Hello dear readers! Sorry its been a while since I've last updated but here's a brand new chapter for ya! Hope you enjoy!
Location unknown
Midmorning…… "Ow Sofu! You don't have to make them so tight!" Sorata whined as the old stargazer worked to bandage the wound in the boy's shoulder.
The old man scowled. "Honestly Sorata, you're lucky to even be alive right now! What on earth were you thinking!?!" He growled, obviously upset and more than a little irritated. "Just a few more inches to the right and that girl would have pierced your heart!"
Sorata's demeanor suddenly changed. "…Who says she didn't?" he murmured softly.
The stargazer nearly dropped the strip of bandage he was holding and looked closely at his student's face. Sorata's eyes were solely focused on the shrine maiden a few feet away from them. The old monk followed his protégé's gaze to that of the girl.
……After being stabbed, Sorata had nearly raised a fit when the stargazer had tried to bandage him up first, adamant that his mentor take care of the miko's back first. Surprisingly, the miko then started to argue that the young monk was being ridiculous and needed help immediately. Sorata, being Sorata, offered to give in to her demand only if she gave him a kiss in return. That immediately earned Sorata a slap from the miko but also stopped her arguing.
So they stayed that way, Sorata laying where he had fallen, the miko continuing to apply pressure to his wound while the stargazer once again patched up her back. Upon finishing with her, he sent the miko to move the horses to a different grazing spot while he had set to work treating Sorata's shoulder……
Both monks watched as the girl hesitantly approached the horses. Sorata's heart warmed as he watched the girl cautiously extend her hand to touch the soft fuzz of one of the horse's snouts. The animal leaned in closer to her, eager to be touched and loving the attention. Gaining courage, she moved closer to the creature, now stroking its ears and running her hand down the length of its neck. The other horse then leaned over to nudge the girl's shoulder, insisting he be petted as well. A ghost of a smile touched the girl's lips and Sorata couldn't help the smile it also brought to his own.
The stargazer then looked back at Sorata and frowned. "Be mindful of your thoughts my son." The old man murmured. "…don't forget who she is." Reluctant to stop watching her, Sorata finally looked over at his mentor, his smile fading slightly. "What do you mean Sofu?" he asked, clearly confused.
"She is the Kakushi Miko Sorata…and is now the only miko of the Ise Shrine left. If what she has told us is true, and I believe that it is, then I fear greatly for her life. I have seen her star in the heavens and its light is slowly fading. You know I speak the truth…"
Sorata's smile disappeared. As the stargazer had bandaged the girl, Sorata had finally coaxed the whole story out of the miko…including the location of the sacred mirror.
…….Arashi painfully explained how they had sensed the coming of the army only minutes before the attack had taken place. How the head of the shrine, a woman Arashi called Kaede, insisted that protecting the mirror was their first priority.
Gathering all of the miko of the shrine together, Kaede laid the Yata no kagami before Arashi and had the mikos encircle the hidden shrine maiden. The mirror remained covered in a red satin cloth, its image forbidden for anyone other than the emperor himself to look upon it. The mikos, twelve in total, then chanted an ancient Shinto spell so powerful, it encompassed and subdued the power of the sacred relic and forged the mirror to Arashi's soul, her body acting as a shrine to house the holy object.
No small task, considering the incredible power the mirror possessed. With the complete strength of the twelve mikos spent, and Arashi's power as the hidden shrine maiden now completely devoted to maintaining and subduing the powerful mirror within her, there was no protection left for the Shrine of Ise…and so it had fallen…..
Arashi had offered no more information after that, and neither monk pressed her for it…already knowing what had happened when the army arrived. Her tragic story had explained a lot… why there had been no sign of resistance to the massacre…why Arashi had been the only miko left alive…why she would fight with a man made weapon and not the one that was rumored to exist inside her…and why her body was not healing as quickly as one possessing power such as hers should.
