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Doppelganger pt.II
((In conclusion of a previous entry~))
“Houshi~ knock it off!”
For the fifth time I swatted his hand away from my thigh. He was incorrigible today.
“Aw but Sango, I can’t help it if you’re irresistible.”
“And stop using the same excuse every time.”
“I only use it because it’s true.”
‘Don’t play his games, Sango. Just ignore him’
… Silence followed …
“Damn it, monk! Hands off!”
This time I twisted the skin on the back of his hand.
“Iii-ta-ta-tai!” He whimpered, drawing the offending hand away and rubbing the affliction with the other, “So violent.”
“I only have so much patience, houshi-sama.”
“Do you?” Suddenly I felt his hand clasp my wrist, and I was swung up again him. I yelped a little when he turned to his side and pressed me gently to the trunk of a tree.
Kirara ‘mrrrd’ slightly in disapproval.
“H-h-houshi-sama, for goodness sake,” I stuttered, a statement lacking my usual opposition.
“Gomen nasai, Sango. But you will need to be a bit more tolerant. Because no matter what the circumstances, my hands will always creep towards you. And in due time it will be their right to do so,” he ended the last point with a note of tenderness, leaning down to kiss my forehead. He then set about kissing my temple, my cheek, my jaw, my chin …
I sighed, admiring the feeling and admitting he was right. We were, of course, traveling towards our wedding destination.
“Is that so, hm?” I flashed a coy smile, giggling at his focused onslaught while loosely wrapping my arms across his broad shoulders. His warm breath tickled my lips, fanned my face pleasurably as he leaned in closer. My listless hands caressed the nape of his neck, head craning up ever so slightly to accept the affection he wished to offer. One little kiss wouldn’t hurt, ne?
From our side Kirara growled, for whatever cause that may have been. Miroku merely smirked against my lips, too busy counting his blessing that I hadn’t pulled away yet to observe the nekomata. I sighed against him once more, feeling myself begin to relax when I was certain that his hands would remain where they were – one against the tree and the other lightly stroking my side.
‘We’re behaving today, are we?’ I inquired amusedly to my own rhetoric.
Not a moment after did I feel his tongue dart out to skim across my bottom lip, asking for entrance.
‘I suppose I spoke too soon~’
There may have been a chance that I would have accepted, would have enjoyed this stolen moment of bliss, however – I pulled away, catching my breath for a small second before turning my gaze, if not a bit frustrated, to the snarling youkai.
“What is the matter with you, Kirar-Aaah!!”
I stiffened in a moment of rigid horror; eyes wide while registering the arrow embedded in the tree bark a mere centimeter from my ear. Shortly following the pause a streak of crimson appeared on my cheek, leaving little streams of red to trickle down my jaw. Houshi-sama eyed this in awe, and soon Kirara wasn’t the only one in a wild fit of rage.
“Show yourselves!” he bolstered loudly, clenching the shakujo and spinning around so swiftly that his robes created a gust.
Two more arrows shot out of the wilderness, one zooming past the tree and the other sinking into the ground a few yards away.
“Distance yourself, houshi!”
“Harlot! Whore!!”
“Leave the monk be!”
“Slay her!!”
“W-what?” I quivered under my breath, revolted. Another arrow shot out for me, though the houshi skillfully swiped it off course.
“Cowards. You would attack a woman without showing your face?”
“She is no woman, houshi. A tramp is a more befitting title.”
They had emerged from the shrubbery by this point, armed and poised for attack. We stared narrow gazed at our opponents, meager village men. Two held the worn-out bows taut with aimed arrows, the other villagers fortified with assorted field tools. Amongst them was an armored man atop a white horse, glaring at me with such a sullen and distasteful air.
Houshi-sama furrowed his brows at the man, as if perplexed by his actions, “Are you not the daimyo of Kasasagi?”
He nodded, grimly, “Hai. Miroku houshi-sama … taijiya …” I thinned my lips in antipathy, aware that he had stripped the respect from my title. Nevertheless, he continued, “Do not take us as men of little gratitude. We were indeed grateful for your assistance when the village was overrun with youkai. However …”
The bowmen arched their weapons wider, the subtle action urging the houshi to step in front of me resolutely.
