Happy Thanksgiving! Sorry that it's so long, tell me if you find it unnecessary.
Sesshomaru's not in this one a lot so sorry... I'm sad too :( But lot's of Kee-Ara!
So I hope you like it!
Kee-Ara closed her eyes as pieces of Tsuki's memory flashed through their connection. He was running, woods closing in on him as the presence got closer. A small imp clinging to his the saddle, oblivious to the threat. Then they were splashing up a river letting the water wash away his scent and confuse his tracker before climbing out and stepping sideways, quickly and effectively dumping the furious imp on the ground before galloping off weaving wildly to make it harder to find which direction he went in. Now Kee-Ara felt Tsuki's fear as the dark presence got closer, nearly on them as she felt his muscles bunch up and they soared across a ravine. Connected to him by memory she ran with him jumping wildly to escape. Relief flooded through their joined minds as suddenly the dark dissipated and they were to far away to catch and then they were running, soaring back to Kee-Ara. They were free.
"Tsuki!"Rin exclaimed breaking the flood of memories that had taken only moments. Tsuki lowered his head and nudged Rin gently as she pet his silver neck. Kee-Ara shook uncontrollably her fist clenched in his mane to steady herself. He had been so close. Tsuki had almost been captured. He had almost found them again. She would never forgive herself if Tsuki was taken to get to her.
"Kee-Ara? Are you ok?" Rin asked worriedly as she noticed her discomfort and Kee-Ara forced a smile.
"I'm fine. Just relieved to see Tsuki again." Kee-Ara replied before turning away. She didn't want Rin to read the fear that was sure to be frozen on her face. Tsuki blew in her ear causing her to wince as she felt slobber. She pushed his nose away and he gave a small nicker. She got the message. They were ok.
"You want to meet some new villagers?" Kee-Ara asked him and he tossed his head in affirmation before walking next to Rin and staring at Kee-Ara.
"Do you want to ride, Rin?" Kee-Ara asked the girl, grinning as Rin's mouth fell open as she looked at how far up his back was. Tsuki swung his head around to look at the girl with one red eye before nickering at her gently.
"Is it ok?" Rin asked timidly and Tsuki tossed his head up and down. An undeniable yes She giggled before looking around for a way to climb on.
"Need some help?" Kee-Ara asked playfully and smiled at Rin's relieved nod. Kee-Ara lifted her easily onto the saddle. The stirrups dangled too low for her to use but she wrapped her hands around the saddle horn as she slid uncertainly on the unfamiliar saddle. Kee-Ara walked beside them instead of riding with her. She left her hand on his neck, happy in his presence. It was good to have him back.
Kee-Ara had brushed out her hair and covered it with a scarf before setting out to the village but now she unwound the material from her head. A small breeze stirred the gold strands as they fell around her shoulders and she put the unneeded scarf back into the one around her waist.
"Are you leaving your hair down Kee-Ara?" Rin asked curiosity written across her face. Kee-Ara smiled. She knew Rin wouldn't be able to contain herself for very long.
"Yes. They will look at Tsuki and know I am different. It is better to just start honestly. It helps put their suspicion to rest." Kee-Ara told her and Rin gave a small frown. She didn't think it would be that easy.
"Then are you going to get your sword out?" Rin asked and Kee-Ara crinkled up her nose. Of course she had to ask about the one flaw in her honesty plan.
"No. I am already walking into town with yellow hair and a demon. They can only accept so many unusual things." Kee-Ara told her and Rin's frown deepened. That didn't sound to honest. Before Rin could ask another question Kee-Ara hurried to explain.
"Rin, I'm a stranger adn I'm going to claim that I am not a demon even though I am in the presence of a demon. That is going to be hard to accept. Then I am going to tell them that we come peacefully. THey will think that is impossible." Kee-Ara told her and Rin nodded. She knew how hard it was to get people to realize she didn't mean anything bad. Rin straightened in her saddle nervously watching the farmers.
Kee-Ara smoothed he face into a pleasant expression as they approached the village but she didn't remove ehr hand from Tsuki's neck. On his part he perked up, his tail flagged, and his neck arched. There was a bigger bounce in his step as fi he was some fine ladies palfrey instead of a demon horse capable of killing more people than the biggest samurai's battle horse. The change was subtle but it did make a difference. Instead of focusing on the large hooves, red eyes, and dangerous mouth that could take a chunk out of you in a blink of those demon eyes everyone looked at the swaying silver mane and small girl who was riding on his back. She was obviously not scared of the beast and next to them walked a woman who comfortably stayed by his side.
