InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Existence ❯ Myth ( Chapter 1 )

I'll only say this once. Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi

Myth

It was a discreet tomb, not many knew of it's existence, much less it's location. But

those who knew, had passed away. A hidden tunnel somehow cut into a cliff led down to an

open chamber. The only light came from a small hole in the rock and it rested upon a coffin-

like glass box. The box was a pristine white, pure and untouched, and it hid away a weapon

that would one day save the world. But that will not yet come in the story, only later will it be

revealed. It was hidden away very deep in a forest of wild tangles of bush. But it was also a

forest of memory. A forest, that over decades had grown out of the peoples' minds. But the

myth was always there, of the priestess, the hanyou, and the girl. The tale surrounding the

three had many holes, and those who were there had grown old and feeble-minded. The few

who still clearly remember the events hushed the story so as to not witness the high gods'

wrath. But it all started with the three, and the high god's mistake.

The cloaked woman kneeled on the ground, honoring the highest god in the land. He had sent

for her, sending dream after dream till she finally answered. And here she was, by the river

near the village.

"Highest god, you called me."

"A task will be given to you. Whether you will accept or not, it does not matter. But you will

complete the task."

"Yes, what would you have me do?"

"Raise these two girls in your village."

"Girls?"

The god gave a quick movement of his hand and in front of the woman were two baskets.

Peering into them she could make out two babies, peacefully sleeping.

"How do you want me to raise them?"

"It does not matter, but do not tell them how they came to the village. Their task will be

known to them at the right age. In 16 years, you will bring the girls to the meadow east of the

village and leave them there."

"What time of the year do you want me to leave them?"

"I will send you dreams the day before. Do not ignore them as you have ignored the dreams I

sent to you for six days."

"Your word is my command."

"So be it."

The god disappeared and the woman was finally able to breathe again. She shook off the head

of her cloak and it showed the face of an aged woman. Gently, she balanced the baskets on

each side of her hip and quietly made her way back to the village. When she was in the

security of her hut she moved them close to the fire so she could see them better. They were

twins with just the hint of raven hair on their tiny heads. The only difference was their eyes.

One had a beautiful azure blue. The other had endless brown eyes. They both looked at her

with the sort of innocence only babies had in their first years on earth.

"Kaede."

A figure sleeping in the corner stirred.

"Kaede, wake up."

The figure slowly got up and rubbed her eyes.

"Yes?"

The fire shone on the face of a very young girl.

"I found these babies by a river, abandoned, I suppose. From now on we will take care of

them."

Kaede crawled to the babies on her knees.

"Grandmother, what will we name them?"

A silent voice whispered in the old woman's head.

"The one with brown eyes is to be called Kikyo. The one with the blue will be called Kagome.

But I cannot take care of both, we will have to give one to another family in the village. We

will see to that tomorrow."

"Hai, do you want me to put out the fire?"

"Yes, I think the little ones are quite settled in their basket."

Kaede got a little water from a barrel and poured water over the fire. The two went to sleep.

One with dreams of a new sister, the other with dreams of anticipation. The next day the old

woman called upon a family she knew in the village. It was a recently married couple and

they had hopes for a baby. After talking with them they agreed to take the baby. She chose to

give them Kagome. Kikyo, she would keep and teach her to be a priestess, just like Kaede. She

had done what the high god had demanded, all that was left was to wait sixteen years. But

there were changes in the future, changes that not even the high god had anticipated. And

because there were changes in the future, changes in the present had to be made.

The old woman woke up suddenly, dripping with cold sweat. Kaede and Kikyo were still

sound asleep. The high god had sent her a dream, but it was too early and the instructions

were different from what he had said 14 years ago. But she knew she had to obey, or else he

would grow angry. She wiped the sweat on her forehead with the palm of her hand and closed

her eyes. She knew what to do, but it was beyond what she had ever imagined.

"Kikyo?"

"Yes, Grandmother?"

"Will you come with me on a walk?"

"Yes."

The two walked to the meadows that was blooming with flowers.

"Kikyo, there is something I must tell you."

"What is it?"

"Have you ever heard of the Shikon jewel?"

"No. What is it?"

"The Shikon is made of the powers of hundreds of youkai which was trapped into the heart of

one of the most powerful priestesses at the time. Her name was Midoriko. The jewel would

grant the holder unbelievable power and wishes. Because of the greed of evil men and youkai

in the land the jewel one day disappeared. Nobody knew what had happened to it, it's aura

was gone and nobody found it. But the jewel has now reappeared, into this time."

"What does this has to do with me?"

"Just wait."

