L-O-V-E me, my enemy

L-O-V-E me, my enemy
PHASE o2 » a plan for truce (first half)

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Perhaps it looked simple crossing an enemy’s region when you live pretty close to their island. But not when there is half a mile range of battlefield where the division is set in the middle of the war field.

Countless times have been summed up that several bodies of demons dash out of their habitation and cross the mikos’ area, where they would continuously try to rule over the other island. Countless times had also been counted when it were the mikos’ attempts to do the same thing.

It was, of course, a wage of warfare.

Centuries and generations ago, a story of a middle-aged miko was rumored to have traveled a world before the Warring State Era. It was heard that a demon she had befriended took a chance of betraying her and ventured to steal the large land she had founded.

Unfortunately, the miko had her own capability and was only able to seize back half of that very large island, breaking the whole piece almost in two, a large splinter that reached nearly one hundred feet away from each other.

The massive fracture is ever so slowly drifting together until it finally reaches its peak and adjust back to its wholly shape, making the island look complete once again.

Unfortunately, that will take another hundred years to accomplish.

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At the age of five, six years after the Forty-ninth Miko died, Kagome was sent away from Tokyo, leaving her mother in an old shrine house, which they had lived for who knew how long. As an endangered type of human breeds, the mikos quickly acted and taught Kagome whatever they knew at the age of five.

Kagome wasn't what you call a very extraordinary girl. She wanted to keep things normal. She did her best to be as ordinary as she could like any of her classmates in high school. Of course... since she barely had the time to visit Tokyo for a year and continue her high school, Kagome could only visit her mother.

It wasn't that people would gallop on her as soon as she was seen in the city walking around in a simple outside dress, with people who knew her staring at her in awe. It was just that THAT was her advantage.

Nobody knew her in Tokyo city. Nobody would dare come up to her and brag about being in such a high ranking class. Nobody would come and beg her to help them with their problems. She knew it wasn't a bother, but it really gets tiring once in a while.

Tokyo wasn't like the Island. Because nobody knew her. Because nobody acted as if she were the queen of England or something.

She was just... plain Kagome. Along with Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi. That is... if they still remembered her.

At the age of six, Kagome was bound to never leave the Miko side of the Island unless soldiers attended with her. Miko-homicide was very common, especially when you're the Miko. She wasn't allowed to exit the hundred-tall steel gates that fitted well as the Wall of China bordering the Miko side and leaving a half-mile range open field for battle as a front yard outside.

Only when she could would be when she was suppose to visit her mother. School was put off considering that Old Kaede volunteered to be her teacher, teaching her with every knowledge she had. If you don't count prophecies, herbs, incantations... the old woman certainly knew quite a lot. Math, included.

It wasn't until the age of nine that Kagome was allowed to return to Tokyo to do a few school works outside the Island. It was almost a relief, also, that she was able to get a better scent of fresh air, especially the aromas of fast food and restaurants.

It wasn't for long, though, until she was sent back from finished ninth grade to return to the Island and continue her work as the Miko.

After her sixteenth birthday, she was able to summon as much miko powers she could do with the help of her new friends. She no longer received birthday or christmas or whatever presents from Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi since they stopped sending her mails after her fourteenth birthday. Sad, actually. But she didn't mind. They had better things to do than worrying about her.

From TVs and comics and posters, training was suppose to be hard work. That's what Kagome thought as soon as she found out they were going to train her miko powers at the age of seven. Training was suppose to be hard. Even at the age of seventeen.. training should be complicated and difficult.

So...

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“This isn't training! Sitting around isn't training! With all of you guys around me, it's training! It's different!”

“Lady Kagome, we do not want you to continuously ask us such questions for the past fifteen years... we expect by now that you are used to this habit once in a while,” Master Muushin murmured as he rolled a dozen white prayer beads in front of him.

Kagome hated the tinkling sounds. She really, really did.

“But this isn't how I'm suppose to be training,” she told him, glancing around at the six other monks sitting cross-legged within three feets away from her. “I was suppose to be with Old Kae—”

Master Muushin raised a right hand to stop her from ranting anymore.

“We all know that, Lady Kagome,” he told her, “you have also been telling us that for the past years.”

“Then by now you should all remember that and let me go and train with Old Kaede.”

The bald old man removed a couple of white prayer beads, enough to hand out two for each monks. Kagome watch with suspire as each monk wrapped the ivory pearls on both of their wrists.

Kagome didn't need to watch anymore while she closed her eyes with defeat.

This was an on-going theory they had predicted every time she went off to watch the end of battles and take pity of demons (as they all say). The theory of demonic aura of dead demons fawning among the atmosphere above the dead monsters were enough to seep through Kagome and cause her harm.

