InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Journey of the soul: The panther devas' plot ❯ Prologue: A tragic beginning ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

 

Prologue: A tragic beginning

 

Twilight painted the sky in a fantastic display of colors that would make even the coldest of people stare in awe. Yet, the priestess sitting quietly on the grass hardly even saw it. She had lost the ability to marvel at nature's simplicity quite some time ago. She simply sat there in silent contemplation of the scenery without fully appreciating the gift nature had just offered her. She wasn't alone though, someone was watching her from the trees behind her, someone she knew very well.

 

"Inuyasha... you can come out, I know you're there," said Kikyo without even glancing back.

 

She heard the rustle of leaves as the hanyou got off his branch and bounded down to join her on the grass. The pair sat in complete silence for a while, not really knowing what to say.

 

"It's not like you to be so silent," finally said Inuyasha gruffly.

 

This caused a humorless smile to appear on the miko's lips as she turned and looked at the hanyou for the first time. "It's true... it is unlike me to be so lost in thoughts," she admitted before returning to contemplating the sunset.

 

"What's troubling you?" he asked again, growing increasingly uncomfortable with this whole situation.

 

"Tell me Inuyasha... how do you see me?" asked the miko, catching the hanyou completely off guard.

 

For a while, all he could do was stare, completely dumbfounded at the unexpected question. "You're... human," he finally answered lamely.

 

"It's true... I'm human. But I cannot afford to be. If I show a weakness then my enemies will come down on me. I must look human without truly being human. Because of the shikon jewel, I must be more than an ordinary woman," explained Kikyo sadly.

 

"And just what are you getting at?" asked the hanyou irritably.

 

"The shikon jewel. If used by a demon then it becomes tainted with evil and it corrupts the soul of its bearer. But you are a hanyou Inuyasha. If you use it to become human then it will be purified and probably cease to exist," answered the priestess softly.

 

Silence again as Inuyasha digested the information that had just been handed down to him. Truth be told, he never really considered that he could abandon his demon blood. He always wanted to become stronger and that was why he so desperately wanted the jewel... so that he could finally be what he always dreamed to be.

 

But, when he stared at the sad face of the priestess before him, he felt his heart waver. Ever since he had met her close to a year ago, he hadn't been able to shake off the aura of loneliness she was exuding. He had to admit that she hid it pretty well, from what he could gather, no one in the village even suspected the thing. But he knew better. He knew because deep down, he felt the same. Sad, alone... desperately seeking a place to belong to. He could feel those same emotions coursing through the woman and as such he knew the depth of her despair.

 

"And what will happen to you then?" he finally asked quietly.

 

"If the shikon jewel is no more... then I will have no need for this uniform any longer. I will become an ordinary woman. Free to laugh, free to cry... free to love," she answered, turning to look at him when she said her last words.

 

For one split second, their gaze locked and a world of emotions passed between them. For one fraction of a second, they were able to share the depth of their heart that they had yet to show to anyone. Sadness, loneliness, pain, suffering. They could both see it in each other's eyes, but what they could see most was the burning desire... to simply be accepted as they were, to simply be allowed to exist.

 

But then, time resumed its course and Inuyasha looked away. Standing up, he extended his hand to the miko without daring to look at her.

 

"Inuyasha?" she asked curiously.

 

"This place is too gloomy. Come on," he muttered, his cheeks darkening in a blush.

 

Frowning in confusion, Kikyo nonetheless took the offered appendage and allowed herself to be pulled to back to her feet. The hanyou lead her all the way down to the pier on the river where a small boat was tied up. Jumping in, grabbed the perch and motioned for Kikyo take a seat at the back of the boat.

 

When she was safely in place, the hanyou propelled the embarkation forward.

 

"I always wanted to get stronger," he admitted when they were in the middle of the river. "That's why I wanted the jewel. I wanted to use it to get rid of my weaker half. But now... I'm not sure anymore."

 

"Ever since I met you... I felt as if I could confess to you and be understood. You're the first person I met who could understand just how lonely I felt," replied the miko quietly.

 

"And you're also the first person I met who I could truly relate to. That's why I... don't feel as strongly about becoming a full youkai anymore... because I feel it would lead me away from you," continued the hanyou.

 

"Inuyasha..." said the woman, words failing her.

 

After that, none of the two said a single word. Inuyasha silently guided the boat through the peaceful waters of the river and Kikyo just looked at her reflection in the water, unable to keep from wondering how she would look in an ordinary kimono.

