InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Frog Demon Princess ❯ Mount Shiomi and the Dark Priestess ( Chapter 5 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Twilight dawn 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Comedy / Drama / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 10.29.2010 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.3K | Visits: 320 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Comedy / Drama / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 10.29.2010 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.3K | Visits: 320 | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters. The honor goes to Rumiko Takahashi.
Kagome found herself changed back to her demon form the next morning, much to her dismay and Jaken’s happiness. They began their journey as soon as they cleaned up their campsite, leaving no trace of their scents.
Sesshoumaru insisted on stopping in the nearby village to gather supplies for their trip into the mountains. Fearing the that villagers would attack him the moment he showed himself, he sent the two demons and human child, while he stayed with Ah-Un. He figured the humans would be less frightened of the two smaller demons.
He stayed within the boundaries of the village in case he was needed.
The villagers cleared their paths as Kagome, Jaken, and Rin walked into the village. Some of the children picked rocks off the ground and began to throw them. One hit Kagome on the forehead and another one hit her leg. She didn’t complain and kept on their destination, which was the head villager’s hut.
She knew from her previous experiences that the villagers are afraid of them and attacking them was the only way they knew how to protect themselves. She grew defensive when one of the rocks hit Rin and she whirled around to glare at the young dark-haired boy who had thrown it. He immediately dropped the rock he was holding and kicked the dirt around sheepishly.
Kagome hoped Rin would not get a bruise. She didn’t want to explain what had happened while they were here, because she doubted the demon lord would be as understanding as she is with the villagers. He would not let anyone get away with harming his ward.
An old man stepped out from behind a woven mat and waited for them to reach him. He reminded Kagome of her own grandfather. The way he hunched over, his gray and white mustache, same colored goatee, and the kindness emitted from his eyes.
“Welcome to our village,” he said as a way of an apology, as they stood before him. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“We are in need of supplies,” Kagome explained, knowing she was better at dealing with humans then Jaken was.
He seemed to rubbed his chin in thought and moved the woven mate aside. “Follow me,” he spoke, as he watched the villagers. “I will give you the supplies you need and quickly send you off. I fear that if you linger here any longer, the villagers will get aggressive.”
Kagome nodded and motioned for Rin and Jaken to go in first. She wanted to make sure the villagers wouldn’t do anything while her back was turned. Just because she understands what their feeling doesn’t mean she has to let her guard down.
The old man made sure they were seated before making himself comfortable and stoked the fire in the center of the hut. He then proceeded to place a kettle over the heat and sat back, waiting for the water to get warmed up for tea. “I am known as Akihiko. May I inquire as to what your names are?”
“You are asking a lot of questions, human,” Jaken spoke with suspicion in his voice. “You would be wise to give us what we need so we can be on our way. Your stench is making me nauseous.”
Kagome scowled and punched him in the back of the head. She gave a smile of satisfaction when a lump began to form. That should teach him to know his place. She turned back to their host. “I apologize for his behavior,” she said, bowing her head. “He’s not use to interacting with humans.”
Akihiko waved off her apology. “Your friend is right to distrust us. We have a tendency to act first and think later.”
Kagome’s admiration of the man increased. Her grandfather could be a reincarnation of this man. His words and actions remind her so much of him. Except he doesn’t go around placing sutras on every demon he sees.
“We got off track, didn’t we?” She said, accepting the wooden cup of tea the old man offered her. She blew on it to cool the liquid down before taking a sip. Some people are very good with blending tea leaves and this man is one of them.
“This is Rin,” she said, placing the cup in front of her and pointed to the human child. “The rude demon is known as Jaken and I am called, Kagome.”
Akihiko refilled his cup and stared at her over the rim. “Do you know the Shikon Miko? Your names are the same.”
She shook her head. “Why would I know her? I am just a lowly demon. Wouldn’t she try to purify me since its in her nature to do so.”
