Author's Notes: Sorry about the delay everyone, but I am here with another update of the story One Thousand of One. I would like to say a huge thank you for all the supportive reviews and feedback. However, if possible, could the guest reviewers identify themselves with a distinctive penname? I want to make comments and thank you all for your helpful reviews using the section below, but it's quite difficult when everyone is using "Guest" as their alias. For now, I've decided to copy the comment so that it's possible to see who I'm replying to.
Guest: "please update soon. I love how this is going". Thank you for your support. I hope that you'll enjoy this newest update.
Guest: "When you say Kikyo is your number 1 favorite anime character, I can relate. I love Kikyo. She had such a tragic life. I mean, she was so kind, and just look at how fate rewarded her. And Akame is your second favorite. I adore Akame as well. She's so strong, and she cares so much for her comrades". I'm really happy to hear this. It's pleasing to see that someone also shares similar opinions as me. I believe there are too many Kikyo-haters out there, people who cannot see the ordeals and struggles that Kikyo has to prevail against… and all alone. Oh, and you adore Akame also. Yes, I agree; she is indeed an awesome character, who prompted me to write a fanfic about Akame ga Kill. Have you read it?
Guest: "Please make the next one soon! I'm really curious to see what happens!" Sorry about the late update, but I'm back. Enjoy.
blackrose: Thank you so much for your comment. It's my pleasure to present you with the newest update.
Please bear with me if I make any mistakes or errors, especially in terms of the language (spelling, grammar, etc.).
All characters (Kikyo, Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha) from the series Inuyasha that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own anything regarding their creation; I have Rumiko Takahashi to thank for that.
Without further ado, onward to Chapter 7!
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Chapter 7-Keeping Up
'How fascinating! The crystalline eyes are glistening,' Hibiki mused as he peered down on the white tiger crouched low, a stance normally associated with a hunter preparing for an attack. Sliding his pinkie into the beast's opened lower jaw, Hibiki took pleasure in feeling its razor-like fangs as he ran his finger along the surface. A creature like this was held in high regard as the king of the beast in mythology. Not that Hibiki took much interest in what he assumed were exaggerated tales, though he did share the belief that the tiger would manifest its true form in the presence of a lord that was deemed worthy and virtuous.
'I wonder if Sesshomaru is regarded as such...' Hibiki shifted on his chair. It certainly was intriguing that the White Tiger of the West, the kokuho that symbolized the element of metal, would be inherited by Sesshomaru. Ever since experiencing it first-handed, the chancellor recognized how talented the Lord of the West was in terms of swordplay. The elderly daiyoukai could never forget the day that the young Sesshomaru successfully managed to relieve him of his weapon. Hibiki recalled how Touga had laughed then, commenting on how generous Hibiki was for going easy on his young pup. But in reality, Hibiki knew that Touga had comprehended the truth as well. No matter how casually they acted back then, they were both aware that Sesshomaru was indeed an exceptional prodigy in the art of the sword, with skills that could one day well surpass his father.
The feeling of being watched was the trigger that pulled Hibiki away from his recollections. In an instant, Hibiki became aware that Sesshomaru was observing him and the item resting on his outstretched palm. The chancellor raised an eyebrow at the young lord sitting directly opposite him. The two were currently at the higher end of the garden close to the chancellor's quarter. Sheltered by Hibiki's beloved arbor, held up by beautifully decorated pillars, the two daiyoukai had gathered for a discussion that eventually led to Hibiki examining the two kokuho that Sesshomaru now owned.
"Is something the matter, Sesshomaru?" the older Inu daiyoukai asked. Despite his old age, his observant eyes didn't fail to detect the change in Sesshomaru's demeanor. Although Sesshomaru was looking in his direction, Hibiki knew his attention was elsewhere.
"Can you not hear it?" the Lord of the West said indifferently as he moved his line of vision away from the kokuho and towards the lower end of the garden. His penetrating gaze seemed capable of seeing through the dense foliage and into the archery fields on the other side, though, in reality, he was merely keying into the presence there. As if he suddenly understood everything, he pushed his cooled tea away and stood up gracefully.
Tuning into his fine hearing, Hibiki listened too. The chirping of birds, rustling trees, and even gossiping servants didn't escape him as he searched for what Sesshomaru was indicating. Then it came to him. Noises. He could hear numerous youkai murmuring in disapproval and directing insults at a certain miko.