After the first glance at Tsuki everyone's eyes traveled to Kee-Ara. She was slightly more alarming because they could tell what the horse was. It was obviously a demon but if the woman with the sun drenched hair was a demon than that was much worse. because everyone knows that the demon's that have a human face are the worst.
Kee-Ara's smile didn't falter as she noticed the villager's grips on their pitchforks and scythes tighten. No matter how many times she approached people it was always hard. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest but she didn't let the fear cause her to tense. IF she did they might think it was a sign of aggression.
They drew to a stop when they had passed a few houses, the ones that sat on the outside of town and were nearest the fields. They were now far enough in that escape would be hard. Hard but not impossible, at least not for Tsuki but it was still a sign of friendship. You didn't put yourself in this vulnerable position if you were going to attack. Kee-Ara moved forward slightly and immediately everyone's eyes focused on her. After a moment one of the braver farmers stepped forward holding his scythe in his hand at his side but his grip did not relax. He was large, taller than Kee-Ara and he had decided he would be the leader.
"What do you want here, demon woman? We don't want trouble! You should leave," he said fear making his voice harsh as he gestured back the way they had come with his blade.
"I am no demon. Merely a woman looking for a place to bargain for food-,"Kee-Ara started before one of the others interrupted angrily.
"Do you think we can't see the demon by your side!" He screamed pointing at Tsuki with his pitchfork and Kee-Ara's smile tightened. If he moved to attack so will she without any hesitation.
"I never said taht he was not a demon. He is indeed, Tsuki the Silver of the Horse Demons. Upon him is the young human, Rin. I am Kee-Ara. We were hoping that you would trade us food, in exchange for help in whatever you need us to do." Kee-Ara told them, her voice carefully friendly and she saw them exchange a confused look. When nobody spoke up she continued. It didn't seem like they would be easy to sway.
"Please. All we want to do is trade work for travel supplies." Kee-Ara told him, staring into the leader's eyes. His dark gaze bore into her, searching for any sign of deceit. Finally he nodded.
"Ok, then. How strong is that demon of yours?" he asked leveling an unreadable look at her before looking Tsuki like he would a prize bull. Tsuki snorted indignantly, arching his neck and affronted looking at him with his scarlet eyes.
He was obviously offended. Kee-Ara's lips twitched as she held down the smile she could feel growing. She could almost hear Tsuki's acidic reply in her head. She had been around him to long not to notice the way he looked the farmer up and down as if telling him he was not the best specimen he had ever seen either.
"He is not my demon I'm afraid, merely a friend. But he is plenty strong and if you show us what you need I'm sure he will try." Kee-Ara told him. She ignored the villager's grumbles of distrust. Not all of them agreed that they should be welcomed into their village.
The man who had decided to take charge strode away from town, parting a way through the reluctant villagers so that Kee-Ara could follow. Tsuki glided after him, ignoring the way everyone rushed to get away from him. He was used to that reaction. Rin however was not and she huddled miserably on his back staring at his neck in front of her. Her knuckles were white as she held onto the saddle.
Obviously they were not going to be trusted in town but they were being given a chance at least. Kee-Ara let the man lead and kept stride next to Tsuki so that she walked next to Rin. She didn't have to lead him, he was quite capable of following the man on his own so instead she focused on the girl next to her. She was not comfortable.
"Rin, it will be ok. No matter what happens." Kee-Ara told her softly and the girl gave a short nod. She was not quite ready to relax. She was not able to ignore the crowd that was following them.
Most of the people who had come to meet them had went back to their work but some, mostly children, followed them. Kee-Ara patted her leg and walked slightly faster so that she caught up to the man. He looked over at her warily before clenching his jaw and intently ignoring her.
"As I said before, I am Kee-Ara." she said again content to stare at him until he relented. He was older but not quite elderly, lines starting to set in but no grey coating his black hair. He was muscled from a lifetime of hard work in the fields.
All together an imposing man, albeit a quiet one, but she was not intimidated. After a few minutes of silence he looked over at her to find her brown eyes still on him and he looked away people seemed to think that she was a demon. That usually came with the hair, but some thought she was the type of demon that you could not give your name to unless you wanted them to steal your soul.
"Ichiro," he finally grunted and she grinned at him. She knew he would relent it seems, didn't want to be to scared of a tiny woman. Progress in the face of manly pride is still progress.
"Thank you, Ichiro, for giving us a chance. What is it that we are going to do?" she asked and he looked over at her again, unnerved by her cheeriness.
"The river that was use to irrigated our farms is blocked by a tree that fell in it during a storm. It's too large for us to get out, we lost an ox and without it the other one is not strong enough." Ichiro told her brusquely and she nodded pleasantly not phased by his abruptness.