Akihiko stoked the fire once more before continuing his conversation. “I hear this miko is different. That as well as beautiful and graceful, she has a kind heart.”
She snorted when he mentioned herself being graceful. She was nothing like he had
described, but she didn’t correct him. In times of hardship, people will create stories to make the world seem like a better place.
“No,” she lied. “I haven’t seen or met her.”
If he detected her lie, he didn’t say anything. He probably figured she was not telling the truth for her own reasons. “Where you are headed? It will help me gather what you need.”
Finished with her tea, she turned down the old man’s offer for a refill. “We are traveling into the mountains. There is a task we must see to.”
“I see,” he spoke, not bothered by her vague answers. “If you will excuse me, I will get the items you will need for your journey.”
They watched the man leave the hut and waited for him to return. They didn’t wait long for he came back fifteen minutes later with blankets, kimonos, and food stored in a woven basket. “The winter kimonos are for you and the child,” he said to Kagome, as he handed her the packs. “The mountain tops become colder the higher you climb.”
He walked them to the door and held back the woven mat once more. “I will see you to the outskirts of the village. From there, you will be on your own.”
“Thank you for your kindness. Not many humans are as kind as you,” Kagome said, once they reached their destination.
Sesshoumaru headed towards them when he was certain the old man was gone. “Did you find everything you needed?” Kagome handed him the items and he shoved the clothing and blankets inside Rin’s bag. “We must be on our way. Nighttime will be upon us soon enough and I don’t want to be on the mountain when it does.”
It didn’t take them long to reach the mountain with Sesshoumaru flying on his cloud, the other two demons and Rin on the back of Ah-Un. During the journey, Kagome had to keep removing Jaken’s hands from her waist. She don’t know how she ended up sitting in front of him but if he don’t quit, he’s going to accidentally fall off.
Kagome had to tilt her head back in order to see it full scale. “This is what I have been feeling,” she whispered, feeling the immense aura radiating from it. Even without her powers, the aura was causing her hair to stand up on her arms. “How could I feel this so far away?”
The demon lord didn’t answer. The question was mostly directed at herself.
Looking below, Kagome could see many types of trees and flowers growing down the mountainside. The view from up here was amazing. The bright, colorful flowers is what appealed most to her. She never did understand how they could live on such harsh living conditions.
Ah-Un slowed down and began to descend when he noticed his master doing the same. His feet lightly touched the soft, grass and he kneeled down to let his passengers off. He knew his master would make them walk the rest of the way, getting him time to rest without the added weight.
“Rin, put on one of the extra kimonos and wrap a blanket around yourself. I don’t want to bring you with us but with this aura, it won’t be safe for you here either.”
Kagome donned on one of the winter kimonos for added protection. She didn’t know if she would need it against the cold air, but she rather be safe than sorry. Sweating in warm weather with the extra layers of the kimono was better than freezing to death. And if the weather grew warmer as they climbed the rest of the way up the mountain, they would just remove the extra clothing.
“We ready,” she informed Sesshoumaru, when she helped wrap the blanket around Rin’s shoulders.
The cave wasn’t hard to find. You would think a dark priestess would try and make her home inaccessible to intruders.
Sesshoumaru stopped just a few feet away from the cave’s entrance. “Rin and Jaken, you will go back down the mountain and stay a safe distance away until I call for you.”
Knowing that their lord wouldn’t take kindly to their protests, Rin hugged Kagome and wished her luck before heeding the demon lord’s advice. She knew she would see them again. Her lord would not let anything happen to Kagome and he’s not one to die so easily.
“Do we knock or something?’ Kagome asked when they reached the entrance. The darkened cave gave her an eerie feeling, that she couldn’t shake off.
“Knock on what, miko? There is no door here.”
She gulped nervously. “Right.”
He turned around to face her. “You’re not afraid are you? I thought it would take a lot more than a dark cave to make you frightened.”
“I’m not afraid of the cave itself,” she explained. “I scared of what’s inside of it.”