“However – after you departed on your second visit, we have been plagued by a vicious temptress who lures the men of this village into the forest. This taijiya you protect, this creature, has forced her spirit upon this town!” The headman was backed by a sea of shouts.
“I am capable of no such thing!” I hissed, fists clenched.
The monk remained unyielding, expression firm, “What say you, that she is responsible? Have you any proof?”
“Proof? Proof be in the countless men we have found littering the forest floor! Proof be in her appearance, a sheer replica of this phantom!” He gathered himself somewhat, and added in a considerably lower tone, “As for what we have just witnessed, she seems to have entranced you as well.”
“You dare sully my honor!” I seethed, making a few heavy steps before the houshi held me back, ever so vigilant of the bowmen.
“We have our reasons, though with your inhospitable nature I find it unnecessary to explain them. Sango is no temptress, nor does she possess the means of sending out her spirit to capture men. Alongside this fact, she has also been journeying beside myself since the incident, and therefore would not be lurking about Kasasagi town.”
“As you say, Miroku houshi-sama. Then rekindle this woman’s name. Make us believe she is innocent by expelling her double within the forest.”
“Consider it done,” the monk obliged, and the daimyo instructed his men to lower their weapons before facing us once more.
“We will trust the word of a houshi, despite the evidence before our own eyes. Do not disappoint us …”
With little else to say, he turned his horse and led the way toward Kasasagi.
We followed, bitterly and distrusting. Beside myself, I clenched my jaw in annoyance, ‘My doppelganger … we should have killed her while we had the chance …’
-*-
I watched, full of disdain, as two village women placed trays in front of the monk. Their heads were bowed, somberly, as they whimpered and sighed of their own woes.
“Onegai shimasu, houshi-sama,” One sobbed, the sleeve of her kimono held to her mouth. “Please save our village. My husband may have fallen under her witchery, but I shall see no more lying cold within the woods.”
“Hai, houshi-sama. Do not let my father’s death be for naught,” the other graved.
Houshi-sama nodded, patting them both on the shoulder and accepting the meal they had brought for him, “Fear not, kindly maidens. I shall see to it that these attacks will cease.”
They bowed continually, offering a thousand ‘arigato gozaimasu’ as they exited. But of course they managed to sneak me a deathly glare before they could snap the shouji shut.
Finally at peace, the monk reached over and picked up the pair of chopsticks set before him – enjoying the silence … save for the small rattle of iron.
At the sound he cast violet eyes in my direction, laughingly, “Having fun?”
“Drop dead,” I spat back at my fiancé, more than willing to direct my malice towards anyone.
“Harsh words coming from the woman in chains. Perhaps we should teach you a lesson?”
“Take one step closer and you’ll regret it immensely.”
“Temper, temper,” he chided teasingly, and busied himself with popping a clump of rice into his mouth.
I leered and set my eyes back to the clasps around my wrists. ‘Those damn villagers… was it really that necessary to shackle me?’ I gave the bindings another impatient tug to no avail, watching the chains strain against the wall before falling limply as I surrendered to them. I waited a few seconds, irritation building, before pulling against the shackles in an almost desperate fashion. They did not budge. Letting out a frustrated groan, I threw my head to the side to face the monk,
“Untie me!!”
“Now Sango, there’s no use in having them suspect us both,” he stated smoothly, taking a sip of tea. “Until we are able to find this ‘temptress’ and diminish her, the villagers will continue to recognize you as their foe. If I set you free they will think of me as an accomplice.”
“But to chain me?” I seethed, “How am I to fight if I cannot use my arms, let alone leave this room?”
“That is why I will be the one fighting.”
Honey eyes narrowed, “I won’t let you battle such an opponent alone. Untie me.”
“I said no, Sango,” he retorted a bit more firmly, gaze stern. His tone lightened though, in consequence of his new thoughts, “Besides, love, you look dazzling in shackles.”