"I'm sure Tsuki will be able to handle it. Though I might need an axe. " she told him and he looked at her alarmed.
"For the tree." she clarified. It seemed obvious but if he was thinking about all of the horrible things three demons, if he considered Rin one also, could do to a lone man adding an axe into the picture might make him doubt his choice to give them a chance. Luckily he accepted her answer.
The rest of the journey was traveled in silence until they came upon the river that was Kee-Ara and Tsuki's task. It was obviously a real problem and not just the only thing he could think of outside of the village. The water flow as seriously constricted to just a trickle and on the other side of the large tree the water was flooding the land in a waste of the water.
It was larger than she had anticipated and she could see why they could not handle it. Three adults could wrap their arms around its trunk and Kee-Ara thought about the seriously bad luck of it falling into the river. There were other large trees in a grove but this was by far the largest and it just so happened to be the one knocked down. There was a deep gash in the middle as if someone had tried to cut it in half before giving up. It had obviously taken to long when they couldn't even move it anyway and there were more important thing to get back to like the harvest.
"Tsuki?" Kee-Ara asked walking into the stream bed and planning on how to move the enormous tree. She looked to him and he snorted pompously. Of course he could move it. Kee-Ara gave him a small smile before looking back to the tree. The demon horse was strong as she had seen close up on many occasion's but she wasn't sure if he wasn't overestimating his ability on this job. He would be too proud to admit it if he wasn't quite up to this one though and so she walked farther down the trunk ignoring the squelching of the mud under her boots.
"Perhaps I should cut it in half first. Then we can harness you to one half and you can pull a piece out at a time." Kee-Ara finally decided looking to Tsuki for agreement. He blew air out of his nose and tossed his head proudly pawing the ground as he met her eyes.
"I know you could handle it, but I can't have you pulling a muscle.I can't exactly carry you if you get hurt. " Kee-Ara told him and his head cocked to the side as he thought. He nodded slowly but chomped unhappily anyways. He knew he could have done it.
Kee-Ara stepped out of the streamed and patted him on the neck encouragingly before looking at Ichiro. He had watched the exchange with raised eyebrows as if she was crazy. Who talks to demons? Or horses for that matter?
"Ichiro, may we borrow that axe and a harness?" she asked him and he looked at her warily as if now he just doubted her sanity.
"I will tell one of the village boys to bring them to you," he told her before walking towards the villagers that had hovered farther back. Disjointed bits of conversation floated over to them as Ichiro talked to them, most of it opposing the axe, but finally a small boy darted down river to the village.
"Kee-Ara? What would you like me to do?" Rin asked looking down at her from her perch on Tsuki's broad back. She had sat quietly this entire time, not wanting to drag attention to herself or mess anything up.
Now Kee-Ara looked up at her quizzically. Usually she knew what she had to do in these situations and they didn't always go as planned but she didn't want Rin in any danger. The stubborn set of Rin's chin however told her that she was not going to be told she couldn't help.
"Well for now let's get Tsuki untacked. He can't wear all this and the harness so we might as well get him ready." Kee-Ara told her and Rin grinned down at her surprised she wasn't going to be told not to help.
She turned and quickly slid down Tsuki's side without Kee-Ara's help and Kee-Ara smiled at her in surprise. She learned fast and was not afraid. Rin went to take off Tsuki's bridle and he lowered his head to her level to let her get to the buckles.
It was more for the rider than him because he didn't listen to it anyways but the reins were something to hold on to. There was no bit and all Rin had to do was slide it over his face as she unbuckled the straps.
Kee-Ara quickly undid the saddle with the ease of practice and laid the saddle and blanket next to a nearby tree. It was close enough to watch but out-of-the-way and Rin laid the bridle on top.
Tsuki whinnied happily and shook himself as he was freed from the cumbersome leather and Rin laughed at him. The villagers jerked afraid and there were some scattered people who ran before they noticed it was not an attack. Kee-Ara shook her head in their irrational fear but she expected no less.
Tsuki pranced in place, lifting his hooves as if he was a parade horse on show. Kee-Ara just shook her head. He was a vain creature but he did have a right to be. His white coat flashed. His mane and tail liquid silver banners flying as he danced. Even his demon eyes were an enchanting red, like rubies set on a white display they sparkled. And then he ruined it as he laid on the ground and wiggled, itching his back on the grass and looking ridiculous. Even that was a part of putting hte humans at peace. It was hard to be scared of a horse who wiggled.
Rin ran to him and petted him laughing and he lay still on the ground, using this time to relax free. She stroked his neck and he let his eyelids close slowly content to laze and be cosseted. Kee-Ara leaned against the tree in the shade smiling at them. Rin had finally relaxed, Tsuki taking her mind off of the wary villagers.