Sesshoumaru gave off a sound which sounded like a snort, and took the necessary steps into the mouth of the cave. He could see perfectly into the darkness but he knew the former miko would have problems. Her type of demon doesn’t see into the dark very well and so, he illuminated his hand to where his green poison light was exposed.
It seemed as if the cave’s walk way went on forever. Just when Kagome was about to give up, she could see a light off in the distance. Sesshoumaru motioned for her to stop and sniffed the area. When he found no other scent except for that of the dark priestess, he motioned for Kagome to follow behind him.
“What an honor it is to have the Western Lord here in my cave” a voice crackled. “And you brought such an ugly creature with you.”
Kagome had to bit her tongue from saying something rude back at her.
Sesshoumaru stepped into the light and knew he wasted his effort. The dark priestess was blind. He could tell from the glazed over look in her once bright green eyes, now a dull color. “I am surprised you heard of me.”
“I hear many things from the wind,” she answered, cocking her head towards him. “They tell me of your exploits, which are very impressive if I say so myself.”
“Quit flirting with me, witch,” he snarled at her.
She clucked her tongue at him. “So quick to judgment, aren’t we? I know its not you who seeks my wisdom. Isn’t that right, Shikon Miko?”
Kagome stared in shock at the dark haired woman. “How’d you know who I am? I didn’t tell you anything.”
A smile graced the woman’s face. “I sense the power that is dormant inside of you. It sleeps while you are in this form. It’s an added measure so you don’t end up purifying yourself and those around you.”
Kagome walked closer to her, curious to know how much this woman knew. “Do you know of a way to break this curse or who placed it upon me?”
“I know the answers you seek, but what will you give me? I don’t offer anything for free. As you have heard by now.”
Kagome bit her lips as she pondered the dark priestesses words. “What you want from me would be the correct answer. I could offer you something in my possession, but you wouldn’t be satisfied with that. You want something from me that I normally wouldn’t give.”
The woman clapped her hands in delight. “You’re a very bright child. In all of my years, you are the only one who had guessed that right.”
Sesshoumaru was pleased with his miko, but he was getting tired of the dark priestess and her antics. “Stop stalling and tell us what we want to know.”
“You must learn patience,” she scolded. “I told you before I don’t do anything for free.”
“What do you want then?” Kagome took control, knowing the demon lord was getting irritated.
The dark priestess didn’t even hesitate when she answered, “Your blood.”
Kagome was about to agree with the terms but Sesshoumaru interrupted. “Don’t be stupid, girl. If you give her your blood, she can use it to cast a different spell on you or make the one you currently have stronger. You never trust a dark priestess.”
“He’s has a point, dear. You should never trust one of us.”
“Then name something else that’s agreeable.”
The dark priestess tapped a finger along her chin. “If you won’t give me your blood, then give me a few strands of your hair.” Kagome was about to speak, when the woman held up her hand to stop her. “Not so fast. I also want a few strands from the demon lord.”
Kagome turned towards Sesshoumaru for advice. “What do you think? Do we give her what she wants?”
His answer was reaching behind him and plucking out a few of his long, silver strands. He knew she could cast spells with their hair, but it would be less powerful than a spell cast with one’s blood. Kagome gaped at him as he handed them to her. She knew she was staring like an idiot and reached behind her, to pull out a few of her own.
“Very well,” the dark priestess spoke, as Kagome placed the loose strands in her hands. “I will tell you about the curse.”
The dark priestess went over to the wall of the cave, where she stored her magical items, and laid the strands down on a piece of cloth. “Before you ask me, I’m not allowed to break another’s curse.”
“Then why did you require payment if you can’t break it? Do you take me for a fool?”
Kagome gritted through her teeth. She seriously wanted to punch the woman. How dare she lead her like that.
She clucked her tongue at Kagome, just as she did with the demon lord. “You two are made for each other, aren’t you? Drawing your own conclusions without hearing all of it.”
