InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Simple Lies ❯ Sweet Betrayals ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha




Simple Lies

Chapter 1: Sweet Betrayals




Summers in the Western Lands were always excruciatingly sweltering, and this day was especially hot. While, because of the youkai blood flowing through his veins along with the human, he had no need to agonize over perspiration, sunburns and such; that didn't make the weather that much more comfortable for him. He could still feel the heat burning his skin, threatening to cook him alive. The humidity of the air still threatened to choke the breath from his lungs as he ran at immeasurable speeds.

Inuyasha was anxious enough about meeting his beloved in the outskirts of the village; he really did not need such a hot day adding to it all. Sighing as long sliver locks and red haori sleeves blew rapidly in the steaming current, each passing breeze stinging his exposed flesh. At least he had enough sense to exchange his rich and heavy garbs for the normal wear of those that clamored in the streets before leaving the castle. If he had been foolish, enough to wear his normal attire his unease would have likely been heightened to such an unbearable point. Every eye would have been on his moving form, watching his every move as though he were a performer dancing for his next meal. As well he more then naught would be harrowing in this infernal heat to a much greater degree then he already was.

Suddenly, Inuyasha was thankful for what little youkai blood he did have, else wise he might have been worse off like most of the humans, milling about the village and going about their daily lives like ants swarming around their hill.

So deep into his own world, Inuyasha's eyes did not perceive the form, cloaked in dark coarse woolen material, rushing through the crowds down the same thoroughfare as himself. She too was not paying attention, and found herself bumping into the anxious lord. On instinct, Inuyasha grabbed the girl before she could fall; he did not need his enhanced sight to know her gender, as his nose was enough. Though he was curious to know why it was, exactly she was wearing such heavy clothing in this hideous weather. Exactly what did this girl have to hide that she would suffer herself to keep her secrets? The thoughts gripped his mind and he was oddly curious despite his pressing need to meet his beloved; he was already running late as it were and did not need to stand around prying into matters that were likely non of his concern.

The girl roughly shoved herself from his hold fearfully, bowing her head in meek respect. “Truly I am sorry to have ran into you like this, I was in such a hurry that I wasn't paying attention to where my feet were carrying me.” She apologized humbly, trying to maintain a cool and collected tenor. She happened to have been in a hurry before running into his frame and likely bruising her body upon his rock solid physic. She rubbed the side of her left arm discreetly. Kagome acted to make her escape in another direction to no avail, having it go horribly wrong as the lord gripped her arm. It was not a crushing hold, but firm one ensuring her cooperation. Kagome, you fool, how is it your always getting yourself into these situations, she mentally berated herself.

“Is there something else you want from me?” She inquired meekly, trying to cool down the rising anger within her breast. It was his fault she nearly fell to earth, as well as his fault that she was running even more behind her tightly nit schedule. The reasoning for being in the Western Kingdoms called for diplomacy -she could not attract attention to herself-; therefore, she could not take out her anger on him in the manner she wished. Her free hand began to stroke that dagger at her waist. It would be foolhardy to attack a man with such obvious strength in the middle of a major thoroughfare in broad daylight; the authorities would apprehend her before she could even drag the knife's edge along his neck. Not that she would even commit such an act of violence to find her leave.

“What's your hurry?” He queried with a raised brow. Truthfully, he was just curious as to why she was wearing such a heavy woolen cloak when the heat was so excruciating; her destination and the reasons around it mattered not to him. She was obviously human, and had to be extremely uncomfortable under all those garbs, which lead him into thinking she might be into some kind of trouble or trouble herself. “And why are you hiding under there? Running away from someone?” He inquired casually, trying to keep his tone light and uninterested while his amber eyes tried to see beneath her cowl.

His carelessly spoken words caused her to pause, a slight fear melting into anger. What gave this man the right to question her? Did he believe himself to be the inquisitor or perhaps the king? She had no time for his foolishness “The reason for my cloak is of no concern to you.” She grounded out while yanking her wrist away in frustration of the man before her, the calluses of his hand rubbing against her soft fair skin. “Who do you think you are to question me anyway? How do you know I’m not harboring a hideous scar under here that would have you emptying your stomach at the sight, hmm?” She questioned the first words that passed through her mind; she had terrible habit of speaking before thinking of the words used. She was only adding to his curiosity, she could see it in the way his eyes shinned with more questions that she did not intend to answer.

