Chapter 7

Runomaru was taught that when a gift was given to you, no matter how small, you were to always treasure it as much as possible. But this kiss...

'I won't be the only one treasuring it.'

Closing his eyes and wrapping his arms around her small frame, he kissed her back with as much passion as he could muster. Feeling her petite hands suddenly on his chest made the village head fear that she were going to push him away, but then they moved to slip around his neck.

The kiss was slow and sweet, but it soon turned into something much more dangerous. Gentle motions became fervent and anxious. Himino made a bold move by nipping Runomaru's bottom lip, to which he countered with by sliding his tongue across hers. She gasped, not expecting the moist and warm sensation, but she tentatively moved her tongue against his. He easily dominated the kiss from there, taking one hand and sliding it through the back of her hair and gently tugging on it. Her response, however, was not one he expected. She arched further into him and let loose a heated moan, making him aware of how hard her nipples were as her chest rubbed against his.

Runomaru was the happiest he had ever been in his life. Here in his arms was the woman of his dreams, and although she wouldn't be there for much longer, he would make the most of this moment.

Their heated kiss lasted for only a minute, but it felt as if it were an eternity before they separated. Cheeks flushed and hair matted from sweat, they looked into each other's eyes with understanding. His feelings for her would be unrequited, but they wouldn't have been fruitless. The first kiss they shared would be the only kiss, but Runomaru knew that even that much was more than enough.

Removing her arms from around his neck, Himino stood and adjusted her top and skirt with a deep cherry blush running from one cheek to another. She looked at Runomaru with embarrassment and excitement, both making an adorable combination on her face.

"That's all you're getting, you hear?! You'll just have to make do with that for the rest of your life," she grumbled in mock irritation.

Standing and adjusting his own attire, Runomaru smiled warmly at her juvenile pouting. Closing the small distance between them, he rose a hand to brush her tussled bangs from her eyes and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you, Himino. That kiss was more than enough to keep your memory fresh in my heart, although I envy the lucky man who was able to take your lips first," he confessed with a carefree laugh.

"...well, I guess you must be envying yourself a lot right now..." she murmured to herself.

Runomaru almost couldn't believe his ears. Himino was such an attractive and desirable woman that no man, demon or otherwise, would deny. True, it was rumored that demon women were usually selfish and bloodthirsty, but she was the complete opposite of that, and no demon male would want to pass up the opportunity to court her. Technically, she was the opposite of both races, since human women were contrite and demure, whereas this beautiful gem was easily excitable and eccentric.

'So why...?'

"Do you mean to tell me that that was your first kiss...?" Runomaru asked in awe. Himino visibly flinched at the question, but sighed in defeat and nodded her head.

The village head thought about it for a second before coming to another shocking conclusion.

"Himino, are you by chance a virgi-"

"You finish that sentence and I promise that you'll be missing the appendage needed to change that fact," she growled at him. Runomaru instantly closed his mouth, but then grinned at her insinuation. Of course, he would only tease her, but she didn't need to know that he was only poking fun.

"Oh, so you're saying that I need to change that fact, am I right? Well, the night is still young, Himino," he finished with a sparkle in his pale blue eyes.

'Is this guy a freaking pervert?!'

"Y-you stay away from me you perverse village leader! You got your compensation and that's all you're gonna get, so don't get any ideas!" she said in a rush, crossing her arms over her chest in a protective stance.

Runomaru laughed long and hard at her expression. Himino eventually joined in with her tinkling laughter, but she knew he had been joking all along. Clearing his throat and brushing his bangs from his face, he walked towards the door before sliding it open. He assumed she would leaving on her journey immediately, while he would be left alone to pray for her safe passage.

"I wish you calm travels along your way, but please, don't hesitate to visit in the future," he said with a faint smile.

Himino cocked her head to the side in confusion, not understanding why he wanted her to leave so soon.

"What the hell are you talking about? I'm staying the night, but don't get any perverted ideas because I'll hurt you!" she concluded with a menacing smile.

"Why do you wish to stay the night?"

Himino looked down, her fists clenching and her bottom lip poking out in a small, but noticeable pout.

"I-uhhhh...I don't like wandering around at night cause it's scary...and whenever I see the moon I feel sick," she finished in shame.

