Hello again! I watched Mononoke a while ago (stumbled across by accident) and fell in love with it! Everything from the art style to the story and the meaning, not to forget our beautiful Kusuriuri-san *squeals like only a fangirl can*. Forgive the inner fangirl but I had to feed her by writing a fanfic for Mononoke, and since it went better than I expected, I decided to upload it :D I've stuck the story (starting with the episodes from Ayakashi Horror tales and then to Mononoke) and character's personalities as I could (although our enigmatic hero is a swine to write!) but don't kill me if he suddenly does something a little unexpected...its just how I think he may/might react. So without further ado I hope you enjoy this and PLEASE REVIEW to tell me what you think! Updates may be slow but the more reviews the quicker (yes I'm a review whore but who isn't?)

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC

Silent as the grave

Chapter One

The sound of the cicadas were almost deafening despite the incessant bugs being outside. With the shoji doors open to let the cooling wind into the building, it was easy to hear all that went on outside and inside the rooms. This was so the servants could be easily beckoned with a harsh, commanding shout as was the usual. If they were not being beckoned to clean, it was to bring more sake or to help their Lady dress in preparation for her wedding. It had been a day that had been planned for quite some time, and despite the woman's opinions, she was to be married to a man she barely knew. As was the way her life had been dictated by her parents. Said aged pair sat with her, the bride's uncle and grandfather also present however their conversation was silenced as the shoji doors were slid shut.

"Hurry up and clean those pots!" Sato seethed down at the younger woman who was already cleaning pots as quickly as she could.

The servant in question had the sleeves of her kimono pulled back so that they did not get wet, being careful not to drench herself as she cleaned furiously. The kimono was plain compared to the likes of the rich family, a dark blue with faded golden patterns in the shapes of sakura and lotus plants, but it was the nicest piece of clothing she owned having been pretty much raised in the household. But that did not make her grateful towards her masters. Her long black hair was pulled up in a traditional style however long strands fell down either side of her face despite complaints from Sato. She hated having her hair up in such a tight style and so it was her own small little rebellion. And despite the time of year she wore a thin, cream coloured scarf around her neck. As Sato left to do something else around the place, Kayo returned to the kitchen with a smile aimed her way.

"Don't worry Mia-chan, we'll have this finished in no time!"

In reply, bright blue eyes looked up at her friend with a smile, silent as always. Her odd blue eyes had brought her many years of teasing and taunting from others, people claiming they were the sign of being touched by a demon when she had been born. However Mia had grown used to the accusations after all, life went on.

With Kayo's aid, the last of the cleaning was done in moments leaving both of them to have a moments rest. Sitting down with a silent sigh of relief, Mia toyed with the end of her scarf whilst watching the sun lighting up the gardens outside. Soon it would set and she could not wait for the end of the day. Catching sight of something darting between bushes her eyes widened a fraction before hastily standing and motioning to a curious Kayo that she was going out for a moment.

"Something wrong, Mia-chan?" she asked, narrowing her eyes curiously as Mia backed up with a shake of her head before heading off into towards the bushes, leaving her friend confused until the sound of someone's footsteps drew her attention towards a man heading her way dressed in a colourful kimono, a large case on his back and strange red markings adorning his face.

Once sure she was out of sight, Mia knelt down, holding her hand out to the bushes. Almost instantly out darted a white flash of fur. Giggling silently as it connected with her chest, she looked down at the cat now resting in her arms, his white fur out-casting him as much as her eyes did. Stroking his furred head with a warm smile, her old friend purred appreciatively before sharp amber eyes caught sight of a rat scurrying away. Shaking her head, Mia tapped the cat's nose in warning, she could not have her friend running after rats in plain view...she knew what would happen if her master's saw the cat. Sensing her sadness, amber eyes looked up at her strangely knowingly before he licked her hand, the rough tongue tickling her skin. Shoulders shaking with laughter, she cuddled the cat another time before ushering him back to the bushes, clearly telling him to stay out of sight before she headed back to the kitchens. Glancing back to make sure her friend wasn't following, Mia stepped into the kitchens before halting in surprise to find Kayo not alone. Sat with her was a medicine seller, his light brown, ashen hair tied back in a small tail to one side, the rest most likely hidden beneath his purple bandana. For a moment she admired his strange, beautiful kimono, almost feeling like the eye on the back was staring at her, when he slowly turned. Her eyes widened at the blue eye that glanced back at her curiously, red markings ringing his eyes and running down his nose. He looked quite handsome and judging by Kayo's expression, she thought so too.