"Aren't you worried, Sesshomaru?" he asked serenely, not one to be ruffled by something as trivial as a verbal quarrel. It came as no surprise to him that uproar would ensure following the miko's release. If anything, he was more shocked that Sesshomaru would allow the human out of her cell. In retrospect, the miko was a threat to most youkai in the west regardless. Therefore, Hibiki couldn't grasp the logic behind the young lord's arrangement. Did Sesshomaru manage to tame the miko already? Needless to say, things were bound to get interesting and chaotic with the human around.
"It is quite obvious that several of your men have encountered the miko personally. They are not taking her presence fondly, as expected." A minuscule smile played on the chancellor's lips as he picked up the Azure Dragon of the East and turned both kokuho around his fingers, fascinated by how the sunlight reflected the jade surfaces. "Poor Kotori is most likely having her hands full."
"It will serve as valuable experience." The blunt reply came from Sesshomaru.
"You are too harsh on your own servants," the older daiyoukai retorted. Despite expecting nothing less than an apathetic response from Sesshomaru, Hibiki couldn't withhold his tongue. He had always appreciated Kotori's deep loyalty to Sesshomaru. It was hard to come about within the demon race, considering how many held their ambition and pride with utmost importance. Sesshomaru had no idea how fortunate he was to have the undying loyalty of the demoness.
Sesshomaru said nothing in return. Perhaps he was contemplating Hibiki's words, though the chancellor himself doubted it. With a raised eyebrow, he watched Sesshomaru reach forward to take the treasures away.
"Wait, Sesshomaru. I haven't finished scrutinizing them," protested Hibiki.
"You shall get your opportunity once I have assembled all of the kokuho," Sesshomaru stated as he placed the relics inside the inner pocket of his kimono.
"How long until then? Years? Decades? Centuries?" Hibiki heaved a tired sigh, almost tempted to throw his hands up in a childish manner if not for self-discipline restraining him.
"You were born an immortal. I am certain you can abide," Sesshomaru sniffed with a touch of annoyance. Intending to investigate the commotion, he was about to leave when Hibiki rose from his chair and came beside him. The implication was not lost so Sesshomaru waited, realizing that the chancellor still wanted to converse with him.
"Sesshomaru… tell me, for what purpose are you collecting the kokuho? Is conquering the Great Continent your true intention? Somehow, I get the impression that you have other reasons than pure ambition," Hibiki said and was immediately given a sharp passing frown from Sesshomaru. Perturbed but not disheartened, the chancellor pressed on sternly, "While your lifelong goal of surpassing your father has yet to change, conquering the world has never been a part of your agenda, at least not until you succeeded the throne. So why the change of heart?"
"None of your business," Sesshomaru said, a flicker of annoyance latched onto his voice. But upon remembering that the elderly daiyoukai was his father's friend and his mentor, he added, "My desire for great power remains unchanged. My path is that of conquest."
Hibiki's left hand found its way toward his hip as he shook his head. "Forgive my imprudence but I must interject. I'm afraid you cannot fool me, young lord. A partial truth is not befitting for one your status. You were never this obsessed with power before. Pray tell, what circumstances have initiated this change of yours? What is it that reinforced your ideals and guided you down this path? Or… perhaps it would be more accurate to say who instead of what. Is it due to your father's untimely death or is it… her, the on—"
"Silence!" Sesshomaru aimed a narrowed stare over his shoulder, his eyebrows setting down at a dangerous level. Hibiki had gone too far and touched a sensitive nerve that lay dormant for centuries. Memories of long ago began to unravel themselves and Sesshomaru's fist clenched around So'unga's hilt. His demonic signature spiked, followed by a low growl from the back of his throat. Much to his frustration, sentimentalism still wormed into his gut whenever she was mentioned. It was a derisive thought, but he briefly wondered when he could truly rid her ghostly form that danced in his unsettled dreams.
Hibiki stood his ground, fighting the urge to take a step back against Sesshomaru's overflowing aura. There it was, the primary aspect differentiating Sesshomaru from his father. The former Lord of the West would have never glowered at Hibiki like that, regardless of the circumstances. It was tempting to scowl at the level of disrespect Sesshomaru was showing his elder, but a more immediate realization pulled his attention. Even with time as an ally, it was obvious the mental scar Sesshomaru once suffered from revealing his defrosted heart had yet to heal.
