InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Haunted ❯ Kikyou's Destiny ( Chapter 17 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 17: Kikyou's Destiny

Kaede slowly ambled back to her hut from her rounds of the village. Inuyasha and the others had left to continue their journey that morning, and so she had no reason to really hurry.

It always seemed so much more lonely after they all left.

It's funny... it isn't just Inuyasha that Kagome has affected, who's life she's changed. Even mine is different, now. It took me a long time to figure out what her power was, I couldn't answer Kikyou when she asked me that same question, but now... I know. It's love. Kagome is love. She gives it freely, without prejudice. And who can resist love? We all need it, after all.

Drawing near her home, she looked up at the sky overhead, and stopped in surprise.

Kikyou is here....

Entering the door of the small hut she had called home for all of her adult life, she looked at the sister she had once worshipped. Kikyou. One who was dead, and yet - not. But not really alive, either. Hers had proven to be a strange fate, one difficult to understand.

"So. Sister, to what do I owe the honour of this visit?" Kaede's voice held no welcome, it was merely neutral.

"Kaede... is my presence here a problem for you?" She tilted her head and regarded her younger sister. "Have things changed so much that you would not want to see me, the sister you once loved and idolized? Did you not even follow in my footsteps?" Her voice became slightly mocking.

"Why do I feel as though I am not welcome here?"

Kaede looked at Kikyou steadily. "Do not attempt to treat me as though I am still that child of fifty odd years ago, Kikyou." She walked over and slowly sat down across from her sister. "Much has changed in that time; more than you might think."

"I am sure it has, Kaede. But do not blame me for the changes you see in me. Being brought back to wander among the living was not my choice...." she sighed. "I am weary of this world, my sister, and wish for peace above all else. But something is left undone, for I am not able to let go yet. I have tried." She looked away. "It seems that fate still hasn't finished torturing me."

"And why do you think that it is torturing you? Nothing in life, or death, is ever easy, Kikyou. You know this." She caught her sister's eye. "But how many people are given the chance that you have? Naraku has destroyed many lives, priestess, not just your own. How many of those have the chance to gain vengeance against the one who killed them?"

Kaede looked down, nodding to herself. "Aye... how many? You can complain about your fate, how tired you are, and how unfair it all is. But you, at least, have a chance to redeem it. If for no other reason than the lives of all those others, the ones who do not have that chance, you should bear your fate with grace."

"Do you mean, as Kagome would?" Kikyou raised a brow, glancing at her sister. "Has she stolen your heart and loyalty as well, Kaede, this girl who is my copy?"

Kaede shook her head. "Jealousy doesn't become you, sister. Kagome has stolen nothing. She gives freely of herself to others. And she is no copy of you."

She sighed heavily. "You and she are nothing alike. There is no reason you would be. She may be your reincarnation, but you have lived different lives. The things that have shaped you are not the same." Shifting herself closer to the firepit, she began laying a fire.

"You were raised here, in the traditions and beliefs of a Shinto Priestess. Some of these teachings are good, but some are not. That is why you and Inuyasha were never meant to be - at least, not in that particular incarnation."

She gestured to her sister. "You could never have accepted him as he is - because your training and inclinations forbade it. Kagome... Kagome is different, and has different challenges to overcome. She was not trained and inculcated with the beliefs against youkai or hanyou, so that is not something that she had to fight. She has to conquer time itself... and that, my sister, is something I would fear to take on, were I in her place."

Kikyou frowned, looking deeply inside herself. "You are right, Kaede - and even though I am bitter, somewhere inside I know this. Have I really fallen so far from who I once was?" She looked at her sister sadly. "That's Kagome's power, is it not? The power to love without fear. It was not meant....." she laughed softly, bitterly. "So tell me, what is she to you?"

"She is like a granddaughter to me... I feel honored in a way, you know." She smiled at Kikyou. "How many can claim to have known and loved the same soul twice? Once as my beloved sister, and once as a granddaughter - the kami blessed me."

Kikyou's face lit up, with perhaps the first sincere, brilliant smile she had let loose since being resurrected. "Really?" She bowed deeply to her sister. "You have become very wise, priestess, and I am honored to know you."

Kaede's eyes watered, seeing that smile for the first time in fifty-three years. It reminded Kaede sharply of her sister's beauty, and bittersweet feelings poured through her. Smiling back at her, she gestured around her. "I do not know how long the others will be gone, but I know it will be for at least a few days. Would you stay with me, for tonight at least? I would spend some time with you... I have missed my elder sister."

