Chapter 8: Aware of Your Surroundings

Mimiko awoke on the third day of her stay in the feudal era, like she never had before. She was lying on the floor of Kie's hut and sun was spilling in though the window and onto her face. That's what woke her up in the first place. She sat up slowly as a feeling washed over her.

The ebony haired teenager searched her thick and colorful vocabulary for a word to fit how she felt at that particular moment in time and the best thing she could come up with was…appreciation. But even that didn't hit the nail on the head.

She felt like she could get up for the first time in a long time. She had the will to swing her feet over her mat and stand up for the first time since she could remember.

She smiled to herself as she helped herself up with the windowsill above where had previously been sleeping.

000

Kie inhaled deeply. It was another one of those days. It wasn't to hot…not to cold, the sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Everything was calm.

Suddenly, a rush of chill ran down Kie's back. A breeze blew just hard enough to blow his short hair around his face. Something was going to happen soon. He wasn't quite sure what though.

Soon, all ominous feelings were shed as he watched Mimiko walk through the hut door. He felt something with her. It was comfortable when she was around, which was weird since their family hunted demons and she was one; or at least…part of one.

She was still wearing the same clothes she arrived in. Something she called 'jeans' and a grey top, a 't-shirt'. She stretched, reaching her arms in the air, which inadvertently pulled up her 't-shirt' revealing her taught midriff. She then pulled a hair band off of her wrist and tied her hair into a knot on the back of her head and carefully tucked a few stray strands behind her ears.

Mimiko was very pretty. Kie couldn't deny that but he was denying to himself that she was absolutely stunning in the sunlight right then.

Blush dusted his cheeks when she waved in his direction. 'I hope she didn't see me practically gawking at her.' He secretly wished to himself.

000

Mimiko giggled at Kie's embarrassed reaction. He was funny…and he was nice to her. That's what she really cared about. But then again, everyone here was. Miroku was just as kind as Sango and even her own father was respectful to her for the most part. Things just seemed to fit around here.

Mimiko looked down when she felt something rub up against her leg. Thinking she was leaning on a basket or some other form of yard-friendly object, she kicked it away with the side of her ankle.

But then it made a noise. A small squeaking sound, or almost like a 'mew'. She looked down to see what it actually was with a look of total confusion.

It was a cat. But, it didn't look like an ordinary cat. It was white with strange black tipped fur…only…it had two tails.

"Hello," Mimiko said gently to the animal. "What's your name?" She reached out a hand to pet it when fire engulfed the animal. Suddenly, it was an enormous creature with fangs and crimson colored eyes.

The unsuspecting girl screamed and jumped back onto the ground, covering herself up in the process.

Now, all attention was on her.

"Mimiko?" Kie ran towards his friend in distress.

"Kiara!" Sango ran as well. "No, she's our friend."

The demon cat looked at its master and comrade then back at the girl and transformed back into its kitten-like state.

"You okay?" Kie asked as he helped Mimiko up. She nodded and swallowed hard.

"Yeah, just a little shaken I guess." She eyes Sango as she picked up the creature and cradled it in her arms. "What is it?" The girl asked apprehensively.

"Oh, Kiara is a demon. She's a fire cat, and an important member of our family." Miroku chimed in.

Mimiko nodded in wonder. "I heard stories…but I never knew things like…her existed."

Sango held the little kitten like animal in her hands. She smiled genuinely at Mimiko's naivety. She had a lot to learn about this time.

"If there is one thing I can tell you, to help you transition into this time…it's: Be aware of your surroundings." The older woman looked at the young teenager.

She was very much like her mother. She would learn quickly.

A/N: Okay…that was kind of a filler chapter. I'm sorry that it's a little on the short side but I wanted to prove how little Mimiko knows about the feudal era. Besides…I had to word Kiara in there too! Don't worry something big is going to happen soon! This chapter was kind of leading into it! Well, thanks for reading and don't forget to review!