She missed the look the two of them gave each other.
“The payment you gave me is sufficient enough for the information I am about to tell you,” she said, not waiting for one of them to interrupt her. “In fairy tales that have spells cast on the main character, what does it take to break the spell?”
“My curse is not based on some fairy tale,” Kagome growled out. “I demand you give our payment back. You have done nothing but tell us things we already know.”
The dark priestess placed her hands on her hips. “The only thing that can break the curse is true love. Having someone fall in love with you, the way you are now.”
Kagome gawked at her. “Are you saying I need someone to fall in love with me while I am a frog demon? No one is willing to do that except for another frog demon. Which I am not willing to do,” she finished.
The woman laughed. “You don’t realize it yet, but the curse is already beginning to unravel. Someone is already falling for you.”
“If you say it’s Jaken, I will be forced to kill you.”
The dark priestess laughed and turned her back on them. “I have told you all I know. It’s up to you whether you will listen to my advice or not. Now go.”
---
Tsubaki made sure the demon lord and the former miko was long gone before coming out of her hiding place. “I can’t believe he didn’t sense me,” she said to her aunt, when she was next to her. “I thought for sure he would.”
“My spells are quite powerful. It even fooled a demon like him.”
Tsubaki couldn’t help but smile at that. “You didn‘t tell her everything,” she accused, pleased with the way things were turning out. She knew Naraku would be pleased as well. She didn‘t doubt for an instant that he was watching her, making sure she stuck to his
plan. “Does that mean you are willing to work with my master?”
The woman cracked with evil laughter. “Yes, it will be so much fun attaching the miko to the demon lord. He will most likely end up killing her. Stupid, demon,” she went on with her ranting. “You should know better than to give me something of yourself.”
Tsubaki laughed as she made herself scarce. Even she didn’t like to spend long periods of time with her. The woman freaked her out.
“But then again,” she mused, “maybe you aren’t that stupid. You were counting on me tying you to the miko. Why? Is it because you want her to fall in love with you?” She began to collect the ingredients she would need in order to make the potion to cast the spell. “It doesn’t really matter to me, but it will be so much fun to watch how the events unfold.”
To be continued…
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Kagome found herself changed back to her demon form the next morning, much to her dismay and Jaken’s happiness. They began their journey as soon as they cleaned up their campsite, leaving no trace of their scents.
Sesshoumaru insisted on stopping in the nearby village to gather supplies for their trip into the mountains. Fearing the that villagers would attack him the moment he showed himself, he sent the two demons and human child, while he stayed with Ah-Un. He figured the humans would be less frightened of the two smaller demons.
He stayed within the boundaries of the village in case he was needed.
The villagers cleared their paths as Kagome, Jaken, and Rin walked into the village. Some of the children picked rocks off the ground and began to throw them. One hit Kagome on the forehead and another one hit her leg. She didn’t complain and kept on their destination, which was the head villager’s hut.
She knew from her previous experiences that the villagers are afraid of them and attacking them was the only way they knew how to protect themselves. She grew defensive when one of the rocks hit Rin and she whirled around to glare at the young dark-haired boy who had thrown it. He immediately dropped the rock he was holding and kicked the dirt around sheepishly.
Kagome hoped Rin would not get a bruise. She didn’t want to explain what had happened while they were here, because she doubted the demon lord would be as understanding as she is with the villagers. He would not let anyone get away with harming his ward.
An old man stepped out from behind a woven mat and waited for them to reach him. He reminded Kagome of her own grandfather. The way he hunched over, his gray and white mustache, same colored goatee, and the kindness emitted from his eyes.
“Welcome to our village,” he said as a way of an apology, as they stood before him. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“We are in need of supplies,” Kagome explained, knowing she was better at dealing with humans then Jaken was.
He seemed to rubbed his chin in thought and moved the woven mate aside. “Follow me,” he spoke, as he watched the villagers. “I will give you the supplies you need and quickly send you off. I fear that if you linger here any longer, the villagers will get aggressive.”