Kikyou nodded, still smiling. "I would be glad to do so. It has been far too long since I have had contact with someone from my time of life other than Inuyasha." She looked sad again. "I know in my mind that we were not meant to find happiness together, but--"

"Tell me, sister, do you really love him?" Kaede interrupted.

Kikyou sighed, a dark look swallowing her face. "I don't - don't think I do. I think, if I'm honest, that it was just a feeling of almost... ownership. And that is wrong. I know it, but my heart doesn't want to let go of all the evil that was thrust into it at the moment of my death. No - truth. I know I do not love him. I did. Once. But not the right way, it would never have lasted."

She leaned back slightly, gazing at the fire. "These things are all clear, in my mind, but as I said, my heart... refuses to listen. And because of that, I finally did the one thing that could turn Inuyasha against me. The Kami know, I have been obsessed with him for a long time."

Kaede shook her head. "Aye, that you did. Once you raised a spirit against Kagome, it was only a matter of time before he took her as his lifebond. It was the only way he had left to protect her."

Kikyou looked astounded. "You mean, he only did it to protect her? If I hadn't - done that, he wouldn't be bonded to her now?"

"You misunderstand. Sooner or later, Inuyasha would have taken her. It was in his mind to wait, however, until Naraku was destroyed." Kaede smiled. "You simply forced his hand, pushed him into it sooner than he had planned." She looked over at her sister.

"Never mistake things, Kikyou. He loves her. It is always her. It has always been her, since the moment she woke him from your spell. It took him a while to admit it, of course."

"I never had a chance then, to win him back... I see. I - had actually already figured that out," she said, with a sad look. "But I didn't want to let go, and so I did something that should never have been done. It is only right, I suppose, that I pay for my foolishness."

She sighed wearily, then. "There is much I need to atone for. Somehow, I have no doubt the Kami will find a way for me to do so. Maybe, once I have done this, I can find some small measure of peace. It is all I now desire."

The older Miko looked at her sister, wondering again at the strange fate that had curiously inverted their lives. She, the younger sister, was now the older one, and the older, had become the younger - at least in appearance. And maybe in wisdom as well, for Kikyou had, for all her powers as a priestess, still died as a very young woman.

Kaede, herself, however, had lived a long life, and so had gained much which had been denied her sister. "I think, priestess, that you are right about that. The Kami have a way for you to redeem yourself. But know this. Kagome also has a role to play in that redemption. You will need her help, if you ever hope to gain the peace you desire."

Kikyou raised her brow. "Fortunetelling, Kaede?"

"No, Kikyou. Foretelling. You know there is a difference. However, it is not just that which tells me of Kagome's role in your fate. She is, after all, your reincarnation. If you had not eventually found peace, she would not be who she is. I think, in another curious inversion in your fate, your reincarnation will be the one to purify the soul you both share."

"Purify? Kaede... you can't purify a soul... maybe a living buddha can, but--"

Kaede smiled. "But that is where you are wrong, Kikyou. Kagome can. Inuyasha told me about it once. She purified an angry soul that was about to be dragged to hell."

"I - how does he know? Did he witness it himself? With his own eyes?" Kikyou leaned forward, holding her sisters gaze almost desperately. "Is he sure?"

"Yes, he told me he was there. He witnessed this first-hand. So now, maybe, you will begin to understand about Kagome. You need her. I think that Kagome was brought here to fix what Naraku destroyed. She is the Kami's answer to his evil. And your fate and hers are intertwined, even more than you had thought."

Kikyou smiled slightly, looking pensive. "How very appropriate. We share different destinies... but the same fate. We were both chosen by the Jewel of Four Souls. I think Naraku is in for a big surprise... the jewel controls more than he knows."

---sSs---

Kichiro curled into himself, trying to get away from the voice.

The voice is one of the few things he now remembers from before. Always, this voice, telling him things, bringing back memories... but only ones that cause pain. Because of the voice, he has learned to go deeply inside himself, so deeply that not even the voice can follow, and here, he considers what he is. He knows he was once human, and really, all the way inside, where it counts, he is still human.

But there is now another part to himself, one that is tainted with other.

It is not just he in that part, but we. It is not a part that he likes - the other reeks of hatred and evil, beyond what he himself is capable of. But it is that other that seems to be in control. It is that part that decides movement, and that part wants obedience to its will. So, now, he must find a way to fight it. The other whispers to him, telling him that it wants what he wants - vengeance, against the two.

