Unblessed Chapter 25: Lay the Unblessed Down to Sleep, an inuyasha fanfic

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and co. or the song in this chapter that belongs to Linkin Park. I just own Sachi!

A/N: WARNING: depressing chapter, gomen nasai

On a happier note….HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! (giggles) my half b-day, yippy! XD

'Single quotes' are thoughts

"Double quotes" are English

Bold- inner youkai talking among other things

Last Time:

"Sango?" asked Miroku as he turned to his wife. "Something wrong?"

She gave a light chuckle before glancing at her husband. "No, everything is just fine." Miroku looked at his beloved in confusion, but soon was interrupted by a oddly enough cheerful comment from Son'ou.

Both houshi and taijiya looked at the ancient warrior in shock. "What did you just say," they gasped in unison.

Son'ou chuckled, the broad smile on his face remaining undisturbed. "Everything is as it should be; our young friends are falling in love."

This Time:

Chapter 25-Lay the Unblessed Down to Sleep

It was quiet; so very quite. So silent and motionless that it got to the point where it was eerily so. There was not even a whisper of a breeze; it was nonexistent, so the abnormally large flurry snowflakes fell from all direction from the heavens above. A small layer of fluffy snow blanketed the Inuyasha no Mori, making it a forest of white. The animals that inhabited were soundless; there wasn't even the sound of rustling dead grass; there was nothing.

The forest was empty and deathly silent. The sound of falling flakes could was the only thing that was heard, if one had keen enough ears. The forest seemed to be stuck in a span of time between late winter and approaching spring. The grass was turning a brighter shade of green, as life came back to it; buds on the trees were abundant and growing with the hope of a warm spring day to bloom. Yet as the trees and plants life hoped for spring the falling snow denied them their dream.

The falling white specks from the sky covered the world in an ivory purity so innocent and calm. Everything was dead or seeming so, and the world sensed it. Death could be felt all around, but the most powerful sense of death came from beneath the lone Goshinboku.

There, beneath the mighty tree's hibernating mass, was a figure sitting by a grave in a troubled daze. Eyes vacant and starring, took in nothing of their surroundings, merely gazed forward taking nothing in. The winter's chill ignored as well, if not oblivious to the individual. The layer of velvety snow building up on the motionless figure remained undisturbed by movement. Flakes of ice dampened the tresses of abnormally colored hair, as others fell upon bare skin to lay there only to melt and become droplet of moisture. Arms laid out to the person's side, palms up, as if in utter surrender. Knees drawn up and touching so the person's feet were spread apart as the legs remained bar to the winter weather.

However, it was the mane of hair that made the broken person more visible. All black clothing just blended in with the world of grey surroundings of false death. It was the burning crimson hair that stuck out in the world of white, grey and black. The young woman's head lined back against the Goshinboku's trunk for what appeared as support. Just above her head was the worn spot where an hanyou had once been pinned to it with a sacred arrow. To her right was the gave of the second guardian of the Shikon no Tama. Her crimson hair flowed over her to the ground and blended with the frozen ruby hue in the pristine snow.

All around the unblessed miko was death, as her very dark, yet pure soul radiated death and endless sadness. A single salty tear fell from the corner of the indigo eye, as the miko croaked out one name in complete heart wrenching pain.

"Kaede…"

-Back Flash: Sachi's POV-

The instant I was in range of leaping fro Kirara's back, I did. I ignored the slushy ground and how its dirty puddles slashed muddy droplets of water onto my hakama pants and sandals. All I wanted to see was the cheerful, old Kaede's smiling face at my return.

As I gained my footing on the squishy and uneven ground, I bolted for the mat doorway of the hut before me. A proud smile was spread across my face; I had so many think to tell the elder miko. How I as able to manipulate both parts of my scent; fire and roses; how my swordsmanship had improved ten-fold, and all the other miraculous things I could do with my miko powers; so many things. And reaching the matt door I pushed it aside a beaming smile on my face. I was not greeted by a surprised happy crinkled face of Kaede-baba. The only thing I instantly took notice of, was the overpowering scent of decay and nearing death.

As my emerald-indigo eyes adjusted to the darkly lit hut, I felt an emotional lump catch in my throat.

"Kaede?" I asked hesitantly to have the answer I craved yet dreaded.

"Sachi…is that ye?" croaked and hacked out a voice that was so distorted with the pain of age and sickness, that it didn't even sound like the stubborn ox miko I knew. But I knew; I knew the moment I stepped into the hut, I should have known earlier however.

Coming to the futon set near the fire, I kneeled by Kaede's sick bed. "Hai, Kaede; it's me," I whispered holding back the croak in my voice. I heard the others quietly enter; I paid no heed to them. "How are you doing Kaede; you catch cold," and I placed a hand on the elder's forehead to find it burning as if on fire.

Kaede turned her face to me and gave a sad smile. "Sachi…" trailed the old woman knowing very well how bad her case was. Course knowing me I wouldn't say a thing let alone admit it in the silence of my head. "I'm dying."