Inuyasha could barely contain his curiosity and if his brother could see him now he'd likely be looking down at him and ordering him to remain impassive and cease his childish behavior. A prince should never show so much to his subjects and/or a possible threat. “I guess…” he answered slowly. He had never seen a woman with a scar before, the majority of opposite sex he met being ladies of court and would sooner hang themselves then live with a mark that could mar their beauty. “So then what could you possibly be hiding?" When his will wished to see this so called mark it was highly difficult to pull his emotions under reign and gain control over himself. His step forward was countered with her step back. "Show me the face under the cowl, or I’ll report you to the palace guards.” He replied smugly, his lips twitching up into a smirk. Inuyasha had no intentions of following through with his threat; she was only a human after all. What great threat could this woman possibly be? The girl was likely no more than a pocket; probably steeling from the merchant stands every now and then.

Once more in this man's presence, she felt her blood freeze in her veins, she was at an impasse at how to handle the situation. Her presence in the place had to remain in the shadows of human and youkai knowledge alike. She could not afford to be found so early in the game this time around. Kagome had learned this important rule the hardest way imaginable, a way that she would sooner rather forget then relive. It was truly best to keep your face a distant memory to all you pass in travels such as hers, unless they were so close to you. So close that you were practically siblings and she held no such identification for this man or the street they currently walked. Yet never the less, and most important, she could not attract the attention of the palace for this kingdom. One man seeing her face and the few that may catch a glimpse in passing, or the whole palace… she would have to chose the one man. “All right fine!” Kagome growled lowly, eyes searching beneath her hood for anyone suspicious watching them at the current moment. “But you tell one soul about me and I will hold no qualms about killing you in your sleep, inu-youkai.” She threatened.

He nodded trying not to laugh at her words. A mere human thought to threaten his life. So many have tried that he had long ago lost count. None had succeeded and she thought to threaten him in such away. Inuyasha kept the way about him impersonate when he agreed to her terms and was about to correct her on the youkai comment but stopped when the visage of her face became clear to his amber eyed gaze. His breath caught in his throat and he tried to swallow with difficulty. This girl before him was the replica of his Kikyou… it was quite amazing how much this woman resembled her. The only differences between them would be in the eyes, and the detail that the girl before him held a younger look about her. The gray-blue of her eyes held such knowledge that he doubted if he could conceive it all. So much, pain beneath their fiery exterior. He wondered briefly how far it went, before noting another difference. The slight wave of her dark hair also assured him that he was not looking into the face of his love.

Kikyou's eyes were a deep secretive brown; he could never see in them her thoughts and emotions a nonce. They were always masked to such a degree that he often had thoughts on weather or not she had gotten lessons from his brother, but even then Sesshoumaru had not mastered it to the level she has. Kikyou's dark raven locks were straight without so much as a hint of a wave throughout. His love's look of age came from her maturity, she in no way was any older then the woman he held captive by a mere few words; a threat. It was what made her so captivation, and if he were asked, he would chose Kikyou to be the lovelier of the two.

Quicker then most might have been able to follow, Kagome had her face hidden beneath her cowl once more safe from the prying eyes of those that passed them by. “Now that you have seen my face, a feat not easily won, might I have your name?” She froze the moment the words left her mouth. How could she be so careless with all the ramifications involved with this question? She was not going to see him again! Though she likely already caused her and her companions many future glitches from showing her face to a strange man because he threatened her a threat, she now very nearly doubted he might have carried through. Her actions will have likely compromised her mission and thus forcing them into an early retreat from this village. Kagome groaned mentally, her allies; Sango and Miroku were going to see her hanged for this folly! Though she knew her, thoughts were an over exaggeration. She would be the one performing the mental hanging for being the one to let them down again.

Catching the distrust swimming in her deep pools, Inuyasha forwent using his reflexive action in asking her name before his own. She would never give it to him and would leave before he could get out more then two words to halt her procession. “Inuyasha, and you are….” He trailed off as she pivoted on the balls of her feet and agilely looping through the humans milling about and ultimately disappearing into the crowds from his sight. Not before calling out to him in a voice that he could barely, catch with is dog-ears.

“If I see you again Inuyasha, I’ll tell you, but only then.” With those words she mysteriously vanished from his sight and was likely flowing with the moving traffic of the thoroughfare.

