InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Prelude to Tragedy ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

**Chapter 1**

~Her wings were clipped with her desire
And as she burned in funeral pyre
She wished once more: To be apart,
From the treacherous beast who stole her heart~

*

Tears of the villagers contrasted with the slowly burning blaze that surrounded the pale-faced priestess. Everyone shed a silent tear for the girl as flames licked her motionless form, and the jewel she clutched to her body shone in the twilight. Eyes that once shone with joy were dull and lifeless, and a face that could once light up a room would never smile again. They all remembered a time not so long ago, when with her supernatural gifts and mastery of the bow this young woman once selflessly protected them and their village. Ergo, everyone cried, in hopes that it might ease the pain of this great loss. But the truth was, she was gone, and the girl known as Kikyo, was never coming back.

As her blazing white soul flew into the sky, one last thought raced through Kikyo's conscious.

'I shall never forgive you Inu-Yasha...may we never meet again my love'

*

But how could this have happened? How could a young girl's life be taken away so quickly and suddenly? You see this tale is one of drama, tragedy, and romance, a tale of two teenage lovers whose bond was cut by a web of lies and deceit. This is their story, and this is *their* tale.

*

An inkling of light, a small ray of sunshine peaked over the horizon. It spread its glowing colors across the waving amber waves and the fields of Japan. A girl stood on the top of a hill of wafting grass, her red pants tied with a bow, and her hair, black as midnight, wove in the gentle breeze that swirled pink and magenta sakura blossoms around her silent form. A gentle smile formed on her face, and her stormy-blue eyes shone in the brilliant morning light.

The girl spread her arms out wide and breathed in the break of dawn. Kikyo always treasured these moments of peace before the bustle of the day was thrown upon her. The smell of the sweet sakuras tickled her nose as she let out a little laugh. Hopefully there would be no terrorizing demons or anything of that sort today. Maybe today would be a calm, peaceful day with no noise and no troubles.

Of course, thats what she thought every day, and every day she was mistaken. It didn't matter though; she was a miko, a girl who was sworn to her duty as priestess and protectress of the village. Besides, it wasn't like she couldn't handle any demon that came her way anyway.

Kikyo let out a small sigh and closed her azure eyes. She would have fallen asleep if it weren't for shouts of, "Sister Kikyo!"

The fifteen year-old looked up to see Kaede, her younger sister, bounding towards her.

"Kaede, how are you?" the miko smiled at her younger sibling who grinned happily in return. Then, as if remembering what she had come for, she uttered.

"Sister, a strange man is in the village! He came to our hut and asked for you. He doesn't look well sister! Like he's just been in a terrible battle."

"A wounded man?" Kikyo quickly got up and with one swift movement, was off to the village with Kaede trailing behind her in an effort to keep up. And to herself Kikyo thought, 'that's the second one this week!'

As they trekked down the dirt road, Kikyo decided to speak, "What did the man say to you Kaede?"

"Well," the girl started, "He said he needed to see the priestess known as Kikyo, and that it was very important, an ur...urg...urgent mission." She said sounding out the word.

"Did he happen to say what this mission was?" the elder sibling questioned.

"Um...oh yeah! He said he had something to give you! Some sort of jewel, he didn't show me, he just told me to hurry off and find you."

"A jewel? Well, we'll just have to see what importance this jewel of his has, won't we?"

With a kind smile at her baby sister-which was returned with a vigorous nod-Kikyo and Kaede walked the rest of the path in a comfortable silence you feel around people when words don't seem necessary.

*

Upon entering the village, the townspeople parted for their priestess as she made way to the home she and Kaede shared.

In one swoop of her hand, Kikyo opened the hut to see a badly wounded man lying face down.

The miko rushed over in an attempt to care for him, but when she turned his body over, she found lifeless eyes, and a gaping mouth.

"Look away Kaede, go outside," the elder girl told her sister sternly after hearing a minute gasp escape the child's lips.

As the small girl hurried out of the room, Kikyo noticed something. There was a piece of paper clasped in the warrior's right hand. She carefully opened it to find two things, a note addressed to her, and a jewel, that was the color of crimson.

She squinted as she looked at the jewel before muttering, "Evil aura," to seemingly no one.