Fortunately for Hibiki, Jaken arrived just in time to break the intensity that radiated from Sesshomaru. An inaudible sigh of relief left Hibiki. Any longer and he would have yielded to instinct and discharged his own youki, which would immediately be seen as an act of hostility towards the Lord of the West. Had it escalated to that point, then even Hibiki would have trouble explaining himself. In any case, he was bounded by regulations like any youkai in the west, and aggression toward their lord was deemed very offensive.
Jaken's pace was unsteady as he darted toward the two Inu daiyoukai. Even with a staff for support, his webby feet made his steps seem like waddling regardless. And being Jaken, the green imp demon clumsily tripped over several stepping stones before managing to reach the arbor.
"Ah, Jaken. Why the rush?" Hibiki asked with a tilt of his head, despite inwardly knowing what Jaken wanted to report.
"Terrible! It's terrible! Waramaru has issued an unauthorized Chousen against the human. The archery fields are being set up for it as we speak!" Left out of breath, Jaken leaned on his staff as he informed the two daiyoukai. From the moment he learned about Kotori's failure to keep the miko away from foolishly accepting the Chousen, Jaken knew that he had to take the matter into his own hands. Being Sesshomaru's most trusted vassal, he decided to scamper in search of Sesshomaru, praying that his lord would effortlessly resolve the senseless squabble. And if there was one thing Jaken could take pride in, it was finding his master.
"It's been a while since the last Chousen. What are the conditions for victory? I suspect it has something to do with archery." It was Hibiki who acknowledged Jaken's report while Sesshomaru remained impassive as he continued to stare at the imp.
"Yes. The miko must attain ten consecutive hits or become a live target for the next shooting session!"
This time, Jaken's words seemed to capture Sesshomaru's attention somewhat as his eyes rapidly moved in the direction of the archery fields. His gaze hovered there for split seconds before he redirected his golden orbs towards the clouds, almost like he was dismissing the matter altogether. At least, that was what Jaken believed.
Contrasting what Jaken thought, Sesshomaru's mind lingered on the issue relating to the miko. It had been less than a day and already the human was being a nuisance, which he had expected. He supposed she was the loose cannon that could deliver unpredictability into his otherwise somewhat dull life. With the Chousen now in place, he ought to think that he could receive some entertainment from it, as well as gauge the level of threat the restrained miko now was to the west.
Amused by the idea that could 'kill two birds with one stone', Sesshomaru ended his musing before regarding his subordinates with a curt nod. Understanding the gesture, Jaken and Hibiki backed away as the youki around their lord burst into life, teasing his silver mane in the process. Without another word, Sesshomaru shot into the air, all the while gracefully avoiding the arbor's roof.
As the Lord of the West disappeared from his sight, Jaken let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. No matter how frequently he was exposed to it, it still unnerved him just how daunting Sesshomaru's youki was when left unrestrained. Under the extreme pressure that it exerted, Jaken was surprised that he didn't lose consciousness. No doubt an impressive feat for a lesser demon such as himself; perhaps he could brag about it later on to the others.
"Jaken. I grow tired of waiting. I assume you're coming, correct?"
So engaged with his daydream, the imp forgot the other daiyoukai beside him. His round eyes traveled upwards as he sheepishly nodded at Hibiki. Taking the cue, the chancellor's mokomoko wrapped around his waist and Jaken surreptitiously snuggled up against the soft fur.
"Here we go." Giving Jaken a warning, Hibiki slowly increased his youki until he gathered enough energy for takeoff. Then he pushed the tip of his boots into the ground and ascended into the sky along with his passenger.
'This is terrible! Everyone here heard the declared Chousen… They won't rest until it's settled, meaning my interference would do nothing but stir unrest!' Kotori bit her bottom lip with enough frustration to draw blood. The metallic taste in her mouth did nothing to distract her as she mentally berated herself for bringing the miko here. How careless was she for allowing something like this to happen in the first place; she knew fully too well that Waramaru held vengeance in his heart. He would gladly take any opportunity he could grasp to kill the miko.
The demoness' composure cracked and glimpses of dread crept on her features, drawing thin lines across her lips that highlighted a grimace. Despite still sharing some of Waramaru's sentiments about her fallen comrades, she knew that letting the bull youkai have his way would be detrimental to Sesshomaru's conquest. More than anything else, Kotori feared her lord's reaction if the miko was to die now. 'If that happens, I'll fail the task that Sesshomaru-sama handed me! But what can I do? At present, only Sesshomaru-sama can resolve this mess...'