Inuyasha's eyes scanned the street for the carbon copy of his love for some minutes before pulling himself from his stupor that her abrupt departure had left him in. Damn! Time had been lost while speaking with that girl, and he had no idea of how much. Kikyou was going to be a bit more then angry with him, seeing how he was late their last meeting. This time instead of walking, Inuyasha ambled down the streets using his inhuman speed, to be a blur to even a trained human's sight, only to find himself out side the village in a matter of minutes. This was the action he should have taken sooner, but for some reason he went with his whim to walk, albeit a human run, amongst those whom would rather see his rotting corpse to know that he was in fact dead. Inuyasha's golden eyed gaze took in the place looking for his love, before finding her upon the grassy hill that over looked a small lake. She was currently watching frogs hop about from one Lilly pad to another, before submerging themselves completely in the water. Kikyou look absolutely breathtaking up there, her hair gently blowing in the heated winds, as her eyes held such concentration as she watched the scenery below, taking in its every change.

Slowly and yet surely he made his way towards her, taking a seat to her right silently. Her gaze slowly took him in sending shivers down his spine. “Inuyasha, you are late.” Her monotonous voice convicted. “What was the cause this time, you and your brother find yourselves in another childish fight?” She inquired lightly, though there was an underlying tone of anger so subtle he was not even sure if he had heard it there.

Inuyasha grinned despite himself, the odds of his find dawning upon him as such a strange phenomenon that he had to share it with her despite the girl's warnings to keep her presence a guarded secret. “I meet a girl on my way here, she resembled you so greatly I nearly thought it was you for a moment.” He confessed. Kikyou was not just anyone and besides whom would she tell this too. His eyes beheld concern as fear contoured her defined features, while the tone of her skin became fish belly pale. He had never seen her such a light color before, if he could call it a color. “Are you all right Kikyou, is something wrong?” He gentled his tone, wanting to hold her, but keeping his distance as his amber eyes examined every line of her visage. She never liked it when he so much as brushed her skin, claiming that such was inappropriate while they remained unmarried.

“You say she looked just like me, Inuyasha?” He nodded, and she smiled inwardly while keeping with the fearful expression. The hanyou of hers was so wrapped around her finger he would believe it if she told him the skies were originally black. Devious thoughts made up her mind as this one truth voiced itself; perhaps she could get her long awaited revenge on this girl. Kikyou acted to be hesitant, before going on. Her father, before his death, always said she was a natural born actor. “I fear this girl that you speak of may be my own twin, and if that is so I am in grave danger…." She made a show of swallowing hard. "You see my dear sister has always been so power hungry. When I refused to give her something of great power that was mine to begin with to protect, she decided to take my life from me. It is safe to say she has failed at it, but since then I have been hunted for my life by her own hands.”

A look of shocked horror crept along his face as he stared down at her, why would that girl want to kill Kikyou? Who would ever want to kill such an innocent, beautiful and caring woman such as her? He turned to stare in the shallow waters. A thought crossed his mind; one disliked but also one not to be ignored. Though in his eyes she was perfect in others, it may be a different story. It has always been said two eyes never view the same scene in the same exact way. Inuyasha was reminded of his family's attempts to separate them, all of them failures, as they will always be. Though the look alike did not seem to be capable of such an act of violence, she did walk hidden bearing many secrets and threatening his life when he stripped away her covering. No matter how empty the words rang in his ears, she still spoke them. Taking in a deep breath Inuyasha trained his golden orbs to the woman that held his heart in her hands. “What do you want me to do about it?” Inuyasha inquired hesitantly, if asked he doubted he could actually take the young woman's life from her, but he would see to it that she was unable to take even a step toward Kikyou in a threatening manner.

Kikyou made a show of squeezing her eyes shut from the pain of her hurt, a pain that did not exist, only to receive her being held in the arms of her hanyou. This one time she did not push him away, and allowed his touch no matter the amount of revulsion she felt from it. She grinned to herself; this plot was likely to run smoother with the hanyou, Inuyasha, helping her move it along into play. It wouldn't be long before she and her true lover had all the power her heart desired, then she‘ll kill the fool hanyou; but not before ripping, his heart out and showing it to him as beat it's last upon her palm. “There are two orbs, both very powerful, but cannot work without the other and I am their guardian.” She lied. “But you see she betrayed me, my own sister, and managed to steal one of the orbs and will continue to try for the other even if it means my life to do so.” Kikyou explained a desolate set to her face as her shoulder hunched in sadness. "Already she has taken so many to get to this power she so craves."

Inuyasha secured his embrace, his chin at the crown of her head, as her fake tears fell onto his haori amazed that she had not shoved his arms from her and allowed the comfort he offered and took it. How could anyone do this to his Kikyou? Better yet, how could her own family, her own blood, betray her in the worst ways imaginable? “What do you want me to do?” He hissed through clench teeth, forcefully this time. He wanted to protect her, shelter her heart from any further pain that her sister might try to inflict. Inuyasha wanted to offer his services in helping keep this 'orb' safe, to protect it along side her so that she did not have to go this journey alone.

