." The man was stern in his speech. His long black hair was back in a braid and his uncaring eyes haunted her as she understood his meaning.
"She is a Miko; she just hasn't grown into her power yet!" Kaede searched his face for some hint that he agreed with her, some shadow of hope…
"She is nearly 8 and has yet to show any ability that would prove useful to us." His voice was emotionless and his face a stone…
"She needs more time!" Kaede couldn't believe her ears. Kikyo was not the sort of head they needed within this city… no doubt she and her horrid mother had something to do with this!
"She must be trained in a way that will allow us the most use. This is not what we are achieving now. She has used up her time." The man stood his hair falling over his shoulder, "You will no longer be training the Miko. We feel you are too lenient. Yuka will take over. She will no longer be trained for herbology or healing, things of that nature are useless to us. It is obvious she will have no skill of attack, as we've already told you. So she will be trained in barriers. Yuka found a way to put up the perfect defense. If she can not aid in our offence, this is the least she can do for her people."
"Barriers? Ye want her to be able to create a barrier strong enough to protect a whole city? Are ye daft!? That is not possible! She would…. No…"
"I think we are done here Kaede." The man turned to leave.
"You would condemn a child not yet fully bloomed, to death?" Her voice was weak.
"We are doing what is best for our people…" The man looked back and stared at the broken woman. "You may continue to aid her… be her maid. A moral guide… You are the closest thing to a family she has… I am not blind to that fact." As Kaede looked up she saw the man was not looking directly at her. He did have a heart… but regardless of how they felt, she knew the result would still be the same.
"Of course."
"Kagome!" Kaede looked past the garden, devoid of the human inhabitants. "Kagome where are you!?" Kaede moved down the hillside to the pond in the center of the courtyard. "Child!" Kagome looked up startled and fell into the pond. Kaede made it to the side of the pond as Kagome pulled herself out giggling like a mad!
"I'm sorry Kaede I-" Kaede's eyes widened as she saw the red print on Kagome's cheek… It looked mysteriously like hers.
"Go inside! To your room!" Kaede waited till she heard the doors close behind the shell shocked child to crumble to her knees in tears. Her hand stung, her eyes ached, her head spun, and her stomach churned. Such a terrible thing to happen to a child… And she could do nothing to help her…
Kagome stared out the window longingly as she watched other children play. Kaede had never struck her before… 'She must be very angry.' Kagome thought to herself. As the door slowly opened and Kaede came in Kagome threw herself to the floor bowing in apology.
"I'm so sorry Kaede I promise I wont disobey you again!"
"Hush Kagome. Such is the nature of a child." Kaede sat before her and watched as she leaned back sitting on her knees and looking up at her for guidance.
Kaede looked her over thoughtfully. She knew what the future had in store for her… What a dark future for such a bright light. Her skin was a tender pale olive, kissed by the sun day after day. Her hair was thick and long shining and healthy. Her small body was thick and filled out with strength and exuberance. She was such a beautiful child.
"Kaede, your eyes look funny… are you well?" It was such an innocent question, yet Kaede took her into her arms and cried once more. That night was a restless night…
Kagome must have done something very naughty she decided because no one would talk to her anymore. They talked around her… they even talked about her. But today no one would talk TO her.
"Kagome, what are ye doing here?" Kaede was startled to find the girl standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
"Kaede, I'm sorry!" Kagome ran to the woman and hugged her as tears welled within her eyes, "I don't know what I did but I'm sorry! Please make them talk to me again!" Kaede understood… They couldn't sacrifice a child, so they refused to acknowledge her.
"Hush child, ye have nothing to be sorry for. I shall talk to ye."
"Why do they ignore me!?" Kagome wiped her eyes.
"We are in the palace child, there are many important things happening all the time. They are busy. Go to yer room, I shall be there with your lunch shortly." Kagome nodded sadly and scampered off.
"She is still a child! This isn't right!" Honeko rolled her eyes at the older woman.