As if appeasing Kotori's wish, a spark of Sesshomaru's aura traveled across the fields before the majestic form of the Lord of the West descended from the sky. His piercing gaze scanned the crowd before him, with hints of disinterest flashing within his pupils.
"Sesshomaru-sama!" Involuntarily, relief poured from her tone as Kotori humbly bowed before the daiyoukai. All around her, the crowd of demons rearranged themselves in two lines, kneeling before the daiyoukai while simultaneously creating a walkway for their lord to the miko. From the corner of her eye, Kotori noted that only Kikyo refused to acknowledge or even flinch at the authoritative presence that dominated the archery field. Were it not for their current situation, then perhaps the demoness would have openly praised the human for having a nerve of steel.
"Sesshomaru-sama… I assume you've heard about the Chousen I intend for the miko? If so, then please grant me your consent. I wish to settle the score with the human wench for the atrocity that she committed." With his back arched forward in a respectful bow, Waramaru cut straight to the point without hesitation. While he hadn't anticipated the Lord of the West's brisk arrival, he knew that his action would reach the daiyoukai's ears eventually, even if he tried to hide it. Besides, the bull youkai had no intention of concealing his hatred for the miko. Now that Sesshomaru was here, seeking his permission was the quickest way of getting the Chousen to start and effectively crushing whatever protest Kotori planned to make.
"Do as you wish." Saying that, Sesshomaru proceeded towards the benches resting at the edge of the field. With his typical impassive expression etched on his face, he gracefully took a seat and waited.
Stunned, Kikyo watched Sesshomaru with mental alarms blasting warnings inside her brain. Possibilities of what Sesshomaru planned had taken form in her mind, though the sentence that just left the daiyoukai's mouth was the last thing she expected. The predicted result was that he would be keen to call off the Chousen, if only to prevent whatever chances of her losing and therefore dying before he could use her in his plans.
Suspicion instantly gripped her body, and new speculations ran wild as Kikyo tried to fathom Sesshomaru's objective. There was no way that his appearance was random, given his personality. From what she learned about him, the Inu daiyoukai seldom do things on a whim; there was almost always a calculative reason behind his action.
'What does he want? He has yet to bother with me until now. There has to be something that attracted his interest… but what exactly eludes me.' She tried to speculate what the Lord of the West desired, though nothing could be revealed from his emotionless features. At this point, she had to question her insight. Generally, she had a knack for reading people. But with Sesshomaru, the answer was not always as straightforward.
She could only assume he was using the Chousen to openly observe and test her. A part of her briefly contemplated if she should purposefully lose just to spite the arrogant bastard. However, the logical side of her noted that dying wouldn't accomplish anything in the long term. And perhaps it was her stubborn pride speaking, but she didn't enjoy the notion of losing when one of her specialties was involved.
While his aloof countenance revealed nothing on the outside, Sesshomaru was actually somewhat amused by the way that the miko's gaze lingered in his direction before skimming over to Waramaru, who was explaining the rules for his challenge. The Lord of the West could practically see the gears spinning inside her human brain as she mulled over his goal. There was no questioning she was an intelligent individual, with enough willpower and strength to be considered a threat to the demon race. If not for the fact that she was a puny human, then perhaps Sesshomaru would be tempted to admit that she would be worthy as his rival.
"So this is the miko, huh? I see that she exceeds her reputation, if she is truly able to remain calm in a situation like this." A modulated voice rang from above, and Sesshomaru didn't bother to glance at the newcomer. Even before Hibiki moved to take a seat beside him, the younger daiyoukai recognized the unmasked youki that radiated from the chancellor.
If Hibiki was offended by Sesshomaru's discount, then he didn't show it as he unlatched Jaken from his mokomoko. After the green imp moved back and positioned himself behind the bench, the chancellor turned to Sesshomaru. "I suppose I can comprehend why you would agree to this preposterous challenge… However, did you consider the possibility that the miko may lose? Surely you don't intend to let her die here and now, especially not after all the effort you put into this."
"Hmmm." Sesshomaru gave a light hum, almost as a dismissive form of acknowledgment.