Again, Kikyou inwardly smiled at her own cunning. “I don’t want my sister to be hurt, even though she betrayed me she is, after all, still my sister.” She made sure to break her voice over the word ‘sister,’ pausing to recollect herself before continuing. “Maybe if you could just get her to trust you, she might let you in on her scheme. If it works, if you get her to trust you enough, she might let you in on where she has hidden the jewel, then I won’t have to fight my sister for its possession.”

Inuyasha took a moment to contemplate her plan, before agreeing to it reluctantly. He could already feel the voices of his guilty mind eating away at him for even consider to win Kikyou's twin’s trust only to break it in the end. Even if this twin was in the wrong, he still felt dirty for the future sin he was about to commit against her. Inuyasha sighed to himself as he held Kikyou closer, he felt content and happy with her in his arms allowing for him to hold her as he always wished he could but never having the permission to do so. If he did not feel as strongly as he did for this woman, he never would have agreed to this farce of a plan.

Kikyou's grin slipped from her lips as her eyes glazed over in deep thought...

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The sun beat down on Kagome's back as she walked down the forest pathway that led to her grandfather's shrine. A bright eyes lit her features, her lips turned up in a soft smile as she skipped down the dirt path, though she more felt like she was walking upon the clouds. She had never quite felt like this before; never experienced a sensation such as this. It was strange, but Kagome was certain she was not allowed the luxury of falling in love, as its spell always seemed so elusive to her heart. No one had ever caught her eye until her gaze fell upon the lord Naraku. Kagome sighed dreamily. They had met at ball held by her family for some event -one that she did not really care to learn-. While she attempted to make an escape before she was pulled in so deep that, she had too many guests to greet and men to dance with as ordained by her mother and father. While her grandfather -upon her mother's side- owned a shrine passed down in the family for generations, her father was the king of Sendai and while her sister trained to take the seat of power, she trained to take the robes of priestess-hood.

She wasn't one to be won over by charm so easily, especially the slimy charm of young lords looking to rise their tiles of power with marriage to a princess. One who, if they found out her fate, would rush off to her sister so that they could woo her into matrimony! Kagome was fine with that; she did not like the elaborate dresses, the balls, the wars, but most of all the decision making it would all entail. She was too indecisive to make such important conclusions to the wants and needs of her father's people.

It was in the middle of trying to make a break for it that she had met him, her skirts had barely been over the balcony's railing to climb down the rope ladder she had invented for such purposes as this when a hand tapped at her shoulder. It had been Naraku and he had questioned her action and upon hearing them offered a better way to leave the room undetected. She had been so astonished, usually one would have been appalled, but he had only offered his assistance. It was later in the evening when she had learned of his distaste for such gatherings nearly equaled her own. From that moment on they met in gardens to talk, and eventually she sprung her training to be a priestess upon him and was delighted to find that it did not deter his interests in her. It was than that she found herself falling in love with the young lord.

She was pulled from her thoughts when the familiar architecture of the shrine came into view, well at least the gateway towards it. Consisting of two uprights supporting a concave crosspiece with projecting ends and a straight crosspiece beneath it, the torii lead to a mountain of steps before the actual shrine could be seen. Normally she would have groaned at the prospect of climbing all those steps for a item she had forgotten, but the feelings she were experiencing then left no room anything ill. Kagome quickly mastered the stairway and found herself walking up towards the door to the room she stayed in whenever she visited her grandfather, before she could even realize it. She felt like an ardent brainless village girl, whom always had her head stuck up into the clouds as she walked the streets, a spectacle for bystanders. Is this what love does to you? She wondered briefly as her eyes had found the form of her sister bent over her dresser drawer once she had entered the room.

“Kikyou?” Kagome questioned softly coming down from her high. “What are you doing here, I had thought you were still at the palace with mother and father?” Taking steps to enter the room, she inquired apologetically. "Were you here waiting long?"