Runomaru approached her with a heartwarming smile and took her hand in his. 'Who knew that even she had such earthly fears, despite being so powerful? It only endears her to me more to know that she's just as human as the rest of us,' he thought with affection.

"You're more than welcome to stay the night. I'll go find a spare futon for you to sleep on."

The young woman grabbed his sleeve as he turned to leave the room, and he looked back at her surprised.

"I don't mind sharing a futon..." she said boldly, although she was unable to meet his eyes and her cheeks were dusted with an enticing shade of scarlet.

The steel eyed man blushed himself; he had never shared a bed with a woman before. He knew nothing scandalous would occur, but as a man, he couldn't help but let his mind wonder to what would be transpiring if their kiss had led to other things.

Running a hand down his face to try and wipe away the blush, he gathered all the self-control he had and walked over to futon before straightening the plush, koi embroidered cover and climbing in on one side. It was large enough for 3 people, so keeping to his own personal space shouldn't be a challenging issue, he thought.

But as he had learned with Himino, nothing was ever truly that simple.

Her eyes brightened and a large smile lit her face before she exclaimed, "This is gonna be so fun! I've never gotten to sleep before!"

She quickly climbed in after him, and instead of opting to stay to one side as Runomaru predicted she would, she nuzzled next to him and wrapped her arms around his chest while tangling her legs with his.

"You don't mind me using you as a pillow, right?" she asked cheerfully while laying her head on his chest, obviously not waiting for the answer.

Runomaru managed to choke out, "O-of course not..." but his body had gone completely rigid from the shock of how close she was. Breathing deeply to calm himself, he relaxed in her hold and wrapped an arm around her waist, being as respectful as possible in where he let his hands rest. Sleep attacked his senses immediately and his eyes began to droop, but he turned his head towards the maiden in his bed while enjoying the fragrance of limes and vanilla that came from her silky hair. Himino watched him closely, inhaling the crisp scent of cinnamon and mint, a truly great combination that tickled her nose. They both stared at one another for a long time, steel meeting emerald, before Runomaru's eyes finally closed and his breathing deepened, signaling his arrival into the world of dreams.

Himino closed her eyes as well, and in no time, a wave of fatigue washed over her as well, and she too drifted off, snoring slightly.

Kagome awoke the next morning from a strange dream which had managed to raise all the hairs on her body. Strange, cat shaped eyes watched her, the color of the freshest leaves in spring. The eyes seemed to be smiling at her, but they soon bled into the brightest blood red she had ever seen. A smooth, seductive feminine voice drifted to her in the dream, and her heart skipped a beat in fear at the words that followed.

'You'll know me when you see me.'

The sapphire eyed priestess was smart enough to not dismiss a dream that put her on edge that much, and so she made a note to be on the lookout for anyone suspicious, and even decided to further expand the radius of her spiritual senses.

The day progressed in its usual fashion, she woke everyone with a motherly smile and proceeded to cook for them. A breakfast of eggs, bacon, and grits was on the menu, since she had long since abandoned the practice of cooking ramen for every meal. As Inuyasha leaped off to wash the pan and pot out, Kagome spoke to Miroku and Sango of her unsettling dream and what it could possibly mean. Miroku, of course, was able to interpret it easily.

"Well, the answer is simple Lady Kagome. You've had a premonition of someone that you're fated to meet. Did you feel any particular malicious intent from the eyes?" he asked wisely. Kagome knew Miroku was only trying to ease her fears, but some part of her knew that the situation was much larger than a simple dream.

"The green eyes had a really happy feel about them, so I guess they were friendly...but when they turned red I just...it's strange. I didn't feel any evil from them, but I didn't exactly feel any good either..." she finished with a side glance and eyes glazed with worry.

Sango put an arm around sister figure, and spoke in an encouraging voice to her. "Whoever this person is, we'll deal with them when the time comes, so there's no reason to stress yourself out about it right now."

"Yeah...you're right. Thanks guys!" Kagome gave them a huge smile before packing up everyone's sleeping bags and giving Shippo a candy bar to munch on as a reward for finished his breakfast. Inuyasha bounced into the campsite with the cleaned cookware, coming to a graceful stop before handing it out to Kagome, he deftly took it from his hands and placed it within her black cargo bag. Hefting the huge bundle on one shoulder with practiced ease, she turned towards the silver haired demon before being stopped by a clawed hand on her shoulder.

