InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Peace Treaty ❯ The Shrine of the Miko Sisterhood ( Chapter 3 )

The Shrine of the Miko Sisterhood lay on a sprawling estate on the northern edge of Miyamoto Family lands. The Sisterhood functioned primarily as an institution to train the next generation of miko. Girls and young women showing potential left their families to live at the Shrine estate and there learn the arts and skills needed to serve Ningen society as miko-healers, spiritual advisors, and protectors against Youkai. They were trained in a variety of weapons—bow, sword, knife, staff, and empty-hand fighting techniques. Though most were proficient in all, they usually specialized in one style. Initiates were also taught how to absorb and harness the energy of the moon, using it defensively in the creation of barriers and offensively by rendering their weapons more deadly and expelling the force of energy through their hands. When an individual's training was complete, she took her vows and was given a service order, an assignment to a village, settlement, or stronghold to act as its miko. She would have a great deal of independence, choosing after an initial time period to reside at that location, move on to a new one, or return to the Sisterhood Shrine to teach.

 

The vital service miko performed in Ningen society ensured adequate funding, and it showed. The grounds were well tended and the buildings in good repair. The estate was nearly self-sufficient. The Sisterhood had vegetable plots, orchards, sheep and goat pastures, gardens of both kitchen and medicinal herbs, a spring-fed well and hot spring, and a devotional grove for Moon worship where the Shrine itself stood. There were dormitories, a huge dining hall, gymnasium, meditation enclosures, instructional facilities, an infirmary, and a formal meeting hall, used to accommodate visiting Heads of Household.

 

It was in this meeting hall that three Ningen, all highly respected, reasonable people, were gathered. They had been arguing without pause for two hours and were no closer to coming to an understanding than they were when the Head Priestess, Kaede, first heard what General Miyamoto and Lady Tokuhoshi planned and had squeezed her water goblet so tightly, it shattered in her hand.

 

“Kagome has the most potential of any initiate seen in generations. I recognized when she came here nine years ago that she was special. She was shattered and scared, but the strength of her spirit was apparent. She has talent and skill, makes friends where ever she goes...she is a natural leader. I had hopes that she would replace me as Head Priestess one day. Lord General, if you won't listen to any of my other arguments, you must at least appreciate the blow you are dealing to the Miko Sisterhood.”

 

“Lady Kaede, I assure you I am not ignorant of the fact that Kagome is one of your most prized pupils. But the Sisterhood has flourished under your leadership; you will be able to weather losing her.”

 

“Lady Tokuhoshi, I appeal to you then, as a mother. Please reconsider. Imagine this is one of your own children.”

 

“Lady Kaede, I'm sorry. Kagome's father and I spent a great deal of our childhood together. I do feel something of a mother to her. But the Council has voted.”

 

“Kaede, Generals Furuki and Kitabashi and I have given the matter a great deal of thought. It has been decided. Kagome will leave the Shrine with Lady Tokuhoshi and me tomorrow.”

 

“But—”

 

“It is an order.”

 

Kaede's eyes filled with tears. “Very well.” She picked up the bell on the table and rang it. A moment later the door slid open and a young girl appeared, head bowed low. “Suki could you please go and fetch Kagome. She should be finishing up her duties in the infirmary around now.”

 

XXXXX

 

Kagome Higurashi had just finished dressing the wound of a miko who had been injured in sword practice and was looking forward to washing up and relaxing for a few minutes before the midday meal.

 

“Um...Kagome,” stuttered Kaede's errand girl.

 

“Hello Suki,” Kagome smiled. “How nice to see you. Is your wrist feeling any better yet?”

 

“Yes, much better.”

 

“Well, it was quite a sprain you managed for yourself. Climbing over the orchard wall with stolen fruit, wasn't it? Make sure you let it heal completely before resuming your physical training.”

 

“Um Kagome, Lady Kaede wants you in the assembly hall, in the smaller meeting room.”

 

“Oh? Alright, thank you for the message, Suki.”

 

Kagome walked quickly across the grounds to the meeting hall. She wished she had had time to freshen up, knowing that Lady Kaede was probably hosting dignitaries, but her dormitory was in the opposite direction, and past experience taught that important people did not like to be kept waiting.

 

She entered the room with her head bowed low. She saw the Shrine's feudal lord and an old family friend. “Good day, Lord Miyamoto, Lady Tokuhoshi.” She then felt the considerable tension in the air and noticed the broken glass and bloodied hand of her mentor.

 

“Kagome, hello. Please sit down,” Kaede said, indicating the space next to her. “Lord Miyamoto and Lady Tokuhoshi are here today to discuss with me a new treaty between Ningen and Youkai.”

 

For the past two years Kagome had been taken more and more frequently into Kaede's confidence. She knew the older woman was grooming her for service to a large settlement or even a stronghold of one of the Great Families. Yet she was surprised to be invited to a meeting between Kaede and two Council members. She waited patiently for one of them to continue.

 

“Yes Kagome,” General Miyamoto began, taking control. “We are very hopeful that this could be the beginning of a new era. Not simply a period of suspension of fighting, but real lasting peace.”

 

Miyamoto and Tokuhoshi were watching her, but Kaede was staring at a speck on the table.

 

“Well that's...good news,” she said carefully.

 

Miyamoto shifted uncomfortably. “This new peace treaty is more of a marital alliance.”

 

“And what does it have to do with me?” she asked, her voice cold.

 

“Kagome...the Council had recently convened to discuss...Oh Hell!” Lady Tokuhoshi shook her head in frustration. There were no easy words. “Kagome you were deemed the most suitable young woman. You will wed a Taiyoukai under the terms of treaty within the week.”

 

Kagome felt the blood drain from her face. “No! No. I'm scheduled to take my vows at the next full moon.”