 

Finally, after an eternity of circling, Inuyasha brought the boat back to the pier and disembarked. As Kikyo moved to do the same however, her foot slipped on the damp wood and she fell forward... straight into the hanyou's arms. The contact sent shivers of pleasure traveling down her spine. The warmth emanating from Inuyasha's body, the feel of his arms, of his muscles under his clothing, everything cried at the woman that had been imprisoned inside of her for so long. And as he wrapped his arms around her in a comforting embrace, Kikyo felt her heart melt for the very first time in her life.

 

"I'll do it Kikyo! I'll become human," he murmured.

 

"Inuyasha..." she whispered back, looking up, not daring to believe this was all happening.

 

"So that you can also become a woman... My..." he trailed off.

 

"It's okay... you don't have to say anything more," she cut him off gently.

 

"Kikyo I... I..." he stuttered, but whatever he had been about to say was lost forever as the miko's lips met his.

 

It was magical. Never in his entire life had the hanyou experienced something like this. He could feel the rest of the world simply fade away as Kikyo's scent and presence filled his senses. The sweet taste of her mouth, the gentle scent emanating from her, the feel of her body pressed against his. All of it sent his mind in a paradise he never even knew existed. For one precious second, Inuyasha ceased to be a hanyou and Kikyo stopped being a priestess. For one precious second, they were just two souls who had just found each other. Two souls who hopelessly loved each other.

 

Of course, all good things must eventually come to an end and all too soon, the kiss ended. Lowering herself from her tiptoed position, Kikyo buried herself in the folds of his haori and remained like this for quite some time before she worked up the courage to end this blissful moment.

 

"Tomorrow at dawn... wait for me under the goshinboku. I will bring you the jewel," she murmured softly.

 

"At dawn tomorrow... I'll be there Kikyo, I'll be there," whispered back the hanyou while tightening his embrace.

 

"And so shall I," added a dark figure sinisterly.

 

Hidden in the thick foliage of a nearby tree, it smiled devilishly as it schemed the plan that would bring these two pathetic souls to their knees... and the shikon jewel in his hands.

 

******

 

"Sister, where have you been! I was starting to worry!" exclaimed a young girl no older than ten.

 

"I'm sorry Kaede. I got lost in thoughts and did not realize how late it was," apologized the miko.

 

"That's unlike you," retorted the child suspiciously. "Did you get attacked by youkai again? Are you hurt?"

 

"Don't be silly. Do I look like I've been in a fight?" questioned Kikyo, letting out a small chuckle of amusement.

 

"No, I suppose not," huffed Kaede contritely. "But I still think you're hiding something."

 

At this, the smile widened on the woman's lips and she ruffled her sister's hair playfully, something she hadn't done in years. "You really are my sister after all... I can't keep anything from you," said the miko lightly. "But I'm afraid I can't answer your questions for now. You'll just have to wait until tomorrow."

 

"Tomorrow? What's so special about tomorrow?" questioned young Kaede curiously.

 

"... Everything," answered the woman, her expression turning dreamy.

 

******

 

The full moon shone brightly overhead, casting its soothing light on the sleeping forest. Perched in a branch, Inuyasha looked up at the starlit sky and couldn't help but wonder what would happen tomorrow. What would it be like to lose his claws forever? To never be able to jump nimbly into a tree? To never be able to pick out the scents around him anymore?

 

So far, his periods of humanity had always been very limited. One single night every month when the moon decided to hide herself. But every time, his powers would come back to him the next morning, he'd be back to being a hanyou as soon as the first rays of the sun would peek over the horizon. Now however, this would be a permanent state. He'd become human... and there would be no turning back.

 

"Is this really the right thing to do?" he asked himself.

 

He couldn't help himself. This was a question that had plagued him ever since he had made his choice. If he became human, would he finally find the acceptance he had craved all his life? Would Kikyo still remain with him after he had turned human?

 

Bringing the miko to mind, he couldn't help but be reminded of the sensations that had coursed through him when they had kissed. There was absolutely no way to put in words just what he had felt when their lips had met. It had felt so good so... right. Never in his life had he been so close to being happy.

 

"Kikyo... you'll remain by my side will you? When we become ordinary people... you'll still be with me... will you?" he questioned silently.

 

******

 

Listening carefully for her sister's breathing, Kikyo waited until it became slow and regular, telling her that Kaede was now fast asleep on the futon beside her. She then got up quietly and sneaked to the back of the hut where she kept her old belongings. Opening a large chest, Kikyo stared at its content dreamily.

 

First she pulled out a small kimono that had once been hers and she stared at it dreamily, remembering the last time she had put it on right before she began her miko training.

 

"A normal kimono... when was the last time I ever wore one?" she asked herself.

