InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Devour Prometheus ❯ The Mysterious Priestess ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: These characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi and other associated companies.

 

 

Chapter Five: The Mysterious Priestess

 

 

Simple and elegant, the white on red design of a flower fluttered into her vision, bringing with it a pang of guilt to twist in her stomach. Despite the ache, her sight did not drift, avoiding him as she had avoided the corpse of the woman, afraid of the sinking shame her decisions had brought. Callous in temperament and unforgivable in intent, the daiyoukai had revealed the beast he was in his own words and she discovered then that she couldn't let it happen again. She couldn't watch another die at his hands. She couldn't watch another be devoured by his hunger. There is always another way.

 

Trembling and wet with his blood, she hastily wiped her fingers on her pant leg. As she rubbed, disturbing thoughts consumed her mind, reminding her about what she had done. About how easily the needle had pierced through his side. An hour ago, she had been too horrified to willingly stab him with an arrow and now she had done so with a needle and without a shred of hesitation. Tucking her hand into her sleeve, she felt for the knot of hair and rubbed the coarse strands between her fingers, seeking its reassurance.

 

Sleeves fluttering as they flew past her, the silhouettes of men filled the space emptied by the fallen demon lord. Puffs of dust rising, they slid to a stop across the loose dirt, surrounding both of them. Then she felt the iron vices of fingers grip her arms and shoulders. Several hands were laid upon her and with a force her slight frame would have no hope to contest, they dragged her back. At last, she was wrenched back into reality, black, tattered clothing meeting her sight as a wall of warriors separated her from Sesshoumaru.

 

“Wait!” Kagome cried out as they simultaneously drew their swords and she then found the strength to fight against their grasp. “There has to be a peaceful way!” As if swayed, a set of hands released her, but his intent was not as she had hoped. Stepping to her side, he unsheathed his short sword and swept it up to press the fine edge lightly across her throat. The priestess swallowed hard as her skin brushed against the metal and she objected no further as she watched them finally descend on the demon.

 

Eager to slice with the slightest provocation, two masked warriors crossed their blades over his vulnerable neck while two more stood beside his torso with the points of their swords resting on the youkai's chest just above the protection of his armor. Hands gripping their hilts, scattered sentinels waited a few paces away, keen to step in if summoned.

 

The sway of her hips betraying her gender, the delicate figure of a woman glided through their ranks and with an unspoken deference the men parted from her path as if she were a fish and they the stream. As she melted through the maze of jagged black, an intangible grace guided her silent steps until she came to stand beside the daiyoukai's body. A slender, bandaged hand then slipped into her sleeve and she quietly withdrew a bronze-handled needle. Ringing sweetly, a cluster of bells hung from the end and she adeptly flipped the weapon in her hand so that they jingled away from her. Now gripping it by the tapering point, the woman elegantly waved it through the air as if it were a wand and began to dance. With her dark clothing buoyant like a ribbon held by the ocean breeze, her rhythmic movements were strangely beautiful under the moonlight. A sensation of serenity washed over Kagome as she continued to watch, soothing away her tension and clearing her mind. Then gradually after each step and sway, the woman's exotic motions grew tighter as she slowly sank down to crouch beside him. So close that even the smallest gesture would strike him, the needle she had held so benignly turned in her hand and she suddenly pierced him in nearly the same place the miko had.

 

Consumed by anticipation, the hunched figures stared vacantly at the youkai lord. Yet despite the emotionless design of their garish masks, the miko sensed a nervous energy stiffening each man as they watched. Splayed fingers gliding over his torso and down his leg, the woman's hand hovered over Sesshoumaru until she could reach no further without standing up. As though she had discovered some measure of satisfaction, she finally nodded and retracted her hand.

 

“It's done,” she assured those around her, her voice cool and imperturbable. “The demon's aura is sealed and it will not wake.” Then the woman rose to her feet, her gaze lingering on the daiyoukai before leaving him for one of the warriors stationed at his head. “Your instincts have served us well this night, Daisuke. Suggesting that we return to investigate this wood has likely saved many lives and I will see to it that you reap a great reward.”

