InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chosen ❯ The Priestess and the Assassin ( Chapter 2 )

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters…. (maybe one day, tho!)

~The Priestess and the Assassin~

"Lady Kikyo you must lay down and save your strength!"

Kikyo turned from the doorway. She mustered a small smile for the worried young woman who was looking at her as if she might die at that very moment.

"Please don't worry about me, Maemi. My time is not yet near." Kikyo turned once again to stare out at the quiet night. She was starting to worry that the girl wouldn't show. She sighed, her hand going to her neck to clutch at the round, smooth glass stone that hung there.

`I made a vow that the Shikon jewel would never be placed in the wrong hands and I intend to keep that vow, no matter what happens to me.' She thought to herself, her resolve clear. She held onto the edge of the doorframe, a sudden weakness hitting her. She honestly didn't know how long she could hold out.

"Lady Kikyo, are you alright?" Maemi rushed to her side, helping her over to the pile of blankets in front of the fire. Kikyo started to protest, but the younger woman refused to listen. Kikyo finally gave up and let the girl tuck her into the blankets.

"I will go down to the lake for some water. You just rest here." Maemi said, casting one last worried glance over her shoulder before she disappeared outside. Kikyo closed her eyes. Her body was slowly becoming numb, which was expected when one ingested poison.

"Damn you, Naraku." She whispered hoarsely. He had finally gotten what he wanted. `Well, at least half of what he wanted anyway.' She thought. Even though she herself was near death, he still did not have the Shikon jewel. And that, she vowed to herself, Naraku would never have.

Kikyo opened her eyes and looked around the small hut. She was grateful for Maemi's help. After Kikyo figured out that she'd been poisoned by Naraku, she'd been on the run. She knew she had to get as far away from Naraku as possible while she still could or else there would be no hope for protecting the jewel. Once she'd arrived at her destination, she knew there was only one thing she could do.

A quiet rustling brought Kikyo from her inner thoughts. She glanced toward the doorway and smiled.

"Hello, sister." She said, struggling to sit up. The girl at the door quickly rushed to her side, gently pushing her back down.

"Kikyo, I had no idea you were in such bad shape." The girl pushed back the black hood that covered her face and brushed back a few strands of jet black hair that hung in her eyes. She looked down at the pale faced woman that was her exact mirror image. They both had the same soft, chocolate brown eyes, same ivory complexion, and same midnight hair. Only now, one appeared to be on death's doorstep.

"Oh, Kikyo, what happened?" She asked, her voice husky with unshed tears. Kikyo reached up and cupped the young woman's cheek lovingly.

"My little Kagome, please don't cry. I knew this day would come sooner than expected because of my chosen duty. My only regret is that I will be leaving you behind." A single tear fell down the dying woman's ivory cheek.

Kagome shook her head, wanting to deny everything her sister had just said, but deep in her heart she knew it was the truth. Her sister was going to die and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Usually she was so controlled and disciplined, never letting anything distract her, but now the situation was completely out of her control.

"Listen to me, Kagome," Kikyo said, her voice suddenly turning urgent. Kagome nodded her head, taking her sister's hand in hers. "I know that we lead very separate lives. You have chosen the path of warrior and I have chosen the sacred path. However, deep down we are both protectors. What I need you to do is protect the Shikon jewel just as you would an innocent life."

Kagome looked at Kikyo, surprised by her request. "You want me to be you?" She asked. Kikyo smiled. It was just like Kagome to break down sentences to their most basic meaning. She nodded, hoping Kagome would see the urgency and need in her request. She was the only person Kikyo trusted with such a tremendous task.

"I don't know, Kikyo. I mean, we look exactly alike, but we're total opposites. Could I really pass for a priestess?" Kagome was doubtful that this would work. Kagome was a trained killer, sworn to protect the innocent, while Kikyo was a widely respected priestess.

"Kagome, I know you and I know how strong you are. You are the only person I know who would defend the jewel with your life. Only a human with your strength and ability will be able to hold your own against Naraku." Kikyo explained. A series of coughs racked her body. Kagome winced, hating to see her sister like this. Kikyo was always so strong, quietly demanding respect from everyone she met. She now looked like a ghost of her former self.

"Please, Kagome." Kikyo pleaded softly. Kagome closed her eyes tightly. She could feel the hotness pressing against her eyelids, straining to break through. Tears silently glided down her cheeks.

"Yes, Kikyo, I'll do it. For you, sister." She promised. Kikyo let out a relieved breath. "Thank you, Kagome."

Kagome hugged her sister to her, clutching her thin body to her chest. She let her tears fall freely into Kikyo's thick mass of soft black hair. She wasn't ready to let her sister go. There was so much that she needed to say, so much that they needed to do.

Kikyo let her own tears fall, feeling a sudden sadness that this would be the last time she would hold her sister. `She's so much more than she realizes.' Kikyo thought to herself. `She has a chosen path; she just doesn't know it yet.'

Kikyo leaned closer to whisper into Kagome's ear. "Don't be afraid of your destiny, my little Kagome. You have much to offer, if only you could see." She sighed softly, feeling the last vestiges of strength leave her body. She summoned what she could. "The jewel carries with it a dangerous price so beware. And remember that I will always be with you, sister."

Kagome felt her sister's body slump lifelessly in her arms. "And I, you." She whispered.

***********

A/N: Will Kikyo stay dead? Will Kagome find her way to Inuyasha? Lots of surprises in store, so stay tuned! (Ha ha ha! I sound soooo corny). Review please so I know my writing isn't in vain…. Thanks!