Kikyou's chuckle that sounded from deep within her throat was mocking and a touch cynical, the utterance had caused the twin to flinch back. What was wrong with her sister to produce such a hideous sound? Kagome watched as slowly her sister stood and turned to reveal the Shikon Jewel within the palm of her hand. “Dear sister you shouldn’t be back yet, Naraku was suppose to keep you longer.” She spoke her tone holding to it a slight frustration and snide quality. She did not attempt to hide the jewel from her sister as she bore her eyes into the confused gray-blue. How she hated her sister for having such unique eyes, such color should not exist within their bloodlines and yet Kagome found her irises to be pigmented with an impossible outcome. It had deprived her of attention that should have been rightfully hers! Kagome always received everything that should be hers, including this elegant piece held delicately within her palm.

“What do you mean Kikyou and why do you have the Shikon?” Her confusion was evident in her voice; she was never good at hiding her true thoughts. Still her sister's actions left her perplexed as she had never shown much interest in the jewel before, perhaps curiosity got the better of Kikyou while she was waiting for her to return. She had heard it said before the jewel, despite its harmless appearance, could manipulate a person that was not its guardian. Kagome dearly hopped that this logic was not the case with her sister now.

Kikyou snickered lightly at her sister's confusion as she went on to reply smugly, and in a tone, Kagome had never heard of dear sister before. "Naraku never loved you, dear sister, he and I have and always will be lovers. It was a plot, and he's only been fooling you so that we may acquire the Shikon." Kikyou taunted. "Naraku and I wish to use its power to gain control of Japan.” Kikyou explained as though she were speaking to a brainless child, she couldn't help the small smile that filtered over her lips at Kagome's watery gray-blue eyes. She was moments away from crying. “It hurts doesn’t it, sister, to find that the one you love has betrayed you?”

Kagome clenched her eyes tightly against her tears and perhaps to hold herself in denial. Her fists held so firmly that each nail dug shallow moons into her palms; she could feel the tale-tale sting of entry and the slight silkiness of blood. That small amount of pain could not stave of the agony breeding in her heart. “What hurts most is my own blood betraying me, my own sister! Naraku I could have gotten over and eventually forgotten… but I will never heal from the wound you've scared my heart with, Kikyou!" Kagome relaxed her fists in defeat hanging her head, chin touching her chest, as she fought over control of her emotions. "How can you do this to me?” Kagome questioned no more then a whisper of sound falling from her parted lips, straining to keep control of her voice. She only fared so well, hearing the crack in her own words along with the volume and subdued tone. It made her flinch invisibly.

Kikyou closed her fingers around the Shikon, bringing the orb to her chest. “How?” She murmured lowly, dark browns focused upon the fist resting upon her bosom. “It was easy..." she mumbled, " you were always so perfect, gaining all the attention upon yourself. Not one malicious bone existed with in your body. Our parents loved you more than they have ever cared for me and no matter what I did I could never live up to you. I was the shadow trailing in your steps until I met Naraku and he told me of his plans…" her eyes moved to meet that of her stunned sister's, a small grin stole across her lips. "I agree with him sister, I think that I would make a wonderful Empress for Japan with him as my Emperor and with this jewel, it will all become a reality.”

A tear made way down Kagome’s check unbidden. This was not her twin sister; the woman before her was a stranger crazed at the thought of power. What had happened to her dear and loving sister that always stuck by her side when she was down? “Kikyou you know that is not true." Kagome insisted heatedly. "Kikyou, you know that mother and father are ashamed of me, that is why I am training to be a priestess and you are training to be their heir.” She took in a shuttering breath hopping it would calm her raging emotions, calm the pain consuming soul and body. It did nothing. “You are my sister Kikyou, and I will always love you… so because of this I will give you a head start.” An unsteady hand removed the bow from her shoulders, while the other dove for an arrow within the satchel at her side. Her vision waved with the unshed tears building up in her eyes, and her aim -should she loose the arrow- would be off due to the impossible task of keeping her arms from shaking ever so slightly. “Leave now and I will hunt you like a common youkai thief to bring the jewel back into my protection, I hope that you come to your senses by then… NOW GO!” She shouted.

Kikyou's hard stare took in the point of the arrow and the unsteady hands that kept it from moving toward her flesh before gracefully stepping around her armed twin. Kagome watched her sister walk from her room unaffected by their scene, before dropping the bow and arrow from her hands, along with dropping to her knees. Slamming her fist into the flooring as she cried silently, the necklace connect to a softly glowing pink ball falling from beneath the folds of her priestess wear.

Kagome pulled herself from the ground, tucking her necklace back beneath the white kimono; she had pressing matters to be dealing with, rather than expressing her pain upon the bedroom floor. This unexpected and unwanted dilemma demanded the attention of her mother and father, and her mentor, especially her mentor. The jewel had been rightfully hers to begin with.
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“Kagome!”