The older daiyoukai felt the muscles in his eyebrow twitch in annoyance. Sesshomaru's indecipherable and curt responses were becoming a habit as of late. That irritated Hibiki somewhat, knowing that the Lord of the West preferred confining his thoughts to himself rather than sharing them with his chancellor like he used to. But then again, the daiyoukai was no longer the pup who needed his assistance. The idea that Sesshomaru was now more than capable of handling his own affairs brought Hibiki a swell of pride as his initial exasperation ebbed away.
Unbeknownst to Hibiki, Sesshomaru's supposed confidence was not founded on logical reasoning. Rather, the Lord of the West was operating based on a hunch. Something in the back of his mind persistently told him that the miko was far too resilient to be beaten at her own game. With that said, he was technically placing a bet on her victory as he too would have no plan to fall back on should she fail.
However, Sesshomaru was not one to leave his fortune at the hands of another, especially not on a human known to be unpredictable. In any case, he would have to level out the playing field.
Disinclined to test Sesshomaru's patience, a few workmen immediately got to work. Since the soldiers were practicing all afternoon, the wooden humanoid targets had become too dented to be used for the occasion and needed to be replaced with plain circular ones. Once ten of them were fixed in position, Waramaru huffed and pointed to them.
"They're all yours, miko. Well, you know what will happen if you miss," he told Kikyo maliciously.
"I'm fully aware." Kikyo spared the bull youkai no more than a short reply before turning to Kotori, who handed her a quiver with exactly ten arrows. There was concern plastered on the demoness' features that Kikyo could detect were indeed genuine. Despite everything, she thought it was a welcoming change of expression compared to all the hostile ones surrounding her.
"Kikyo-sama, are you really okay with this? I mean, with using that bow?" Worried, Kotori gestured at the large weapon in the miko's hand. The bow stood taller than its temporary wielder and compared to its massive form, Kikyo looked awfully small and fragile. Although she knew that archery was Kikyo's aptitude, the demoness couldn't help but briefly wonder if she could handle this Chousen, particularly since her hands were bounded.
"The size of the bow will not change the outcome of this match. That much I can assure you." Whether or not Kikyo intended to reassure remained unknown. However, her comment exuded confidence, and with it, the ability to act on said words. That surprised Kotori, who couldn't fathom how the miko could be so fearless. It was as though the sky could come crashing down and Kikyo wouldn't even batter an eyelash.
"...Well then, good luck." While she didn't think Kikyo required luck, she felt like offering some encouragement before letting the miko head out onto the field.
A nod was an adequate acknowledgment as Kikyo proceeded towards the shooting line, positioned approximately 300 feet away from her targets. The distance would not pose a challenge for her under normal circumstances, but even before she notched her first arrow she knew that things would be different with the shackles in place. The chain clattered and collided with her body as she attempted to pull the bowstring back. And it was at that point that she noticed her grave miscalculation. The restriction was an inch shorter than she would've liked, and thus wouldn't allow her to fully draw her bow. Involuntarily, her eyes widened with mute horror and her body stiffened as a touch of dread swept into her heart, almost as cold as the metallic chain clumped around her wrists.
Sesshomaru was unmoved as he absorbed the slight changes in the miko's usual facade. She was concealing it well, though his acute golden orbs could still discern the underlying apprehension flickering within her dark pools. Her arrogance had clouded her perception and it took her longer to comprehend her situation. How disappointing that she was still susceptible to her own human emotion despite it being part of her downfall the last time. Human emotions — Sesshomaru couldn't help but inwardly scoff at the repulsive phase. The two words were appalling on their own. But when combined, they were enough to make Sesshomaru crease his eyebrows in open disgust.
Regardless of his musings going off on a tangent, Sesshomaru didn't lose sight of his goals. Pulling himself back to the present, he was aware he should take some form of action. The implication that the miko was trapped in a scenario she foolishly created herself was obvious. Ignoring the slight contempt bubbling inside of him, he decided to offer a means for her to escape from defeat. With a casual wave of a finger, he mentally directed his psyche towards the magically built shackles and gave a single command. As if gaining a will of its own, the ends of the chain elongated a tad, almost like the shoot of a plant wiggling out of the soil.
The miko didn't miss a beat at the opportunity presented to her. It didn't feel necessary from Sesshomaru's point of view, but she immediately tried to mask his aid by completing her draw and releasing the notched arrow. The projectile claimed the focus of even the more insightful youkai, thereby successfully making Sesshomaru's deed more discreet than ever.