 

“I have no need for such, my lady,” the man politely refused and shifted in his stance to roughly nudge the youkai lord's face with his shoe, leaving a dusty imprint on his striped cheek. “Capturing this beast so that it may have the torture it has done revisited upon itself is satisfaction enough.”

 

“If that is what you wish.”

 

Pivoting lightly on her heel, the mysterious woman then turned to approach the restrained priestess. In a few steps, she soon stood confidently before the miko, examining her as she in turn was slowly looked over herself. With refined curves and more delicate lines, the mask the woman bore resembled those of the men, yet held a unique beauty that theirs did not. It was not the more effeminate features though that drew Kagome's attention, but the bands of red flowing down from the beak. Appearing like a savage bird that had just glutted itself on a carcass, she felt a chill breathe across her skin as she considered what sort of woman would hide behind such a sinister mask.

 

“Who are--” the woman began curtly.

 

“Are you going to kill him?” the priestess interrupted and then felt a sharp sting as the blade pressed against her throat bit in, drawing a thin line of blood. Gritting her teeth, she blinked back the tears that threatened to slip from her watering eyes and kept her steely expression from falling.

 

“Impertinent, aren't we?”

 

“Are you going to kill him?”

 

“Hm,” the woman hummed and Kagome sensed her dark smile even as she could not see it. “How do you know that it is not already dead?”

 

“You can't capture a dead man and if you had killed him you would have said that you were planning on desecrating his body, not torturing it.”

 

“Well thought.”

 

“Are you going to kill him?”

 

“That depends on it and whether it can survive. Since I have answered your question, you can see that I am in a benevolent mood and I expect the same courtesy from you. I will ask again. Who are you?”

 

“My name is Kagome,” the priestess boldly answered, surprised by the continuing confidence behind her voice, inwardly wondering what became of the anxiety and fear that had gripped her only moments before. Could it have been the dance? “I am a priestess from far to the east and that demon is my captive, not yours.”

 

“Is that so? You speak many daring statements for one at the mercy of those she threatens. How is it your captive?”

 

“The hole in his chest is from my purification arrow and before you stabbed him with your needle, I had done so with mine. The measures you had just taken to subdue him were done on a youkai who was already vanquished by me. He is my captive.”

 

“And you believe that you shall keep it? What is to stop me from simply taking it from you?”

 

“Your pride.”

 

“My pride?”

 

“Yes. The intricate dance you performed earlier had a comforting quality to it. A purity and grace in its movements that only a shrine priestess can create.”

 

“An easy deduction since it is simple for one miko to sense whether or not another shares her company. I am a priestess and what of it?”

 

“You're not just a priestess,” Kagome added, the realization she had already made becoming clearer to her mind as she spoke. “That was a kagura dance and only a gifted priestess of the imperial court can perform it.”

 

“Make your point,” she threatened, her voice darkening dangerously.

 

“Several years ago, I once had an encounter with a fallen miko. Soiled by envy and greed, her divine power was dirtied by her selfish ambitions. You should know that I will not give up my claim over this demon no matter what you do or what you command your men to do. You haven't become a black miko yet, but I would think being the cause of an innocent priestess' death might tarnish you to the gods forever. Then all of those years of intense training will be for nothing and I don't believe you want that.”

 

A taut silence swelled between them as the woman mulled over Kagome's words. The priestess however did not waver as she stared back at the dark eyes peering at her through the mask. Yet her mind wandered with the gravity of her point placed not upon the imperial priestess' shoulders but her own. Images of the dead miko floated through her thoughts, slowly wearing away the tranquility the dance had inspired in her. In no small way, she had contributed to the death of another priestess and the miko could only fear how the gods who imbued her with power would feel about her now.

 

Growing louder as it approached, the rhythmic clapping of hooves echoed through the woods. Dappled with designs of moonlight, a man astride a dark horse galloped toward them from where the warriors had originally come. With the dull scrape of horseshoes across dirt, the rider and his mount slid to a stop a stride short of colliding with the outermost sentinel. Turning away from Kagome, the woman gazed up at the messenger.