The young priestess picked up the bead-like jewel, which started to grow a few shades brighter to an almost magenta tint. She then unwrapped the scroll to find the following letter enclosed:

Kikyo~

I fear I may not live long enough to give you this message myself, so in that case, in this letter you shall find all the information needed to protect the Shikon no Tama.

"Shikon no Tama?" the girl questioned, and then with a shake of her head, she kept on reading.

The Shikon no Tama is an enchanted jewel that can grant the desire of any demon or man. It is one of the most powerful magical devices known to the human kind, and it must be kept safe out of the hands of those who plan to do evil with it. It was given to me by the king of my land, he sent one hundred of we soldiers to give it to you, and I am the only one to survive thus far. I am almost to your village, but I'm afraid for my life, when you're carrying the jewel, danger lurks behind every corner. Tales of your courage and strength have spread far across this land, and you are the only one who can protect it, but know, if you accept this offer, your life will never be the same.

With a small sigh, the raven-haired girl picked up the jewel, before taking the now departed man out to be buried.

As she exited the hut, many villagers gasped at the sight, though none spoke a word.

"Listen well," she announced, "This man traveled from his homeland to give me this," at this time she held out the sparkling gem for all to see, "Even though it meant his life. I am now the sole protectress of this jewel, the Shikon no Tama, or Jewel of Four Souls. This mystical item can grant the deepest desires of man or beast, but fear not, for I, Kikyo, shall always remain here to protect you."

With a smile, the crowd of people cheered and wee Kaede beamed with pride and adoration for her older sister. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go and attend to Onigumo."

So Kikyo made her way through the chattering village folk to see the man that she was healing from battle. He was a thief, but whether someone be good or evil, Kikyo helped them, and so was the case with this man.

*

Kikyo slowly made her way into the makeshift hospital that was the cave Onigumo stayed in.

"Onigumo?" she inquired, "Are you awake"

As an answer to her question, a low gravelly voice spoke, "I am now that you're here."

The young girl pursed her lips and drew a solemn face; she wasn't too fond of this man. He always seemed to have a hidden motive, and he wasn't too shy about his feelings for her either.

"I see you're as vulgar as always," she told him coolly.

"And I see you're as beautiful as ever," he replied with a crooked smile.

"You're utterly disgusting," Kikyo silently took out the medicinal herbs she had picked with Kaede and began to redress his wounds.

"If you find me so repulsive, then why help me?" he still had on that crooked smile, and want shone in his eyes, *that* much the girl could tell.

"You're still a human being, even if a revolting one, and no matter how horrible or disgusting one looks or acts, I'm bound to help them, it's just what I do.

After a few minutes of work she told him, "There, all done; now if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

Kikyo walked a few steps but was stopped by a shout of, "Wait!"

With a sigh, the miko turned around, "Yes, Onigumo."

"How about a kiss to make me feel better?"

Kikyo's eyes narrowed into slits as she glared daggers into his orbs, "Never," she responded before turning around and walking a few paces.

"Just a small one? I thought you cared!"

"I care about your health as a human being, but not for you as a person," She spat with a slight growl in her voice.

"I love you," he spoke softly, so only he and Kikyo could hear.

Without turning around she spoke just as quietly, "Then it is too bad that your feelings aren't returned."

And without a word further, she exited the cave.

"Don't you worry priestess, once I become powerful, you *shall* be mine. No one else shall have you but me, remember that."

"You are mine...Kikyo."

*

That night, Kikyo gladly sank onto her bed and let out a relieved sigh, another day's work done. She reached up to touch the jewel that now hung around her neck.

At first glance she could tell that it was filled with evil aura, but now, the evil miasma inside of it was slowly, but steadily diminishing. She would purify this Shikon no Tama, Jewel of Four Souls. Then, her duties as a miko would be complete.

"I know now, I was put on this earth to protect and purify this jewel, and once I do, I may live out the rest of my life as an ordinary woman, ordinary, but contented. So fate commands it, so shall be done,"

And with that, the miko fell into a deep and peaceful, unnoticing the black shadow that sped away from her hut as she slept.

The only thing that could be made of it was glowing amber eyes.

"Goodnight priestess," it whispered, "For it will be your last"