"Smart move," Hibiki murmured, a remark so quiet it was only audible to Sesshomaru. It seemed the chancellor had wanted to say more but lost the mood when Sesshomaru paid him no heed.
With her action made simpler, Kikyo wasn't surprised when her arrow sailed in a straight arc and hit her intended mark with deadly precision.
"H-Huh?"
"N-No freaking way!"
"It hit… it actually hit!"
There were numerous reactions instigated from the crowd with that shot, though their surprise meant nothing to her. Kikyo was solely invested in Sesshomaru's expressionless features. It baffled her why he chose to come to her aid, especially since he looked as disinterested as ever. Inwardly, a part of Kikyo was mildly annoyed by his unchanging stoicism and briefly entertained herself with the thought of shooting her next arrow at him instead. However, that tempting idea dispersed as quickly as it emerged. It was plain suicidal, seeing as she was currently in the view of many demons who would be more than happy to tear her apart at a chance.
Shaking her head once to clear her mind, Kikyo returned to the task at hand. The arrow shafts pierced through the wooden boards one by one, further enlarging Waramaru's scowl, until nine arrows protruded from the center of the targets.
'One more.' With a silent encouragement to herself, Kikyo readied her final shot. While having the chain restraining her lengthened was helpful, its weight still hindered her sufficiently. Much to her chagrin, the muscles in her arching arms were crying out in protest. She stubbornly ignored the pain jolting through her arms and released the projectile, all the while hoping that her aim would not be thrown off.
Kotori held her breath as the tenth arrow snapped forward, unmistakably flimsy compared to the previous. The projectile swayed and tilted a little against the seasonal winds. The demoness' lips pursed. She could only hope that the miko had taken the wind's effect into account.
Thud!
The crowd erupted with disbelief and awe when the steel shaft struck the center. Suppressing a triumph shout, Kotori eased her tense muscles and felt her knees buckle slightly in relief. The miko did it!
'Amazing! She… she's absolutely outstanding! This is just so surreal; I can't believe it.' At that moment, Kotori felt more than just simple astonishment. She also felt the urge to befriend the enigmatic miko. It didn't matter if she was a human; the demoness found her respect for the miko growing.
From the sideline, Waramaru was stunned as Kotori approached Kikyo, obviously wanting to congratulate the human. The bull youkai's jaw dropped as he was unable to comprehend the absurd occurrence happening in front of him. He stared at the targets until the harsh reality finally caught up and struck him like lightning. The human actually did it, despite being handicapped.
Ever so slowly, Waramaru turned his gaping face towards the miko, who flinched awkwardly when Kotori affectionately patted her shoulders. While Kikyo didn't immediately demand his life now that she emerged victorious, Waramaru wouldn't allow the matter to go unsettled. The humiliation of defeat might have hit him harder than expected, but his pride as a warrior wouldn't permit him to back down on his words.
"Hmph… if you do somehow win, then my life shall be left in your hands. It will be yours to claim, as according to the ancient rules of a Chousen." His own intrepid words echoed in his ears and he momentarily wondered if he would have made such proclamation had he gauged the depths of the miko's capability beforehand. It was too late for regrets now, he supposed. Taking a deep breath, he moved over towards the miko with the resolve to die at her hands.
Willing his body to obey him, Waramaru dropped onto his knees and touched his forehead to the ground. "Miko… it's your win. I'll admit that I've lost and I'm now subjected to your will. Do with me as you please," he uttered, all traces of his low-threatening tone gone.
"Waramaru-sama! No, you can't!"
"Waramaru-sama, you mustn't! That witch must've cheated! There's no way otherwise!"
"Yeah! This must be witchcraft!"
The crowd, containing most of his subordinates, argued fiercely. Dissatisfied with the results, they began to point their finger at the miko, accusing her in any way possible.
Irked, Kotori was about to formulate a remark when Waramaru beat her to it. The archer's head shot up and he whirled around to face the mob with fury evident in his blazing irises. "Shut up! It's my loss, fair and square. We all know that she played by the rules. I'm sure Sesshomaru-sama or Hibiki-sama can attest to that. And since she did follow the rules, then so must I!"
