Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Life's Prison: A Thief's Goal ❯ Hitan Village ( Chapter 10 )

Translations:

Wakizashi- traditional Japanese sword with a shoto blade between 12 and 24 inches

Ya- arrow

Hami-Yumi- sacred longbow

Hamaya- purity arrows

Okinawa- fruit bat

Kibou- Hope, Wish

Hitan- sorrow

Gama- a toad demon that feeds off energy

Onmyoji- court diviners that studied the five elements and could control shikigami

Shikigami- spirits summoned to serve or protect

 

 

 

Hitan Village

 

 

 

“Talking”

 

`Thinking'

 

Memories

 

Stressed

 

 

 

They say that you can judge people and how they really are by looking at their environment. Sometimes the environment they live in can easily lie like the heart. Slowing their pace the fog was thick enough to the point that you could cut it with a knife. They were both thankful that it was only on the ground. That's when they first saw Hitan village. Kagome had expected it to be in better condition. Sango had warned her that it was going to be bad, but she didn't say how grave their problem was.

 

“Can you feel it?” Kagome asked Kuronue as they walked into the village.

 

“Silence is in the air and death is dancing on the wind,” he solemnly replied. In all his years of thieving he had never come across a human village as bad as this.

 

“Let's head to the temple,” Kagome suggested as she walked towards the Torii, knowing something was off.

 

Kuronue suddenly stopped when he bumped into her. He looked down to ask her what was wrong, but stopped. He looked at where her eyes lingered and he saw them. He had only heard of them in stories from the youkai who talked about the undead Miko. He had only heard that she had helped the people and purifies youkai, only to commit an act worse then a youkai. She would still the souls of the dead to keep her body moving.

 

“Shinidama-Chuu,” Kagome whispered as she walked to the temple with a faster pace.

 

Kuronue took off after her as neared the temple. Kirara was at Kagome's side and could easily tell that Kagome was disturbed. Taking a deep breath she exhaled and entered the temple. Kuronue followed behind her, eager to see if she new the undead Miko. Kagome's eyes watered over when she saw most of the villagers lay out on the floor near the brink of death. Kagome kneeled next to closet villager and sighed in relief.

 

“He still has his soul…but his ki is slowly being drained,” Kagome said in worry.

 

“Did you think I was that heartless? That I would take their souls while they still had a chance to live?” A cold and calm voice asked from across the room.

 

“Kikyo,” Kagome whispered in slight distrust.

 

“I see you have taken the company of youkai again,” Kikyo stated as she glared at Kuronue.

 

“You have the company of youkai too,” Kagome pointed out.

 

“I have no choice, I have to rely on these disgusting creatures,” Kikyo said as she watched the Shinidama-Chuu circle ahead in the room.

 

“There is always a choice,” Kagome stated.

 

“I sense that you've come to help,” Kikyo interrupted. Kuronue wanted nothing more then to step outside the room, the tension was that dangerous.

 

“That I have,” Kagome answered.

 

“It is a useless battle, they are lost,” Kikyo calmly said as she laid a cool rag across a child's forehead.

 

“We are to serve and protect life. We're both guardians. You can't give up if there is hope,” Kagome argued as she tried to remain calm.

 

“There is no hope, I can't find what is doing this to them,” Kikyo angrily said.

 

“We're are the rest of the villagers?” Kagome answered.

 

“Dead,” Kikyo simply answered.

 

“I will find this source,” Kagome seriously said as she turned to leave.

 

“It may drain you too,” Kikyo warned.

 

“I am Miko, I worry for the welfare of others,” Kagome replied as she left through the door.

 

Kikyo sighed as she applied another wet towel to another child's face. She then gently smiled as she looked back to the door. She let out a tired breathe as continued her work. Kagome was becoming stronger with her power. She even acted more secure, the girl was no longer a girl but a woman of power. It wouldn't be long now; all she had to do is wait and patient. Then she would finally be free from this life.

