Scroll Two:
Heaven's war, that's what the humans were calling it. Some considered it the ultimate battle for mankind's redemption. It started some six years ago when foreigners, not from the Continent but from some other place came here. They called themselves Christians, believers in a faith unknown to this land. They're intentions at first were unclear, but once they saw how we lived, claimed that we were sinners in need of cleansing our land and ourselves. The cult didn't get much attention at first, but soon more and more people began to follow the order until ultimately they rallied to rid us of all demons and send them to Hell.
I felt the cold wetness of water running from my forehead and into my ears. For a moment I thought I was still laying in the rain until the familiar sound of moaning confirmed otherwise. The itchy feeling of fabric brushed against my skin and the smell of herbs burned my nose. My eyes fluttered and I pressed myself further into my sheets to escape the light.
"Rin-chan?" I heard my Oba-san call, I turned and there she was kneeling beside with a bowl of mixed herbs in her hand. When she saw me awake she smiled and sat the bowl beside her.
"How do you feel? She asked me. I wasn't sure really how a felt, a bit hungry maybe. I pressed my elbows into the futon and pushed myself up. For a moment my head tightened and I gripped the sheets. Kagome-san leaned over, pressing her hand to my back to help steady me. The war was written on her face and she looked much older that I knew she was. Her eyes had aged but were still warm and inviting.
"I've got it Oba-san thank you.' I said and folded my legs under the covers. She still held my back, as I knew she would, until I stopped shaking. I looked around the infirmary and frowned. So many hurt in such a short period. Kiku, one of Kagome-oba-sama's apprentices was stitching up a young man's arm. From the crease in brow, I could tell he has been busy all night. There were children here, mostly young boys who wanted to fight alongside their fathers. My heart sank and I looked instead to the door. I could hear his grumbling and stomping long before he busted through the door.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Inuyasha yelled as he walked closer to my bedside. I deserved it though, for running of the way I did. "You can't just up and leave like that and then you were gone for more than a week!"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome-san said, trying to come to my aid. I looked down, and played with my fingers as a child in trouble would do.
"She needs to know that it's dangerous out there. The world aint the way it used to be, Kagome. We all want him to come back ok? But having us worry about you running off into nowhere isn't gonna help! And don't give me that you've lived on your own before I can take care of myself crap. That isn't going to help anybody or bring Sesshomaru back."
'That's enough Inuyasha." Kagome-san said, now standing to face him. I kept my head down, to ashamed to look either of them in the eye. Inuyasha was right, but I just…I just want…
"Inuyasha-sama," Kiku called, walking over to us. "Perhaps now is not the best time, as Rin-cjhan already seems distraught." He placed a hand on the half demon's shoulder and I looked down.
"Keh, the girl's gonna get herself killed" Oji-san grumbled and crossed his arms over his chest.
"No, Oba-san, Kiku-san" I whispered " Oji-san is right. I'm sorry for running of like that. It was selfish and careless. I've made everyone worry and I apologize."
"It's ok, Rin-chan." Kiku assured me but that didn't ease my guilt.
" May I please be excused?" After a small pause I heard Inuyasha clear his throat.
"Yes of course Rin-chan," Kagome said and I steadily rose to my feet. My own shame wouldn't allow me to look them in the face but I gave a small bow before taking my leave. I knew this wasn't the end of the conversation, even as I walked outside I could hear Inuyasha-oji-san grumbling again and Kagome-oba-san shushing him.
The wind carried the scent of rain and an overcast confirmed it. Still, the village children ran around, the miseries of this world unknown to them. I used to be like that, innocent of the pain of hardship, not that I haven't had any. Wherever things went wrong, milord was always there. He always came.
"Rin-chan!" my eyes followed the voice and landed on Kameko who was waving me down. I smiled and walked over to the apprentice miko. A mirroring image of her mother, Kameko stood tall and waited for me to approach.
"Papa wishes to speak with you." she pointed towards their hut I nodded and smiled.