Kee-Ara watched them however, noticing as the children's' fear turned into delight at Tsuki's antics. The children were always the easiest to convince because they didn't judge solely on their experiences. They could see the honesty instead of just the demon and in that way Kee-Ara always reached a peace with the villagers. Tsuki could be a sweetheart as well as her battle mate.
The boy who had run to the village came sprinting back, which was not exactly safe considering the large axe in his arms but he made it safely to where Ichiro had been waiting with the others. Now Ichiro came towards them and Kee-Ara set out to meet him before he could make it to Tsuki.
He was probably to scared to try to harness the demon himself but she didn't want him to try if his male pride reached this far as 's gaze switched to her instead of the prone horse and child as she started towards him and he held the asked for objects out for her to take.
"Thank you Ichiro. I shall start working now." He nodded and walked back to where the others were stopping and watching from the distance. Kee-Ara shrugged and walked back to Tsuki and Rin. She laid the harness next to him and he snorted at it in distaste.
"Hey, at least you get a nap. I'll be back when it's your turn dear heart." Kee-Ara told him and he sighed in agreement. Rin stood up and walked with her to the large tree watching as she stared at the started work.
"What can I do, Kee-Ara?" Rin asked and Kee-Ara turned to her and frowned.
"Do you really want to help?" Kee-Ara asked and Rin nodded rapidly almost before she finished so Kee-Ara continued," Ok then you can start on the branches. It will be easier to move if some of them are gone."
Rin's eyes widened as Kee-Ara pulled a dagger out of a hidden slit in her skirt. She had no idea it had been in there. It wasn't as big as the sword but it was not in any way a knife. Rin took it cautiously and looked up at Kee-Ara worriedly.
"You can do it. Just be careful. Sesshomaru will kill me fi I bring you back missing a finger." Kee-Ara whispered dramatically and Rin laughed. Now at ease she set off to the top of the tree and easily climbed onto it to reach the branches up there. No matter how funny Rin thought it was Kee-Ara knew with a certainty that it was true. Kee-Ara grimaced as she imagined his face at the sight of a fingerless Rin and shrugged it off. Rin could handle herself.
With that decided she picked up the axe and swung hard leaving a new gash in the wood. She pulled it out with a grunt and swung it again setting into a rhythm. The wound in her side screamed in pain but she just took a deep breath and swung again. She slowly tuned it out, making the burning part of the process instead of a distraction. Her muscles burned as she continued to chop at the tree. As time wore on, the villagers got bored as she continued to just chop the tree and didn't try to eat anyone.
Even the demon just lay there in the grass, some even swore it was snoring. As nothing evil happened they started to remember things they needed to do so they wandered back to the village in two's and three's until only a handful of children, too young for chores or already finished, were left watching.
Without parental supervision they started creeping closer, giggling as the demon's tail swished when one got super close. Tsuki ignored them, letting them get closer and closer. With no one watching they got brave, but someone was watching. Kee-Ara was aware the moment they started getting close to Tsuki and as one small girl in a dark green kimono who was braver than the rest got almost close enough to touch ,Kee-Ara decided it was time for a break.
"Rin? Are you ready for a small rest?" Kee-Ara asked carefully ignoring the children that were sent scurrying at the sound of her voice. Instead she looked in Rin's direction trying to find her in the leafy branches. To Kee-Ara's surprise there was quite a pile of branches on the side of the river and Rin had already started to cut the branches near the bottom. Rin popped out of the branches grinning and Kee-Ara couldn't help the smile that stretched across her lips in response.
"If you are Kee-Ara." Rin called to her and Kee-Ara shook her head in amazement. The child was a hard worker she had to give her that. With how much she had done she had to be tired and yet she was willing to keep going.
"Come on, I'm afraid I'm getting old Rin and this scratch is bothering me a bit.I need a break." Kee-Ara told her and Rin walked to her worriedly looking at ehr side and trying to convince her to look at it as she followed her out of the riverbed. Kee-Ara refused, telling her no as she hid the wince she felt as she straightened.
Kee-Ara watched the village children out of the corner of her eye as she deliberately headed towards her saddlebag and slightly away from them. They had retreated but not as far away as when the adults had been there and they were watching her curiously. Kee-Ara searched in her bag pulling out the rest of her food and a blanket to sit on. Rin finally gave up, sighing at Kee-Ara's stubbornness. After a moment, Rin broke the silence.
"Kee-Ara. They're watching us." Rin whispered to Kee-Ara and she looked down and smiled.