Sorata sighed as he looked back at the miko, whose expression became unreadable as she glanced over at him once before quickly flitting away as she led the horses to another grove of trees. "I know Sofu…" he whispered softly. "I know. That's why I must protect her… because she is the last miko of Ise, because she now carries the Yata no kagami, because she can't do this alone, and because……" Sorata paused and looked back over at the distracted priestess, his expression ever softening. "….because I love her." He smiled sadly.
The stargazer's eyes widened slightly with surprise, despite the fact he had suspected as much from earlier divinations. Sorata's destiny and that of Arashi-san's were intertwined, their stars of fate ever dancing around one another slowly and gracefully in the heavens above. Their path would be one fraught with great peril and pain and an outcome that had yet to be determined.
Though he knew he could not stop destiny, the old man still wished he could spare his beloved student the pain and heartache that would surely follow this pair on such a journey. Sorata's love would be wasted on a young priestess who could never return that love and still maintain her status as Ise's Kakushi miko. Even if they did find a way to survive all of this…it still would not change what they both were…a monk and a miko.
"I know what you're thinking Sofu." Sorata turned to him then, his sad smile still in place. "I'm not a fool…I know both of our circumstances but…..that doesn't change the way I feel about her."
The elderly stargazer nodded in understanding. "I'll protect her Sofu…I'll protect her with my very life." Sorata vowed passionately, his face set with fierce determination. "I'll get her to Tokyo and we'll save the emperor. THIS I PROMISE YOU!"
"I'd expect nothing less from my star pupil." The stargazer finally smiled as he finished tying the last bandage in place…… "But I'm afraid you'll have to make this journey without me……."
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Moving Northward
Afternoon……
The soft jingling sound coming from the rings of Sorata's shakujo as they walked reverberated gently throughout the air around them as both the young monk and the beautiful miko continued their journey northward.
To Arashi's surprise the young monk hadn't said much since their parting of ways with his sensei. Though it came as no surprise to her when the old monk had warned that they were being pursued and that they should split up to fool their pursuers, the boy named Sorata had seemed not only shocked but truly distressed.
…..The kind old man had done his best to explain his reasons for leaving… claiming that if he took the horses and fled in a different direction then it may fool those who were no doubt already tracking them. Sorata had argued vehemently that they'd seen no sign of being followed and that they'd be safer traveling together but, in the end, the old stargazer had won.
Arashi had tried her best to remain respectful when the older monk had pulled Sorata aside and talked with him briefly alone before preparing to leave, though she had to admit she was very curious about their private conversation. Whatever it was about, however, it was clearly none of her business. So she stood aside quietly stroking the horses and watching the two monks talk.
It wasn't long before their confidential discussion ended and the old monk turned in her direction. Her heart, which she silently feared had been broken beyond all repair up until that moment, lurched painfully inside her chest when she watched Sorata suddenly embrace the old man in a fierce hug…the kind that spoke of unconditional love, warmth and a sorrowful farewell. Do you know?... Do you truly understand just how fortunate you are to have the opportunity to say goodbye? The young priestess had wondered to herself painfully as she watched them….
"Nee-chan is so lovely when she's lost in thought." Sorata grinned, startling Arashi out of her thoughts. And there goes the peaceful silence Arashi mused to herself as she chanced a glance over at her companion.
"…Of course…Nee-chan is lovely no matter what she's doing, I've noticed." He continued happily as he smiled down at her. Arashi quickly averted her eyes and let her hair fall around her face, hoping it would hide the telltale signs of a blush gracing her cheeks. Suddenly it seemed as though they'd been walking forever and she found herself longing for their horses.
"Once we reach that village up ahead we can stop for food and supplies and perhaps even a fresh change of clothes... Would that please you Nee-chan?"
Surprisingly, the idea of a fresh change of clothes really did raise her spirits. The old stargazer had been very kind in lending her his spare robes but they were now torn and bloodied and hardly appropriate for anyone other than a monk to wear. "Yes." She replied coolly after a moment, "That would please me."
