Knotweed Among the Wisteria

Chapter 5:

"What's happening," she wondered to herself.

Kikyo fell over in pain as the white orbs her soul collectors brought forth were merged with her before quickly draining from her. She felt her body turn stiff, reminiscent to the clay form she was before life was granted once again. Unable to move she formed a spiritual barrier around her before laying in a thicket in the bush.

Across from her she spotted the towering silhouette of the Sacred Tree. The very tree she'd once pinned the half demon who'd stolen her heart. An anger boiled in her as she remembered his fond face. Her long dark strands draped over her as she pushed herself up from her laying position. She held her hands out to the long bodies of the spirit collectors as they flew toward her more rapidly, retrieving and collecting enough lost souls to fuel Kikyo along with her anger. She could not die, she would never let Inuyasha forget her. She wouldn't let him forget so easily.

Sitting silently in her hut, Kaede sat stoking the flames of the fire when the figure of her elder sister came limping through the bamboo panel of her door.

"Sister?!" She called as she stood to aid Kikyo, but the girl swiped at her wrinkled and scuffed hands as she slid down the wall.

"Where is she? Where is that wretched girl? What act of stupidity has she gotten into now?" Kikyo seethed.

"Sister, please lay ye anger to rest. Ye are in visible pain," Kaede pleaded.

"Quiet old woman! If you care for me as you say you do, you will tell me where she is," Kikyo demands.

"Kagome is no longer here, what ails ye cannot be that girl. She carries part of your soul but ye carry hers now too." Kaede answers.

Kikyo scoffs as she looks at her younger sister, now old, haggard and wrinkly. To hear her protect that girl angered her. Anchoring her arms at the doorway, Kikyo made to leave, the lithe bodies of the eel like soul collectors swarming about her.

"Kikyo, please stay and rest," Kaede called to her lost sister.

"I do not know you. Do not come after me," Kikyo ordered.

"Kikyo," Kaede calls behind her, "what's happened?"

________________

"The master is here," a voice announced.

There was the soft slide of the shoji door before Inuyasha was met with the master of the estate. The man giving a soft smile as he entered.

Inuyasha sat silent on his haunches, guarding over the unconscious girl behind him.

"Hello again Inuyasha," he greeted as he was assisted into seated position by an older woman accompanying him.

"This is my wife Amane, she will be looking over your friend," he introduces as the woman made her way over, "I suppose you have some questions."

Inuyasha grumbles at the inference. "Are you not scared I'll tear you apart?" Inuyasha jeers, peering first at the man before his gaze found the spectating, lavender eyes of his wife.

"I apologize again for the Slayer's words," Ubuyashiki responds.

Inuyasha clicks his tongue, moving into himself as he looks away from the man, "Why should you apologize? Just make sure to answer my questions."