"Yes. I think we are going to try to make friends." She told her and Rin gave her a small smile. She handed Rin the blanket and she went over and stretched it out next to Tsuki. The children didn't move any farther back and they whispered to each other as Kee-Ara leaned on Tsuki's back. He whiffled slightly as he smelled the food and she passed him a piece of bread. She had a tendency to feed him anything he wanted to try and it turns out he has a soft spot for any kind of bread especially if it was soft.
As they unpacked the rest of her food Kee-Ara looked up in time to catch the little girl in the green kimono looking at her. She gave her a smile and the little girl shyly returned it before inching forward a little closer.
"Hello there. My name is Kee-Ara and this is Rin and Tsuki. What's your name?" Kee-Ara asked and the little girl moved closer ignoring the younger boy tugging on her sleeve. They had the same heart-shaped face and Kee-Ara assumed it was her little brother.
"I'm Kioki and this is Senshu," she said staring wide-eyed at Kee-Ara,"Are you really a demon because my father said you were but you haven't tried to kill anyone yet and grandmother said that demons eat people."
Kee-Ara gave her a grin. Children were much more forthright with what they were thinking. And much more open.
"No, Kioki I am not a demon and neither is Rin. But my friend Tsuki is." Kee-Ara told her before addressing all the children,"Would you like to come and meet Tsuki? We will share our lunch but it's not very much."
There were only five children left and they slowly came closer drawn by the jerkey strips or the chance to meet a demon. Kioki sat down first on the edge of the blanket pulling Senshu down next to her.
Rin handed her food grinning at her before telling her animatedly,"Tsuki won't eat you though. He is really nice and I havent' seen him eat anyone. Kee-Ara is really nice too. She just has really pretty hair because she isn't from around here not because she's a demon."
Kioki passed the food over and evenutally all fo the kids were sitting down holding something to eat and watching as the two girls talked. Kioki was around the same age as Rin and she seemed to be just as talkative Kee-Ara thought ruefully as they continued to chatter.
"Really? I didn't know human hair came in that color, can I pet the demon horse and is Kee-Ara your mother?" Kioki asked so fast that Kee-Ara could barely keep up before Rin answered, "I didn't either but Kee-Ara says a lot of people's hair is that color where she comes from and some is even red! I'm not sure you'll have to ask Kee-Ara because he's her friend and no she's not but she's my new friend too."
Kioki looked at Kee-Ara expectantly and Kee-Ara smiled at her grateful she at least caught that part of the conversation.
"You will have to ask Tsuki. He is my friend, not my pet so he makes his own choices." Kee-Ara told her and watched as her eyes widened.
"Does he talk?" she asked staring at Tsuki but Kee-Ara shook her head," No he doesn't. Not the way that we do but he understands. Come on I'll show you."
He had started dozing and she nudged his side with her foot. He snorted opening one eye to glare up at her before snapping it shut. Kee-Ara did it again, a bit harder and he gave a pitiful moan as he rolled to his feet, stopping so that Rin could move out of his way.
"I know you poor pitiful pony, but you are about to work anyway. You have to earn your food somehow. Come on. We're making friends," Kee-Ara told him and he swung his head towards the kids now staring up at him in was large for a horse anyway but from the ground he towered above them. Kioki stood up and walked around until she was standing in front of him nervously wiping her hands on ehr kimono. He never took his eyes off her and she nervously looked at Kee-Ara but she just nodded in his direction. Go on.
"Tsuki? Um, may I pet you?" she asked nervously, her voice nearly a squeak but he gave an exaggerated nod. She grinned relieved before he lowered his head and gently pressed it against her chest in acceptance. She giggled and reached up to scratch his ears like she would have a normal horse.
He sighed blissfully rubbing his nose against her. Once the other children had seen that he wasn't going to eat anyone they all eagerly asked for permission to pet him. He nodded to each of them in turn making them squeal excitedly. He was always good at making friends and before long he was surrounded by adoring children stroking him and calling him pretty.
Almost all of the children. Kee-Ara noticed a small boy standing back away from the others watching them nervously. It was Senshu, Kioki's little brother. It seemed that she had gotten all the outgoingness in the family. Kee-Ara walked over to him and he looked up at her wide-eyed.
"You don't want to pet Tsuki?" she asked him gently and he shook his head before crossing his arms. He was scared. Of Tsuki or the older children Kee-Ara wasn't sure.
"Well, do you want to be the first to ride him?" Kee-Ara asked timidly and watched as his eyes widened and lit up with excitement.
"Can I?" he asked before snapping his mouth shut as he realized that he probably shouldn't get on a demon.
"If you want to. We won't go very fast." she told him and he grinned excitement winning out over caution.