Kagome nodded and motioned for Rin and Jaken to go in first. She wanted to make sure the villagers wouldn’t do anything while her back was turned. Just because she understands what their feeling doesn’t mean she has to let her guard down.
The old man made sure they were seated before making himself comfortable and stoked the fire in the center of the hut. He then proceeded to place a kettle over the heat and sat back, waiting for the water to get warmed up for tea. “I am known as Akihiko. May I inquire as to what your names are?”
“You are asking a lot of questions, human,” Jaken spoke with suspicion in his voice. “You would be wise to give us what we need so we can be on our way. Your stench is making me nauseous.”
Kagome scowled and punched him in the back of the head. She gave a smile of satisfaction when a lump began to form. That should teach him to know his place. She turned back to their host. “I apologize for his behavior,” she said, bowing her head. “He’s not use to interacting with humans.”
Akihiko waved off her apology. “Your friend is right to distrust us. We have a tendency to act first and think later.”
Kagome’s admiration of the man increased. Her grandfather could be a reincarnation of this man. His words and actions remind her so much of him. Except he doesn’t go around placing sutras on every demon he sees.
“We got off track, didn’t we?” She said, accepting the wooden cup of tea the old man offered her. She blew on it to cool the liquid down before taking a sip. Some people are very good with blending tea leaves and this man is one of them.
“This is Rin,” she said, placing the cup in front of her and pointed to the human child. “The rude demon is known as Jaken and I am called, Kagome.”
Akihiko refilled his cup and stared at her over the rim. “Do you know the Shikon Miko? Your names are the same.”
She shook her head. “Why would I know her? I am just a lowly demon. Wouldn’t she try to purify me since its in her nature to do so.”
Akihiko stoked the fire once more before continuing his conversation. “I hear this miko is different. That as well as beautiful and graceful, she has a kind heart.”
She snorted when he mentioned herself being graceful. She was nothing like he had
described, but she didn’t correct him. In times of hardship, people will create stories to make the world seem like a better place.
“No,” she lied. “I haven’t seen or met her.”
If he detected her lie, he didn’t say anything. He probably figured she was not telling the truth for her own reasons. “Where you are headed? It will help me gather what you need.”
Finished with her tea, she turned down the old man’s offer for a refill. “We are traveling into the mountains. There is a task we must see to.”
“I see,” he spoke, not bothered by her vague answers. “If you will excuse me, I will get the items you will need for your journey.”
They watched the man leave the hut and waited for him to return. They didn’t wait long for he came back fifteen minutes later with blankets, kimonos, and food stored in a woven basket. “The winter kimonos are for you and the child,” he said to Kagome, as he handed her the packs. “The mountain tops become colder the higher you climb.”
He walked them to the door and held back the woven mat once more. “I will see you to the outskirts of the village. From there, you will be on your own.”
“Thank you for your kindness. Not many humans are as kind as you,” Kagome said, once they reached their destination.
Sesshoumaru headed towards them when he was certain the old man was gone. “Did you find everything you needed?” Kagome handed him the items and he shoved the clothing and blankets inside Rin’s bag. “We must be on our way. Nighttime will be upon us soon enough and I don’t want to be on the mountain when it does.”
It didn’t take them long to reach the mountain with Sesshoumaru flying on his cloud, the other two demons and Rin on the back of Ah-Un. During the journey, Kagome had to keep removing Jaken’s hands from her waist. She don’t know how she ended up sitting in front of him but if he don’t quit, he’s going to accidentally fall off.
Kagome had to tilt her head back in order to see it full scale. “This is what I have been feeling,” she whispered, feeling the immense aura radiating from it. Even without her powers, the aura was causing her hair to stand up on her arms. “How could I feel this so far away?”
The demon lord didn’t answer. The question was mostly directed at herself.
