My body jerks, causing me to wake up rather abruptly. It must have been my dream to wake me up because everything else is dead silent. I'm glad I woke up though, the nightmare I was having wasn't doing me any good. Looking around the dark room, I see everyone still soundly asleep. I sigh in relief to see Sesshomaru also resting peacefully. He seems to be in a better condition than a few hours ago. I'm really glad, because we were all so worried. I wouldn't know what to do if he died. Wow, do I hear myself? Sure I'll be sad, but 'wouldn't know what to do' sounds really strong. Is that truly how I feel? I suppose so, or it wouldn't come to me it if it wasn't true. I don't lie, not even to myself… well, most of the time that is. I rub my temples to shake off the bad dream as it still lingers and attempt to get another few hours of sleep.
When I awake for the second time, the village is already in a bustle. Looking next to me I find the figure of Sesshomaru gone. As a matter of fact, the place is empty. Jumping to my feet I rush to the door, only to almost bump into Kaede. "Grandma Kaede, where is everyone?" "Hmm, by everyone I'm assuming you mostly mean Sesshomaru." I blush at this, feeling like she caught me with my hand in a cookie jar. "Don't worry, he went off on an errand. Rin is outside playing with Shippo with the toad watching of course. Inuyasha is who knows where, I think he said something about the smell of Sesshomaru getting to him." "He went on an errand you say? Was he really fit to do so?", I ask worried. She shrugs, "He seemed pretty decent. Even still, would him feeling bad really stop him?" I smile slightly, "Probably not. Is there anything I could do for you while I'm here grandma Kaede?" She nods. "If you could get some water that would be nice. My back isn't what it used to be and Inuyasha is no help at all." "Then I'll do that.", I say picking up a narrow mouthed jar.
I walk back and forth carrying a few loads of water to Kaede's hut to last two days. After I set the jar down I stretch myself, my back popping slightly. Still in mid stretch I feel arms wrap around me while a giggle sounds in my ear. Shocked I turn around to find the culprit to be a slim girl of my age with long black hair, dressed in a knee length dress. "Kagome?!" I hug her back tightly. "Kaname, I'm so glad to see you! And here of all places!" I laugh as we let go of each other. "I know right? I'm glad to see you too. How have you been?" "Oh you know, the usual. But hey, I just visited your place the other day and I was so shocked to find you gone. I took a shot and hoped to find you here and I was right it seems." "Yep, I came back two weeks ago." "I see, you'll have to tell me how you did it." And so I explain things to her at the best of my abilities.
"Wow, so you haven't tried to go back yet huh?" I shake my head. She seems deep in thought for a moment, her brows knitting together in a frown. "What's wrong?", I ask, almost afraid to do so. "Well, you know how last time you were gone and came back only hours later?" I nod at this. "Well anyway, it seems time passes pretty consistent this time. You follow the same time frame as I do when I go here." "So… I have actually been gone for a few days now in the present?" She nods to confirm this. "Your parent were really worried when I saw them." I frown too. "I see…" "I said to them I would go look for you here.", Kagome continues. I look at her dumbfounded. "But they didn't believe me when I told them about all this." Kagome smiles sadly, "They knew you weren't lying or making things up. Your father knew things have been off the past few years. He's a priest and a descendant of Kakuju and Utsugi you know, he senses things." My shock grows even more. "Then why didn't they say so? Why make me out to be crazy when it came to that?" "I guess it was because it scared them. Their daughter was away on a dangerous adventure and they didn't want you to disappear again. Because what if you never came back or got hurt? Maybe they didn't want to make it real because that would mean that it could happen." I stay silent for a moment as I think it over. "I think I can understand, but I really rather they had enough faith in me and didn't fool me like that." Kagome nods in understanding.
Kagome went back before nightfall and she promised me that she would tell my parents of my whereabouts and give them the message that I'm in good hands and will find a way back to them. As I walk back to the village from the Bone eaters well with Inuyasha ,who showed up shortly after Kagome did, I ask him, "Why is it taking you so long to confess to her Inuyasha?" "Huh, are you at it again?" "I'm serious, why do you make things so hard for the both of you?" He frowns at this. "I don't know.", he mumbles. I sigh, "You know, if you don't act soon she might give up on it and go for another boy who shows her more interest. I know there are some." He looks at me shocked. "Really?" I nod sternly. "I'm sorry Inuyasha, but it's the harsh truth. You can't put it off forever, she'll be gone one day.", I say. He looks ahead of him in deep thought before nodding determinedly. "How annoying still, but you are right." He turns around and heads back to the well. "Good luck!", I yell after him smiling. I then continue my way back to the village on my own.