"Tsuki? Would you give Senshu a ride?" Kee-Ara asked and he gently moved through the children towards her. Senshu gulped as Tsuki lowered his head and sniffed him all over before nodding and slowly kneeling. Senshu's mouth fell open as he stared at him in shock until Tsuki turned his head around and looked at him with one amused eye. He quickly climbed up holding on to Tsuki's mane tightly as he swayed to his feet.
Tsuki walked slowly but Senshu's face was so happy you would have thought he was galloping. Kee-Ara walking beside Senshu to hold him if he slid. They walked in a slow circle the other children gleefully following.
They stopped after a few minutes and Kee-Ara reached up to help him off. He slid into her arms without hesitating and happily ran back to the others to tell them all about it. Enviously others asked if they could ride to and after a few pleaful looks from he children, and Tsuki, Kee-Ara relented until they all had a small ride.
"Ok, no more. I have to finish now. To thank Tsuki , Rin can show you how to brush him." Kee-Ara told them and they readily agreed. Rin went and got the brushes and combs and Kee-Ara left Tsuki happily surrounded by excited children talking about braids and ribbons.
Kee-Ara sighed as she looked at the rest of the trunk. She was almost done but it would still take some time and her muscles were aching. She stretched before picking up the axe and starting again. She lost herself to the repetitiveness of swing whack, swing whack, no longer occupied by the children or Tsuki.
He could handle himself and would tell her if he needed her. She was so focused that when a loud crack resounded and the rest of the tree broke through she wasn't expecting it. She jumped and then shrieked as the strong water current slightly pushed one side of the tree just enough to send a spray of water over her. It wasn't strong enough to move the tree a lot but it did enough to soak her.
Soaking wet and grumbling she crawled out of the river bed and went to get the harness ignoring Tsuki's whinnying laugh. As she turned to glare at him she had to laugh too. His mane and tail had been put in many little braids, tied with any piece of loose string or ribbon the children could find. For a ferocious warrior demon horse he looked... cute. He pranced and tossed his braids merrily his eyes dancing and she kissed his nose.
"You look very pretty,"she told him and he batted his eyelashes at her. She snorted before looking at the children,"I love his braids." They giggled and smiled happily at the comment and Rin moved forward to grab part of the harness.
"Is it Tsukis's turn?" she asked and Kee-Ara nodded. The kids all whined or complained but they pet Tsuki, told him thank you, kissed his nose and moved away so Kee-Ara and Rin could put the harness on Tsuki. They strapped it on carefully, leaving off the reins that were usually used to direct the horse. Tsuki would be better at choosing his own path. Instead Kee-Ara picked those up and threw them over her shoulder.
Tsuki backed up to the tree letting Kee-Ara and Rin secure him to end around the roots. Rin moved out-of-the-way and watched worriedly as Kee-Ara grabbed his mane and started walking him forwards, guiding him as he focused on where to put his hooves.
"Ok, come on." she whispered to him and he pulled as hard as he could until the straps were tight jerking the tree a bit before it stopped and the harness strained. Then he ran. He dug his hooves into the earth leaving deep gouges as he threw himself forwards dragging the tree behind him.
This side of the bank was slightly sloped and it slid up easily after he got it started. He pulled it free and away from the bank so it wouldn't roll back in taking almost no time. He tossed his head and whinnied happily as he stopped making it look effortless.
Kee-Ara jogged after him to find Rin already untying him from the tree and Kee-Ara stopped to help. The river was already rushing forward with half of it unblocked The villagers saw the water rushing down the bank and had come running towards them surprised. Now they cheered and clapped as they saw half of the tree out of the way. Kee-Ara laid her palm on Tsuki's heaving side and kissed his cheek. It was harder than it had looked.
"Good job Tsuki. Almost done," she told him and he whinnied agreement watching the rushing waves. They were faster than they thought they would be but Tsuki could handle it. Even now his breath was evening out and he wasn't even sweating in exertion. They would have to go through the river.
It would be easiest to go through the water and pull the other part of the tree out on that side. Trees grew up on that side of the bank making it impossible to jump over even for him. A regular horse wouldn't have dared not being able to make it across. His problem was that he wouldn't be able to stop fast enough once he jumped across.
"Rin. You'll stay here. If you got lost in the river on the way across someone could get hurt trying to get you. This way Tsuki only has to help me. " Kee-Ara told her and at the tone of her voice Rin just nodded. Everyone watched in silence as Tsuki and Kee-Ara approached the rushing river. It was fast but it wasn't that deep and Kee-Ara grabbed one of the harness straps on the side facing away from the tree. Tsuki would take the brunt of the force and he would help pull her across if the current was to strong for her.
