Disclaimer: I refuse to say it again! (Just check the other chapters.)

Ok lets get strait to the point. Half way through the story the point of view temporarily changes.

Now on with the story.

I couldn't sleep that night. I tossed and turned. My mind just wouldn't shut up! Part of me said I should obey my father and go to war. Then another part of me said to forget my father and not go to war. I just couldn't make a decision. Soon I gave up on sleeping.

I sat in my windowsill looking out the window into the night. The moon was full and beautiful. The stars twinkled around the moon. Then a movement in the garden caught my eye. From my second story window I could see the whole garden and the front gate. I looked down to see Mushi.

He must have guard duty again. I thought.

Mushi had his sword out and was swinging it around as if he were fighting off an enemy. He jumped and swung. Then ran in a circle around his imaginary opponent. He jumped and sliced down burying his sword in the ground. He pulled it out and did a back flip. When he landed he slipped on the dew wet grass and did a face plant. Mushi was such a klutz.

I let out a little laugh, but it was soon silenced when Mushi stood up with his back to me. I noticed Mushi's shirt had fallen down his shoulders revealing the battle scars on his back. I had never seen so many. There must have been twenty long scars. They all intertwined and rapped around his back.

I turned my head. I couldn't stand to see such horrible scars on a demon like Mushi. Mushi just didn't deserve them. Just by looking at the scars I could tell Mushi had been hurt many times.

I looked back at Mushi. He was facing my direction now. He spotted me in the window, and waved his arms franticly. I waved back.

Mushi's so childish. I thought.

Mushi stopped waving and smiled. He walked over to his sword and sheathed it. Then pulled his shirt back over his shoulders. He waved at me one more time before returning to his post. I just shook my head and smiled. Mushi was always so happy and energetic. It was almost scary. He had been through so much and still knew how to smile. I could never do that.

I closed my eyes and tried to decide what I was going to do. I came to a decision and opened my eyes. I sighed. Then stood up and walked out of my room.

I quietly made my way down the halls and stairs until I came to my father's study. There were no lights lit in the study, but I knew father would sometimes read in the dark. I couldn't tell by scent. Heck his scent covered the whole castle. I had to take a chance. I slowly opened the door, and looked inside.

Empty. I smiled and walked in. I easily spotted what I was looking for. A piece of parchment, quill, and ink. I sat at the low desk and dipped the quill in the ink. I thought for a second then began to write a letter.

It read…

Dear Nasuku,

I've come to a decision. I'm not going to war. I couldn't chance you stopping me from leaving so I couldn't tell you personally. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I'll return once the war is over and it's safe to return. Please don't come after me. Once again, I'm sorry.

Your student and friend,

Reeka

I read over the letter and shook my head. I could never write a good letter, but it would have to do. I folded the letter in thirds, and placed it in my pocket. I put the quill away and left the study. I walked back to my room and removed my shoulder bag from its hook on the wall. I opened it and placed inside some money, a sharpener for my sword, and a brush. I hung the bag on my shoulder and once again left my room. I walked until I came to Nasuku's door. I listened for any indication that he was awake. When I found none I slid the letter under his door and left.

I walked out of the castle and noticed the sun was beginning to come out. I walked faster. If my plan was to work I needed to hurry, and get off of the palace grounds before Nasuku found the letter.

"Hey Reeka! Where yah going?" I heard a familiar voice yelled behind me.

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around to see Mushi running towards me. I sighed.

"Just what I need a delay, " I mumbled to myself.

Nasuku opened the door to his room angrily. He had just been talking to Sesshomaru hoping he might be able to talk the demon lord out of sending Reeka to war. He had failed miserably. He closed the door behind him and walked deeper into the room.

Crunch.

"What the…" Nasuku took a step back and looked at where his foot had just been. He spotted the letter and picked it up. He could instantly tell it was from Reeka. Her scent was all over it. He opened the letter and read it.

Dear Nasuku,

I've come to a decision. I'm not going to war. I couldn't chance you stopping me from leaving so I couldn't tell you personally. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I'll return once the war is over and it's safe to return. Please don't come after me. Once again, I'm sorry.

Your student and friend,

Reeka

"What?" Nasuku read the letter again and again not believing what he was reading. He crunched the letter in his hand. Then dropped it and ran out of the room. "I have to find her." Nasuku said as he ran around a corner almost knocking over Yoko in the process. He didn't even stop to apologize he just kept running.

"What's the matter General Nasuku?" Yoko yelled after him. Nasuku didn't answer. He couldn't tell how long ago Reeka had left. For all he knew she could be miles away by now. Nasuku growled at the thought.

Nasuku had been mad before he read the letter. Now this frustration just added onto the mad meter. He turned another corner and burst out the front door. He instantly spotted Reeka talking to Mushi. He walked down the front steps. His hands fisted at his sides.

"Mushi, I'm sorry I don't have time to chat. I have to go." I said when Mushi finally stopped in front of me.

"Why? Where are you going?" He asked.

"That's none of your business." I snapped. "Now I have to go." I turned from Mushi and began to walk towards the front gate leading out of the palace grounds.

"G-General Nasuku?" I heard Mushi say behind me. My heart stopped. I glanced over my shoulder and saw a very angry Nasuku coming down the front steps. His hands were fisted at his sides. Just by looking at him you could tell he was pissed.

I couldn't let Nasuku stop me. I was about to take off running when Nasuku shouted, "Mushi, restrain Reeka!"

Mushi grabbed my arm before I could start running. I struggled against his grip. Then he grabbed my other arm and pinned them to my back. Nasuku was getting closer and closer. If my plan was to work I needed to free myself of Mushi's grasp.

I didn't want to hurt Mushi. So almost every idea was eliminated. I picked an option and carried it out. I dropped to one knee causing Mushi to stumble. Then I twisted and kicked the back of his legs. Mushi tried to keep his balance causing his grip to loosen. I pulled my arms out of his grasp, put my shoulder bag back on my shoulder, and took off running.

I could hear Nasuku running after me. I looked over my shoulder. He was only about ten feet behind me. I tried to run faster, but when I ran faster Nasuku did too. I was almost at the gate when I felt Nasuku grab my shoulder. He pinned my arms to my back in the same way Mushi had causing me to drop my shoulder bag.

I struggled trying to free myself. "Let me go!" I commanded.

"Stay still!" He shouted back. I kept struggling. Nasuku spun me around and pinned me to a nearby tree, so I faced him. He narrowed his eyes at me. I saw Mushi standing a safe distance behind Nasuku. He had a stupid, confused look on his face.

"Go away Mushi!" I shouted at him. Nasuku glanced over his shoulder and nodded. Mushi didn't hesitate. He nodded and ran off.

Nasuku looked back at me, and all hell broke lose. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that I would leave, but that plan's ruined!" I yelled back.

"You can't just keep running off like this, Reeka! One who runs from their fears is a coward! Nothing but a coward."

"I'm not a coward!" I shouted.

"Then what are you Reeka? You're not brave I can tell you that." Nasuku said his voice growing a little softer. He loosened his grip and looked me strait in the eye.

I looked away. He was right. I am a coward. I looked at Nasuku again. "I'll go." Nasuku's face softened.

"Great! We'll leave tomorrow." He said smiling. I was amazed at how fast his attitude changed. "But first we need to make you look like a man. Follow me." He grabbed my hand and started to pull me towards the palace. I didn't give much thought to the hand-grabbing thing. I just guessed it was so I wouldn't run off again.

I sighed. This was going to be a long day.

What's Nasuku got in mind? Find out next time.

Review please.