Chapter 32 | Consequence

WARNING - this chapter contains descriptions of gore/death which may be upsetting to some readers. Please proceed with caution?

- THIRD PERSON POV -

A months time had passed.

The season changing to something between winter and fall. The priestess herself also changed with it. Kyoko spent those days fixing the shrine - and venturing off a ways further from the village to explore or slay demons. She indeed had told the villagers that she was not their protector- but now with the Muranaga gone - she decided she would help them out a little - without them ever knowing.

Meanwhile - Sesshomaru had journeyed to the west, meeting the Panther Demon forces that awaited him. Upon his arrival, many of his father's followers followed him into battle. Over that short period - Sesshomaru came out victorious over the Panther Demons, wiping out their revolution in an instant. Unbeknownst to him -those that remained sought out revenge for their fallen leader. Rumors and different stories spread around about Tatsumori's passing - however one thing remained the same about each one. A mere human priestess - had helped claim the life of the great Tatsumori. Panther Demons who remained sought out revenge.

Since Sesshomaru was untouchable- many decided they were would settle for the priestess instead.

- KYOKO POV -

Placing flowers down on the grave I had made Tatsumori - I had expected him to come out of the trees in front of me - harboring that grin he always used to wear. Placing my hand on the stone - I brushed off leaves that had piled up on top of it, clenching my fist. In my head - I asked for forgiveness once again and apologized profusely to him - as if in hopes he could somehow hear me.

There's nothing I could have done ... but I can't just forget about him that easily - even if he was a demon.

Standing up - I then walked away looking up at the sky. It was getting dark - the sunset still going down beautifully like it had always done.

I then felt my eyebrows furrow. Looking towards the trees - the distant auras of demons stung my senses - my whole body shaking slightly in a panic.

How many were there? I - I can't tell ...

Taking a few steps back - I then ran towards the trees behind me - fear invading my mind - my worries becoming worse with each step. There's never been this many demons before - not even when the shrine barrier went down!

Looking back - I stopped running, grabbing an arrow from the quiver on my back. Positioning my bow in front of me - I prepared myself for what might come. Their close - even if I ran now they are sure to catch up to me ...

Pulling back the arrow rested on the bow- I breathed out slowly. Startling me - a horde of different kinds of demons emerged from the trees - coming towards me in a frenzy. Releasing my arrow - purification light flew from it - striking down some of the demons - but not many. Continuously, I released my arrows, realizing quickly I wasn't going to be able to hold them off if they got closer to me.

What am I going to do - I - I can't hold this many demons off by myself ...

Walking backwards, I then tripped over something hard - falling backwards hitting the ground. The faces of demons surrounded my view on all sides.

No - I can't let them win.

Swinging my bow in front of me, I casted a force of purification energy from it, forcing them away from me. Helping myself up quickly, I could feel sweat starting to form on my forehead- my chest throbbing in a panic.

I then spoke - hoping to get an answer to why they were all here. "What do you want?"

Stepping a ways in front of their group - a blue haired demon with beady red eyes and pale skin spoke - his eyes narrowed, casting a hateful glare at me."You killed our leader, so, since we can't kill that Stupid Dog Demon - we've to decided to settle for you instead."

Feeling my eyes widen I bit my lip. Why did I have to get roped into this ...

Grabbing an arrow from my back, I rested it on my bow, pulling the string back, still resting it low. " I will give you one warning -  Leave. I do not wish to take some of your lives but I will do so to defend my own."

Breaking out into a laugh - many of the demons laughed wickedly and hysterically. " You? - you think you can kill us? How foolish humans have gotten these days."

Taking out their swords and bearing their claws at me - they all lunged towards me altogether without warning. Raising my bow quickly, I shot my sacred arrow at them.

~

Hearing my own breathing and heartbeat in my ears - I panted trying to calm down. Holding my arm, I squeezed it tight. Glancing down at it - my red blood dripped down, I had lost a large amount of it - so of course I was feeling dizzy.

Supporting myself up with my other hand, I struggled to hold myself up. Looking around, my vision was blurry to an extent - but sound of the demons laughter filled my ears along with their chuckles. There were still too many of them ... I hadn't even killed that many of them off.

During my retreat I had led them back near the shrine ... but during my attempted escape - some of them had grabbed ahold of me - clawing through my arm and leg.