Together they moved forward jumping into the waves and swimming with all they had. Kee-Ara's side immediately protested and she sucked in a shocked breath as it struck her side. The water only came up to Tsuki's shoulder's but the water surged up and down keeping his hooves from firmly grasping the ground. Tsuki jumped more than swam through the water dragging Kee-Ara with him.
They went diagonally, not trying to swim straight across and waste that energy. Instead they let the current push them down stream all the while they moved towards the other bank. Kee-Ara held on to the leather strap as hard as she could, terrified of the water that tried to rip her hand away.
It was harder than she had realized and she was already straining to keep moving forward. Stones and loose tree branches struck her painfully as they rushed by with enough force to bruise. Her toes hit the ground and she kicked -Ara's foot slipped on a large rock nad she went in under, water rushing above her face and she gasped reflexively causing water to rush down her throat and in her nose.
She felt it the moment Tsuki's hooves touched the other bank as he firmly dug in and jumped up dragging her with him. She pulled on Tsuki and broke the waves coughing as water came out and she desperately tried to breathe. He pulled her up the other side and she let go kneeling on the ground and coughing. He whinnied anxiously looking at her but she caught her breath and stood back up laughing hoarsely.
"We've been worse than that together, Tsuki. I'm fine." she told him and cheers burst out of the people on the other side as they saw her stand she looked back and smiled. She wearily walked to the branches of the tree and Tsuki obligingly backed up.
She patted him and secured his harness to some of the bigger branches before tying the end of the reins to another part and backed up. She might as well help. He looked over at her and snorted but nudged her gently in thanks. This part would be harder.
"Ready? PULL!" Kee-Ara said yanking as Tsuki surged forward. The tree jerked, moving about a foot, before he pulled up short stopping at the edge of the bank. It rolled to the side where Rin had cut off branches, snapping more as its weight fell on the remaining limbs.
He dug his back hooves in before jerking forward again moving it more. Kee-Ara pulled with all her strength and backed up with him as they pulled it from the middle of the stream. It was going to be harder getting it up the bank but together they slid it up. Now it was smoother nad easier to drag up the bank.
They stopped bracing themselves so it wouldn't slide back down. Every muscle in his body strained and he threw his head down. All of her muscles screamed and she gritted her teeth.
"One, two, PULL!" Kee-Ara yelled again and they both jerked forward, Tsuki rearing on his back legs and lunging forward with his whole body, sliding it over the edge of the bank. Kee-Ara unhooked the reins and moved away so she wouldn't be hit. This is where Tsuki got to show off.
"Now." Kee-Ara called. He surged forward, putting all of his speed into it until it slid forward easily across the ground until it was far enough away. She laid a hand on her side panting as she watched him. H reared, pawing the air and tossing his head joyfully. The dramatic effect was somewhat ruined by the braids but Kee-Ara still heard some of the villagers gasp in awe. She grinned at him before quickly unharnessing him.
"You don't have to be quite so dramatic, show off." she whispered to him and she could have sworn he grinned at her. This time he was panting hard and she walked with him down the river a bit to give him time to cool off. She slung the harness over her shoulder as she walked.
"How about we don't go swimming again?" she asked him and he nodded his agreement. she mounted and he trotted up the river out of sight of the villagers until there the land was clear on both sides. Then he turned and ran flat-out before flying across it.
He skidded to a stop leaving marks on the earth before turning and trotting back to the where they were waiting for them. The villagers watched them approach apprehensively but they weren't expecting their children's reaction. They ran to Kee-Ara and Tsuki and their parents watched in shock as they petted the demon. Kee-Ara dismounted and left him to his many admirers.
"Ichiro, thank you for letting us use your harness and axe," Kee-Ara told him before handing him the soaked harness and retrieving the axe from beside her blanket.
"No, thank you Kee-Ara for moving the tree. I did not think you could actually do it!" he told her shocked and she gave him a small smile.
"Tsuki did most of the work." she told him and Tsuki trotted toward them as he heard his name. Ichiro backed up a step but then stopped as Tsuki stopped next to Kee-Ara. She threw her arm around his neck staring at Ichiro.
"Well, um, thank you, Tsuki." he told him awkwardly before gulping as Tsuki nodded his welcome his intelligence obvious in his dancing red eyes.
"We will give you supplies for your travels in payment. The women have also decided to add a few things besides food because you did more than any of us could expect." he told Kee-Ara and shifted his weight so that he was farther away from Tsuki.
"Thank you. We shall be along shortly to gather them." Kee-Ara told him and he walked away relieved. Rin ran up grinning and impulsively hugged Kee-Ara. Kee-ara froze in shock before hugging her back. Rin backed away smiling before going and retrieving Kee-Ara's blanket.