I flushed, strange butterflies beginning to tickle my abdomen at his comment. However, they were quickly burned away by the heat of my anger.
“Kono sukebe houshi – I’m being serious!”
“ mrgreen So am I!”
“Houshi!!” I snapped loudly, stressed. Our eyes locked, and my eyebrows creased in abandon, “… Please … I don’t want to see you hurt…”
His features softened, stirred by my words, “Sango … you can trust me. We’ve been through this type of situation before. As I have said, I have eyes for only you.”
“She is me.”
Houshi-sama stared at me perplexedly, which served nothing more than to kindle my fright.
“Don’t you understand? This – this, half, isn’t just a being similar in appearance. She … she,” I swallowed, stumbling embarrassedly for words. “She’s my … other side. A doppelganger Naraku brought out of the darker depths of my heart. Whichever way you look at it, she’s me.” There was a pause, and I blushed another shade as I realized the need to clarify something, “T-that is … I-I-I never in the name of kami have even thought of seducing men in such a way, a-and I don’t have an explanation as to why she is doing so. But she must have her reasons …”
“Then we shall find out tonight,” he concluded, taking a few steps to sit by my side. Seeing puppy-guilt eyes averted, he extended his hand to ruffle my bangs kidishly. “I promise I will not let my guard down.” Hesitantly I nodded, and he rewarded me by kissing my forehead.
“Are you hungry?” He inquired on a side note, distractedly.
I glanced over to the trays, noting that there was only food enough for one person, “No thank you.”
“Are you sure? I could feed you if you’d-”
“I said, no thank you.”
He sighed, defeated, “Have it your way.” With that he stood, peeking out the outer shouji to observe the setting sun. “I should start heading out.”
My eyebrows knitted as I watched him grab his staff, heading for the opposite door, “Ano … houshi-sama. Take Kirara with you.”
He slid the door halfway open, offering me the same concern, “I would feel better if she stay here with you.”
“Iie. There’s no choice in the matter. She’s going with you.”
The monk regarded me with question for a moment, before shrugging it off, “As you wish. Oide, Kirara.” The nekomata bounced up to his feet, flicking her tails curiously as he plastered an ofuda to the doorframe with a murmured prayer. Before sliding the door completely, he poked his head back in to state matter-of-factly, “By the way, Sango. You’ve seem to become quite commanding lately. When I’ve finished this business I might just take advantage of those chains to remind you of who has control over who.” The shouji shut, his distant chuckle growing fainter.
I was left in the growing darkness, embarrassed, pink, and feeling very very odd.
“… damn lech.”
-*-
Tap, tap
“Mm …?” Eyes creaked open, ever so slightly. “Did I … fall asleep?”
Tap, tap
I tilted my head to the side, curiously, and peered at the shouji door, “Ano … come in.”
There was a small hesitation, before a pair of dainty hands split the crease of the doors and slowly pushed past them. I squinted, unable to identify characteristics in the dark. Judging by the bandana she wore over her hair, she appeared to be a maid of some sort.
“Pardon me,” She murmured, lightly closing the door behind her. “It’s quite dark in here, ne? Gomen nasai, I hadn’t thought to bring a candle.”
A small smile crossed my lips, if only for a moment, “I can’t argue that it’s unexpected. Everyone here seems to be inhospitable towards me.”
“Forgive them, taijiya-san. They know not what they do.” She made her way toward me, carrying a tray in her hands. Soft padded shoes met the wooden floor, though I could not see through the shadows. ‘It certainly sounds like she’s wearing some type of footing. But indoors?’
“Say … who might you be?”
She paused, and my suspicions rose. However, her highly sweetened voice and tentative answer swayed my thoughts towards the excuse of nervousness.
“G-gomen nasai, taijiya-san. How rude of me. I am but a humble servant in this village, one who saw another being treated unkindly and came to aid in any way possible.”
The woman knelt across from me and offered a deep bow. The contours of her plain yukata began to take shape under my adjusting eyes.
