Disclaimer: This piece is based on 'Inuyasha', owned by Rumiko Takahashi. No copyright infringement intended or implied.
The New Miko
Young Kaede insisted to herself that she was ready to meet the new miko. Nevertheless, as the headman led the way to the hut, she found her thoughts chasing around in her head.
Oh, please! Please, please, please! Please let the miko be nice! I don't want someone who's going to look at me and feel sorry for me because I've only one eye, or thinks I'm horrid-looking or disgusting. Someone--someone who likes kids and likes teaching kids, and won't expect me to be really good at things, and pretty, just because sister was. Someone who'll like me. Oh, please, please, please!
Yasuo rapped on the door frame. "Miko-sama? I've brought your student with me? May I come in an introduce her?"
"What--? Oh, yes. Come in, Yasuo-dono."
Kaede felt a chill running up her spine. That voice was--familiar.
Holding back the bamboo drape, the headman gestured Kaede to precede him into what had been her sister's hut. Trying not to clench her fists or otherwise show nervousness, Kaede stepped inside, halting before the wooden platform. The miko was in the back corner, getting to her feet in the midst of several baskets. From behind, Kaede observed that she was taller than Kikyo, with hair just as long and black, and just as slender.
She turned, and Kaede felt her heart plummet. She was certain she knew the young, beautiful woman. She couldn't think of the name, but she was certain of it.
"You--look familiar," said the miko, frowning as she stared at Kaede.
"Sayuri-sama, may I introduce Kaede-chan? She is the sister of Kikyo-sama, who was killed this spring."
Sayuri? Oh, no. No, no.
This was awful!
Sayuri hated Kikyo!
Oh, no!
Author's Note: This piece was written for the LiveJournal community IY_Themes, for the "Please" theme. It was originally published on January 26, 2010.