They quickly resaddled Tsuki and Kee-Ara stiffly mounted behind Rin, a bit slower than she had earlier. Another good thing about Tsuki running so fast? he dries off quickly. In town Kee-Ara filled her saddlebags and talked to the women who brought her the supplies as Rin said goodbye to the village children.
To Tsuki's delight they brought him oats for his part and ribbons for Rin. Kee-Ara couldn't help but laugh when they presented her with a scarf and she took it with a heartfelt thank they left, Rin waved behind them until the village was lost in the trees and Tsuki let out a loud neigh in good-bye.
"Kee-Ara?" Rin said from behind Kee-Ara where she had her arms around her waist.
"Yes, Rin?" Kee-Ara asked enjoying being able to rest. She sat comfortably on Tsuki happy at his familiar presence. She was glad he was back and with her and to her surprise she was glad that Rin was here too.
"I like your way." Rin told her and Kee-Ara squeezed one of Rin's hands in her own.
"I do to."Kee-Ara told her. After they had met up with a furious Jacken they raced back to camp, Rin on Ah-Un in the sky and Kee-Ara and Tsuki on the ground. Rin barely beat them which miffed Tsuki but in his defense he had never been to the camp before. To make up for beating him Rin upbraided Tsuki's hair so she could comb it after they ate dinner.
Kee-Ara rested on a log she had drug over, letting the heat soak into her sore muscles. She sharpened her dagger next to the fire, getting all the nicks out of it from being used to cut tree branches. Every now and then she would look up and smile as Rin talked to Tsuki and he animatedly listened.
Sesshomaru came back unnoticed as he hovered in the shadows watching. Rin hummed as she combed through Tsuki's mane and Kee-Ara studiously focused on her blade trusting Tsuki and Ah-Un's senses. Ah-Un already acknowledged him as he walked up and Tsuki watched him from under half closed lids, content to let him hover. It seemed like they had been a part of their camp forever by how easily they fit with them.
Rin turned after a minute to find him in the shadow and a grin stretched across her face that beckoned him forward into the firelight.
"My Lord!" Rin exclaimed and immediately Kee-Ara tensed. He could see her visibly mak herself relax before turning towards him. Rin bounced across the clearing.
"We went and got supplies today. I made friends in a village, and Kee-Ara almost drowned , and I got to use her dagger!" Rin babbled and Kee-Ara winced at the last part. She was sure he wouldn't care about her drowning but Rin with a dagger...
Instead he just listened to Rin babble for a few minutes more about how exciting it had been. His face didn't show any interest in the story but Rin continued to tell it, the fact that he was letting her talk showed her that he was listening. His gold eyes watched the emotions dance across her face for a few minutes.
"Rin." he said and she immediately stopped in mid sentence.
"Yes, Milord?" she asked.
"Are you hurt?" he asked as if coldly indifferent his voice never wavering from disinterested.
"No, Lord Sesshoamru, I didn't get hurt at all",Rin told him happily before adding as if an afterthought with a frown, "but I think Kee-Ara is a little."
Sesshomaru's golden eyes slanted towards Kee-Ara and she immediately objected," Not really, it wasn't that dangerous. I'm just a little sore is all."
Sesshomaru's eyes could pick out the new bruises where the clothes didn't hide. Bruises from when she was in the river? He dismissed them as of no consequence looking instead to the demon that had moved closer to the human.
"I see the horse demon is back." he stated and Tsuki snorted slightly offended. He did have a name and he was right there.
"Yes, but can Kee-Ara stay with us until Kaede's village? I think she should look at Kee-Ara's wound." Rin told him seriously. Kee-Ara jumped surprised. Shed hadn't been told about this.
"Rin, I'm fine really. It's not that bad." Kee-Ara began before she saw Sesshomaru staring at her. She trailed off distracted as his eyes met nearly reflected the firelight as they stared at her, the emotions unreadable or nonexistent in his hard gaze. She realized she had been staring for a while and she cleared her throat awkwardly before looking away back to the dagger she had forgotten she was holding. She had clenched her hand unknowingly and luckily she was holding the hilt. Now she busily slid it back into it sheath avoiding Sesshomaru's eyes afraid she'd be speechless agin.
He watched her for a moment longer before looking back down at Rin. There was only a couple more days until they reached Kaede's village and usually Rin was so unhappy about it. Now she couldn't stop smiling and he knew it was because of her.
"She can do as she wishes." Sesshomaru said before sitting next to a tree far away from where the human was. Almost immediately she started refusing but Rin had an argument ready. He ignored he closed his eyes and focused on where he was going after he left them but he noticed the moment Rin convinced her to stay. She would be traveling with them to Kaede's village.
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