Honeko was a tall dark haired woman with scarlet lips and pale skin. She was the current head of the city. Sister to Aria who was mother to Kikyo, the next head of the city. Honeko refused to give birth for fear of ruining 'perfection'. Kikyo, cousin of Kagome was not the next in line for head of the family. Kagome was. Keyword was. Kagome was Honeko's brothers first born. Honeko's brother, Seiya, was head of the city at the time of Kagome's birth. The council however, sided with Honeko when fear of the end was implanted in their minds and Kagome was painted as salvation in the making. A careful mold for the child was created in that room when they stripped Kagome of her rightful heritage…
"She is our defense against the Darkness. She doesn't need conversation, she needs training. How much longer till Yuka reaches the city?" Honeko's voice was far from the silk tone she tried for; rather it was slimy and sickeningly sweet. The room was dark there was a large double door behind them with two men on either side of it, a long table in front of Kaede and a man next to her. Honeko sat on the other side of the table facing them with Kikyo and Aria on her right.
"6 months" The man spoke for the first time.
"In 6 months time she will begin her training. She will be fashioned as we have seen fit, you will not interfere." Honeko tilted her head at Kaede, "Why do you care about the child so much?"
"Someone should." Kaede accused softly. Honeko's constant smirk died.
"I care about all of my people."
"Of course you do." Kaede stood firm.
Kaede left the room with a deep sigh. She was no closer to helping Kagome then when she went in. Though she was sure she would be watched by Honeko like a hawk after that display.
Kaede went straight to the kitchen and went to work…
Kagome stared out her window for a while longer before running out into the hallway to head outside. If Kaede wouldn't take her then she would go herself. She made it to the first flight of stairs before a pair of strong arms wrapped around her.
"And where do you think you are going young one?" The man was tall and in uniform, obviously part of Guard.
"I would like to go outside now!" Kagome smiled at the man brightly, happy to be seen.
"Where is your care taker young one? What is your name?" He set her on her feet.
"My name is Kagome, and I haven't seen Kaede since this morning! Please could you take me outside?" The man stiffened and he looked around obviously confused.
"How did you leave your room?" He knelt down looking at the child very closely. It almost made her uncomfortable.
"I walked… are you going to take me out?" Kagome was getting ready to back away.
"I can not. You must return to your room Kagome-san." The man reached out before she could escape and lifted her off the ground.
"No! Please! I want to go play! Please!" The mans heart wrenched and he glared at the empty halls as he put her back into her room kicking and screaming. Kagome was left crying on the floor of her room.
Kaede returned to find Batoshi outside the door of Kagomes room.
"Batoshi-san?" The tall Guard member looked at her with mild irritation.
"Where are the men that are supposed to be stationed here?" He approached her slowly.
"I have never known there to be any." Her voice was guarded and hesitant.
"The child tried to get out."
"Kagome, I'm sure she is restless. I shall take her to the-"
"No, she is not allowed out of doors. She will remain in her room until Yuka arrives." Batoshi sighed softly and held his hand up to stop Kaede before she even started. "These are the orders we were giving. I shall find who was not at their post and they shall be dealt with. Take your complaints to Honeko…" Batoshi paused, "She is a lovely child…"
Kaede felt her heart break…
As the door opened Kaede saw Kagome sprawled out on the floor. Her eyes were puffy and she was fast asleep…
"Kagome, dear wake up." Kagome woke slowly as Kaede walked past and set something down on the table.
"Kaede!" She sobbed and ran to the woman, "Please Kaede! Can I go out now!?"
"Kagome, I'm sorry but… ye won't be goin' out for a while…" Kagome cried her little heart out and Kaede held her tight… The birthday cake that sat on the table was long forgotten.
~6 months later~
Kagome didn't know how she felt about Yuka… other then afraid. The woman was cold… When she spoke to Honeko about her she spoke as though she wasn't there… But Kagome was used to that, it was what she said that bothered her.
"I can train it, but you must give me plenty of time. When do you want it ready by?"
"We do not presume to know the extent of the Darkness," Honeko paused to call for food to be brought to her, "Only that we may not have much time. I believe you may have at least a decade before the Darkness attacks this city."