Looking below, Kagome could see many types of trees and flowers growing down the mountainside. The view from up here was amazing. The bright, colorful flowers is what appealed most to her. She never did understand how they could live on such harsh living conditions.
Ah-Un slowed down and began to descend when he noticed his master doing the same. His feet lightly touched the soft, grass and he kneeled down to let his passengers off. He knew his master would make them walk the rest of the way, getting him time to rest without the added weight.
“Rin, put on one of the extra kimonos and wrap a blanket around yourself. I don’t want to bring you with us but with this aura, it won’t be safe for you here either.”
Kagome donned on one of the winter kimonos for added protection. She didn’t know if she would need it against the cold air, but she rather be safe than sorry. Sweating in warm weather with the extra layers of the kimono was better than freezing to death. And if the weather grew warmer as they climbed the rest of the way up the mountain, they would just remove the extra clothing.
“We ready,” she informed Sesshoumaru, when she helped wrap the blanket around Rin’s shoulders.
The cave wasn’t hard to find. You would think a dark priestess would try and make her home inaccessible to intruders.
Sesshoumaru stopped just a few feet away from the cave’s entrance. “Rin and Jaken, you will go back down the mountain and stay a safe distance away until I call for you.”
Knowing that their lord wouldn’t take kindly to their protests, Rin hugged Kagome and wished her luck before heeding the demon lord’s advice. She knew she would see them again. Her lord would not let anything happen to Kagome and he’s not one to die so easily.
“Do we knock or something?’ Kagome asked when they reached the entrance. The darkened cave gave her an eerie feeling, that she couldn’t shake off.
“Knock on what, miko? There is no door here.”
She gulped nervously. “Right.”
He turned around to face her. “You’re not afraid are you? I thought it would take a lot more than a dark cave to make you frightened.”
“I’m not afraid of the cave itself,” she explained. “I scared of what’s inside of it.”
Sesshoumaru gave off a sound which sounded like a snort, and took the necessary steps into the mouth of the cave. He could see perfectly into the darkness but he knew the former miko would have problems. Her type of demon doesn’t see into the dark very well and so, he illuminated his hand to where his green poison light was exposed.
It seemed as if the cave’s walk way went on forever. Just when Kagome was about to give up, she could see a light off in the distance. Sesshoumaru motioned for her to stop and sniffed the area. When he found no other scent except for that of the dark priestess, he motioned for Kagome to follow behind him.
“What an honor it is to have the Western Lord here in my cave” a voice crackled. “And you brought such an ugly creature with you.”
Kagome had to bit her tongue from saying something rude back at her.
Sesshoumaru stepped into the light and knew he wasted his effort. The dark priestess was blind. He could tell from the glazed over look in her once bright green eyes, now a dull color. “I am surprised you heard of me.”
“I hear many things from the wind,” she answered, cocking her head towards him. “They tell me of your exploits, which are very impressive if I say so myself.”
“Quit flirting with me, witch,” he snarled at her.
She clucked her tongue at him. “So quick to judgment, aren’t we? I know its not you who seeks my wisdom. Isn’t that right, Shikon Miko?”
Kagome stared in shock at the dark haired woman. “How’d you know who I am? I didn’t tell you anything.”
A smile graced the woman’s face. “I sense the power that is dormant inside of you. It sleeps while you are in this form. It’s an added measure so you don’t end up purifying yourself and those around you.”
Kagome walked closer to her, curious to know how much this woman knew. “Do you know of a way to break this curse or who placed it upon me?”
“I know the answers you seek, but what will you give me? I don’t offer anything for free. As you have heard by now.”
Kagome bit her lips as she pondered the dark priestesses words. “What you want from me would be the correct answer. I could offer you something in my possession, but you wouldn’t be satisfied with that. You want something from me that I normally wouldn’t give.”
The woman clapped her hands in delight. “You’re a very bright child. In all of my years, you are the only one who had guessed that right.”
Sesshoumaru was pleased with his miko, but he was getting tired of the dark priestess and her antics. “Stop stalling and tell us what we want to know.”
