Chapter Four- Lasting Impression

Kagome knew the moment Inuyasha stepped through her room door with a frown that something was up. His tense shoulders and hands hidden in the other sleeve gave away the indication that Inuyasha knew something she did not.

"What is it, Inuyasha?" Kagome inquired straight away as her question caught Inuyasha off guard.

"Keh," Inuyasha grumbled to cover up his surprise. He had just been racking his mind to find out how to break the news out to Kagome when she asked him what was wrong. Releasing an angry sigh, Inuyasha felt his frown deepen.

"I'm in charge of outside affairs since it is rude for the Castle Lord to leave as the host of the Hime Tradition," Inuyasha confessed without hiding his annoyance. Realizing what was bothering Inuyasha, Kagome nodded her head in understanding.

"How long will you be gone for?" Kagome asked lightly.

Still annoyed, Inuyasha remarked unhappily, "I don't know for certain. Sesshomaru assigned me to a couple of problems in the Western boarders."

"Then you won't be able to attend tonight's…" she voiced with a hint of sadness as her friend would leave her alone to attend another ceremony held for the Hime Tradition.

"I'm sorry, Kagome. But to be honest, it's better for you to attend alone than with me at your side," Inuyasha bit out with a flash of pain cross his expression. Kagome saddened at his comment for it only reminded her of the harsh reality. The demon society still hated Inuyasha and for him to stand by her side during the ceremony would cause any effort to befriend a demon of another rank as futile.

"Inuyasha," Kagome whispered with a heavy heart for she could feel his pain.

"Don't worry bout it, Kagome. I'd rather steer clear from the Castle. It will be better for me," Inuyasha explained honestly. Yet the only reason he felt guilty was that he was leaving Kagome alone in the Castle while he escaped from it.

"Be safe," she said gently to Inuyasha. Kagome stared into his amber eyes in a soft understanding gaze. Watching him stiffly nod his head, she saw him turn to leave and finally noted that he had already been dressed in a set of armor.

Kagome walked out of her room after a while and headed towards the Castle gardens. She hoped the gardens would calm her anxiety. The thought of Inuyasha leaving her in the Castle alone for an unknown amount of time brought her unrest. Entering into the gardens, Kagome was welcomed by the smell of flowers, sunlight, and a cool breeze. Trying to find the bench she had sat with Inuyasha, she walked past a few trees until the huge tree came into view. However, Kagome noticed that a small demon was already sitting on the bench. Just as she was about to turn to leave, Kagome overheard the small demon stuttering to himself.

"Th-this i-i-is my d-d-debut novel o-o-on o-o-on…on…" as she heard the small demon trail off, Kagome noted the small trembling hands of the demon and felt her heart lurch in sympathy. Observing the small demon, she recognized him as a 'Mu' rank (scholar) and tonight's ceremony must also be an important debut for him. Understanding the small demon's nervousness, Kagome approached him.

"Hello there," Kagome voiced gently as not to shock the poor trembling demon.

"Ah! He-he-hello!" The small demon replied, but as soon as recognition flashed behind the demons eyes Kagome saw the small demon sit up from the bench and quickly bow low.

The small demon stuttered out, "Lady Miko! Wh-what an h-honor to mee-eet your ac-acquaintance!" Standing closer to the demon helped Kagome realize that he was a kitsune. Detecting the resemblance with her young friend Shippou, Kagome already felt comfortable with the demon in front of her.

"I see you already know me. And you are?" Kagome asked softly.

"Akihiro! My name is Akihiro, Milady!" he blurted out quickly. Witnessing Akihiro's flustered look from her attention, Kagome giggled at her adorable new friend.

Glancing at the book Akihiro was clenching on, Kagome inquired, "I was passing by when I overheard you saying that you are debuting with a novel?"

"Y-y-yes, Milady." Akihiro informed shyly as he clenched even tighter onto his book. Slowly lowering his head, he said sadly, "My introduction was pathetic, wasn't it?"