 

 

 

Kagome remained silent as she walked to the woods with an expression of determination. Placing her hand on the nearest tree she closed her eyes. Letting her ki mingle with the forest she had found a disturbance in the forest. Kuronue watched her with interest; he had never seen her mingle with another ki before. It was an interesting idea that could be beneficial.

 

“I found where it's at. It's either a Gama or a Kitsune,” Kagome explained as she walked into the forest.

 

“Kitsune?” Kuronue asked.

 

“Yes, some breeds feed of human ki,” Kagome explained.

 

“I've heard Youko talk of sexual ki, but never on this level,” Kuronue stated.

 

“Whatever the reason, it's going to die,” Kagome said as she walked faster. “Kirara!”

 

Kirara quickly transformed and they took to the sky. Kuronue had never seen her this determined before, finding a clearing he took to the sky. Speeding up he caught up to her to see that she was aiming a Hamaya. Releasing it, an area of tress and land had been destroyed. Landing on the ground with them Kuronue winced as he felt the ki sting his skin.

 

“Come out!” Kagome yelled as she noched another ya.

 

“Well, well, well. A Miko with a high ki level…tasty,” a silky voice purred from the shadows.

 

“Well, well, another pitiful youkai,” Kagome mocked.

 

“Such strong youkai traveling with a Miko?” The silky voice questioned.

 

“They're none of your concern,” Kagome calmly said as she aimed a ya towards the voice.

 

“Mikos are to preserve life…yet you're quick to take mine?” The voice taunted.

 

“You are a death that will save others,” Kagome argued.

 

“Very well,” the voice purred as it stepped from the shadows.

 

“A silver,” Kuronue mumbled.

 

Kagome held her Hami-Yumi high, as she never let her guard down. It was a mal silver Kitsune. His eyes were a dark gold that shined with hatred. His hair was pale silver that only reached his shoulders. His ears were atop his head and his tail lightly brushed the ground. He wore a common gold Hakama and Haori. Kagome couldn't sense anything special from him, but she knew never to underestimate your opponents.

 

“What is your reason for stilling so much energy?” Kagome asked through suspicious eyes.

 

“That is none of your concern,” the Kitsune warned.

 

“Very well,” Kagome coldly said as she released a regular ya. She pinned the youkai to a nearby tree. He grunted in pain as he reached up to the ya. He tried to touch it, but was instantly burned.

 

“Bitch,” he growled.

 

“Would you like to tell me your reason now?” Kagome questioned. Kuronue watched as she noched another arrow.

 

“Go to hell,” he spat.

 

“Wrong answer,” Kagome growled as she released another ya and pinned his other shoulder to the tree. He cried out in pain.

 

“Kagome…” Kuronue whispered in shock. Kuronue stepped forward to touch her, but Kirara stepped in-between them and shook her head.

 

“This ya will be a Hamaya if you don't answer correct,” Kagome warned.

 

“What was the question?” He mocked. Kagome's eyes narrowed and she released a Hamaya that landed on the right side of his head. Kagome smirked when he looked over with wide eyes to the arrow.

 

“I won't miss next time,” Kagome warned as Kuronue watched her.

 

“This other youkai wanted to see how strong you are,” he cried out in fear.

 

“Who is it and why involve you?” Kagome asked.

 

“I don't know his name!” He yelled out.

 

“What youkai was he?” Kagome asked.

 

“He was a…”

 

Kagome jumped back when a vine wrapped around the youkai's mouth. His eyes widened in fear before his neck was snapped. Kagome noched a ya and quickly turned around to face Kuronue, his eyes widened in shock before Kirara pulled him to the ground. Kagome fired the Hamaya and watched as a figure disappeared. Sighing in aggravation the youki was gone. Putting her Hami-Yumi on her shoulder she held her hand out to Kuronue. He took her hand and pulled himself up to face her. She smiled before she turned to the dead male. With a sigh she placed and ofuda on the body and began to pray for his soul. His body turned to dust and Kagome took her ya from the tree.

 

“Why did you do that?” Kuronue asked.

 

“It had to be down to protect the village,” Kagome whispered as she began to walk away.

 

“You didn't have to torture him,” Kuronue said.