"Then your wish is my command!" He quipped enthusiastically, ever so slightly quickening their pace……
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Location Unknown
Afternoon…..
She touched the ground carefully, her eyes following the telltale signs that a fight had taken place here not long ago. Then she saw it, a small rock smeared red with blood from someone's open wound. Running a finger over the crimson streak she picked up the rock and stood to face the red eyes that watched her from the shadows cast by the trees, waiting for its mistress.
Satsuki approached the creature and held up the bloody object for its inspection. The darkness clad demon leaned forward and then wailed loudly at the smell of its prey. Reaching out with her other hand to stroke the beast affectionately, she tossed the rock aside, her suspicions confirmed. The priestess had been here and was still wounded but she was not alone. At least two others were traveling with her, perhaps against her will judging by the tracks left behind. Some sort of struggle had taken place and as she traced the steps that had been taken during the fight, it was obvious that neither contender were strangers to fighting techniques. This brought a smile to the otherwise dreary girl's face. This was going to be interesting.
She scoffed at the horse tracks clearly left behind for anyone to follow, and it was easy to see that the trackers Lord Fuma had told her he'd sent out before her fell for the bait as she found several more horse tracks following the older prints left behind that morning. Fools. She thought to herself as she mounted herself onto her demonic charge. "Find her." She murmured to the monster and with a horrible shriek the beast swiftly headed north, moving eerily from shadow to ominous shadow.
Pursuit in the day proved difficult since demons hated the light and grew weak in its presence, but Satsuki was certain that as the day wore on and the forest's shadows grew longer, that they would finally reach their prey near sundown and then…. Then the real fun would begin…….
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Yongho Village
Late afternoon…
It had been a stroke of luck that the small village of Yongho had a modest Buddhist temple nestled near its center. Though Sorata had never been to another temple outside of Koya , the monks immediately recognized him for who he was and treated him as one of their own. Arashi, although hesitant about her place there, found that the monks there also regarded her with the utmost respect. Though they didn't have much, the monks of the temple offered the weary travelers a humble meal and gave them what funds they could spare for provisions and clothing. They had offered a few robes from the monastery to both of them but Sorata, to Arashi's surprise, turned down the offer. It wasn't long before they said their goodbyes to the kindly monks and were once again on their way, making a detour through the village's marketplace.
"Sorata-san… why not take the robes your fellow monks offered?" Arashi asked quietly as he led her to a stand where a man was selling women's kimonos. Sorata gave her a small grin as he eyed the kimonos in a critical fashion, judging each of them carefully. "Don't you think it would look rather strange to other travelers, to see a monk and a miko roaming all of Japan together….alone?" he quipped, picking up a sage green kimono.
Arashi stopped and realized she hadn't even thought about it. As if coming out of a daze she took a closer look around her, realizing that even now, the villagers were giving them strange looks. She automatically pulled her tattered robes closer to herself, suddenly feeling self-conscious and out of place.
"If we dress ordinary and try to stay low key then chances are we'll draw less attention to ourselves, making it harder for anyone who may be tracking us to find us." he continued, his mood now growing sober. Arashi looked back at him to see his face change from one of amusement to one of deep and troubled thought. He must be worrying about his sensei. She thought sadly. She hardly knew this brash young man who had pledged his love and loyalty to her, but the look on his face seemed so very foreign on his handsome happy go lucky features.
Without thinking she reached out and touched his arm. Sorata immediately snapped out of his thoughts as his eyes shot to her hand on his arm. "I'm sure that the stargazer is alright." She murmured, her gaze meeting his. For a fleeting moment, she saw a desperate hope in his eyes, before it vanished and he brought his other hand up to cover hers nodding in thanks, a grateful smile pulling at his lips. Turning to the merchant, Sorata happily announced the four garments that they would buy.