 

“Kioshi-sama,” he called out, the beast beneath him white-eyed and stepping gingerly with the heavy scent of blood and demon in the air, “A wagon is on its way as you requested before we left. Have you discovered what became of Lady Nao?”

 

“In a moment, I shall,” she assured and with a nod, her focus again found the miko, “Lady Kagome, if I am not mistaken, you spoke of a needle not a few breaths ago. Tell me where did you find such a weapon?”

 

“Lady Nao gave it to me before she died,” the priestess admitted, the strength of her resolve crumbling slowly as she spoke. Even as she stated the truth, it felt heavy like a lie on her tongue. Whether Kioshi noticed or not, she didn't reveal it as she continued to listen intently and without interruption. “She gave it to me so that I would survive when she would not.”

 

“She is dead?”

 

“Along with the two other men who accompanied her.”

 

“How unfortunate,” she remarked distantly, shock absent from her comment as if what was spoken was to be expected. Requiring nothing more, she returned her attention to the rider. “Ride ahead and assess the area. We must remove the traces of the barrier and of the battle prior to dawn and before any further unforeseen events occur. Once you deduce what is needed to clean up then ride back and procure the appropriate supplies. This demon has brought the end of too many lives and we need not add more to the tally.”

 

“Yes, my lady.”

 

“Daisuke, take two others and accompany him. Be careful. It may have more allies hidden nearby.”

 

“Allies?” Kagome asked quietly, again drawing the woman's sight.

 

“Yes, this demon had allies. If it had not, then it would not be yours to claim and a fair number of us would not have died to catch it.”

 

“I didn't see any allies.”

 

“What survived of our first party, subdued them. Sadly, they are not of this beast's strength, but we will find a use for them.”

 

Rattling as it rolled over the ruts of the poorly kept road; a wagon appeared at the bend. Clothed like the others, two men sat at its fore, lightly guiding the gray horse that drew the cart with the sparing use of a whip and rein. Soon they came to an easy stop beside the waiting warriors. With a slight nod from the imperial priestess, the earlier rider galloped away, heading toward the far-off field with the three others pursuing on foot.

 

“Load the demon and…” Kioshi ordered next before eyeing Kagome, the captured miko seemingly unfazed by the sword still pressed at her throat as she stared back. “Take her as well. I am certain Jianyu-sama will wish to meet her if only for the entertainment her situation brings.”

 

The blade fell away with the command and the warrior quickly sheathed his weapon. Releasing her briefly, the men swiftly relieved priestess of her quiver and slung bow before pulling her arms snugly behind her back. So rough that with every sharp tug they drew a fresh wince, they then secured her tightly with rope at the elbows and wrists. Plucking at the knots to test their strength, satisfaction found them and with a firm nudge, she was directed toward the wagon.

 

His body tangled in a mess of cord and hands, she passed by the daiyoukai as she walked, noticing that he was already freed of his armor and weapons and was being bound in an intricate web of hemp rope with familiar, paper streamers dangling from it. Kioshi loomed over the hunched men as they worked, barking an occasional correction when their efforts faltered.

 

Distracted by the further sealing of the demon lord, the returning grip of hands on her upper arms surprised the priestess, but not nearly as much as the hands that slid down to her bottom. Before she could object, she was raised up into the air. Then the two aboard the wagon grabbed her under the shoulders and lifted her up the rest of the way. After a few staggered steps, she was dropped in a corner of the bed, her crumpled figure settled on the flat, wooden planks as she leaned against the gate.

 

Soon they finished and then he was rocked from side to side as they slid a sheet of heavy fabric underneath him.  Grunting under the unexpected weight, the men toiled as they lifted the stretcher that now carried youkai lord's body.  With unsteady, shuffling steps, they toted him to the cart while several others sprang up onto the bed to await their arrival.  Heaving as well as they could, they dragged the demon onto the wagon.  More climbed aboard once they were finished, filling the hold until there was no place left to stand or sit.

 

“Head for the camp,” Kioshi commanded the driver, “I and the rest will follow shortly.”

 

“Yes, my lady.”

 

With a rough start that smoothed out as the wheels found the ruts, the laden cart rolled down the road with Kagome's uncertainty swelling with every tree they passed.