"Don't waste your breathe, I already heard everything. If anyone tries to harm you I'll kick their ass and call it a day, so stop your worryin', you've already got enough wrinkles..." he murmured the last part under his breath, fully knowing she'd be able to hear him.

He was expecting the punch aimed at his head, and was able to brace himself enough to take the edge off of some of it.

But only a bit. Kagome threw a killer right hook.

Their conversations concluded, and they all set about to the village in need of their help with Kagome at the front and Inuyasha following up at the rear sporting a large lump on his head. Looking at her wrist watch, the priestess internal cringed at the time. It was already 11 in the morning, and she had hoped they would arrive to the village by 12, but it was still a 2 hour walk.

'I hope the people of Shironu can hold on for a little while longer...'

"Hey guys, you wouldn't mind us rushing there, would you?" she asked in a pleadingly timid voice as she turned around and looked at the others.

Inuyasha caught up with them and said, "I guess it would save some time if we rushed, so let's go ahead and hurry."

He looked towards Sango and Miroku for confirmation, and then scooped up Shippo on his shoulder before setting off at a brisk jog. The others would catch up, and it had been nearly 2 years since he last carried Kagome on his back, and in all honesty the dog demon missed her weight on his back. She had become so independent, and not just of him, but of the group. Whenever a demon would appear, she was always the one to throw a barrier around Shippo and then charge into battle without a second thought. They would all be left to look on as she finished the demon without breaking a sweat, without anyone's help at all. It was awe-inspiring, but it was also off-putting.

'I kinda wish she still relied on me...now the only one who ever really needs me to protect them is Shippo...' Inuyasha thought grumpily, speeding up his pace.

Kirara soon pulled up beside him, keeping his pace and he watched in fascination as Kagome pulled ahead with ease, her legs faintly glowing blue. It was amazing how she could channel her powers to help her with any feat, no matter how big, but they all silently wondered when she would reach her limit. It had been on everyone's mind since the fight with Sesshomaru, in which she rivaled his strength blow for blow. It was frightening to see how far she had come in terms of power, but it was also relieving to know that gone were the days where they would worry for her safety after being kidnapped.

Well, they still worried. Just not nearly as much as they knew they should.

Coming over a crest of land, they saw the village in the distance. It had only taken them 20 short minutes of nonstop running, and Kirara was panting slightly, glad for the break. Kagome gracefully slid to a stop, not seeming short of breath at all. She looked back with a smile and said, "We can walk from here, so don't worry."

Inuyasha gave a snort, not minding having to run the whole way there, but he could tell there was another reason she wanted to walk the last distance. Her felt her aura probing the area, curiously seeking something, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up at a smell her caught on the wind.

"I smell a demon. And not just any demon, a powerful one," he growled out lowly, keeping a firm hand on the hilt of Tessaiga.

Kagome sensed it too; the aura of a demon sleeping peacefully. She would prefer not to wake something so powerful, but considering it was coming directly from the village, she knew they had no choice but to go investigate. She walked over to Inuyasha and placed a hand on his, letting some of her power wash through him to calm his distress.

"Let's walk the rest of the way there and try not to cause any trouble. I don't sense any malice or anger, but something about this doesn't seem right," she said slowly, making sure she stressed their need to be careful in this mission.

Her senses tingled as she felt the demon wake from its slumber, as if it had already sensed them. Its aura poked childishly at hers; persistent and intruding with its force. As if satisfied at what it found, it retreated and but vanished, as if the demon was suppressing its aura. Kagome glared at the village in annoyance; the demon was doing a damned good job of it too.

"Let's walk fast, it seems like they know we're here now."

Himino woke to Runomaru's sleeping face, and she giggled at how his nose twitched as she poked his face to wake him. Sleeping was a new experience to her, and a pleasant one. The young demoness felt happier and rejuvenated, and her muscles had gotten a chance to relax after a long time of being active.

"Hey, wake up already you lazy slob!" she whined, cuddling to Runo and rubbing a cheek against his face.