"There you are! Where did you run off to Mia-chan?" Kayo scolded before grinning widely, "don't tell me you were slipping away to talk to some man!"

The look Mia sent her friend simply read; 'as if'. Giggling, Kayo motioned to the strange man still smiling widely.

"He's a medicine seller! You should see some of the things he has!"

Sitting down next to Kayo, Mia watched curiously as he opened one of the drawers in his huge case just as he spoke.

"This is..." he finished in a whisper to Kayo as he took out strange looking items leaving Mia to arch an eyebrow in interest, even more so as Kayo blushed.

As he continued she giggled madly. Mia was beginning to feel a little left out. Crossing her arms, it wasn't until Kayo was informing the medicine seller about their Lady's soon-to-be husband that her friend looked at her.

"Isn't that right, Mia-chan? Shiona-sama isn't very...gifted is he?" she ended with a giggle, still blushing.

Mia blushed before glaring at her friend for bringing her into such a conversation however the medicine seller's eyes were on her now. She felt very small all of a sudden.

"Do I bother you?" he asked calmly, his voice like silk.

Shaking her head furiously, Mia merely looked away, messing with the end of her scarf once again. Kayo waved a hand for his attention.

"Don't worry about her, Mia-chan never talks!"

Seeing that the conversation would once again turn to Kayo, Mia decided to ignore the pair even though she was curious. Even more so when he offered to show Kayo something in payment for telling him about the marriage, and the goings on in the family. She caught a glimpse of books in as he opened another draw before a squeak made Kayo almost leap on the man. Mia silently laughed, covering her mouth with her hand as she watched a rat dart away as quickly as it had appeared.

"It was only a rat," the medicine seller spoke almost monotonously to her amusement while Kayo quickly regained her composure with a blush, "there are many rat traps. Why don't you keep a cat?"

Mia stiffened as Kayo explained that there was someone who disliked them, however she had a feeling her reaction hadn't gone unnoticed.

"Kayo! Mia!"

Both servant girls leapt to attention.

"I heard from Yahei you were both wasting your time here."

"We were talking about rat poison," the Kusuriuri offered, still bowed politely to Sato who had stormed in with a sour look as usual.

"Not interested! Kayo, go fetch the water! Can't you see the water pot is empty? And you Mia, make sure those waiting for Mao-sama are ready!"

Deciding not to anger her further, Mia merely let her shoulders slump with a nod before heading towards the gates of the residence. Feeling eyes on the back of her head, she decided it was not best to turn and look at their owners, knowing that it was Kusuriuri watching her go before he turned to apologise to Sato as calmly as ever. How strange.

Mia had barely stepped foot back through the gates when a scream split through the air before being followed by angry shouts. Looking up with wide eyes, at the other end of the pathway lay their Lady Mao, dead on the steps she had barely set foot from. Around her stood her family and guards, the latter throwing up a ruckus about where the attacker was only for Kusuriuri to appear, stopping one from drawing their blade.

"That will do no good."

With that he flung his hands out either side, two pieces of paper flying out from his sleeves and sticking to the beams either side of him. Black writing appeared on the paper seals before turning crimson, an eye open in the centre of them.

"It is not safe to be outside the barrier."

Kayo gasped as she finally noticed Mia stood by the gates.

"Mia-chan!"
The Kusuriuri turned, his eyes slightly wide at the sight of the silent servant stood watching with a worried expression. However before he could move to bring the girl back to the barrier he was grabbed by the guards who bound his arms behind his back.

"Wait," he almost growled out, "she is not safe out there."

Sato nervously backed up with a dry laugh, "she's only a servant! I c-can replace her."

Kayo gasped before looking over at her friend, "Mia-chan!"

"Just wait there," one of the somewhat kinder samurai shouted to her, "I will come get you in a moment."

Mia watched as he dragged the Kusuriuri inside, his sapphire eyes shooting back to hers in a silent message she received loud and clear. Run. However as she tried to open the gates she found herself unable to shift them. Giving up, she hit the gate with her fist angrily. Just what was happening? Hearing a low meow she stiffened. At first she thought it was her little friend, the white cat, however the sound was far too loud for such a small creature. Turning slowly with wide eyes, Mia's mouth opened in a silent scream.

PLEASE REVIEW! This was mostly a taster, things will get a move on in the next chapter etc so I hope you liked it so far! Also the idea of japanese people born with blue eyes, having been touched by a demon, is an old myth I swear someone once told me about. I'm not too sure how true it is so if anyone knows give me a message/review and let me know :) japanese myths and demons have always been a curio of mine but I hope I'm write *fingers crossed*