I Kagome by Wolfe
Not Kikyo
An arrow slid by her cheek, leaving a grazed red trail in its wake. Kagome did not move. She stood there, staring down her own arrow at the undead former miko before her.
“Are you angry at me, Kikyo, or is it yourself whom you hate?” Kagome's voice was soft and solid.
The elder miko bared her teeth and let loose another arrow. Kagome matched her timing and allowed the arrows to meet in between them. Both had their bows taught within moments, eyes still locked.
“You made the choice in life to seal your soul to the Shikon. We both know that you will never possess a living form until you are allowed to reincarnate. The time of Kikyo has passed. This is not your war, not your time.”
“Who are you to speak of time? You who hails from the future. If anyone doesn't belong here, it is you!”
“That isn't true, Kikyo,” Kagome responded easily. “If this was not my place, then why did the Kamis themselves ensure that I came to this place? Why have the jewel in my body? Why give me passage to this era? These are all simple truths that a former miko as you should have gleamed on your own.”
Kikyo released her arrow, searing anger guiding it. Kagome kept her bow taught, not moving as the arrow skimmed by her cheek again. The trail it left allowed enough blood to seep for a single drop to slowly descend to Kagome's chin.
“Inuyasha is mine! The jewel is my duty! This is my life! You are a thief! You stole my life!”
Kagome lowered her bow and shook her head. “No, Kikyo,” she held the woman's dead eyes with her own. “Your life ended over fifty years ago. You doubted your lover and your love. You gave in to the trickery of Naraku and after your heart ceased to beat, you had the jewel burned with your body, ensuring that your soul would be tied to it.
“I have no claim on Inuyasha. I know now that it was that part of your soul which desired him which led me to my infatuation with him. I know now that I do not care for him in that way. Should you wish to reincarnate after your soul moves on, you may once again have a chance to be with your lover.
“As for the jewel, there is no other than I who can claim that duty. As it came from my body, I am the only one who can claim it. I do not care what your thoughts are on the matter. You can have Inuyasha, but the jewel is mine.”
Kikyo released another arrow, forcing Kagome to move slightly to avoid its deadly tip. “Know this, Kikyo, I will never release your soul until the completed jewel is within my possession. If you wish to see it sooner, then seek out the fragments and bring them to me. If you kill me, you will pass on as well and with a divided soul, you will never reincarnate again.”
Kikyo stood fuming at the young miko who dared try to educate her on the matters of life and death. It was the reason she wanted the rest of her soul. She couldn't claim Inuyasha until she had it. Moving quickly out of the way, Kikyo mentally cursed her weakened state and the arrow which almost embedded itself in her shoulder.
Calling her pets to her, Kikyo left in a flourish, leaving the girl with an empty bow standing alone to watch her leave.
#
Kagome walked into camp silently, offering a forced smile to her friends before taking her place on her sleeping bag. She allowed her fingers to graze her cheek, now healed and cleaned. This was the fourth time the dead miko had confronted her in the last three months and always when she is alone.
The talk around the fire was light and cheerful. Kagome even made the effort to join in. As the fire began to dim to embers on this rather warm fall evening, everyone sought out their place to dream for the night. While the humans shuffled slowly into their positions, Inuyasha suddenly disappeared from camp and Kagome merely closed her eyes for sleep to claim her.
#
Echoes passed through her thoughts as the lasting haze of sleep kept her to her rested state. Nonsensical murmurs and gibberish floated about her mind as the waking world drew her away from unconsciousness.
The fragments of the jewel rested at her breast. The tingle of her own barrier gave her comfort against her skin. It was one of those constants she had come to rely upon.
“Mamma?”
The voice of her kit tugged a smile to her lips. Throwing off the haze and blocking out the murmurs, Kagome turned warm eyes to the bundle next to her.
“Wake up, Shippo,” she called softly to him, her fingers trailing over his face and tickling his nose.She giggled freely as his nose twitched and curious eyes opened only to quickly shut out the early morning light of day.
Kagome felt her heart swell. Contentment and joy. She could live this moment for the rest of her life. A child at her side, one she called her own. Friends not far from her.
She closed her eyes and snuggled her face into Shippo's hair. She longed to be accepted as an equal somewhere. Most likely a side effect of her modern upbringing. To be recognized as an individual with her own strength and abilities. Having someone train her more in the art of fighting would be nice.
Loud, gruff footsteps made their way through the camp, a voice just as unfeeling and selfish not far behind them. “Get up! The sun's already up and we've gotta get a move on!”
Kagome gave Shippo one last squeeze before rousing them both up. A little way to her left, golden eyes twitching with annoyance met with hers’ and a mutual sigh resounded in the Universe.
“Sit.”
#
The Oni was weak. Plain and simple. As Kagome looked upon the desolate form of the once living creature, she couldn't but help pity the poor thing.
Inuyasha swiped his sword toward some bushes, letting the fresh blood flick off the blade's surface. Sango check over herself and then with a lingering glance, looked over the monk. Both seemed in good health. Kiara mewed and brought Shippo out from hiding.
No injuries, no damage.
As Kagome had thought: weak.
Looking closely at the arrow shaft protruding from the tree just behind her, Kagome wasn't surprised to notice the telltale feather of the dead miko's marksmanship. What did surprise her was its presence while during a fight.
It wasn't close enough to have done any damage, but the meaning of its presence did not get past Kagome. The dead thing wanted her to know her life could have been ended and that possibly she was watching Kagome.
Futile.
Kagome would not fear her. Kikyo couldn't kill her, it would mean destroying herself. This display was sadly ineffective in installing any other emotion other than amusement. But it did give Kagome information. It seems that after their last encounter two weeks ago, the walking pile of bones and dirt was capable of rational thought and self-preservation.
Maybe the unnatural miko could be of some use after all.
#
The twang of an arrow disrupted her peaceful bathing time. The little hot spring had been perfect after the last four days of travel and icy rivers. Familiar feathers tickle her face mere inches away.
“Good aim, Kikyo,” Kagome spoke aloud to what could have been an empty clearing. “Not easy to get your point across without killing the intended target. Speaks of years of experience and great talent.”
“Do not mock me, copy.”
“I possess none of your traits to be considered a copy, oh wanna-be-original. I may have part of your soul, but I have already told you I will not give it up until the entire jewel is mine again. You, however, can have nearly everything you ever wanted, but seem hell bent on destroying any future you may have waiting for you.”
Kikyo sneered and drew her bow taut. “You stole my future.”
“No!” Kagome stopped the other miko from continuing. “YOU chose this. You gave your soul to the Shikon no Tama. You made this choice. I already told you once, but apparently, I will have to repeat myself again.
“I do not want Inuyasha. I hold no romantic love for the boy. You are free to have him. You are free to have your soul back, ONLY when I have the jewel. I do not torture you or demand your obedience. I could control as Naraku does his own, but I care not for you nor do I want to have a servant in such an ugly manner.
“So, one who is dead, you can kill me and thus destroy yourself. It would be a bother for me, but I'll just come back and finish my task. Or, you wait, help me find the jewel shards, ensure that Naraku fails, and you can be reborn and have that beautiful second chance at a normal life with your precious hanyou.” Kagome regarded the frustrated woman. “It's your choice,” she paused, a thoughtful expression upon her face. “Again.”
In a rush of furry the dead miko left, leaving Kagome alone with the arrow still embedded in the truck to her right.
A small smile graced her lips as she shook her head. Only time would tell what Kikyo will choose. A little twinge of pity fluttered by over the girl's plight, but then again, her soul had been adamant about staying with her. Poor girl.
#
Revised 20180305