Such theory only made her roll her eyes.

“I'm not tainted, Master Muushin,” she persisted. She separated her crossed legs to bend them up against her chest, wrapping her arms around her knees. “Haven't I told you this a long time ago?”

“We must make sure you are all right,” one of the monks stated. “We cannot deny this process for we are worried about your safety.”

“But Old Kaede told me that my miko powers can cleanse the evil auras that try to attack me,” Kagome protested, “that should be enough.”

“Yet we are not quite certain if you are still able to handle your powers or obtain the knowledge to manipulate them.”

“What's the difference?” Kagome sighed, “it'll come out anytime it wants any ways.”

“That is why we are still unsure.”

Oh, god.

Kagome exhaled loudly and closed her eyes. How many time had she reminded herself that she could never win an argument against a monk?

Is the world evolved around so many serious people? It's so tiring. I'm all right anyway.

It had been quite a mistake to get a short nap beside three dead daemons, likewise half-laying on top of one's shoulder. She woke up with her people, especially those who lived in the Main Temple, screaming at her and crying with disappointment.. mostly likely, humility that such high person could do a horrific thing like she'd done.

There was no time to apologize since she was sent to Master Muushin's Shrine to be 'cleanse of evil air'. And here she sat, exhausted, with Miroku's people surrounding her like some kind of barrier in case she ran away.

They were pretty slick, though. Especially with the running away part. She attempted to do that in her twelfth years and was received a good yelling by one of the miko nurses. She planned on doing it today... until she realized they had created a monastic barricade to keep her from escaping.

“Could you please hurry?” Kagome asked, “I'm a little hungry.” Not to mention grouchy.

“We will not take long,” Master Muushin replied, “if you could please concentrate, Lady Kagome, then we will be done at the second.”

“All right...”

Kagome released the tension on her shoulders and tried to relax. She alway shated this part, like they were trying more than sucking out the evil scents inside her. Like they wanted to check on her inner emotions.

She hated that. She really, really did.

They knew they had no right in doing so. So why stil do it?

The feeling of bubbles running through her heart began and she took mild breathes to compose her thudding heart beat. She didn't want to offend them with her inner anger, or with her sorrow. It wasn't right to do so. They had no right to understand that part of her.

You have no right. Don't undertand that feeling. You have no right.

She did her best to hide it, to be someone they wanted. And she was good with that. So why don't they still believe her?

As if hearing her thwart, Master Muushin lean back quickly, like he had been pushed off by invisible hands. He opened his eyes and made a small frown. His grip on the ivory beads loosened.

“We are finish, Lady Kagome.”

The feeling of being in an airless room faded and she quickly swallowed a large clump of air. Opening her eyes, Kagome pursed her lips and continued her composure.

“You know, if you wanted to actually do an upper-level magic of cleansing, at least tell me so I won't have to start imaging that there's no air left in the world.”

Master Muushin broke into a heavy laugh. All of them stood up while he placed a large chubby hand on top of Kagome's head.

“You still have not lost your innocence, little child,” he beamed.

Kagome shut her eyes tightly and waited until he was done with ruffling her hair like some kind of scruffled mop. When he was finished, she steppe dout of her reach in case he did that again.

“I'm not a little child, Master Muushin,” she frowned, “how many time do I have to remind you that being seventeen doesn't mean I'm still twelve.”

“But I am not wrong, child,” Master Muushin mused, “you still have not lost it.”

Kagome sighed and fixed her newly one piece dress. The old one she was getting fond of was thrown away on fire, being that it was dipped onto a puddle of blood. With a soft wave, Muushin and the rest of the monks turned and left the backyard of their temple.

She still wasn't quite use to the formal acts of some mikos and monks in the Island. She found it hard to try and endure that expressionless some gave her. It quite brougth her down a little, though. How was she suppose to make friends when the mikos were taught to keep a straight face towards her.

At the early age of nine, basic teaching of emotions were taught to her. In order to be the Miko, many people tried to teach her the proper way of acting in order to be successful. That she should always keep a straight face or else pride will set loose and emotions will take toll on the event.

In order to become a well-known person, Old Kaede attempted to teach her how to keep her emotions in control. How to act when something happens. That such emotions could varify the ends of your powers.

“Lady Kagome, I see that you are well as always.”

“Why shouldn't I be?” Kagome turned round to face a different looking monk, holding a golden staff that tinkled as annoyingly as the ivory beads were. Still, her troubled face softened into a small smirk. “Miroku, I thought you were with Sango.”

At the mention of th name, the monk's facial expression distorted into what looked like a heart-wrenchingly sad face. The brightness of the sun wasn't strong enough to shine away the shadow over his face. Placing a hand dramatically over his forehead, Miroku exhaled.