But he wants vengeance for himself, and by himself, not by the will of the other. That is why he hides himself, and searches for a way to take control back. And he will find the way, too. It is just a matter of time.

He knows also that he is dead. And yet, beyond death, he has found immortality. Death can only take away a part of oneself - the frail part. Once that part is gone, what is left is, by definition, immortal, and strong. Indestructible. It can be tainted, warped, even changed, but it cannot be destroyed. And so, he finds that this is the part of himself that is the strongest.

It is his soul.

A soul is forever. This is what the other needs; because it does not have a soul of its own. Deep in that part of himself, he realizes that when he touches his soul, he is touching eternity.

Eternity... the other desires it, craves it, because, after all, it wants to live forever, because to live forever, is to have power. And he understands... in order to take control back from the other, he must fight for his own soul. He must reclaim it.

Deep within the soul of the one once known as Kichiro, rebellion stirs. As with all the other incarnations that Naraku has created, betrayal waits. Naraku does not understand that the he will never be able to create a perfect incarnation. Because he uses the jewel, and the jewel has a will of its own.

In using it, he is sowing the seeds of his own destruction

---sSs---

"This really is getting frustrating. How many shards are left out there?" Inuyasha was sulking, angry that they still weren't finding any rumors of Naraku or anything about shards. It didn't seem to matter where they went, or what they did.

On top of that, there were no sightings of Kikyou, or of Kichiro. Normally, that would be good. But for some reason, that didn't comfort him. It felt like a storm was building... and Sesshoumaru had already warned them that things were going to get bad.

So where was all the bad?

They had already been traveling for four days, and hadn't come across anything more dangerous than a mid-level youkai bothering a small village. It had hardly been worth the effort to get rid of it. Shippo could have beaten that youkai all by himself. Where was all the danger?

It's not like I want the dangerous stuff around my mate, my pack, but hell, at least, if the danger got around to coming, we could beat it, and get past it. Not have it hanging over our heads. Feh...

Miroku glanced over at the irate hanyou. "Honestly, Inuyasha, I'm beginning to think that besides the one in Kohaku's back, and the four shards that Kagome has, the rest are already in Naraku's hands. Although..." all of a sudden, he looked uneasy, "we forgot about the shards that Koga had. What happened to them when Koga left?"

Everyone stopped and stared at Miroku, identical expressions of horror frozen on their faces. Kagome finally spoke. "By all the Kami - he's right!" She turned to look at Inuyasha. "In the heat of the fight, we all forgot about his shards - we need to find them, and fast!"

"Yes, but where would he go? He said he was going to 'find his death' - where?" Sango asked.

Shippo, perched on Kagome's shoulder, spoke up all of a sudden, surprising everyone. "Don't you all remember when Koga went to get that weapon, what did he call it, the Goraishi? At the wolves graveyard? Don't you think that's where he would have gone?"

Now everyone was staring at him. "What? What did I say?"

Kagome smiled and pulled the little kit into her arms, hugging him tightly. "Shippo, love, what would we do without you? You are absolutely right!" She turned to Inuyasha. "How far are we from that place? Do you remember how to get there?"

"Feh! Of course I do," he said, glaring at her with disgust. "What do you think I am, stupid? Show me a place once, and I can find it again twenty years later! That's not the problem. If that stupid wolf took the shards into the graveyard, we're gonna have hell trying to get them out." At everyones confused look, he sighed.

"Remember? Even just going in, Koga had to fight the guardians of the graveyard." He shook his head with disgust. "Fucking spirits again! Why can't we just have some normal youkai opponents like usual? What is it with the damn ghosts lately? Damn Kikyou anyways," he muttered. "Ever since she pulled that stupid stunt..."

Sango rolled her eyes at Inuyasha. "Okay already, we get the idea! Do you think you could answer the question now? How far out are we?"

Grumbling under his breath, he tilted his head to the sky. "It's gonna be at least five days, it's pretty much in the opposite direction from what we've been traveling." Whirling around, he stalked over to the nearest tree and pounded on it. "Damnit! This is so frustrating!"

Kagome walked over to him and put her arms around his waist. "Inuyasha, calm down. If we're right, and Koga did go to the graveyard, it's likely Naraku doesn't yet know about Koga's death. And I doubt that even he would just walk into their graveyard." She pulled away and waited as he turned towards her.