 

“Are you saying that because you're youkai or because you felt pity for him?” Kagome questioned as they walked away.

 

“It didn't seem right,” Kuronue whispered knowing she heard.

 

“Don't presume you can tell me my morals. I have heard of your friend and you and how you both steal from the poorest of villages,” Kagome sternly said.

 

“But you're a Miko, it's different,” he argued.

 

“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few,” Kagome said.

 

“Still…”

 

“He was not in much pain, I would not torture another soul. If he would have released the ki, I wouldn't have killed him,” Kagome assured. “But it was another's hands that killed him, not I.”

 

“What do you think killed him?” Kuronue asked having his own suspicions.

 

“It was an elemental youkai, or an Onmyoji,” Kagome stated.

 

“What gave you that idea?” Kuronue asked.

 

“The fact that a vine is from the earth and it managed to snap that Kitsune's neck,” Kagome dryly explained

 

`Could it be?' Kuronue thought.

 

 

 

Kikyo had released her Shinidama-Chuu from her power. The villagers had slowly begun to return to normal. Looking out the door again she saw that Kagome was coming from the forest. With a ghost of a smile she walked out of the temple and met Kagome halfway. They equally studied each other in silence as if having a silent debate. Kikyo noticed that Kagome's eyes had dulled a bit.

 

“You were successful?” Kikyo questioned.

 

“No,” Kagome whispered.

 

“The villagers are well,” Kikyo stated, wondering what happened.

 

“The Kitsune doing this damage had been forced,” Kagome explained.

 

“Doing another's crime yourself is just as bad as wanting to do the crime,” Kikyo calmly stated.

 

“Yes, but he was killed and I didn't see who did it,” Kagome angrily said.

 

“You did what had to be done,” Kikyo tried to convince.

 

“I feel like I could have saved him,” Kagome whispered. Kikyo frowned before she raised her hand and slapped Kagome across the face. Kagome's face snapped left. She slowly raised her hand to her stinging right cheek. Her eyes misted as she stared at the other Miko in confusion.

 

“Remember that we are the same soul…we do not regret our actions. Most importantly…you can't save those that are forever damned,” Kikyo sternly said.

 

“I can try,” Kagome softly said.

 

“There is no try in this world. You do or you do not,” Kikyo firmly stated. “Your trying caused a death.”

 

“Then I will do. I refuse to allow innocents to die,” Kagome firmly growled.

 

“He was not worth saving. You could see the stains on his soul just as well as I can,” Kikyo calmly said.

 

“Where are your Shinidama-Chuu?” Kagome asked as she looked to the sky.

 

“I have released them,” Kikyo whispered.

 

“But you'll…die,” Kagome whispered. Kikyo sadly smiled before she softly chuckled in irony.

 

“I am already dead,” Kikyo said.

 

“Then are you ready?” Kagome asked as her eyes began to water.

 

“Yes, but allow me one more moment,” Kikyo sadly said. Kagome nodded and she watched as Kikyo walked over to Kuronue. He tensed as she stopped five feet from him.

 

“What?” He slightly growled out.

 

“She will need your help, she has another destiny calling. I want you to protect her,” Kikyo ordered.

 

“You don't need to say what I am already choosing to do,” Kuronue stated. Kikyo nodded and walked over to Kagome.

 

Kagome held her palms out and Kikyo grabbed her hands. Kikyo had finally given her first true smile. Kagome could now see that they truly looked alike for that brief. White orbs released to the sky as she winced in pain. A serene look passed her face as her body turned to dust and went back to the earth. A white orb hovered above Kagome's palms as she smiled.

 

“Come home,” Kagome whispered.

 

The orb then went into her body to rejoin its other half. Kagome fell to her knees as she broke into a sweat. Her vision began to blur as her head pounded in pain. Something had gone wrong. Kikyo's awareness had gone dormant, but her memories and personality still held strong. Before Kagome could fall face first to the ground, two strong arms held her. The last thing she saw were two indigo eyes, then darkness consumed her.

 

 

 

Author's Note:

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