 

Miyamoto straightened and his expression grew hard. “Tomorrow morning you will leave the Miko Sisterhood with Lady Tokuhoshi and myself, and we will journey to Shiga for treaty negotiations.”

 

“No. You can't do this,” Kagome said. The shock was beginning to settle, leaving her angry. “I'm not a child. I'm twenty years old; I've come of age. You cannot order me to do anything.”

 

“Lady Kaede, I've always believed respect for one's betters has been part of miko training. Is that no longer true?” General Miyamoto asked sharply. He turned to Kagome. “As a matter of fact, you are under obligation to answer to one person. She happens to be in this room.”

 

“Kaede. Please, no.” Kagome's voice was raw.

 

Kaede looked as miserable as she felt. “Kagome, I'm truly sorry. I'm not being given a choice.”

 

“Don't blame Lady Kaede, Kagome,” Lady Tokuhoshi said softly. “She argued forcefully on your behalf.”

 

Miyamoto tried to soften his stern tone. “Kagome I don't want you to think of this matter negatively. We aren't enemies. If this treaty lasts we could have peace. Don't you understand? Your name would go down in history.”

 

“Oh? So I'm to be a martyr...like my father?”

 

“Kagome,” Lady Tokuhoshi said, trying to soothe, “this is not a death sentence. Darling, you would be wed to a Taiyoukai; it is great honor.”

 

“Well I don't feel honored. For the past nine years I've lived at the Miko Shrine, training and learning for the purpose of living in Ningen society for their protection and defense. I've learned healing and spiritual arts, and I've also learned how to fight and kill. Fight and kill Youkai. And now you just expect me to forget all that and go live amongst them?”

 

“To put it bluntly, yes, that is exactly what is expected of you.”

 

Lady Tokuhoshi glared at Miyamoto, wishing she had insisted that she talk to the girl alone. “We don't want her to feel she's being ambushed,” she had said earlier. The man had no tact whatsoever. “Kagome I need you to know how entirely sympathetic I am. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you to accept. Anyone would feel the same. But you need to understand how beneficial this will be for Ningen society, the very people you want to protect. If the war is over, think of the suffering that will be prevented.”

 

“Sorry,” Kagome said, not making much of an effort to conceal her disgust. “I'm a little focused on my own suffering right now.”

 

“Enough. Kagome, we will depart in the morning.” Miyamoto had a strong note of finality to his voice. “When we arrive at Shiga, negotiations on the terms of the treaty will begin immediately. There will be a delegation of the four Houses of Taiyoukai present. I can only assume your future...spouse,” he found himself strangely unable to say mate, “will be among them. Generals Furuki and Kitabashi will join us there, as well as Lords Morino and Fukuguchi. We will serve as negotiators for the Ningen position. Kagome, is there anyone you would like to act as your personal representative? Someone you trust, to advocate for you?”S

 

he was struck silent for a moment, incomprehending. “Surely you jest! Someone I trust? I feel like I'm being fed to the wolves!”

 

Kaede sensed her student's rising panic and quickly broke in. “Kagome why don't you go back to your dormitory and gather your possessions. I'm sure you'd rather spend the remains of the day saying goodbye to your friends instead of here in this stuffy room with us. You are dismissed.”

 

Kagome bowed her head and walked out of the room.

 

“Well, that went well,” Miyamoto said.

 

Lady Kaede and Lady Tokuhoshi looked at him incredulously.

 

“What? At least she didn't cry.”

 

“Kagome never cries,” said Kaede quietly, then she rose and left the room.

 

XXXXX

 

Kagome left the hall feeling angry and betrayed. She also felt a heavy sadness that she feared would overwhelm her. Usually when past sorrows haunted her, she'd bury herself in work, whether nights in the infirmary, bruising sword play, meditation in the Shrine, or hours on the archery field. But right now Kagome just had a desperate urge to be alone to try to make sense of what had happened.

 

Unfortunately at that particular moment, there were miko milling about after mid-day meal, enjoying a brief warm spell in an otherwise frigid autumn, waiting to go to their afternoon duties. Kagome slunk back into the building's shadows, hoping to remain unseen. She suddenly felt like a trapped animal.

 

Instinctively she ran to the Shrine Grove. Though the Miko Shrine was primarily used at night, it retained a certain amount of power during day. Kagome went inside, past the knives and crystals that were set out, waiting to absorb the energy of the full moon, the full moon which was six days away and meant to see her take her vows. She knelt at the altar and, feeling dizzy, pressed her forehead to the floor. The cold stone gave her something on which to focus. She didn't know how long she knelt there, waiting for her heart beat to slow, for her breathing to become even, for just one of the emotions washing over her to predominate, and hence she could only feel either angry or sad. Instead she felt tired and hollow and confused.

 

Kagome was, for some unknown reason, reminded of the first time she sought refuge in the Shrine. She had just arrived as a victimized eleven year old, hurt and frightened. She had heard some girls whispering about her troubled history and fled. The Shrine, with the simple beauty of its architecture and the quiet elegance of the grounds, drew her like a magnet. She had walked up to the altar, marveling at the power she felt emitting from it, when she heard shuffling footsteps and the thud of a cane. The oldest-looking person Kagome had ever seen came into view. She was, though Kagome didn't know it at the time, Midori, retired Head Priestess and current caretaker of the Shrine Grove. She was ancient, completely blind, and, according to the historians, the most powerful miko to ever live.

 

“You must be the new Higurashi girl. Yes, I may be old but I still have my sources.” She came closer. “Hmm, I sense a black cloud hovering over you. But worry not child, the thing that bends, need not break.”

 

Those words, which nine years earlier seemed so cryptic, were oddly comforting, and gave Kagome the strength to get up, grab her own knife and crystal, leave the Shrine, and seek out her friends.