InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Chou Shoki I: Learning from Yesterday ❯ Chapter 13 ( Chapter 12 )

I want a hero.

-Lord Byron, Don Juan Canto I

 

 

CHAPTER 13

 

1204 A.D. ~JANUARY~

 

Three and a half excruciating weeks passed before the Western army could be declared victor of the War of Lords, as the Daiyoukai had christened it. Every five days I had paid, much to Kari's refusal, for her to deliver a letter to my father. Frankly, it puzzled me that my father did not question or even contradict my decision to continue my supposed aid to Kari's furusato.

 

Every message carried with it a considerable amount of yen so as not to arise any suspicion. After the Inu no Taishou found out about my messages and the money carried in each, he ordered that the money be taken from his estate. For once, I did not argue. I hated to do this, but for now it was essential. I had resolved that as soon as I returned home, I would return every single coin he gave.

 

Although I abhorred the idea of sleeping and awaking in youkai blood, it was all worth it when I finally reached my purpose.

 

I found seven priestesses hiding in a cave up the mountains. They had not been injured because of the barrier they had put up at the mouth of the cave. For the Daiyoukai's army, it had been impossible to enter without the certainty of death. But I was able to pass through it without even blinking.

 

They were crouched over a fire holding several sutras and magic powders which were being thrown in the fire while they chanted. I approached them stealthily enjoying the hunt. Five were at least old enough to be my great grandmothers whereas the other two could have easily passed as young average women. An older priestess turned towards the shadows where I was standing.

 

“KAGOME-SAMA! You have come to join us! Your - “ Reaching for an arrow and placing it on the string on my bow, I let go without giving them any warning

 

The arrow pierced the old hag right through the throat pinning here to the wall of the cave. At once, the other miko jumped from their positions and stared at me. At first, utter surprise showed in their eyes. Anger quickly replaced it.

 

“YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO TAKE DOWN ONE OF YOUR OWN?! YOU SHAME ALL YOUR KIND - BOTH HUMAN AND MIKO! WHY DO YOU ALLY YOURSELF WITH THE ENEMY!” came the voice of one of the younger ones.

 

“You have your reasons, as I have my own. However, you should do well to remember that all of you are also in allegiance with demons. What makes you more innocent than me? As far as I'm concerned, I am not the one with human blood on my hands.” I replied with a bored tone, trying to suppress my rage.

 

Aahh, the irony of my last words.

 

“YOU WILL PAY DEARLY FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!” the other young priestess gritted through her teeth and pointed at me while she continued, “I WILL KILL YOU EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SISTERS!”

 

They all ran to me with outstretched hands filled with their own power.

 

I waited until they were about two feet from me. I let out my power. Using my aura, I pinned them to the walls. I raveled in the joy of watching them been thrown back with such force that cracked their bones. I focused on keeping them all fastened without any movement. I narrowed my eyes as my aura intensified and I watched as they hissed their pain. I know I could not purify them for they were priestesses. I would someday regret what I was about to do, nevertheless...

 

Restraining myself from sucking the air out of their lungs with the force of my abilities I sighed, and abruptly, I let them slide brutally to the ground.

 

“Leave, before I change my mind.” Confusion and fear reigned in their eyes, before they ran out.

 

The last one, which was the one that had threatened me turned around and said, “You will pay for this. If not by my hand then by the one you least expect it from. That I promise!” She ran out. Unfortunately, I failed to realize how much her threat would cost me!

 

A moment of deja vu passed over me - a village, an arrow that missed its target flying past me and the sound of a desperate kid yelling at me to move. I ignored her last comment and sat outside the cave entrance. I gazed out towards the battle field. It was completely void of snow and covered in severed youkai bodies.

 

`Finally! It is over - finally over!'

 

I closed my eyes and sent a prayer of thanks to the Kami. This was the happiest day of my life! Kirara surprised me when she jumped out from behind me.

 

`Where did you come from? I thought I told you to stay at the castle protecting it?!'

 

`I got bored. Besides, I was worried about you. You've been overdoing it. Even you are not invincible and last night you worsened.' I made an angry face, but her huge crimson eyes always made me falter.

 

I grabbed her in my arms and pressed my forehead to hers. `I forget that you like to worry about me. Come on. Let's get down there and clean up so we may go home.'

 

Kirara transformed into her huge neko form and took me down. She landed behind the Daiyoukai as he was sheathing his sword and wiping away green blood from his face. Turning left, he saw me and bowed.

 

`What is it with the guy and bowing every ten seconds!' asked a very confused neko. I chose not to answer.

 

“Domo arigatou, Miko-sama. My lands and my people will forever be in your debt. If there is anything you need, ever, don't hesitate to ask for it shall be granted.”

 

“All I wish, Daiyoukai, is to return to my home and eternally rid myself of this pact we made. Look, this wasn't a social call. As soon as I'm done cleansing the area, I'm out of here. So just leave me alone for the next few hours and pretend I'm not here.” I did not mean to sound like an ingrate, but I spoke the truth.

 

“Aahh. Indeed.” The Inu no Taishou decided to back off a bit and let him continue to get used to him. He enveloped himself in a blue sphere and disappeared.

 

“Kirara, head up to the top of the mountain. Do not come down until I say it is safe.” She lightly bumped her head with mine and flew up.

 

When I was sure she was a safe distance away, I sat down with my legs under me. I shut my eyes and intertwined my fingers, joining my index fingers and my thumbs to form a triangle. Taking a deep breath, I bid my power to release itself and cleanse the area.

 

Sweat was dropping from my forehead. It took a lot for me to stay concentrated. I had never purified an area so big. My body was weakening. I felt as if I was on fire! My power was getting out of control and.....

 

darkness enveloped me!

 

~~~~~~~~

 

It was her fault - really! She had been forced into doing her onee-san's will. No miko would willingly ally herself with youkai. It was as incredulous as fire merging with ice. Truly impossible.

 

Except, she'd been all too eager to be chosen as the next keeper of the Matsushima shrine. Her onee-san had told that if she wished this, then that she would follow her, no questions asked. And like a fool, she had agreed. And when Kagome came, she felt relieve flood through her veins. The doubts she'd had about this ordeal melted away with the presence of the one she admired and hoped to be with someday.

 

Then, the reality of what was happening hit her like the arrow that had killed her onee-san. An arrow that came from the hand of none other than her hero, who looked at all of them with disgust and disdain as she pinned them with her aura to the cave wall. Her words made her stomach turn and guilt gnawed at her conscious. It was too late to go back on her word now that she realized what she had gotten herself into.

 

In defense, she yelled and cursed at Kagome. But the Shikon miko simply let them go. She had spared their lives and probably saved them as well. She had shamed herself and Kagome had come with her pure light to cleanse her and give her a second chance.

 

In the confines of the Matsushima shrine, she asked the Kami, that if they forgave her terrible sin, that she would dedicate her life to protecting the Soul of Light. That it would be her life's work to keeping Kagome safe and perhaps one day, save her like she had on that day.

 

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And so, I must say that this is it for now. Thank for leaving your comments and making my story one of your favorites. Please continue to review! Until next update!