“Alas, I am not,” he murmured sadly, “she has recently arrived from an early quick battle with the demons not long ago. Unfortunately, only thirty out of fifty exterminators survive. Few mikos who have joined...”

He trailed off to look at Kagome with sullen eyes.

“I am sorry, Lady Kagome,” he continued, “but most of the priestesses that persisted to join have not... survived.”

“Again?” Kagome frowned. Her soft face contorted into a troubled look again. “Why can't they just leave it to the exterminators? Why can't they just sit there and wait? Better yet—why can't this stupid war end!”

God, just get over it.. please.

Miroku gently took a step forward to place a hand on her shoulder.

“It is a sad world, Lady Kagome,” he breathed, “you cannot simply expect this warfare to end tomorrow.”

“I could if I want to,” Kagome whispered, lowering her voice, “it's not right for anyone to die... anything to die.”

“Patience is everything.”

Kagome scowled and pushed his hand away from her shoulder. She gave him a silent look but whatever it was that she wanted to say... wanted to scream... she only made it to sighing.

“You're... you're right, Miroku. You're right,” she finalized, “I'm so caught up with these things, I don't know what I'm really doing. I guess I'm expecting so much from the war than trying to be the Miko in the Island and rather help those that are alive.”

A few moments passed until Miroku straightened his sleeves and coughed. “Lady Kagome... may I ask you a question?”

“Sure... what is it?”

Kagome watched Miroku fiddle his thumb on his hold of the staff. “What would you do to mend an envious soul from encountering its destined soul with another?”

Kagome blinked. Of all the years she had lived in here, it still took time to get use to everyone speaking in riddles. It was almost like... solving a math problem. And she hated problem solving. The guilt of being content that she wasn't doing math occured for a second there.

It was like a feudal era come to life again.

The Island that sustained many ancient things. Strange how it still lived through modern period and yet the people couldn't even stand trying to get attach to modern things. Of course... Kagome knew people were from the Island when they start questioning every little thing in Tokyo, such as a car or a toothpick as she passed along the sidewalk. The thought made her want to giggle.

“May I ask what is so funny?”

“Oh!” Kagome snapped out of her reverie, and coughed out the last inch of her giggles. “Sorry, Miroku... just some... flashback... err, what were you asking me?”

Miroku lifted an eyebrow.

“Yes, yes,” he answered, “as I was asking... what should one intend to do when his envious loved one encounters one who is with another?”

Kagome smiled.

“I could've swore that wasn't the question.”

“I assure you, it is.”

Of all the years she had lived around many people such as Miroku... Kagome smiled.

“Well, first of all, that person shouldn't have gone off with another woman right in front of her just because she was beautiful,” she answered, “why ask?”

The monk took a deep breath and shook his rod, thinking. Kagome hated that sound.

“Oh, for future reasons,” he replied with a smirk, “I may as well jot it down my head. Well, I am off to see Sango yet again. I do hope she is feeling... better with her... seethed injuries...”

Kagome giggled and waved her hands towards him, pushing him as she started walking.

“Yes, yes, Miroku,” she said, “I'm sure that she'll be fine. Make sure she doesn't hit you again, okay?”

Miroku stopped, except that Kagome was now dragging him aside.

“Hey, hey!” he cried, “I didn't say anything about Sango--”

“Aw, geez... that's been going on for years, Miroku. Can't you give Sango a break? I mean, just stop flirting around with women and you guys can be more closer!”

“But... but that was not what I—”

“I'm sure it is,” Kagome persisted, “now off you go to the Medic Chamber and make sure you don't touch her too much. It's her pet peeve, you know. See you later!”

At the age of ten, few miko teachers gave up on their teaching. Some thought that it was useless to make her act and look exactly like the Forty-Ninth. That it was better she learn them in her own ways. She couldn't complain. It was too boring to feel nothing.

She turned and ran from the other direction, heading wherever her feet took her. Why are people so stubborn?

Why are people so hard to understand and so hard to be helped?

Why are human beings so difficult to talk to? Why are they so damn naive?

The hidden pain she had successfully concealed a few moments ago was almost surfacing. And she couldn't stand it when it burst from public. She needed a safe place to calm her self. To try and collect all troubles from yesterday.

Closing her eyes, she took a right turn towards the rice field that lead straight to the forest.She could only hope that her feet would lead her to the place she most expected to be on.

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A/N: pointless little bits of scenes. This one's a little boring than what the next chapter will be and I hope I did a pretty good job... I apologize for the long updation, I have so many fanfic unfinished and I can't decide which one I should start on...

As for the second last sentence... the scenery refers to the view with Kaede's village in the anime series.

No sexual innuendos yet. Sorry...