"Good shot!" The older miko's good eye crinkled at the corner as she watched the younger girl proudly. Her chestnut hair was thrown into a messy bun, disobedient strands straggling to her shoulders. She was wearing a modest kimono of pale pink with maroon splotches. Around her waist a patterned green wrap skirt covered her legs. At sixteen she surpassed the beauty of women twice her age. She was Sango of the great Tajiya clan. She beamed back at the priestess as she handed off the old bow and arrow. "You're too kind, Kaede. I learn from you!" In a fluid motion she tugged the white ribbon from her hair and her hair splayed around her in a splash.
She tied the ends into a loose ponytail and followed after the miko. It was a warm day in mid May. The trek from the Tajiya village to Lady Kaede's had been pleasant and muggy. The priestess had shared her wisdom with her on herbal medicines and archery. This was how young Sango liked to spend her days. Nature chirped around the women, two busy to slow down for anybody. Kaede turned with a warm smile to the girl. "Ye have only just taken up archery and your form is impeccable... Demon slayer or not, Sango, I think your calling could be as a priestess." Sango blushed furiously.
"You're too generous with your praises. I'm a tajiya, through and through." Kaede chuckled and raised her head as a breeze blew. "I just think ye are too modest for your own good." Sango blinked as another breeze rustled between them. "Kaede-sama... Could we visit the resting place of Kikyo-sama? I'd like pay my respects before I go back home." Kaede nodded and smiled wistfully. "Of course we can, come along."
Sango followed behind the miko clad in red and white as her eyes strayed from in front of her. In the distance her eyes lost and regained focus. She had stopped walking as she stared off. The god's tree. The tallest tree she'd ever seen, in it a boy. A demon. A hanyou. Clad in a red haori, unaged and in pristine condition. As though he was sleeping. The arrow lodged in his shoulder and the roots grown over him the only indication that time had passed. Sango never understood why she felt so simultaneously drawn and repelled to the strange boy or the tree. He was the enemy. Another demon to slay. And yet he looked so innocent...
"Aye, Sango?" Sango whipped around in embarrassment. Kaede was eyeing her quizzically. "I swear ye have a crush on hanyou, Inuyasha..." Sango shook her head vigorously. "N-Nani?! No I-" Kaede held her hands out with a chuckle. "I only kid. Come now, we're near the forbidden lands..." Lost in thought, Sango followed...