All of a sudden a lone white cloud floated on top of the meadow. Lightning flashed and struck

right in the ground by the two women. Then the cloud broke apart into nothing. The women

looked into the ground and saw a glowing purple jewel. But the strange thing was that the

ground that the lightning had struck had no damage. The old woman picked the jewel up and

handed it to Kikyo. Kikyo stared at the jewel in her hand and could feel the incredible power

pulsing through her body.

"The Shikon has appeared in our time, as I had said, and it is now in your hand. The high god

gave it to you to protect. Your powers as a priestess is very powerful, one of the most

powerful I've ever felt. It could not stay in the heavens because it had no place there. You are

now it's protector, Kikyo. It is imperative that you hone your powers so you can keep it from

the hands of evil beings. Do you understand?"

Kikyo was still staring at the jewel, entranced. Then she held her head up and nodded.

"I understand."

Kagome laughed as she played with her little brother Souta. They were playing hide and seek,

and she could see exactly where her brother was hiding. He was doing his best to hide behind

a bush but Kagome could see his little feet under it. With a mischievous smile on her happy

face she pretended to not see her brother.

"Souta! Souta! Where are you?"

"Kagome! Souta! Time for lunch!"

Souta zipped out from behind the bush and raced to the hut. But Kagome caught him as he

sprinted past her and tickled him. Between peals of laughter he begged her to stop. Kagome's

mother came, hands on her hip with a no nonsense look on her face. But it was softened when

she saw the two siblings playing with eachother. She never stopped thanking the village

priestess for giving her such a wonderful daughter. She was content to never let Kagome

know that she was not biologically her daughter. She saw someone walking from the corner of

her eye and turned her head toward the path. She bowed politely to the priestess and gave a

friendly smile to Kikyo. The priestess returned her bow but Kikyo remained as grave as ever.

Kagome shouted a greeting to the two women. Kikyo just kept walking while the priestess

stopped to talk to Kagome's mother. When they were children Kagome and Kikyo had been

good friends, but Kikyo grew up too quickly and became an adult at age 12. Kagome,

remaining as carefree, pure, and loving as ever, didn't change.

Three years passed and Kikyo's miko powers grew in leaps and bounds. But her powers

weren't the only thing that was growing, she was growing in beauty too. Her raven locks fell

below her waist and was tied with a white ribbon. And her eyes were calm and powerful. You

could get look into those eyes and never tell a lie. She was a priestess now, along with Kaede.

Both girls knew who was the more powerful miko but it didn't get in the way of their sisterly

relationship. Kaede would take care of village matters, Kikyo would take care of the youkai

matters. Kagome grew as well though not in power. She grew beautiful , but it was always

shunted aside by Kikyo's sharper beauty. But her kindness and love had no comparisons in

the village. Unknown to Kagome and Kikyo was a shadow taking over a soul. A shadow that

grew darker every day, but was laid dormant in the person.

Kikyo stood straight with Kaede beside her. The funeral ceremony was over and the burial

was done. The old priestess had passed away from a sickness. Kaede sighed and gave a

comforting hug to her little sister.

"Let's go back. We know Grandmother is in a better place."

"I'll be there in a while. Just let me think."

Kaede, used to her sister's quiet ways, nodded and made her way back to the village. Kikyo

stood in front of the grave. The old baba had chosen an unfortunate time to pass away. Kikyo

had begun to notice something different growing in her mind and body. She was having

thoughts that were disturbing, but almost refreshing. It started with a little cursing every

now and then, to thoughts of hate. Little things that were insignificant began to make her

angry but Kikyo's iron self control prevented her from ever showing these new emotions. Her

head slowly lifted up from her gaze on the grave to the forest in front of her. A youkai was

coming toward her. She took her bow and notched an arrow in it, calmly waiting for the

predator. He came in a flash of red and stood 20 feet away from her. He was unlike any other

youkai she had ever seen. His silver hair flowed like water in the breeze and his gold eyes

were harsh from a hard life.

"You have the Shikon. Give it to me."

"No."

"Do it, or your life will be mine."

Kikyo got in the ready position with the bow, just a step away from taking aim into the

youkai's heart.

"Move a step closer and your's will be mine."

He gave a feral grin, showing a canine's sharp teeth. He lifted his hands and cracked them.

"Your loss."

He became a blur and sped to her. Kikyo loosed her arrow and he stopped. She turned and

began to walk away. The youkai looked down at the arrow that was a millimeter away from his

feet. The powerful aura covering the arrow was still there and glittering a cold blue. He

moved his feet, being close to such power made it burn. The rumours of the Shikon protector

sounded like jokes when he had first heard them. Now he believed them, but the challenge of

such a powerful and beautiful opponent made the reward even more tempting.