"Naraku is a schemer, not someone who goes directly after anything. We all know this. Doesn't it take time to come up with convoluted plans like he does? I doubt he's made a move yet," she said, as the others nodded. "lets just stop worrying about it and get moving. The sooner we do, the faster we get where we're going."

Inuyasha moved away from his mate and folded his arms. "Keh! Let's get going then! We ain't got all day!"

The whole group looked at him with severely irritated eyes. "Inuyasha..." and as they finally moved out, the bad-tempered hanyou had come full circle back to the sulky, angry, pout that he had had on his face earlier.

---sSs---

Unbeknownst to the group now traveling all out for a certain graveyard, the small girl following them had watched their little discussion. Which meant that Naraku had watched it. He wasn't able to hear what they were saying, because Kanna didn't dare get close enough for that, but he could clearly see that whatever they were talking about was very upsetting to all of them, and that it must be extremely important for them to immediately turn around and go back the way they had come, and at a very fast pace.

After considering things for a few minutes, he spoke to the girl.

"Kanna. Stay with them, as I said before, but do not let them know you are there. Do nothing but follow and watch."

Turning away from screened windows, he sat down, leaning against the wall. Things were going well; soon his newest incarnation would be ready - and with Kanna within striking distance of Inuyasha and his friends, he could have Kichiro there within moments by sending him through the mirror.

It was useful having a human spirit as the basis of this incarnation, it allowed forms of travel otherwise not available. He chuckled. Death, and immortality. What use to be immortal, if you were chained to another's will?

Ahhhh, Kikyou... you were so arrogant. Did you foresee what would happen when you gave me so much of the jewel? No... you thought to play your own games with me, and instead, only helped me gain my goals sooner.

Foolish woman! Thinking that you would be able to destroy me and the jewel together. It didn't take me long to figure out what your game was, and find a way to turn it back on you. How many times have you unwittingly done my will? Even when I longed to take Kaguya into my flesh, you so quickly handed over the stone bowl to Kagura. So many times you have been my dupe - and no more so than when you brought this mortal soul into my hands. And all because of jealousy, for a half-breed you don't even love. Pathetic.

What will you do next, I wonder?

---sSs---

Kikyou turned and looked back, once more, at the village that had been her home, and the priestess who had been her sister. She knew that she would never see either one again. Sadness bowed her head, but for only a moment, and then she turned back again, and walked away. It had been good to see Kaede again. At least this time she had been able to say goodbye.

She had also gained some useful insights - and hope, as well. It was funny what just a few words could do - 'She purified an angry soul that was about to be dragged to hell.'

The hope that had come with that statement was almost more than she could bear, it was so sweet and piercing. If Kagome could purify her - their soul, then she could finally find that peace she so craved, and she wouldn't have to face hell, either. Maybe, just maybe, there was a place for her, somewhere other than hell.

Gathering her soul collectors around her, she closed her eyes and raised her face to the sky, considering the world around her through her Miko's eyes. What direction should she take? I think... I need to find Kagome. It would be best to stay fairly close to the girl.

Locking onto the aura of the Miko that shared her soul, she slowly glided into the trees and was lost to sight.

---sSs---

Sesshoumaru stood, face tilted into the wind, eyes closed, considering the scent on the wind. He could feel the land clenching, preparing for something; he was a powerful daiyoukai, and like all animals, and youkai, he could sense when something big was about to happen. It felt like it did before a large earthquake struck, or a volcanic eruption.

The world was waiting, to see if there would be anything left after this event. The wind felt - ominous. And at the center of that ominousness? His brother, and the Miko he mated. And Naraku.

My prey - for daring to take that which is mine.... he glanced at the one that he considered his. Rin. She was his to protect. Not that he would ever admit it out loud, but she belonged to him, and he would protect her. Even so, with Naraku, it was a matter of honor.

He dared to challenge me. For that, the bastard will pay.

"Jaken."

"Y-yes, my Lord?" The little youkai fell over himself bowing. "What is your wish?"

"Take Rin, and go home. This journey is almost over." Sesshoumaru turned and began walking, then paused for a moment. "And Jaken? If anything happens to her, you will die."

"Of course, m-my Lord! I will care for her as if she were my own! No harm will come to her, I swear!"

Sesshoumaru continued walking, no longer paying attention to anything but the traces of his brothers aura. He knew if he followed that, he would eventually find the one who was his prey.

It is time to end this, Naraku.