"I can have it ready in that amount of time I believe. I will gage it first then begin the training. Give me a Guard member that I may pair with it. I want to be sure it doesn't run, or become lazy. If I wish I can also have it practice protecting against their attacks."
"Of course. We will provide one straight from training. Young so that should you have them spar she has a chance"
"It will be done."
Kagome had never been called an 'it' before… She must truly be a bad child.
~6 months later~
"You've made it just in time to us." Yuka smiled as she welcomed another girl into the Dojo. Kagome looked on in awe of her. She was lovely.
"I am glad I have arrived as you wished. I am Sango." The girl bowed her head respectfully.
"I am Yuka; you will be assigned to this." Yuka gestured towards Kagome. Sango looked confused for a moment trying to see what she was gesturing to, her eyes finally landed on Kagome who attempted to greet her but was spoken over by Yuka the tone in the woman's voice tore Sango's eyes from the other younger girl in the room, "You will be sure to watch it and keep it from trouble; you may also be called upon to spar with it depending on how well or bad its training is going. We will be starting the first day of real training tomorrow. I trust you will be ready?" Sango realized with a moment of hesitation the 'it' she referred to was the child herself… Sango found such a thing very strange but responded as she assumed she was expected to.
"Of course." Sango bowed once more… Kagome gave up.
"Do yourself a service Sango, don't bother talking to it. Don't get involved with it. Don't try and get to know it. All such actions would be a moot point in the end." With that said Yuka grabbed Kagome by the arm and turned to leave. "Come Sango" Yuka lead the girls to Kagome's room and left her there. Yuka took Sango on a tour of the Palace.
Kagome was 9 today, and today was the end of her life in the eyes of those she had thought cared for her. Kagome closed her eyes and breathed deeply instead of shedding tears and instead counted her blessings. Where the world turned its back on her, she had her dear Kaede that would always love her.
Kagome sat within her room silently waiting for the woman that was the closest thing she had to a mother to come. She shed not one tear as she gazed out her window. She wondered silently if she would ever have the chance to go back there to the world outside. She wondered what would become of her garden… what would her rights be? Was she ever to feel love from another being other then Kaede again?
The door opened as it had many times over her short life to reveal the face of her caretaker and Kagome stood calmly.
"Kaede, I promise to be good and stay quiet if you'll tell me what is going on… I'm scared and confused…" Kaede walked into the room holding the tray of food in her hands.
"Child, I don't really know how to tell ye… I'm not so sure it'll even be something ye wants to know after I do." Kaede paused as the girl continued to watch her in a way that made her decision for her. "How far are ye in yer studies child?" Kaede crossed the room and sat on the foot of the her bed.
"Does this have to do with my skills? If everyone is angry because I've fallen behind I'll work twice as hard!" Kagome sat in front of the older woman on the floor.
"child…" Kaede shook her head sadly and looked to the floor. "They wish to train you in barriers." Kaede looked to the girl as she smiled.
"I can do barriers… small ones but I can do them! Will it make them happy if I showed them?"
"It would make me happy if ye struggled miserably at it!" Kaede spoke suddenly harsh. Kagome shrank back at the tone and Kaede smiled softly.
"Forgive this old woman her tongue got away from her." Kaede picked the child up and set her on her lap, "They want to work with ye more on 'em. Then they want to make sure ye are spiritually strong enough to protect us all child. They want ye to save us all if Guard can't…" Kagome thought for a moment and Kaede saw the confusion on the child's face.
"But Kaede that sort of thing would be huge!" The child gestured with her hands to try and display just how large the barrier would be. Her wide blue eyes looked down in thought. "I couldn't make anything THAT big. I don't think there is enough energy in my entire body!"
Kaede felt her eyes water as she spoke a sentence that the child wouldn't understand for a few more years.
"Someday child, ye will have just enough energy in your entire body to do it…" Kagome snuggled up to Kaede and rested her head on her shoulder.
"Do you really think so Kaede?" Kagome yawned.
"Hai, I do child… I wish I didn't… but I do."
I hope you all liked it, please review. All suggestions are welcome, but please be respectful. Thank you all!
Pearl Knight