Chapter 2

The young girl clicked her tongue to make her disapproval known as she carefully moved Kagome's ankle side to side. The nasty gash had been cleaned and covered, but the condition of the joint itself might be in question. Even though her head was bent over obscuring her expression from view, it was doubtful Kaede was anything but unimpressed.

"Did you not hear me when I instructed you stay off your feet as much as possible today?" Kaede reprimanded, not once looking up. "It looks almost worst than it did yesterday night."

Kagome bit her lip, and didn't say a thing. Already feeling thoroughly chastised by a girl that could be her little sister, she really didn't want to divulge the fact she'd jumped and landed on it. Good thing Inuyasha had dropped her off and disappeared somewhere, so he wasn't here to give her secret away.

The young healer tightened the bandage with a last deft pull, and Kagome grimaced, biting back the whimper that was close to tumbling out of her mouth.

"There." Kaede looked up, fixing her with a stern look. "Remember to keep off the leg this time, Kagome-san. Otherwise, it might be tricky to heal."

She nodded, feeling shame heat her face.

Kaede gave her a look and then got up, returning to the task she was in the middle of completing when Kagome had limped through the door. The younger girl was diligently sorting through a basket of dried plant material of some kind—her serious demeanour was not at all in keeping with the childlike plushness of her cheeks.

Once again, Kagome felt a wave of homesickness, somehow seeing Souta in Kaede's young face.

The rustle of the entrance hanging drawn aside effectively interrupted her pity party.

Gracefully ducking beneath the woven reed curtain was a girl dressed in dark red hakama paired with a pristine white suikan. Her dark hair was long and straight, drawn neatly into a low pony tail.

When she straightened, and those chestnut eyes caught hers, Kagome let out a sharp gasp.

It seems like the newcomer also shared the same surprise, though only her eyes widened marginally, while Kagome, nearly had to manually close her slack jaw with her hand.

The young woman dressed in priestess garb looked almost exactly like her. Like if you took Kagome mirror image and sort of—ironed it out a bit, so that everything was a bit neater and you'd have the other girl. Well, ignoring the fact that Kagome's eyes were uncommon grey.

In the time it took for Kagome to gather her wits, the priestess' countenance had long settled back into one of a calm, polite interest. She turned slightly to the youngest in the hut.

"Kaede," Her quiet voice inquired. "You have yet to introduce me to our guest."

"Oh, onee-sama!" A wide smile stretched across the previously serious face. "You're back! I'm so glad. The trip went smoothly?"

"It did." The priestess smiled slightly but gestured again for her sister to answer her first query.

Kagome interrupted. "I'm Kagome. It is very nice to meet you." She bowed.

"She showed up out of the blue yesterday and says she came from the dry well in the forest. I let her stay the night…" Kaede paused, eyeing Kagome. "She looks strange but I don't sense any youki. Inuyasha says she smells human too."

Kagome bit her tongue. She'd had enough of the villagers calling her a demon yesterday. Sure, she was still in her school uniform, which clearly isn't the norm in this place, but she hadn't done anything to warrant being dragged to the village and then almost chased out again. Also, for the record, magical winds that sucked people down dry wells apparently don't politely stay put and wait while you changed into something more suitable.

"Now Kaede," The other girl chastised. "Remember to mind your manners, she is a guest."

Kaede ducked her head, muttering an apology.

"I am Kikyou. The miko of this village." The priestess bowed at Kagome in turn. "As my sister mentioned, I do not sense any malice in your aura. I should like to hear your story later this evening. I have duties to attend to at the shrine, and I must apologize for cutting our conversation short."

Kagome moved to indicate that it was definitely ok with her.

Wow. A real life priestess, huh? Though the way she looks and acts reminded her of the students who go to the all-girls private high school up the road from her school. Prim and proper.

Kikyou retrieved something from one of the shelves and turned back towards the entryway. Two steps, and she paused, before cocking her head slightly upwards at the thatched ceiling above them.

"I suggest you come down, Inuyasha. Having you on the roof is hardly appropriate."

There was a garbled string of incomprehensible words uttered in a male voice before a loud rustle and the sound of something impacting the dirt path outside the hut.

Kikyou looked out in that direction before sighing, slowly shaking her head. She moved to catch Kagome's eye again.

"That is Inuyasha; I trust you have already met? He is an inu-hanyou who was travelling through and now appears to have developed an interest in our village. He should not harm you but if his actions become… untoward, please do not hesitate to inform me."

From across the room, Kaede frowned, and opened her mouth as if to say something, thought twice, and closed it. Meanwhile, Kagome dipped her chin meekly, sneaking a glance at the younger girl who clearly looked like she wanted to protest.

Kikyou nodded once in reply and silently exited the hut.

These people were helping her, and it wouldn't do to look ungrateful, but Kagome hardly needed to tattle on Inuyasha. Whatever 'untoward' could mean, Kagome was well and capable of telling someone off if need be. Besides, though he seemed a little rough around the edges, he did help her out of the well and carry her back to the village.

Surely he couldn't be that bad, right?

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Hakama - wide legged pants

Suikan - the long sleeved top

Onee-sama - a very formal and respectful way of addressing one's older sister

A/N: Phew! Kikyou is difficult to write! What would she be like before she turned bitter and vengeful? I would definitely appreciate any thoughts on this :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. However, this plot, the exact sequence of words and any original characters described therein, I reserve all rights to.