 

Then she picked out an extremely precious object. A small round mirror that had been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. It was old, yet the surface was unblemished, thanks to the care of generations of women in her family before her. Not having much care for her appearance, she used it mainly for the purpose of combing her hair in the morning. Since its value was purely utilitarian to her, she fully intended on giving it to her little sister when she came of age. The value of such a precious object would be more appreciated with Kaede than with her. However, in regard to the events that would happen tomorrow, she wasn't as sure that she would do as she had originally intended.

 

"A normal woman... tomorrow I'll be a normal woman," she thought and suddenly, she remembered the gift Inuyasha had given her.

 

Carefully, she extracted the small seashell from one of her uniform's pocket and stared at it intently. Finally, an urge unlike any she had ever felt before caused her to put the rouge on the chest and take out the mirror from its protective sheath. Religiously depositing the reflective object beside the seashell, she then gazed at her reflection in the mirror.

 

It felt strange. Sure, she knew what she looked like, but she never really stopped to really look at herself. The shape of her cheekbones, the depth of her eyes, the fullness of her lips. All of it jumped out at her as if she was seeing it for the first time. Opening the small rouge container, she carefully dabbed one finger in and started applying the makeup.

 

When she was done, she couldn't help but stare in open wonder at how much such a little bit of red changed her features. The red enhanced the contours of her mouth perfectly giving her a sensual air that hadn't been there before.

 

"I really am... beautiful," she reflected, somewhat surprised by her own realization.

 

But then the marveled smile that had been gracing her lips turned sad as she realized just what she had been doing.

 

"Soon I shall be able to enjoy such simple pleasures... but for now, I am still a miko... I still have a jewel to protect," she scolded herself. "Tomorrow however..." she added, her smile returning full force.

 

Quietly putting away the things she had taken out, she returned to her futon and slipped back under the covers, letting sleep overtake her. And she dreamed that night. She dreamed of the things she would do once freed from the crushing burden of the jewel. She dreamed of flowers and laughter, of happiness and love, blissfully unaware that someone out there had very different plans for what was supposed to happen the coming morning.

 

******

 

The first rays of the sun barely started shining over the horizon when Kikyo tip-toed outside her home, heading for the temple where the shikon jewel was stored. If she did not want to be bothered by unnecessary questions, she would have to be out the temple and out the village by the time anyone was awake enough to wander outside their homes.

 

Jogging, she quickly made her way to her destination and slid the door open. Once inside, she took a second to stare at the pinkish sphere on the stand. It looked so harmless like this, almost innocent... yet Kikyo knew better. If put into the wrong hands, it could create enormous misfortunes. Not daring to waste anymore time, she hastily grabbed it and shoved into one of her breast pockets. Once that was done, she darted out, closed the door so as not to attract unwanted attention and bolted off into the near forest.

 

Only when the houses disappeared from view did she breathe a sigh of relief. Had anyone showed up while she was in the middle of her little operation, she was not sure she could have provided a viable explanation for her behavior.

 

A lot more at ease now that the danger had passed, she started to make her way toward the goshinboku at a fast pace. She couldn't wait to get to Inuyasha and hand him the jewel so that he could make his wish. She couldn't wait to see what he would look like as a human. Would his hair remain white as it was? Would his eyes retain their beautiful golden color?

 

Thinking of the hanyou caused her to pause in her advance as an idea popped in her head. "Should I?" she asked herself, fishing out the small seashell of rouge Inuyasha had given her from one of her pocket.

 

Deciding that the hanyou would most likely be pleasantly surprised at her initiative, she opened the container, dabbed her finger in it and brought it closer to her lips with every intention of applying it.

 

Too late she felt the presence rushing at her from behind. Too late she heard the sounds of light footsteps on the grass. All she could do was gasp in surprise as she felt her back being ripped apart.

 

Letting go of the jewel and the seashell, she collapsed on the ground, struggling not to pass out from the pain. With an effort of will, she managed to pry her eyes open to look at her attacker... and almost wish she had died just then. Inuyasha was standing over her with a sadistically satisfied smile on his lips.

 

"Rouge doesn't become you at all Kikyo," he said while picking up the discarded container of rouge and crushing it in his hand. "The spattered blood of youkai should be enough for you."

 

"I... Inuyasha... I... I thought... you," she stammered, unable to believe what was happening.

 

"Did you honestly believe I wanted to become human? Keh! You're stupider than I thought!" he exclaimed. "In any case, thanks for the shikon jewel. I'll make sure to use it when I've killed everyone in the village... especially that annoying little sister of yours."

 

"NO!!!! L... Leave... Kaede... out of... this," she begged through clenched teeth.

 

Her only answer was the hanyou's sadistic laughter as he took off, leaving her to die alone in the grass. "Why Inuyasha... I... trusted you... why did you... betray me like this," she reflected out loud, her heart shattering in her chest.