“You must learn patience,” she scolded. “I told you before I don’t do anything for free.”
“What do you want then?” Kagome took control, knowing the demon lord was getting irritated.
The dark priestess didn’t even hesitate when she answered, “Your blood.”
Kagome was about to agree with the terms but Sesshoumaru interrupted. “Don’t be stupid, girl. If you give her your blood, she can use it to cast a different spell on you or make the one you currently have stronger. You never trust a dark priestess.”
“He’s has a point, dear. You should never trust one of us.”
“Then name something else that’s agreeable.”
The dark priestess tapped a finger along her chin. “If you won’t give me your blood, then give me a few strands of your hair.” Kagome was about to speak, when the woman held up her hand to stop her. “Not so fast. I also want a few strands from the demon lord.”
Kagome turned towards Sesshoumaru for advice. “What do you think? Do we give her what she wants?”
His answer was reaching behind him and plucking out a few of his long, silver strands. He knew she could cast spells with their hair, but it would be less powerful than a spell cast with one’s blood. Kagome gaped at him as he handed them to her. She knew she was staring like an idiot and reached behind her, to pull out a few of her own.
“Very well,” the dark priestess spoke, as Kagome placed the loose strands in her hands. “I will tell you about the curse.”
The dark priestess went over to the wall of the cave, where she stored her magical items, and laid the strands down on a piece of cloth. “Before you ask me, I’m not allowed to break another’s curse.”
“Then why did you require payment if you can’t break it? Do you take me for a fool?”
Kagome gritted through her teeth. She seriously wanted to punch the woman. How dare she lead her like that.
She clucked her tongue at Kagome, just as she did with the demon lord. “You two are made for each other, aren’t you? Drawing your own conclusions without hearing all of it.”
She missed the look the two of them gave each other.
“The payment you gave me is sufficient enough for the information I am about to tell you,” she said, not waiting for one of them to interrupt her. “In fairy tales that have spells cast on the main character, what does it take to break the spell?”
“My curse is not based on some fairy tale,” Kagome growled out. “I demand you give our payment back. You have done nothing but tell us things we already know.”
The dark priestess placed her hands on her hips. “The only thing that can break the curse is true love. Having someone fall in love with you, the way you are now.”
Kagome gawked at her. “Are you saying I need someone to fall in love with me while I am a frog demon? No one is willing to do that except for another frog demon. Which I am not willing to do,” she finished.
The woman laughed. “You don’t realize it yet, but the curse is already beginning to unravel. Someone is already falling for you.”
“If you say it’s Jaken, I will be forced to kill you.”
The dark priestess laughed and turned her back on them. “I have told you all I know. It’s up to you whether you will listen to my advice or not. Now go.”
---
Tsubaki made sure the demon lord and the former miko was long gone before coming out of her hiding place. “I can’t believe he didn’t sense me,” she said to her aunt, when she was next to her. “I thought for sure he would.”
“My spells are quite powerful. It even fooled a demon like him.”
Tsubaki couldn’t help but smile at that. “You didn‘t tell her everything,” she accused, pleased with the way things were turning out. She knew Naraku would be pleased as well. She didn‘t doubt for an instant that he was watching her, making sure she stuck to his
plan. “Does that mean you are willing to work with my master?”
The woman cracked with evil laughter. “Yes, it will be so much fun attaching the miko to the demon lord. He will most likely end up killing her. Stupid, demon,” she went on with her ranting. “You should know better than to give me something of yourself.”
Tsubaki laughed as she made herself scarce. Even she didn’t like to spend long periods of time with her. The woman freaked her out.
“But then again,” she mused, “maybe you aren’t that stupid. You were counting on me tying you to the miko. Why? Is it because you want her to fall in love with you?” She began to collect the ingredients she would need in order to make the potion to cast the spell. “It doesn’t really matter to me, but it will be so much fun to watch how the events unfold.”
To be continued…
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