Journey On Once More
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Chapter1
Seiran was on patrol once again since those stubborn Satsujinzoku wouldn't leave them alone. Here they were in Koren to take care of some business with Sa Sakujun; at least that was what Shuurei said. He wasn't at all happy about this. He never wanted to see Sakujun's face or else he would end up killing him. Seiran could not forgive that man ever since he made advances on Shuurei. Thinking of him made Seiran's blood boil. After all, he did love his lady and respected her; he would definitely give up his life protecting her from whatever harm might come to her, especially men like Sakujun. Seiran was walking at a quickened pace now but he was also distracted, both were not a good combination for him. He was completely vulnerable at the moment. And just he was about to walk faster out of his anger, something right behind him sneaked up and roared. Seiran's eyes widened as he realized that he couldn't unsheathe his sword in time and he knew for sure that he was going to die when he felt creature raise its arm, preparing to strike him down.
When he felt nothing, he took the risk of looking behind him expecting that Ensei would be there with a smug grin on his face or some other man that sought to help him. But what he saw wasn't on his list of expectations at the moment. He saw a huge black bear with blood red eyes and a vicious snarl on its face and a raised paw in the air in mid swing, the thing did not move for a minute before it fell down on the ground—dead with an arrow in its back. Seiran looked around, determined to find the person who helped him only to see a raven-haired girl in miko garments with a bow in one hand and a cautious arrow in the other. She was looking at the bear on the ground making sure it was dead before putting her arrow back in her quiver of arrows on her shoulder. Then she looked at him.
"Are you all right?" she asked, her voice filled with concern as her azure eyes looked into his dark green ones.
"Yes, thank you." He was unsure if this girl was a friend or foe but sensing no ill intentions, he gave her a small smile.
"Good. Now then, would you care for some lunch?" He was a little confused; first, because he thought it was only a few minutes after breakfast. Secondly, because they haven't met since thirty seconds ago and she was asking him to have lunch with him. He watched as she took out a couple of onigiri and handed one to him. He looked at the onigiri warily thinking it was poisoned then he heard the girl sigh,
"It's not poisoned, you know. Why would I save you from that youkai if I was just going to kill you afterwards? Sheesh! You're worst than Inuyasha." She shook her head. Wondering who this 'Inuyasha' character was, he took the onigiri and sniffed it discreetly before taking a small bite. It was the best one he had tasted! It could even rival his mistress's.
"Well? How is it?" She asked with a pleased glint in her eyes. He nodded and swallowed before answering,
"Delicious." He wondered just who is this girl. After all, it's not everyday you get saved from a youkai by a miko who offers lunch afterwards. Wait…youkai? I thought there was no such thing as youkai.
"Good. Now how about we sit down and talk. I know you're bound to have some questions for me." She said as she walked over to a tree and sat down while taking a bite from her own food. She patted the space beside her, urging him to sit down. Seiran, not one to turn down a request from someone who saved his life, sat down. He was surprised that this girl could read him so easily as to know that he wanted some answers. So he started asking,
"Not to seem rude but, who exactly are you?" he looked at her.
"How stupid of me!" she said as she bonked herself on the head.
"I'm Higurashi Kagome. Pleased to meet you. And you are?" The name seemed to ring a bell but he merely ignored it.
"Shi Seiran." He watched as the girl beside him smiled. But before he could ask his other question, they were suddenly surrounded by demons. Kagome stood up bow and arrow at hand. Seiran stood as well, drawing his sword.
"Well then, guess we'll have to finish up here before anything else." She chided in a merry voice but her eyes were showing her anticipation to fight as her mouth formed a smirk.
"Indeed."
And with that, both charged at the youkai surrounding them. Seiran, though still confused, did not waver in skill. He was still unsure as to why there are demons here now when they only exist in tales and weird folklore but he fought as gracefully as ever. Every once in a while, Seiran would glance at his companion who seemed to be an expert in battles and wonder if she truly was a 'girl' instead of a mature warrior. She was having fun really, it's been 7 years since she first fell down that well and a year since she completed her task as the Guardian of the Shikon no Tama. She was forced back to her time as expected and lived normally except for a few demon attacks after all she still carried the Jewel and she made a gap in Time from all that traveling between worlds allowing youkai to pass through. Other than that, she was living normally for half a year when a strange messenger came to her house and announced that she was to leave for Sa Province in a month by order of the Emperor Ryuuki. She agreed almost instantly. It would be good to meet her friend again.
She and Ryuuki were childhood friends before her and her family moved to Tokyo and before he was declared as an Emperor of Saiunkoku. She was happy for him but he was not, since she was one of the few friends he had. Prince Seien, Ryuuki and she were the closest of friends. It started when her family served the previous Emperor as his spiritual aid since there was a time of drought and famine and war. It started when a young Kagome found the little Ryuuki crying in the gardens. She comforted him until Seien appeared. Since then, they were almost inseparable and they would have fun together in order to cheer the little boy up.
She came here for a mission from Ryuuki. Just another way to kill time, was what she said when she agreed. Indeed, she was enjoying this fight when, all too soon was it over. She sighed in disappointment as she turned to Seiran with a victorious smile.
"Now then, what was your other question?" She continued as if nothing happened.
"Why are there youkai here? I thought they were only in stories."
"That would be my fault." He looked at her with a bewildered expression.
"You see…" She told him her story leaving her time traveling and Sengoku life out of it making it about a weird gap between dimensions and that she could sense it because she was miko and it was only created when some strong demons tried to break through. It wasn't all truth but it wasn't all a lie either. Seiran knew this wasn't the real explanation but understood her need for secrecy; after all, they just met. Or so he thought.
"Also, the Emperor had given me an order and I will carry it out in Sa Province. Or something like that." she finished with a smile.
"Well then, I suppose you should come with me and my traveling companions since we are heading for almost the same place." He suggested as he started to walk back the way he came stretching out his hand for her to take. Kagome beamed at him and immediately joined him towards Shuurei and the others. They had no idea what surprise they would receive when they got there.
TBC…
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Edited!