 

But the pain lasted only a second before it was washed away by cold and emotionless hatred. "I cannot... forgive you! I'll... make you... pay!!!" she hissed, feeling all of her muscles scream in pain as she laboriously started to push herself upright.

 

******

 

Bounding from branch to branch, Inuyasha made it to the goshinboku in record time. Jumping down on the ground, he looked around, only to realize that he was completely alone.

 

"I guess she's not here," he said out loud and made to sit down.

 

Before he could however, a familiar voice interrupted him. "So you've come... hanyou," it said.

 

Turning around, he was able to confirm that it was indeed Kikyo that had said those words. But it wasn't the Kikyo he had held in his arms yesterday. This one was cold, determined... and currently pointing an arrow at him.

 

"K... Kikyo?" he asked, confused.

 

"You foolish hanyou! I never intended to give you the jewel!" the miko exclaimed icily. "The only thing I ever wanted was to kill you!"

 

"W... What? But... yesterday..." stammered the broken-hearted hanyou.

 

"Nothing works better on men than feminine charm. Once you have a woman in your arms, all of you are absolutely helpless!" taunted Kikyo, a victorious smile painted on her lips.

 

"You... You..." growled Inuyasha, feeling a pain like no other explode in his chest.

 

"It was so pathetically easy to infiltrate your heart and use your own weaknesses against you that it was almost disappointing," continued the merciless woman. "But still, everything must come to an end eventually. Die Inuyasha!!!!!"

 

With that said, the miko promptly let loose the arrow she had been aiming at the hanyou. But it never met its mark though as Inuyasha had already jumped out of the way and stormed off. The figure looked at his disappearing form with an irritated frown.

 

"That darn hanyou, where on earth does he think he's going? He's should be heading toward the village... not away from it," said the form of Kikyo, her voice suddenly taking a very distinct masculine pitch.

 

******

 

Letting out an ear-splitting roar of agony, Inuyasha drove his fist through the nearest tree and was rewarded with an explosion of splinter as the trunk exploded and the tree itself collapsed to the ground. After that, the hanyou collapsed to his knees, panting, his mind in total disarray. Kikyo. She had betrayed him. He had trusted her and she had betrayed him.

 

This was all too much for him to bear. Just when he thought he had found someone to trust, to open up to... to love, that person turned out to be a damn scheming bitch who had played with his heart and crushed it beneath her foot.

 

Even now, he couldn't believe it had happened. Not after yesterday, not after they had kissed like that. He had been sure then that what he had felt coming from her was love... he had been sure of it! Could he have been so dreadfully wrong? Had the miko pulled the strings of his heart for the sole pleasure of seeing him grovel after that?

 

All lost as he was in his own agony, it took a moment for the scent wafting through the air to register in his mind.

 

"Blood?" he suddenly murmured.

 

Sniffing more closely, his eyes widened in surprise as he recognized who this blood belonged to. "Kikyo's blood?" he reflected in surprise.

 

Before he knew it, he was rushing through the woods, heading straight for the source of the scent. He wasn't sure why exactly he was behaving like this. After all, the woman had betrayed him so he shouldn't be rushing to her at the first sign that she might be in trouble. Yet the hanyou couldn't help himself.

 

Bursting through one last bush he finally came face to face with something he had definitively not expected. Leaning against a tree, Kikyo was panting laboriously. Her uniform was completely soaked with blood coming from deep gashes on her back. When she saw him, she smiled icily and glared at him through a haze of pain.

 

"So... you... came back... to taunt me," she hissed hatefully.

 

"Considering what you did to me, can you really blame me?" he shot back, equally venomously.

 

"So... now it's... my fault... is it?" she replied angrily. "I... did not... think... you were... a coward... to the point... of denying... your own... responsibility."

 

"What responsibility!? You're the one who shot those arrows at me!" snapped the hanyou angrily.

 

Whatever effect Inuyasha thought his words would have on Kikyo, it was definitively what happened. The miko stared intently at him as if trying to read into his soul before she turned her gaze at the ground, her eyes taking on a haunted expression.

 

"I... didn't," she finally whispered, so faintly Inuyasha almost missed it.

 

It took a full ten seconds for the full meaning of the miko's words to register in the hanyou's brain. When it did however, his eyes widened in both surprise and horror as a terrible picture started appearing in his mind.

 

"Kikyo... who did this to you?" he finally asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

 

"... You," breathed the miko, her gaze locking with that of Inuyasha's, silently asking the same question that he did.

 

If Inuyasha had not slashed Kikyo and Kikyo had not shot Inuyasha with her arrows... then who had?