"Hnnngghhh…" was his response to her tries to wake him, but eventually he opened his eyes to her smiling face, which shocked him back to the waking world. He sat up quickly with his black locks a complete mess, a look of confusion and embarrassment painted across his handsome face.

"W-what are you doing in my bed, Himino?"

The green eyed beauty sat up, sighing at his loss of memory. She reached up and straightened his tussled hair before doing the same to her own while she spoke

"I invited myself, don't you remember last night? But putting last night aside, I need to leave, and soon," she stated softly with an edge of seriousness to her voice.

The young man's blue eyes turned greyer with her words; he was extremely sad to see her go. He stood from his bedding and looked down on her with a smile before walking over to his clothing dresser to fetch an olive and silver haori with koi fish dancing across the front and bright green trimming on the sleeves. He dressed quickly and walked back over to wear she was still laying, offering her a hand up.

"I will see you safely to the edge of the village, and also make sure some traveling supplies are prepared for your journey."

Himino blushed before talking his hand and standing. Runomaru walked her through his lodgings and slid open the front door that led to the gathering room. As they walked down the 2 porch steps, he led her to the middle of the village, where everyone gathered to see her off.

Little Aomi rushed to her with a flower crown she made of the same pink flower she had first given to the moonlight haired woman. Himino picked her up and grinned a broad smile as the child delicately placed it on her head.

"Thank you sweetie, I'll keep it always," she said with tears forming in her eyes. With her short time being here it was already apparent to the townsfolk that took turns hugging and giving her gifts that Himino had a large heart that was easily moved by the slightest things; while they didn't give her extravagant parting gifts, they bestowed her with things that would mean something to her.

A pure white night gown with silver and green feathers embroidered on it was one of her first gifts, along with a set of raw emerald earrings that her eyes of course put to shame, but matched with none the less, and a simple silver chain necklace that belonged to the mother of the previous village head.

Before long Himino was sobbing and blubbering about not wanting to leave. Runo separated her from the young woman she was crying on, who smiled at her innocent nature before returning to her husband's side.

"There now, there's no need to wet Mia's kimono with your tears, angel," he said sweetly as he wiped her face of the moisture. Himino pouted and glared up at him, and defiantly let her tears keep flowing down her red cheeks.

"You shut up, it's not fair that I have to leave already! I wanna stay longer, but I have to go now and it's not fair!" she whined.

"Why must you leave with such urgency Himino?" the young leader asked with concern. He knew she had important business to tend to, but he hadn't been informed about why she needed to leave so soon.

Himino wiped her face off completely and sighed before saying, "There's some people on their way and I can't see them just yet. It's weird, but my instincts are telling me not to let them find me right now, so I need to leave really soon."

Runomaru stiffened at her words, instantly becoming protective for her well-being.

"Do they intend to harm you in any way?" he asked angrily.

Shaking her head vigorously she exclaimed, "No, no! I just can't see them right now, but I've never met them before! Just welcome them normally when they come, and try not to tell them too much about me, okay?"

He wasn't completely convinced, but the village head would not blatantly go against her words without good reason.

"I'll trust your judgement of them, but I think it's time for you to go," he said sadly, not wanting to keep her there any longer. She jumped into his arms for one last hug, and as he wrapped his arms around her small frame the blue eyed male inhaled a large dose of her unique fragrance, committing it to memory before letting her go reluctantly.

He watched as she pranced lightly to the middle of the village and ran a hand through her hair, removing a silver feather and letting it soak up her roaring green aura. The feather, now seeping with her pure and powerful aura, shone green and floated in the air of its own will. It rose higher and higher until it was completely out of sight, and then turned into silver dust. The energy was released like a bubble popping, and a shining clear barrier gently encompassed the village in its entirety. Walking back over to Runomaru, she twined her arm with his and smiled up at him.

"Will you walk me to the edge of the barrier, Runo?" she asked sweetly.

He blushed again at the nickname she gave him and replied, "Of course, but if I may ask, what did you just do?"

The emerald eyed demoness smirked confidently at his question, but decided to answer his despite her urge to leave him guessing.