‘Her shoulders … are too bulky and round …’
“You’ve come to … help me?” I questioned quietly, glancing up at my tired arms. They hung loosely from the straining chains and rested only a few inches above my head. The shackles probably would have been slightly more tolerable if I were standing … or better yet, if they weren’t on me at all.
Without even seeing where my eyes had strayed, she replied, “I cannot help you out of those bindings, however. I … well …” she reached for the tray and held up a piece of fabric, “I noticed your cheek. The arrow wound doesn’t look deep, but it’s caused quite a mess. Might I clean it for you?”
Without waiting for a reply she applied the warm cloth to the side of my face, rubbing gently before pulling it back to reveal a rusty stain of blood. I averted my eyes, feeling the fabric against my skin once more,
‘… How did she know it was an arrow wound?’
Auburn eyes flickered back on the woman, studying her. Dark bangs hid her face. The stylish strands framing her cheeks contradicted her claim of being a ‘humble servant’. As her hand drew back once more, I could not help but notice her gloved arms and a subtle shimmer of red cloth beneath the sleeve.
‘Do not let her catch onto you’
“These strange happenings in the village … would you know anything of them?”
“Aye. Who among us doesn’t know of the horror stories they tell at night?” Her words were strong, though she lacked the passion of emphasis.
“They say she resembles me …?”
“Perhaps it is so. Though you are not her, I am sure of it.”
I faked a sigh, “The headman certainly seems to think so.”
“Ah, you must forgive him,” she commented, almost too passively. “He is eager to place blame on a similar face. After all, his eldest son was lured away by the temptress.”
“Is that so?”
She nodded, “Though he has yet to tell anyone of the incident. He must be ashamed.”
The air was still, restless, before I could embrace the inevitable, “And how is it that you know of it when, as you’ve said, he has not told a soul?”
“… Hm?” Her head tilted up somewhat, allowing me to stare into her piecing golden eyes.
“How long do you intend to play this game, ‘Sango’?”
“I’m surprised you let me get this far, honestly,” she lulled, in a tone that only seems fitting for a flatterer. Impatiently she stood, tossing the bloodied rag into oblivion, and began to strip out of her getup. As I’d predicted, an exact replica of my taijiya suit lie underneath. Lastly she tugged off the servant’s cap, shaking her head to let her long locks cascade down.
“My, that was a lot of trouble for nothing. I thought it would have been more fun~”
‘She seems so … calm. Is this truly the specter I encountered on our last visit?’
“Mm?” The other blinked, paused for a moment, and swung her hand out to capture my chin in her grasp, “Well of course I’m the same as last time, hun. Who else would you expect?”
“You can read my thoughts.”
“Our thoughts,” She corrected, pointing at her own forehead. Her eyes almost seemed to glisten as she roughly released her grip and spun around in a giddy circle, “And what thoughts they are! My you’ve been busy Sango! With defeating my master and all.” She teetered on her heals as she faced me again, “And we’re getting married!”
“I’m getting married.”
“No, we are,” my darker half scolded. “You’re not quite getting this are you?”
“Can’t say I am,” I replied bitterly, trying to appear intimidating despite my vulnerability. The doppelganger noticed, and grinned teasingly, “Now now, Sango, you don’t think I would attack a defenseless opponent, hmmm?”
“It didn’t stop you the last time.”
She shrugged, smiling wickedly, “You’re right. Can’t say it’ll stop me now either.”
In an effort to bide time, I stood and clenched my fists, “What are these rumors floating about this village? What have you done?”
The taijiya let out a series of giggles before responding, “I had a little fun is all. Even before Naraku died, I was of no use …” she frowned suddenly, her hands sweeping behind her back to clasp one another, “You and houshi-sama had already gone away, and I was left all by my lonesome. And you know us women and our cravings!” She was laughing again, despite my look of utter disgust.
“You can’t mean to tell me that you …?”
Before I could react she was beside me, toying with my hair as she giggled into my ear, “There’s nothing wrong with a little lust, Sango~” Her head bent, aiming for my neck, though I harshly ducked and moved away as far as the shackles would allow me. It wasn’t much.