When I get back Rin runs up to me all covered in mud. "Rin, what have you been doing? You look like you've came from the earth itself.", I say shaking my head at her. She giggles, "I got into a mud fight with the other children. It was fun!" "I bet, but we should really clean you up. Wasn't Jaken angry?" She nods and point at Jaken who shuffled towards us, also covered in mud. I can barely hold my laughter. "You stupid girl. What will lord Sesshomaru think when he sees us like this?!" Rin just giggles. "Don't worry Jaken, I'll help clean her up. In the meanwhile, you should go and take a bath yourself." He mutters some words under his breath but eventually walks off to clean himself up. I turn to Rin, "Well, let's go young lady."
I take her to a stream after getting an oil lamp since it's starting to get dark. I light it up with my powers and put it down by the stream. Rin quickly jumps in. "Cold!", she meeps. Laughing as she jumps around, I pick up her clothes to wash them. As I'm softly singing a melody to myself, I get the feeling of another presence close by. I continue my work while trying to seem oblivious, but in reality keeping a close eye on everything. Nothing happens and I'm starting to think I'm just imagining it when the presence is gone a few minutes later. Wringing out Rins kimono I walk closer to where Rin is. "Rin, are you finished? We have to go.", I tell her. "Coming." As she wades closer I go to pick up the lamp but are stopped by a glistering from a round object sitting on the edge of it. Picking it up and looking at it closely, my eyes widen significantly. It's my ring! The one I used to buy Sesshomaru's medicine with. How did it end up here? Looking around I try to spot whoever left it there. Was it the person who's presence I felt earlier? Who was it?
After wrapping Rin up in my haori, I still have an under layer on, we walk back to the village, my ring wrapped safely around my finger once again. I'm really happy to get it back, but I'm really confused also. After entering the village we see Sesshomaru sitting outside Kaede's hut. Rin runs up to him happily, "Lord Sesshomaru, you're back!" As I come closer I feel the familiarity of his presence and it hits me. It was Sesshomaru who was at the stream! Did he get it back? After standing up he pushes Rin inside lightly, saying something about her meal turning cold. He glances at me from the corner of his eyes while I stare at him in wonder. He casts his glance at my hand that holds the ring and subconsciously I wring my hands together. "Thank you.", I almost whisper. "I was just returning a favor.", he says still in his usual voice, but his eyes seem oddly pleased. I nod timidly, feeling once again very conscious of myself from his stare. Luckily he breaks it as he steps inside. I release the breath I didn't know I was holding and feel my cheeks burning slightly. I'm glad it's dark. Man, this is starting to closely feel like three years ago. Could it be that my crush for him is back?
The next morning I say my goodbyes to grandma Kaede, Shippo and Inuyasha. It is time for us to get moving again. No one know where to, not even Sesshomaru it seems. Maybe we just move around because it's impossible for him to stay put. It makes me wonder what his goal in life is now that Naraku is gone. Speaking of Sesshomaru, he's been awfully kind to me since I got here. He wasn't unkind the first time I guess, just a bit cold. But now he really seems to have fully accepted me and treats me like, well, I don't know really. I have nothing to compare it with. He's so different from what people told me before I met him, so I guess he must treat others very differently. It makes me wonder what it is about me that makes him treat me with kindness. Could it be that, dare I say it, that he somewhat cares for me? Or would that be taking it to far? Maybe it's just mutual respect. In any case, I have no way to be certain. Sesshomaru is about as open as a closed lock with the key thrown far into the sea. However the case may be, I can't say I don't feel glad to be treated kindly for his standards. It makes me feel rather special.
It's been some days since we left the village and we are in a meadow full of flowers. I just finished teaching her about the growth of flowers with the use of a drawing I made and she stares at a small flower in her hand with amazement. "They look even more beautiful now.", she sighs. I smile at her as I stand up, popping my neck. I'm stiff all over from yesterdays training. Today I have a day off though. "Amazing.", mutters Jaken. "It sounds almost like witchcraft." I turn to him, "I assure you it's not. This knowledge is just the result of progress in science over the years. New things are discovered every day." Jaken looks thoughtful, "Interesting." I sigh, "Somehow I find it saddening though.", I say sadly. "What do you mean?", asks Sesshomaru from his spot, leaning against a nearby tree. "Well, if you know how everything works, what is there left to fantasize about? I think it's nice to have some room left in the mind to make up your own theories and beliefs. That's how folklore and myths come to be." "Hm." "Progress isn't always bad though. If it wasn't for that I wouldn't be alive right now." "Really? How come?", asks Rin interested. I sit down next to her again. "I was causing my mother a lot of trouble while still in her womb. She got sick and she and I would have both died if it wasn't for the medication that made her give birth early. After my birth they could safely treat her without putting my life in danger. Luckily I was just strong enough to survive being born so early." "Wow.", Rin whispers. "I'm glad it worked out. If it hadn't we would have never met you.", she continues. I nod in confirmation.