"I put up a barrier that people with bad intentions can't pass, and it won't be broken unless I take it down, so it won't fade even if I were to die, which won't happen, so there's no need to worry! I just really didn't want to leave you all unprotected after you gave me such kindness," she finished quietly.

Runomaru considered her words and asked, "Does this include demons as well?"

"Yup, any evil minded demons are gonna get turned to dust as soon as they touch it, so don't worry okay?" she said cheerfully.

As they reached the southern edge of the barrier, Himino could feel that the strange people she sensed earlier would be reaching the northern side of it soon. The barrier opened up, happy to let her through, and she let go of Runomaru to turn around and say her goodbyes. She patted part of the barrier and it hummed in contentment under her touch, wiggling slightly.

"Be good and take care of the village, okay?" she told it sternly. Looking at the handsome man she gave her first kiss to, she gave him a final smile full of affection and clutched the gifts from the village gently before hoisting the large satchel across her back.

"Take care, okay? I'll come back and visit, make no mistake about that!" she laughed.

Reaching through the barrier to grasp her hand, he locked their fingers together and proclaimed, "I will make sure this village and its future children will never forget what you've done for all of us, I promise."

Himino leaned forward to give him the briefest kiss on the lips before turning with a snap of her sleeves and swish of her hair and leaping full speed in the opposite direction. She turned her head and watched Runo walk inside of the barrier to greet his people, his back becoming smaller and smaller as she rose into the air. 'They'll be fine as long as he's there, I'm positive of that!' she thought fondly. She hopped across the trees and stopped on the broad branch of a pine tree.

Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, she spread her senses out and searched for the next crystal shard she needed to find. It wasn't far, being directly south-east from her, but she also sensed another stranger. They felt like a chained wind, and they were heading directly for the village she just left. She wasn't concerned in the least; if they had any ill intent the barrier would destroy them.

"Speaking of strangers…"

Himino turned to the direction she had come from, probing the auras of the people she was avoiding. She poked at one in particular, an aura of purity which no doubt belonged to a young female, and flinched when it angrily poked back.

"Didn't mean to piss her off…" she murmured in a pouty voice.

Shaking her head to rid herself of irrelevant concerns, she launched herself without a second thought towards the next crystal shard, her mind still on the people who she was avoiding. With her long moonlight white hair streaming behind her and her satchel of gifts swinging from her side, she let her mind go blank of everything but the hunt. One last thought was determined to nag at her before she was able to bury it away.

'I can't let them see me no matter what…something tells me it isn't time, not yet at least.'

A young man who had just finished farming ran to the village leader, panting slightly in his hurry.

"Young lord, there are visitors and their demon companions at the outskirts of the village! We believe it is the monk who was meant to come today and his entourage," he said quickly.

"Hmmm…let them into the village and lead them to my lodgings while I will go and prepare for their arrival in advance," he ordered. The young man gave a nod before walking off briskly.

Runomaru strode to his home, quickly giving the servants orders to ready rooms and food for the guests. His mind was in a strange sort of fog after Himino left, and her scent was still strong on his haori. Wanting to clear his head and try to focus, he decided it would be best to simply change his clothes. As he entered his room the smell he was trying to escape flooded his senses.

Vanilla and lime.

Looking around the room, he quickly found the source of the delicate aroma that he could never forget. A single candle was burning at the head of his futon brightly, its flame a magnificent mixture of leaf green and silver. It was small and white, but had the designs of many animals carved into it that were colored extravagantly. An orange tiger, a blue phoenix, a red dragon, a gold and silver pair of snakes; all these and more danced around the circumference of the tiny candle.

Runomaru smiled at the gift that the sweet young demoness had left for him, shaking his head.

"Well, I suppose there's no need for me to change my clothing now," he laughed.

I'm very sorry for the long absence, college has been hectic and I have recently moved. I have given you all 7 pages instead of the usual 3, and now that finals are coming, once I have completed them I will have free time to write and update as I wish.

No, I will not reveal or give clues as to what type of demon Himino is yet.

Yes, I will have her encounter Sesshomaru in the next chapter.

No, this is not going to be a short story. I plan on making it at least 200,000 words, if not more.

Yes, I do hope you all forgive me for the extremely late update.

Thank you all for your support and understanding, and expect another update soon.

-Synestra