Okay… this is way to fast of a writing job for me… I'm so lazy. Oh and if I'm doing a horrible translation of ancient Celtic and Latin (for anyone who actually knows it) I'm sorry, I'm not perfect. Also, Inu-Yasha is human in this story; he still has his white hair and amber eyes however. I refuse to change those. drools
Chapter 2: Burning
"And that my little storm cloud is exactly what happened on the isle of Mona. Most of the women were raped harshly and then left upon then sand. Those who lived gave birth later in the year to children. All the girls were drowned in the channel. The boys were taken into fosterages among high households in Britannia. The women were later killed, or committed suicide. With their purity lost, they thought that the goddess would abandon them."
Kagome looked at her teacher. Lady Kaede had been in her life from the moment she had taken her first breath. Now Kaede was her mentor, the one who taught her all the secrets of life and nature, and the goddess. "You tell me this story all the time Kaede, what significance could it possibly hold other then to further my hatred of the Romans?"
Her father had indeed poisoned her mind with his own hatred. She could sometimes see the demon that fought under Kagome's skin. It burned in her eyes, making them almost appear a dark purple. Kaede sighed and leaned back in her old chair. This little brat had been asking her the same question for almost 8 years. Well perhaps not quite such a little brat anymore. This only caused another of her hairs to turn grey. Kagome might have been immune to her beauty, but the male population certainly wasn't. "Kagome, I'm telling you this so you can see the fault in your hatred."
"And when I'm continually told of the Roman atrocities, how can I see fault? My father mad me promise to avenge my mother, and bloody hell I will!" The young spitfire rose swiftly and ran out of their hut. She returned only a moment later for her shawl, muttering about going hunting for supper.
With her aged hearing Kaede could not quite tell correctly what it was Kagome had planned to hunt, nor did she care. As long as the girl got her anger out and pulled in a supper, it was perfectly all right with the old priestess. She'd probably be out for hours on that blasted horse of hers, galloping around like Queen Boudicca and her Iceni troops. In this rain too! Pulling her own shawl closer around her shoulders, Kaede stared into the fire and softly hummed a song of times that would soon be long past.
- Inu-Yasha -
"Aaaah- Choo!"
"Inu-Yasha, you're going to start scaring the horses soon with your sneezing."
The officer in question, Inu-Yasha, wiped his nose on his sleeve. "Miroku, if you don't shut up, I'll feed you to these savages. I never wanted to come to this wasteland in the first place. I'll have you remember that I like the warmer places such as Syria and Greece. Hell even Africa would be better then this horrid cold rain. I bet these people only have about a week of a growing season being so cold."
Another sneeze erupted from the officer, this time his horse stopped. In the usual domino effect of tight marching, all the other horses in his line stopped as well. Bunched together as they were, getting out of this mess was not an easy task. The officer beside Inu-Yasha, Miroku, snickered at his officer's predicament. Man had indeed wished to stay in Rome where the air was hot and dry as was the ground. This bog that the command had to travel through was disgusting to say the least. Miroku felt terribly bad for the soldiers who had to walk on foot through this. "Perhaps we should find a place to stay the night. Start a camp and move out tomorrow?"
"Miroku, we can't. We're already 2 days behind and probably lost. This Gods forsaken country needs less rain and more cities. We haven't reached even a town in hours. And my horse is all muddy."
"Indeed Praefectus."
Inu-Yasha eyed what he could see of his horse; already the animals belly was coated in a thick mud. He could hear the sloshing of the many feet in the background. "This is absolutely ridiculous. Miroku, I'm getting us transferred back to Rome… what the hell is that drumming?"
Inu-Yasha looked back along the ranks and scowled. It was a perfect four beat drumming, and it was getting louder. Miroku turned his head to the side and yelled out… "GET OFF THE ROAD!"
In a great scramble to get off the pathetic excuse of a bog that these Brits called a road, all the troops but the two officers were hidden amongst the bushes. The horses pranced nervously as the drumming stopped. It was as if the entire word had gone silent for but a few seconds. Then the beating started again. The horses whinnied and reared in excitement, their ears perked forward. The blasted animals lowered their heads in an almost regal display as around the corner, coming at an angry gallop, came a giant black horse. The officers watched in awe as the horse flew past them leaving behind a trail of settling dust.
In nothing more then a split second, Inu-Yasha's mare reared, gathered the bit into her mouth and took off after the beast. Her rider clung to her mane trying to conform to the fast pace that she had set. Up ahead, Inu-Yasha could see the butt of the black horse and the long black cape of the rider. As the cloak whipped in the wind a flash of white became visible. Beside him he could hear Miroku's voice as the other officer charged up beside him. Together they both tried to calm the mare down.
It took a long moment but eventually the mare changed back to her docile contentment. Almost immediately the officer slumped his shoulders and took a breath. "Great Jupiter."
"What happened Inu-Yasha? Why did she just take off like that? I mean, really you've trained her from a filly, she's never been one to do that!"
"I don't know Miroku, all I know is that that demon stirred something amongst us all. It was almost calling for a chase."
Miroku gave his friend the eyes. The ones that say… you're crazy. "I don't know what you mean. I felt no such calling from it. However I do believe that we should be going. This place gives me an uneasy feeling."