"How has your training with Kagome-sama going?" I asked. She smiled and fingered the prayer beads on her wrist.
"I'm learning faster than Airi-chan. Well, she's better than me with the bow but I'm better at remedies and such." she boasted.
"Knowing your strengths and weakness is not a deficiency ." I commented and she twisted her mouth in an almost displeased frown. It was so adorable.
"Now you sound like Papa." she looked up at the sky then back at me. "I guess I'll go see where Airi-chan is. Nice to know you've retuned Rin-san." I nodded and watched her walk about before bracing myself and going to the hut.
Miroku-san was busy moving things and didn't notice my entrance. So as not to disturb him, I picked up an ornament. It was a tiny Buddha statue made of pure jade. I fingered the grooves and traced the lining of his face. Placing it in one hand and then the next, I weighted the object. It was so heavy for something so small.
"I didn't know you were so fond of Buddha's!" Miroku-sama said and I was caught off guard for a moment.
"Oh." I said and placed it back on the shelf where I found it. He smiled at me and eyed the figure.
"You can keep it if you'd like." he offered and I declined politely.
"Very well then, hold this will you." He said and handed me a sheet. I folded it while he removed the futons from the floor. Opening the shoji door, he placed all three of them in the bedding oshiire. I handed him the blanket and he also placed that in the closet as well. He said nothing as I helped him straighten the tatami mats on the floor, nor when we moved the low table to the center of the room. But I knew better than to think his silence meant indifference. Miroku-san was just patient.
"There, I think that should do. Just in time for tea too." He said proudly, surveying the room. I nodded in approval and went to the oshiire to retrieve the tea set. Miroku sat waiting for me as I placed the cups on the table. Retrieving the kettle from the burner, I poured his glass first and then my own before setting across from him. The heat from the tea warmed my fingers as I held the porcelain to my lips. Steam tickled my nose and the grassy, smooth earth taste made me shiver with delight.
"Sango, also enjoyed kukicha tea. Despite not being considered , high quality, it was her favorite." Miroku said over his tea-cup but I couldn't meet his gaze.
"You remember those things, Oji-san?" I offered more for conversation sake. But when someone, especially Miroku-san talked of Sango-oba-san, my heart fluttered.
"There are very few things that the heart forgets." he took another sip of tea and I did the same. Silence engulfed us once again and my attention turned to the wind that blew the trees outside. Branches bowed to its force and the leaves shook as the gust passed by. Another breeze blew and it only rustled the leaves that had fallen to the ground. So gentle, yet so strong, everything these days reminded me of milord.
"However," Miroku-san's voice called my attention back to the room, "We are so caught up in memory, that we don't see the present. If our eyes are behind us, how can we see what is in front?" he offered and tucked his hands into his kimono sleeve. I nodded and held my tea-cup in my lap. I looked at the remnants of leaves than settled at the bottom of my cup.
"The past is so pleasant." I mumbled.
"Love has a way of making things enjoyable. Although, love isn't always need to enjoy the finer things in life, cooperation does just fine." I chuckled at this and Oji-san did as well.
"Inuyasha-san wasn't very happy when I came back." I confessed and Oji-san nodded as if he agreed.
"Understandably so." he said in a tone let me know he was indeed serious " I would hate to have my eyes face backwards only to find your there." His eyes met mine and I nodded in understanding. Miroku-oba-san, always had a way with words, that made chastisement seem less scolding.
" Although," He started again, a finger tapping his chin "Inuyasha-san and love still have not been well introduced. You see how long it took him just to admit it to Kagome-san? You shouldn't pay him too much attention in that arena." at that I laughed outright and, for a moment, the pressures of this life seemed to lift with every giggle. Miroku-san joined in and we laughter together for a while. It was good to see and hear him laugh, given how the war has weighed on him. Miroku-oji-san is also like the wind, strong but gentle. To see his eyes shine, almost on the brink of joyful tears, gave me hope. Sesshomaru-sama was not gone like Sango-oba-san and if Oji-san could weather the day with a smile and still hold memories in his heart than so could I.