Vision focusing upon her surroundings, taking in the location of her body as she was stirred from the dark thoughts that ran rampant through her mind unrestrained. She was before the wooden hut that was to be her temporary abode; with its thatched roof owned by her mentor Keade whom was currently in another village now. Kagome blinked a couple of times as the sight and sound of Miroku registered into her mind, his question going unanswered long enough as she took a moment to process what her mind had blanked out while it was deep with in itself reliving things best left alone and forgotten. “Hai, its me.” She replied, pulling back the cowl of her clock. A frown pulled her lips while her eyes focused upon the bench her bottom rested, how had she found herself sitting without realizing it?

Miroku took his seat next to her slowly, concern flickering across his violet eyes as he took in the lost look of his friend's visage. The smile that now resided where there once was frown did little to reassure his heart, and it further lost assurances as she moved to stare upon the sky. He knew, as well as herself, that she pulled this action so that he could not see the pain swimming through her gray-blues. Kagome's reminiscing had caused her to recall more then the events of past hurt; more like brought the pain itself back into existence for her. Why would it not? She mused; they were wounds that were still as fresh as the day they were given. “I knew that it was you, Kagome-chan.” He replied calmly with a suffix he used in moments like this. "I do wish to know what is bothering you to such heights that I had to call your name for nearing an hour to grab your attention." Miroku queried in that calming tone of his that never failed to touch her, to bring her confessions spewing fourth from her lips unbidden. "Kagome, you know that you can always talk to me and I will be there for you no matter the words you may need to speak, as well as Sango." He cajoled. "Even if you wish not to speak, Sango and I will always be by your side, it would just make the both of us happier if you would lay your burdens upon our ears. It would make you feel lighter." He added as though he were trying to pawn his stolen goods off on her like he had attempted on more than one occasion in their travels.

Kagome kept her smile for Miroku even if he could tell that she coerced the grin by her will to keep its place. “My sister betrayed me.” She forced herself to whispered the knowledge her friend had already been privy too long ago. “So did the man I thought that I loved, and now I must kill them both or they will kill me.” Her toes dug in the dirt as she hunched over studying the patterns she formed with blank eyes. Kagome did not truly see the ground as past events flashed through her mind's eye no matter the strength she placed upon her mental blocks. It was always like that, these memories never ceased in their torment of her. “I have no problem with ridding the world of Naraku for all the hurt and pain that he has caused all of you and others in this world… but Kikyou… She is still my sister.” Despite her hate for shedding tears, one followed by another mapped her cheeks, chin, and neck.

Evidently, they were being watched, she mused as the words registered to her ears. “I know that feeling well.” Kagome wiped away the tear trails, spinning around to face her dearest friend Sango, whom wore an expression of extreme stoicism. In their travels with one another, she had come to recognize this mien upon the exterminator as a farce to cover the raging inferno of pain hidden just beneath the surface of her body, ingrained into the woman's soul and heart. Her thoughts were centered upon her lost brother once more, Kagome was sure of it, and was proven accurate by her friend's next sentence. “Being forced to fight Kohaku because Naraku has stolen his mind from him and forces my brother to fight against me… I can't stand the look of distant recognition in his gaze overlaying such dead and dark eyes as he tries to cut me down in battle.” Sango mumbled beneath her breath, taking a moment to collect her-self before bringing such pain filled eyes to Kagome's own saying. "No matter the amount of anguish Kohaku may bring to me, I'll never be able to take his life from him; never!" She enforced.

It was not the same, their situations, and the factors behind them. It may be this shared agony -brought on by Naraku- between them all that had brought the three companions closer as they traveled, but it was not quite the same pain. How could she possibly know it, if this condition of events harbored no hold upon her while they dragged her into the watery depths of despair. “You can't know this… your brother was under the control of Naraku with no memories of his past to force back his hand!” Kagome cried out as much, cursing herself for not deterring her mouth from speaking her mind this once. Sango had flinched back, looking upon her in confusion while she tried to understand the words spoken to her and grasp the pain behind them. Kagome continued; it was too late to hold them back now. "Sango, Kikyou wanted to betray me. There were no strings being pulled by Naraku, I can't blame this one on him, she acted all on her own in forsaking me for... his plans..." their plans as she calls them... Kagome mulled silently to herself as she spoke a broken whisper. "I don't want to be coerced into killing my own sister by her deeds and that of Naraku's."