Leaving his side to let Sorata finish bartering with the clothe merchant, Arashi wandered a little ways through the market, quietly observing the people around her. What would happen to these people if she failed to bring the mirror to the emperor...or worse…allow the mirror to fall into the wrong hands? Her train of thought was shattered when she suddenly heard a large commotion coming from one of the merchant stands near by. She watched in shock as a large man behind a fruit stand held a scrawny and wild looking kid cruelly in the air by the wrist screaming to everyone around them that the screeching child had been caught stealing his fruit.
"This is the last time you'll steal my goods you little brat!" the man roared as he drew a dagger from his belt.
The child in his grasp started lashing out violently, screaming even louder in protest. To Arashi's surprise the child was a girl, perhaps only a few years younger than herself. Before the man could take his next breath Arashi grabbed the large merchant's wrist and wrenched it tightly, forcing him to drop the girl, who fell to the ground in shock. The man cried out in both pain and rage, cursing as he raised his dagger to strike out at Arashi instead. With little time to react, Arashi raised her arm to block, preparing herself for the pain of impact but gasped when the dagger connected with the metal staff of Sorata's shakujo.
"Now now..." Sorata chided with a grim smile on his face as he positioned himself in front of Arashi and the frail girl still awestruck on the ground just behind her. "That's quite the temper you've got there mister, to just attack two unarmed girls."
Arashi scowled at Sorata who purposely ignored her glare, knowing full well that she was far from unarmed, her katana tied to her side with a sash. Idiot. She thought sourly.
The angry merchant pulled back, obviously surprised by Sorata's counter attack and his calm and somewhat cheery demeanor. "That filthy little wretch is a thief and a liar! She brings bad fortune to anyone she comes in contact with and she's been cast out of this village more than once. She knows better than to come here, let alone steal from me again!" he spat angrily as he pointed an accusatory finger at the dirty young girl.
Sorata glanced over at the girl Arashi had protected. Large blue eyes filled with pain, shock and desperation stared back at him through a mess of long dark tangled hair. His gaze then shifted to Arashi who nodded to him almost imperceptibly as she moved over to the fruit stand and started placing fruit in a small knapsack she'd brought with her. Sorata turned back to the still fuming merchant. "There's no need for violence here." Sorata said solemnly, "You'll be paid for your fruit." And with that said Sorata gave the man the last of their currency.
The small knapsack now bulging, Arashi gave the bag to Sorata who knelt before the wild child in as unthreatening a manner as possible and offered her the bag. "Here." He said warmly as he smiled at the girl's wide and disbelieving eyes. "Don't be afraid. Take this and stay out of trouble."
The girl stared at him, searching his face for any signs of trickery or deceit in his unheard of gift. She shot a glance at Arashi, whose eyes stayed unreadable and fixed on Sorata. Eyes now shimmering with tears, the thin girl swallowed the large knot in her throat and wordlessly snatched the bag from Sorata's hand and ran like a shot towards the edge of town. Sorata, Arashi and the small crowd that had now gathered from the commotion watched her go silently. Once she was well out of sight Sorata stood and looked to Arashi. Her face gave nothing of her thoughts away and without a word she started to walk towards the opposite side of town, always heading north.
With a knowing smile on his face Sorata lifted a large burlap sack of their clothing purchases onto his shoulder and silently followed the shrine maiden, pointedly ignoring the angry and hostile glares he was receiving from the gathering of villagers. He harbored no regret for what He and Arashi had done for that poor girl, besides…he believed in karma and who knew…perhaps their kind gesture would be returned to them somehow in the future….
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Sorry that there wasn't any Kamui, Fuma or Seishiro-san in this chapter for all you fans out there waiting for them, but I PROMISE as the story continues that we'll see more and more of them! Just bear with me, Sora and Ara-chan and I swear you'll see more and more of your fav characters….we "may" have even already met a new one in this chapter…Hmmm…. :) Anyways, please tell me what you thought! I LOVE reviews! ;) And THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!!!! -Miko