Taking one last glance in the direction that the demon horse had taken with its rider, the prefect nodded and quietly returned with his lower officer. Looking over towards the trees his eye was caught by a soft sparkle of silver.
"Inu-Yasha, are you coming? We still have to reach Trimontium within the month!"
Adverting his eyes, the officer finally put his mind straight and trotted up to his friend.
- Kagome -
She watched as the Roman left. For a moment she was sure that the stray light had bounced off her necklace and into his eyes. He had stared at the spot where she now stood, his face was uncertain. Then the other officer had called him in Latin and they had ridden of, back towards their troops.
Kagome inwardly smirked. She had seen their tracks along the road and decided to give them all a tiny scare. Hiding just around the corner she had waited until everything was silent before kicking Etain into a ferocious gallop that could easily have outrun any sprinter. Their shocked faces had been absolutely priceless.
She had to admit the one was handsome, however had he gotten much closer to Etain's flanks, she would have shot him with her bow. There was no love in her for these people, and now as she watched the clearing covered in heather she almost wished that she had gotten rid of the nuisance. "Come on boy, let's get home now."
Quickly she signalled Etain into a trot and circled him towards the hut she shared with Kaede. The hems of her skirts were muddy and dripping, but she didn't mind. To her right was a rustle in the bushes. Kagome paused for a moment and watched the bushes with mild interest. Quite suddenly a rabbit jumped out of the bushes and hopped over to a patch of succulent looking grass. In nothing more then a moment, Kagome had her bow notched and drawn. Giving a smile she remembered that she had promised Kaede dinner.
- Inu-Yasha -
-June 7
Second Year in the reign of Emperor Domitian
We have finally arrived in the new settlement of Trimontium. The rain has ceased to stop making the ground a marsh. The horses have all been re-shod while our weaponry is being mended and sharpened. All our supplies have been restocked. So far my mind has been drifting. Of course any man who had come up against a demon from Hades wouldn't be quite as calm as one would set out to believe.
I have to hide this calling in my blood to follow it; else my troops should learn that their officer has indeed gone senile. After Miroku called me back I felt sad. I don't know if it is the challenge that is aggravating me or if it is the very mystery surrounding the horse and rider. I asked around at a tavern a little ways off and they 'say' that they have no knowledge of such a horse. I however noticed a curious look pass between the barmaid and the bar tender at the mentioned horse. Perhaps on the way back I will have to indulge myself in a little side visit to the countryside. However it will only be possible if this accursed rain decides that it has given up enough.
Praefectus Inu-Yasha- Kagome -
It had been almost a week and nothing new had happened. Kagome sat in front of the hearth and glared at the fire. It was obviously this little creation that had decided to bore her life. Well at least that's what she would blame. Living out in the circle of the forest in this little homestead wasn't the most exciting of things.
"Child, why are you so adamant on looking like the world has ended?"
Ah yes, and Kaede had returned from her visit to the town. Kagome looked upon her mentor fondly. Kaede had been the greatest healer on Mona… before the attack. Now she made up her remedies and sold them so that they could eat something other then whatever Kagome had hunted. After all, bread could only be made with flower and such. "Kaede when you return in a few weeks may I come with you?"
"Child, I know that you want to, but what if the druids see you. Your eyes are unmistakable Kagome. They would use you as a weapon to destroy all in their paths. No I don't think it would be safe."
Kagome looked down and sighed. It was always the same. She didn't even know what type of powers she had; Kaede had never told her. She only knew that if she ever needed to use them, she would be able to. How comforting, she thought to herself. Gathering her self, the 15 year old got up and headed towards the door. "Etain hasn't been groomed in a while Kaede. I'll be out in the stable if you need me."
Leaving through the small door, Kagome was bathed in an uncommon sunlight. She smiled to the sky for this gift and strolled over to where her horse was openly grazing. The animal lifted his head and snorted. In a childish act, Kagome softly poked his nose and gave a delighted giggle when he snorted at her in offence. "At least I have you Etain. Oh my shining, do you ever think I'll be able to get out of here?"
The horse gave a shake of his head, probably at a fly. However, Kagome smirked at him and scratched his ears. "Well aren't you supportive you over sized lummox. I should leave you now and let the fly's get you!"
Almost instantly the horses head dropped in submission. Holding his great head in her arms, the girls smiled. This horse had been a present from her father. The first and last she had ever received. It was the gift of a friend that had helped her survive in this wilderness on her own. Well she did indeed have Kaede, but the woman wasn't as much of a friend as a grandmother. "Ah well, no use crying over what's past. Come on my shining; let's get you looking like your name. This sun might be the only for a while, so I'll groom you outside. Does that sound good?"
Etain cocked his head and whickered pleasantly. In the sun his coat looked the deepest of browns and black. The two colours intermingled to give the horse a flare that looked of fire. When her ran, the copper hairs took on a sheen that made his name the only one befitting. Etain. Shining. And he was, but nothing he could give, would compare to the light that radiated from his mistress. Slowly he followed the absent minded girl and whickered as she stumbled over a root. He nudged his nose into her shoulder, giving a disapproving snort. This human was nothing more then a little filly. Someday she would become a great lead mare… if she could ever learn to walk without tripping over her own feet.