I felt her arms wrap around me from behind, holding me in a sinister embrace. Her breath was hot but her words were cold, “-Maybe if you showed a little of your own the monk wouldn’t feel so inclined to stray.”
“S-silence. Enough of this.”
“Quit your playing, taijiya,” the dark one purred. “You know I’m right, you’ve always known. But you keep it all inside. Why, Sango? Don’t you want him to touch you? Like this?” One of the hands on my abdomen snaked downward and I shrieked, ripping myself away from her hold,
“Stop it!!”
“Is that what you say to him too? ‘Stop it’??” The doppelganger forfeited her assault to clutch at her sides in a wild fit of laughter. Against my will I felt tears welling, and I impatiently wiped them away. Seeing my moist eyes only strengthened my half’s hysterics,
“Hahah! Dear Sango how have you become so pathetic?”
“Whore,” I growled back, neglecting the consequences.
She grew eerily still, silent, “… dare you call me it again?”
“What other title have I to call you?” I hissed, enraged. “You have cost me my honor amongst these people!!”
“It is your own fault,” my lookalike retorted, dangerously. Again, she had grown solemn, “As I have said, we share the same thoughts. You may stand there and deny the claim until you are blue in the face, but I know the truth. You pine for that man, for Miroku. Your modestly stops your words and actions but it does not stop your mind.”
I stood awestruck, horrified, at hearing such things spoken aloud.
And … did she actually seem … hurt?
“You dream, and you wish, and you wonder, and you imagine – and when you wake up from that world of fantasies you are delighted to realize that you still hold a little piece of the memory. You hold the real thing, the real Miroku. But what have I when I endure your dreams? Nothing. Nothing but an empting loneliness I can only fill with imagination. Pretending that when those village man hold me in their arms they are my houshi-sama, and pretending I am needed. Only to wake up and realize it was all a lie.”
“You … you can’t just go around killing men because they’re not who you think they are.”
The taijiya glanced up at me then, golden eyes piercing, menacing, “Oh … I won’t need to. Not anymore.”
“W-wha …?”
My other half took a few steps, pacing the floor leisurely, “You see~ after you left our last encounter, I was quite perplexed. Naraku had given me orders to kill both you and the monk, and I didn’t hesitate to obey. However …”
She was at the far corner of the room, unsheathing my katana and examining the blade,
“Afterwards … I began to regret me attempt on Miroku’s life. ‘Why?’ I asked myself – why would I want to destroy something I wanted? And then it hit me~ If I killed you, then I could have him.”
Smiling, she began to advance towards me with the weapon.
“S-shimata,” I whispered, making another vain pull at the chains. I was trapped. “Don’t do this! Yamero!!”
I clutched the wall, panic-stricken, and could do nothing but watch her slice the air twice before holding the katana high above her head,
“Bye bye~ San~go.”
“Now ladies, that’s quite enough.”
Glancing at the doorway, in unison: “Houshi-sama!”
With a flutter of robes he was between us, facing the twin with his shakujo poised in defense. The other Sango puckered her lips in disappointment, letting the katana fall limply to the ground, “Miroku-kun~ how can I kill her if you are in the way? Do you not know the laws of a doppelganger?”
“I am aware that one of you has to die, but it won’t be her. Please accept this fact,” he replied, placidly. His eyes shifted at the ofuda plastered to the doorframe, while a brow quirked, “How did you pass my barrier, may I ask.”
She walked a few paces, as if in no danger, and peeled the flimsy piece of paper from the wood, “This? Shame, shame, houshi-sama. I may be sinister but I am not demonic. To question why your spells do not work on me would be to question why they do not work on Sango herself. After all, I am only the living embodiment of her inner thoughts~”
“Kill her, houshi-sama,” I seethed, keeping a watchful eye despite her carefree behavior.
‘What is she up to …? ’
My half fixed her gaze upon me as well, before closing them in sadistic merriment, “My, aren’t we in a rush. Are you really so sure you want to do that?”
“Do not try to fool me. Slaying a doppelganger will not harm the initial in any way.”