"You don't have any siblings right Kaname?", asks Rin. "No, my parents didn't want to risk it again." "I don't have any real siblings either, but you are like a sister to me. Would you mind if I called you my sister?", she asks sweetly. I smile at her. "Of course not Rin. I consider you like my little sister too.", I tell her as I pull her in a hug. She giggles at this. Jake scoffs, "It's too bad you two don't have siblings, single children grow up to be spoiled." I snort at him, "What are you saying? That we are spoiled?" "You heard me girl!" "It seems someone didn't get enough attention from their parents as a child.", I mock him, but think for a moment, putting my hand to my cheek as I stare up to the cloudless sky. "It's so hard to think of you as a child, I find it troubling to believe you ever were one.", I say. Rin giggles. "You ignorant girl, of course I've been a child!" I can't help but laugh at how easily he gets riled up, but my laugh is cut short as what seems like an explosion is heard, following by a tremor of the earth. "What was that?", Rin asks alarmed as we rise to our feet. Sesshomaru soon stands next to us as a cloud of smoke and dust rises from the valley below.
"Should we go take a look?", I ask him. He nods and walks forward, the rest of us following suit. He stops and turns though, "Jaken, stay here with Rin and Ah-Un." "B-b-but lord Sesshomaru…" He shuts up though as a glare is directed his way. "Yes m'lord." I look at Sesshomaru questionably as he turns back to go down. He just signals me to follow and I do so. He's just protecting Rin in case it's something dangerous. When we almost reach the spot where the blast came from there is another one who makes me rock on my feet. Seconds later sand rains down and some rocks. Sesshomaru swats the rocks that get to close away. We step out from behind the trees to see something I didn't quite expect. It doesn't seem like it's anything dangerous, just construction. They are busy blasting away rocks to create a new road it seems. One that will be suitable for ox carts and such. Large men clear away the builders before another man steps up. He's tall and buff with short spiky black hair that holds a red hue. He's dressed in a black Chinese style shirt and pants with a red sash. When he turns to us, his bright red eyes sparkle as well as his fangs that show as he smiles at us.
"Who do we have here?! Long time no see Sesshomaru.", he says as he strides up to us. Sesshomaru nods at him, "Keita." I raise a brow at this jolly giant. Man, I can't get over how tall he is. He's about five inches taller than Sesshomaru. Anyway, whoever this guy is, Sesshomaru knows him somehow. He looks down on me when he stops in front of us. "Who's your cute lady friend? She your sweetheart?" Sesshomaru's eye twitches barely while I blush at the thought. "No. You are being too familiar Keita, you aren't a lord yourself yet.", he snaps. Keita waves it off. "Yeah yeah. Anyway, what's your name lady?" I feel myself grow shy. He has a really outspoken aura and it's a bit intimidating. "Kaname Kururugi. Nice to meet you.", I say bowing. "Very nice indeed. Keita Kotome is the name. What's a girl like you doing with such a sour face as Sesshomaru huh? You'd probably have more fun with a crowd like this, ain't that right?", he says the last bit over his shoulder at one of the men walking by. "Yes sir." Sesshomaru's annoyance gets to him as he growls lightly.
I swallow hard. This guy is playing with his life, but doesn't even see it, or cares. "I'm fine, thanks.", I say to cut the tension. "I know sweetheart.", he says and winks. "He's not a bad bloke." He turns back to Sesshomaru, "Say, I'll be home in four days. Why not come over and bring your lady friend. We should talk business." Sesshomaru turns around and starts walking off. "I'll think about it." I give one last bow and follow as Keita grins at Sesshomaru's answer. "See you there!" I look over my shoulder one last time, my eyes widening as Keita turns back to his work and sends off a large dark blast from his hand, making more rocks explode. Goosebumps rise as I sense his power. I wouldn't want to upset this guy, who knows what he can do.
