Kikyo smiled to herself as she eyed the pair pass overhead, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, though no mirth or warmth reflected in her eyes. Another one of her ‘daughters’ was being born into the world. Something stirred deep within her. Desires for children and family, which she would never have had due to her untimely end and barren rebirth, as well as spreading her seeds of chaos and destruction among the world and those who had wronged her, warred quietly within.
She shook her head as she focused her thoughts, smirking softly to herself at not finding a single twinge of regret for her actions, as the next cog in her plan began to make his way down the alleyway hesitantly. Kikyo waited patiently until the gaunt lad was within a arms length from her before she stepped out from the shadow behind him, nodding low as she spoke. “Greetings young Sorcerer. I am quite pleased to see that you decided to grant me my request for a meeting with you.”
Gosunkugi screamed as he twirled at the sound of the voice, stumbling backwards until he hit the wall behind him. It took him a few moments for him to collect his senses, as well as to stop shivering and stammering as he took in the view of the stately woman before him. His trembling hand reached into his school bag and pulled out the letter that had summoned him here. “Y..you…you. Who are you? Ho…how do you know about me?” He stammered.
Kikyo relaxed, smiling sadly down at him. No need to scare off one who would be of much use to her. “Those are easy to answer young one. My name is Kikyo and I am, or I was shall I say, a shrine maiden at the Sunshine Shrine. As to how I know about you, well, let us say that I have had dealings with spirits in the past that have mentioned you as another student into the other realms. And it is in that that I need your assistance.” Nodding once again.
Gosunkugi perked up a little bit, someone needed, asking HIM for his help? These things never happened to him, least of all with someone as beautiful as Miss Kikyo noticing and asking him. His poor under nourished ego and pride swelled a little as he grinned sheepishly before he asked, “Wh...what can I do for you? I mean, I know a few odds and ends, I’m still learning you see.” Stammering, unable to bring him to look up at her.
Kikyo continued, knowing she had his full attention, as she worked to express the feigned fear, regret, and desire she needed to lure him in. “While what I have to ask of you may sound simple, performing this task will put you in great risk.” She hesitated for a moment. “Two weeks ago, my shrine was invaded by demons. They came through our shrine’s legendary well, striking in a moment of our weakness. Those monsters captured and possessed those who helped me maintain the shrine, while I was lucky enough to be gone that fateful day, or I too would have joined them in their fate. They twisted the wards around the shrine to prevent me from returning and sending them back to the plane where they belong, as well and trying to use the well to summon more of their ilk into our world.”
Gosunkugi blanched a bit, fear beginning to flow back into him. “And you would have me fight these demons?”
Kikyo shook her head, lowering her eyes. “No brave Sorcerer, I would not ask that of you. What I ask is that you take these,” as she held up five ward slips towards him, “and sneak onto the grounds, placing four of them around the rim of the well, the fifth against the inner wall. They will disrupt the magic of the well itself, denying them that route of escape, while the fifth allowing me a entrance once again so I may expunge the demons from their hosts and banish them from this plane for good. While I will not ask you to fight my battles for me, I ask for assistance so I may face them. Will you assist me in this?”
The gaunt youth took the slips into his hands, desire to help and self-preservation warring within him before he looked back up at Kikyo. He inhaled deeply before steadying himself, no hint of stammering in his voice. “Yes, I would be honored to help you.”
See other episodes by Toolman19
(Posted Fri, 18 Jul 2003 09:14)
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