She giggled in amusement, a hand to the side of her face, “Is that so? Heheh, alright then. Whatever the result may be, I will not be vanquished. Not quite, anyway.” With a contented smirk on her lips, she faced the monk with fists raised defensively, “Have at it, houshi.”
Miroku stood as he was, guarding me from any attacks. He gripped the staff in his grasp tightly, but remained ever the same. He would not attack, “ . . .”
“Oh?” She voiced coyly, raising the bottom strands of her hair to her chin in what would be described as an adorable (if I hadn’t been hating her guts at the moment) pose, “You won’t attack me? But why? I am Sango, but not the side of the woman you have come to love. Does this hold you back?”
“It may,” he confessed, grimly. “But it must be done. Perhaps I will come to know this other side someday, but that will be under my own terms in a situation far more different than this.”
I blushed, wondering what exactly that implied.
However, the other half smiled and extended her arms outward, openly, “I anticipate it~”
Houshi-sama had his eyes set upon something, “… do you see it, Sango?”
“Euh?” I examined my double, finding nothing interesting in particular, “I don’t … know what you’re talking about.”
He nodded, “Do not worry about it. This will be quick, but keep your guard up nonetheless.”
“H-hai.”
With that he bolted out towards the woman, and before she could retaliate he struck out his hand and grasped onto something invisible. He tugged fiercely, the movement causing her to spin violently around twice before she regained her balanced. A moment later she clutched her arms around her waist, staring intently at the now noticeable object within his fist.
“A … strand of hair?” I questioned.
“Precisely,” the houshi answered, gaze never leaving the target. “It is the same principle Naraku used to create his demonic puppets. I presume this hair belongs to you, Sango. It was coiled around her waist.”
The doppelganger dropped to her knees, her smile now weakened as she clung to herself, “So … so easily … I’d forgotten about spiritualist’s sixth sense.” Her body was beginning to fade in and out, an unknown form underneath.
“It is more dignified to fall this way,” Miroku commented, “Please, go calmly and return to the darkness whence you came.”
“. . .” Her small giggle floated about the room once more, and she offered a cruel grin, “I intend to.”
Not an instant later her body had fully faded away, leaving only a life-size wooden marionette to come crashing down to the floor in her absence. It was now an empty doll without a face.
“And it is settled. Though I admit it was- !! Sang-”
“Gyaaah!!”
Both of us were unable to react in time as a crimson ball of light shot out of the puppet, and went plummeting into me. My legs buckled underneath me, both in surprise and the sudden jolt of electricity that ricochet up my spine. I clenched my eyes shut and swept my hands across my chest to tightly grip each shoulder.
“Sango!” The houshi knelt and clasped his hands over mine, “Are you alright? Sango!”
“I-I don’t know! Stay away from me!”
We remained still for an extended amount of time, waiting it out. My breathing had become less labored, and I slowly began to relax once I realized I had full control of my body. Head dropping so that it rested against his shoulder, I sighed, “You should have stepped away.”
“But nothing happened,” he answered, one hand slipping down from my shoulder to pet my back reassuringly.
“Something could have happened. Something may, or will happen. What on earth was that?”
“I believe it was the doppelganger’s spirit merging with your own. She is back where she belongs.”
“… I do not find that fact comforting. It is not safe.”
Miroku looked upon me, then sighed and reached for his right arm, “Here.” I heard the rattle of beads and looked up. He took my hand and wrapped the juzu around my wrist as far as the shackle would permit. “If you are that concerned, these beads will prevent any evil spirits from igniting the darkness within you.”
“Demo … I can’t. These are –”
“No longer needed,” he replied, fixing his navy eyes with my own. “I would rather you have them for comfort rather than I for caution.”
“ … Wakata,” I complied, indeed feeling more secure (if only mentally) at wearing the juzu. “Arigato, houshi-sama.”
With the confrontation finally out of our way, the monk leaned down and gave me a chaste kiss. As he pulled away, I felt a gentle tug at the chains, and met eyes of mischief,
“Now, what was I saying about establishing order earlier?”
‘Dear Kami help me’
End~
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Community Member
it was very good btw