Sango understood that, and as she pulled her friend from her seat into a warm comforting embrace, she did not hold the words spoken through heartbreak from Kikyou's actions against Kagome. They all had their own burdens to bare, however different they may be. All that they could do for one another was act as a crutch to carry whomever may be at the breaking point -at the brink of darkness- back to the surface; to light. While Sango could not say that she'd felt the pain of betrayal of a blood relative -a sibling no-less-, she could claim the heart-ache of loosing some one dear to the dark abyss of Naraku's will. Just as Kagome. Just as Miroku. Sango remained silent a moment more before deciding to bestow upon her friend a secret hope. "Eventually we will find Naraku, and we will have to face him. Either one of us may find our ends in this ill-fated encounter... One thing that I know for sure is that with his death, your sister and my brother will have come to their senses. Kikyou realizing her wants were induced by Naraku, and Kohaku having the return of his memory... and he'll remember me...” Those words finished off her delineation that had hopefully instilled some light into Kagome's heart, as her hands smoothed down the girls back in an effort of comfort. “Smile for us again Kagome, you've been down about this for so long it's been awhile since Houshi-sama and I have seen you happy. When such a bright person as you expresses such despondency..." it brings us down as well. Sango forewent speaking those words, realizing that they would only add to her sadness in thinking that she was being nothing more than a burden upon them.

A fact that held not an ounce of truth to the wording.

Moving back from the comfort her friend offered, Kagome tried a smile out upon her lips hoping that it look not a bit forced as she felt it to be. “I'll try, for the both of you.” She promised and meant it as well, not wanting to be the bearer of depression upon her traveling companion. Her next words were meant as a way to elude the conversation topic they were currently on and perhaps get down to the reasons behind their even being in this village; in this kingdom. Kagome did not want to relive any more moments of pain for the rest of the day, already ingesting as much as she could possibly handle. “Miroku did you happen to find a way to safe-haven our stay here?” Kagome inquired her monk friend, one whom swore he would better their last experience in their never-ending cause.

"Yeah, Hoshi-sama, just what did you do?" Sango inquired menacingly. She was the one responsible, for the catastrophe at the last town they had visited, to set something up for them. They both had got into an argument over it, really a misunderstanding upon words on Sango's part. At the slight twitch in the monks gloved hand, she sat herself between her friend and Miroku with a pointed glare. "Don't even think about it." She muttered lowly.

Coughing into his hand, Miroku nodded to her veiled threat, gulping at the loving way she caressed the dagger at her side. She was so close and he could not touch for fear of being a finger, or perhaps hand short. “In the palace actually," Miroku tried to put his whole concentration upon his words; truly he did try. "I managed to get the lady Izoay to commission Kagome to be the personal maid of her youngest son." He couldn't help the way his eyes wandered to her luscious behind, the most magnificent he had ever laid eyes on or had the honor to grope, staring shamelessly. "Sango you’re a lady in waiting for the lady herself, the one that held the position before you was let go for reasons she refused to disclose." Against his will, the beaded and gloved hand of his slowly made its way to what has become very familiar territory. "I, myself will be the monk of their very unused shrine; can you believe that?” He more like stated aghast, rather than questioned. His hand made contact with clothed flesh, damning the consequences; it was always worth it in the end.

The smack of skin upon skin echoed in their ears. “Hentai!” Sango shouted as bolted from her seat trying to put as much distance between them. Normally Hiraikotsu had been efficient in getting her point across, but sadly she left her trusty weapon in the hut as not to draw to much attention. “Stupid monk, you should have found another job in the palace, once they find out about your lecherous ways I’m sure they’re going to fire you on the spot!" She crowed in outrage. "Who would want a fallen monk working for them?” She spat again contemptuously.

Miroku shrugged sheepishly, making sure that both of his hands were resting within his lap and well in sight, while his staff rested upon his shoulder. “Well they are a family of royal youkai, and don't follow the religion, so maybe they won’t care.” He reasoned.

Glowering at the foolish monk, Sango huffed out. "Did you ever think that the reason they have a place of worship is because the Queen is human and follows the tradition of her people?" She snorted. "Of course you didn't, you could only think of scamming them out of all their riches!"

Managing to look affronted at the accusation, Miroku opened his mouth to argue his innocence.

Watching the constant quarrels of her two travel companions -the oblivious leman- was one of her favorite pastimes, next to exploring new places; Kagome loved the adventure and satisfaction that came with discovering a new place she'd never before seen. At lest she had once upon a time, now that action only seemed to delve great sadness into the depths of her soul. It only served to remind her of what she had lost. "Why the palace, I thought we wanted to remain invisible?" She inquired moving on from her dark thoughts and breaking up the argument that had ensued. More like a one sided yelling match, with Miroku pleading for forgiveness profusely.

