For a moment Inuyasha stood rooted to his spot, trapped in the gossamer web of memory.
Of meeting in secret in the cover of the night; of stolen kisses and whispered promises he had fully intended to keep.
But alas fate had come between them – the duty she'd chosen over him and their tender affections. She'd left behind only a letter, pinned to the bark of their tree.
Just as quickly the memories faded and he saw he had been mistaken. Though the uniform of a miko was the same and there were some similarities in her features, the woman before him was not Kikyou.
The eyes were the most obvious difference: bearing an unusual colour of deep blue, they regarded him with polite confusion, an expression he'd never seen from Kikyou.
Inuyasha's hand twitched and he released his sword hilt.
"Sorry," he said gruffly. "I mistook you for someone else."
The miko bowed her head but offered no other reply.
Inuyasha couldn't help staring at her. She both intrigued and discomfited him. Intrigued, for what in the blazes was a miko doing at the Nishikawa castle in the first place?
Discomfited, because even just the sight of her brought forth memories best forgotten, of another time, of another miko.
Inuyasha gritted his teeth. He nodded a quick greeting to little Rin, then determinedly turned his back at the miko and strode away from the practice yard. He'd do his sparring at a later time, a better time, when there would be no blue-eyed mikos in the audience to remind him of nights long past.
He ignored the claws of pain that clutched at his heart and set a brisker pace.
And despite his determination of putting this unwelcome tangle of feelings behind, curiosity lingered - questions popping into his head one after another.
Inuyasha's steps slowed. He stopped, hesitated… Then, he changed his direction.
It wouldn't hurt to find out what the miko was doing here. He'd learned long ago that it was best to stay aware of the comings and goings of the Nishikawa castle.
There were fewer nasty surprises that way.
Therefore, instead of going back to his quarters, Inuyasha headed for the eastern wing.
He found her in her rooms, humming to herself while arranging a bouquet of flowers. She paused in her task the moment he stepped in and looked up with a delighted smile.
"Inuyasha! Come, sit!"
Inuyasha crossed the room and sat next to her, careful not to crush any flowers.
When he'd settled beside her, her hand rose to cup his cheek.
Inuyasha briefly closed his eyes, savouring the tender touch.
Then, he opened his eyes and looked at her, allowing a smile to rise to his lips.
"Hello, mother," he greeted her, his voice softened by affection. "How are you?"
"I am fine, dear son," Izayoi replied, "how sweet of you to ask. More importantly, how are you faring?"
"I'm well, though I just had a strange encounter," Inuyasha said, frowning.
"Truly?" Izayoi clasped his hand. "Tell me what is making you frown so."
"I went to the practice yard to spar but there was a stranger there; a miko training at the archery range. Little Rin was with her."
"Oh, yes! The miko, everyone is talking about her, so I admit I am curious about her as well. I have yet to meet her, what was she like?
"I don't know, I did not really talk with her. She was good with her bow and seemed polite. She had blue eyes."
"How extraordinary! I think I should like to meet her."
Inuyasha's lips twitched in a fond smile.
"Why is the miko here, do you know, mother?"
"I heard she helped Rin-hime when the poor girl had got lost. That is why the younger lord Nishikawa made the miko an offer of hospitality, as a sign of his gratitude."
Inuyasha's eyebrows shot up. "Sesshoumaru did?"
Izayoi nodded. "Yes. And Lady Nishikawa met with her yesterday morning. Likely, her ladyship already has several schemes afoot."
Inuyasha snorted. Her highness would have a number of schemes at any given day, in any given situation. Inuyasha was certain she had more plots in store than his father did.
Izayoi clasped her hands in her lap. "The latest bit of news I have heard regarding the miko is that the young lord has asked her to be Rin-hime's teacher. Do you think the young lord might be fond of her?"
"Keh! If Sesshoumaru wants her to teach little Rin, it's likely he respects her. But fondness? That icy bastard is only fond of little Rin."
"Oh, Inuyasha, I wish you would not speak so disparagingly of your brother," Izayoi admonished.
"Sorry, mother," Inuyasha muttered half-heartedly.
Izayoi bestowed him a gentle smile. "Well, whatever the young lord's feelings towards the miko may be, it would seem like the Nishikawa want her to stay."
Inuyasha scowled.
He wasn't sure he wanted to see the miko around, especially if she insisted on wearing the all too familiarly haunting white kimono and red hakama.
She reminded him too much of Kikyou and he did not wish to spare a thought to the priestess he'd once known. He had no wish to revisit the days when he had been a fool in love, nor to plunge back into the pain that still lingered, threatening to engulf him.
Thus, he decided to put aside the matter of this new miko as well.
Inuyasha squared his shoulders, mustered a smile for his mother, and abruptly changed the topic of their conversation to more pleasant subjects.