As harsh silence descended upon the crowd of youkai, Kotori took the opportunity to look at the indifferent Sesshomaru still seated. One glimpse was all it took for her to realize that her lord was contented with being an observer and had no intention of helping Waramaru. So that left the bull archer's fate sealed in Kikyo's hands. While Kotori couldn't claim that she knew the miko well, she knew that it would be normal for one to be spiteful towards someone who did nothing but insult her at every opportunity. It was clear to her that Waramaru would die.
Much to everyone's bewilderment, Kikyo did not order Waramaru's execution nor did she choose to kill him herself. Instead, she merely passed the bow back to Waramaru and ignored his questioning gaze.
"It's a well-carved bow. Make sure you treasure it," she said, "I would like to use it again should you feel the need to challenge me again."
Waramaru's eyes darted from the weapon in his hands back to the miko as incredulity drowned him. Questions burned his tongue so he warily asked, "Hang on, you're not going to… to kill me?"
There was something resembling a smirk that danced on Kikyo's lips. Her eyebrows arched, almost as though she was genuinely amused. "If you think I am so petty that I will be willing to kill simply because someone tried to insult me, then you cannot be any more wrong. Mind you, I do not fancy public executions."
"But, wait! You cannot erase our deal like that! It's the rule of the Chousen that the loser will be dealt a fitting punishment deemed by the victor. It has been like this for centuries!" Waramaru exclaimed, still unable to accept the miko's answer. He was prepared to die in honor of his warrior ways, and yet the miko seemed bent on letting him live. To be spared like this was a disgrace no matter what excuses the human gave.
Kikyo gave a short sigh. She pressed two fingers on her temple and gave it a gentle massage. Even without needing to say anything, it was obvious to Waramaru that she found his relentlessness tiring. At that thought, he decided to emphasize his point, if only just to annoy her to the point that she would want to execute him.
"Look, we both agreed to wager our lives in this, so it must be done. You can't spare me on a whim!"
His words held the opposite effect that he wanted. Instead of getting frustrated, the miko merely returned her arm to her side and spoke calmly. Apparently, his statements provided her with the incentive to argue back. "You seem adamant to discard your life because of some rule laid out by your ancestors. However, you seem to have forgotten that I am not one of your kind. I have no intention of being bound by the same regulations you blindly follow."
"But—" Waramaru didn't get to finish before Kikyo hurried to interject.
"Furthermore, if I deem it fitting for you to live so that you bear the everlasting humiliation of your defeat at the hands of a mortal, then I am certain there are no issues. From that perspective, it is precisely what the established edict states: that the loser will be dealt a fitting punishment deemed by the victor." With that said, Kikyo knew she had said enough to terminate Waramaru's senseless desire to die and gestured at Kotori.
The demoness didn't disappoint; she picked up on the meaning behind Kikyo's beckoning almost instantly. Her trademark smile flashed in approval before she prompted Kikyo to follow her. Before Waramaru could say anything else, she took the lead and guided the miko away from the archery fields, leaving behind many stunned youkai.
Having alighted himself on a nearby tree, Inuyasha watched the two females depart the area. A gleeful gleam that was far too childlike spread across his face as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
With the commotion below him, nobody saved for perhaps Hibiki and Sesshomaru had noticed him, perched on a tree as he took in everything that had happened. It was a perfect view he needed to see the miko in action. And frankly, her deadly precision and unwavering determination stunned him. But more importantly, there was something remarkable about her as he watched the way she handled herself with the bow. Her motion was fluent and graceful. In his opinion, it was not an understatement to say she was the embodiment of elegance and beauty.
'And I'm not the only one she managed to impress,' the hanyou chuckled inwardly, guiding his attention towards Sesshomaru. Although the daiyoukai's inexpressive face didn't falter in the slightest, Inuyasha got the impression that he was also immersed in the miko. It was the only reason why he had bothered to stay and let everything play out as it did. 'I got no clue if ending things without any execution is what he had in mind… but if he really did want blood to spill, then he must be so inwardly peeved right now. Haha, by now he must've figured out that Kikyo isn't someone whose action is predictable. Ah, looks to me that things are gonna get real fun from here onwards.'
More Author's Notes: I'm proud to announce that this chapter is now finished. Please feel free to drop some comments in the review. So long as there are no flames regarding the canon characters, then even critics are welcomed.
Preview: Lingering Memories – In the next chapter, there will be a closer insight into the history of the kokuho.
Until next time.