Sango stopped in mid insult, closing her mouth slowly and shooting the monk an inquisitive glance. Breathing in deeply from relief, Miroku scooted back from his cowering position before answering Kagome's life saving question. For surely if she had not asked it, Sango might have permanently removed some valuable parts from his person by the dull dagger at her hip. Dull from hacking away at the youkai they had run into before making way to this village. He visibly paled at the thought. "Why, Lady Kagome, what better place to hid then under the enemies nose," he began in his usual dramatic drawl accentuated by hand gestures, "they would never suspect us working so closely with the castle. He would likely check the surrounding villages for our presence rather then such an obvious location."

His logic does make sense; Kagome mused to herself silently. Her eyes watched as Sango huffed, making her way through the hut's entrance by jerkily tossing a side the tatami mat, grumbling all the way. Kagome sighed heavily through her nose; she, had high hopes for her two friends -no family members to find themselves madly in love like in the end of a fairy tale told to small little girls before bed. It did not look like it would be happening any time soon. "When do we leave?" She questioned, tying to force the defeated note from making way into her tone.

Miroku almost did not catch the words thrown toward him from his companion sitting to the right of him. His colbat eyes had been transfixed upon the door his Sango had disappeared through with a heavy heart. He had not meant to upset her with the groping earlier, nor did he with his brilliantly laid out plan he had just presented. He should not have been so smug about it, knowing already that Sango was still feeling kind of sore with the failed efforts from their last stop. “Early tomorrow, lady Kagome.” He replied in a daze, blinking a few times he looked to the quickly darkening skies to Kagome whom was using her partially closed fist to stifle a yawn. He smiled softly. “Yes, we should get sleep… I was well assured that working for this particular taiyoukai will not be the easiest objective.” Miroku held out his ungloved hand that bore no prayer beads to lock away his torrent of a curse for Kagome to take, while his gaze remained focused upon the point in which Sango used as her point of exit.

Taking the proffered hand with her own, Kagome anchored herself into a standing position by using their combined strength. “She'll come around Miroku, don't worry.” She whispered her eyes too focused upon the straw woven door of the hut, and a smile slowly made way to her lips. A true one for the first time in many days, one that Miroku missed due to the location his gaze rested. “That is if your hands can learn to stay away from inappropriate areas.” Kagome slowly, cautiously, gave the monk a reassuring hug meant for comfort, before turning to enter the hut and leaving him to contemplate her words.

Miroku's eyes remained fixed, seeing and yet not seeing; if the scenery were to change, he would make note of it, but only in the subconscious mind. He knew that his friend's words rang soundly with truth, knew that if he were to just give up on his hentai antics that Sango would likely see him in a new light. She would likely give him a chance and would quite possibly agree to pursue a relationship with him. It was exactly what Miroku most feared; it was this reason that he continued with his most unappealing fault. Such a large gap lay between them now, and if he even attempted to jump it, he would fall short of reaching the edge; likely, he would fall into an abyss of darkness. If his affection for her was immeasurable now, how would it be if he were to remove the factor in which created the chasm between them? Miroku allowed his eyes to stray towards the sealed hand of his with a shuddering sight that nearly shook his whole body. He could not allow himself the luxury of being so close as that to anyone with this curse, he would not leave his wife to wear black nor his child fatherless.

Clenching the gloved hand into a fist, the prayer beads pressing themselves into his flesh, Miroku finally allowed himself to step into the hut. He had finally gotten his emotions under control and did not run the risk of betraying his earlier troubles to his two companions. They already had enough of their own to deal with and did not need his to weigh them down upon their paths any further.

Entering the hut, his colbat gaze took in the expanse of the temporary living space, making note of the layout. Three rooms side by side separated with shoji screen at the back and the common room in the front. To the right of him, rest a small kitchen for meals and hearth to keep warmth within the small home. Noticing as well that the only room left to occupy was the far right furthest from the entrance. Miroku made haste to his bed suddenly feeling entirely too drained to remain standing, his staff jingled with every step towards his destination.

He fell into troubled sleep.

~*~


A/N:


So… what do you all think? Great, good, bad, beyond horrible that it should burn in the furthest pits of hell? ^_^ Really, I want to read your opinions, I love reading them and so I hope to read a review from every single one of you! J/K, no, I'd be happy if I just got one ^_^

Anyway, can't wait to hear from you all:

~Zonza