"You just need some practice," Kagome advised to her saddened friend.

"Someone else was supposed to introduce my novel for me, but…" Akihiro trailed off as tears swelled within his dark green eyes.

"Would you mind if I introduced your novel then?" Kagome asked wanting to help Akihiro. Seeing him quickly look up at her in surprise, she remembered that humans were not usually taught how to read or appreciate literature.

"I have read many books. I can read over your book and introduce it with the addition of my impressions," Kagome helped explain to the surprised looking kitsune. As Akihiro glanced back down at his book, he slowly lifted it and handed it to Kagome. She knew that Akihiro trusted her by the way he handed her the only copy of his book. Smiling gently, Kagome extended her hand to receive the honor of being the first to read his works. It was as if a silent acknowledgement was exchanged between the two when Akihiro handed her his book; a silent acknowledgement of trust and friendship.

A silent figure hidden behind the ancient tree mentally scoffed as he watched the naive kitsune leave the clearing. The kitsune could easily be used to create connections with other higher 'Mu' ranked demons. Since he had overheard the Miko confess that she was interested in the title of 'Hime', it would be easy to manipulate the kitsune who so easily gave his trust to the Miko. Losing interest in the Miko's predictable actions, the silent figure waited for her to leave the clearing before returning to the Castle himself. Yet after a few minutes had passed by, he sensed her aura still within the clearing. Golden eyes refocused upon the Miko and slightly widened when he saw that she had begun reading the book the kitsune had entrusted her with. Feeling his eyes slightly narrow, the silent figure noted that the Miko had once again managed to peak his curiosity.

Time seemed to quickly pass by for Kagome as she was so immersed within the novel. The novel was about a traveler who had come across a small magical village. The magic barrier that surrounded the village did not allow strangers to leave so quickly, so the traveler could not leave for a few months. As the traveler spent more time within the village, the more he learned about the customs and beauty of this magical village.

Though the novel was not thick, she spent her time carefully reading over each page slowly in order for the words to sink in. So deeply enraptured by the literature world Akihiro had written, Kagome was not aware of the golden eyes that watched with interest as her facial expression changed in every new page.

"You have taught me all there is about this village for I have spent much time here. And although there are many more places to explore within this world, I ask that you would allow me to stay for I wish to learn and find all the hidden beauties that still lay within this very village," Kagome read the traveler's final words.

Finally closing the book, she hugged it closely towards her chest. The traveler's final words seemed to hit close to her heart. It made her see that there was much beauty hidden within the very place she dwelled in; the demon society. Slowly closing her eyes, Kagome recalled how she had initially wanted to hate the demon society for their rude behavior towards her friend. But after reading the traveler's words, she wanted to reveal to Inuyasha the beauty that lay behind the hatred.

Opening her eyes again, she noticed the lighting had darkened. Kagome quickly stood up from the bench and ran inside for she knew the ceremony was supposed to begin soon and she was not even dressed. Holding onto Akihiro's precious novel tightly in her hand, a bright smile appeared on her lips for she knew this novel deserved attention and praise.

As Kagome left the clearing, a tall shadow appeared from behind the huge tree as Sesshomaru stepped out into the evening sunlight. Silver hair that held a slight glow swayed against the waist of the inuyoukai as he walked towards the bench the Miko was sitting on. Confusion flashed behind his stoic golden eyes as he analyzed the Miko's behavior. The image of the Miko diligently and carefully reading through each page of the kitsune's novel remained in his mind. It would have been enough for the Miko to just skim through the book. Instead, she chose to waste her time to read the entire book word for word when there would be no benefit for her in the end.

'A waste of time…' the words echoed in his mind, yet he could not seem to think that of the Miko's sincere actions. Though Sesshomaru appeared stoic, many questions ran through his mind. He was determined to figure out why the Miko's odd behavior intrigued him so.

-Name Meaning-

*Akihiro: bright scholar

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