Biting my lip, I brought my hand off where I had been cut. Gripping my bow, my blood smeared over it - the sound of it dripping echoed slowly in my ears.

Coming up to me, the demon that had spoken to me before held his sword out - lowering it down to my side. "This has been entertaining but I think the chase must end now, priestess."

Raising up his sword - I could feel my eyes widen. I - I can't move. Even if I could ... I won't be able to fight all of them off ...

Bowing my head down - I accepted my fate.

Is this really how ... I'm going to die? After all this time I've persevered ... I always thought I would amount ... to something bigger ...

Loosening my grip on by bow, I met the demons eyes - not adverting my gaze.

I will not let him see me falter. I will not allow myself to cry in front of them. I have no - had no chance against them. This was bound to happen at some point. I no longer have the barrier to hide under. This was just ... an extended time I was granted ...

In the instant I was prepared for him to plunge his sword into me - nothing I had ever experienced prepared me for the agonizing pain that overwhelmed my being as he did.

Looking down at my stomach, red blood dripped down, the warmth of it seeping through my Hakama - allowing me to see it. Pulling out his sword - I choked at the stinging throb of it coming out of my body.

Struggling to hold myself up - I could barley hear the voices of the demons around me - my ears ringing continually.

~

Holding myself up for a time - I then looked back up again - my eyes trying to fool me with blurry sight. The demons had left.Letting my arms give out - I fell down, hitting the grass.

Hearing my chest throb, I tried to keep my eyes open - a drowsiness attempting to make me close them.

Feeling tears brimming near my eyes - I blinked them away - turning my body up to face the sky. Focusing on the moon - the beautiful dawn had turned to a dark night.

It's quiet. Nobody's around ...

Well ... this is the freedom I sought ... but ... I didn't want it to happen ... like this ...

Hearing nothing but my raspy breath - my body battled against my mind - in a fight for me to stay awake.

Why ... am I struggling so much? ... there's no one who would mourn me anyway .... there's no one to stay alive for ...

Wait ... why is he ... appearing in my mind? ...

- THIRD PERSON POV -

They had left her to die. The demons had felt no need to strike another blow on her life. For that one fatal blow - would surely end her life soon.

Laying on the grass near the shrine she once had sworn to protect - Kyoko looked to sky - wishing and hoping that someone would come and save her. But in her doubts - she knew no one would. For she had nothing . No one cared about her life nor valued it.

As she felt her grasp on life slipping - her thoughts focused on him.

Sesshomaru.

He was not very sociable and he didn't talk much. The whole time she was around him - she could never guess exactly what he was thinking. However - that dog demon had always been straightforward with her - whenever he did talk to her. Just by existing he changed her daily routine, her thoughts, her feelings and judgment.

His little sympathy ... made her feel seen. For the short time Tatsumori was on the mountain, he gave Kyoko that. But Sesshomaru's "sympathy" was different.

Rather ... his sympathy ... it was more of an understanding. Maybe.

Laughing at her absurd thoughts- Kyoko couldn't help but believe it. For some reason- she had remained on the idea that Sesshomaru and herself had come to understand each other in an unspoken way -

The simple similarity that they were both apart from the world and other beings.

Because of this absurd way of thinking - she found herself admiring him - in a way - since he was still, a demon.

Though it was indeed ridiculous, and although she had only encountered the demon for a short time - it was nice ... having his company.

Maybe that's why ... she liked him.

Laughing - though it hurt - she chuckled out loud. If Sesshomaru would have heard her saying these foolish things aloud - he would have surely answered her with plain silence and his usual blank expression.

As her blood seeped through her Hakama - the hand that she had struggled to move to cover her wound - she let fall on the grass with a thud.

Without a smile - the priestess final thoughts rested on a simple message to the demon who she had once seen as an enemy. The words she had wanted to say aloud to him the last time she saw him - she spoke in her heart.

Though you may not feel the same, I was a foolish woman who found herself liking you - a demon - only because you showed me sympathy I might have misunderstood. However - thank you. Farewell to you, Sesshomaru.

__________Authors Note - ... This was really dramatic ...Sorry no Sesshomaru again this chapter ... Feel free to tell me what you think ...Btw - I'm uploading the next chapter as soon as it's done ... and yes I just killed my Oc ... ;)