It came out at such a sad defeated whisper, by such a strong woman it brought tears to my eyes. I fought them off though; I fought them with my genuine fake smile.

"Don't be silly Kaede-baba; you'll get through this. You're as stubborn as an ox, sickness doesn't keep you down long."

"Sachi-chan," whispered Sang at my back as she encouraged me to see the truth behind my well placed and induce lie. I had seen enough truth to last a life time; I wanted to enjoy my self-induced lies f ignorance and the innocence. "Sachi-cha…" she whispered again when I didn't answer.

I gave the taijiya the dirtiest glare I could ever give while demanding silence from the corner of my eye. I turned to the sick Kaede; fighting tears and the truth all the way. I was as tough as stone, and I would make Kaede, the grandmother I never had, feeling same.

"You'll get through this Kaede! I'll help you with my new powers, besides you're scent isn't that bad," I exclaimed with fake happiness.

I saw the old brown eye of the sick woman look over my shoulder to the hanyou at by back, standing in hushed silence. The little flicker of hope I thought I saw in Kaede's single good eyes was vanquished like a breeze blowing out a struggling candle flame. Kaede saw my pleading eyes as my heart continued to break into a thousand shards in my chest.

"Sachi," she whispered then coughed so hard her whole aged body shook with their power. When the coughing fit settled she looked back up at me. "You're like a granddaughter to me, but it's time I said my goodbyes."

My struggle for composure wavered as Kaede continued. "Onegai Kaede….don't-"

"Shh, child," and she placed a finger over my quivering pale lips. "I have battled well these last few months in the hope of seeing ye once last time, but now I have nothing left."

Miroku stepped forward as I tried attempting words. "You are ready to pass on the Kaede-sama?"

"NO!" I cried out in as much shock as pain. I rouse to face the houshi and fight him for Kaede's life, but arms as strong as steel wrapped around me restraining me. "No!! I refuse to see another person I love to die! I WON'T LET YOU DIE KAEDE!!!"

"Shh," hushed Inuyasha in my ear as he held me tightly to him. "We have to let her go Sachi. She told her time was coming in the letters she wrote us."

I sagged against my hanyou's strong chest defeat. "No," I whimpered still fighting back bitter tears. "You knew; you all knew and said nothing…" there was no answer. "Why?" I half snarled out.

I heard Inuyasha sigh in my ear. "For your training," he answered regretfully as he combed through my hair with his fingers. I jerked away from the touch knowing the action had hurt the inu-hanyou deeply.

"Screw my fucking training," I snapped out eyes flashing with my frustrated ire.

"We knew you'd say that Sachi," Inuyasha said pain in his voice. "It was Kaede's choice not to disrupt your training, not ours." I wanted to slap him across the face for just muttering those words, but I knew Kaede was behind the silence, I would have been told other wise.

"Sango," whispered Kaede in her raspy voice. The taijiya came to kneel by the miko's death bed. "I don't have much to give you; you who has been as much as a younger sister to me." Tears flowed down's Sango's warrior face, but she remained still. "These are prayer beads that give protection to any that were it and those they hold dear. Kikyou gave them to me before she died, I would like you to have them."

From her haori Kaede pulled out red prayer beads with onyx bead ever so often to make a gorgeous yet simple design.

"Arigatou," whispered out Sango as her coffee eyes let the cascade of tears come as she back away.

Miroku took his wife's place, as he took the elder miko's hand in his two larger ones.

Kaede grinned up at him. "I have a staff in the storage room that might do you good Miroku-sama. It was a staff given to me from a powerful houshi some years ago. Maybe you'll have more use of it then I did."

He bowed his head as he raised his hand in silent prayer. "Arigatou," he whispered raising and backing away.

With no further things need to be done with the houshi, Kaede turned her gaze to Inuyasha who still held trembling young miko. Inuyasha let his arms fall and reluctantly gave the silently grieving miko to the ookami prince who remained as silent as stone in the background.

The golden dry eyed inu-hanyou sat cross legged by the onna he had known way back into his dark and bloody past. "Hai Kaede-baba?" he asked finally showing the elder woman the proper respect she deserved.

Kaede smiled up at they young man's emotionless face. "This hut is yours to do with as you please." All were surprised by this, but still not so much; Kaede and Inuyasha went way back, such an act was understandable. "This village is the only home you've every really known, and I want it to remain that way."

Inuyasha bowed his head, silver bangs eclipsing his mourning eyes. "Arigatou…" and he rouse to his feet and half turned to the emotionally struggling miko. Reaching out he took me, he took my trembling hand in his own detaching me from the consoling Kouga.

"Come o n Sachi," he said gently and soothing, I felt myself reluctantly going with him. "It's your turn."

I meekly bowed my head as the silver haired male led me to Kaede's bedside. Inuyasha placed himself at my side to give me both support and encouragement.

"Sachi," shocked out the elder miko as her voice began to wane with the strain of speaking so much to all of us. Kaede reached up with a shaky hand to me and cupped my dry cheek. "I have so little to give you child, when you deserve so much…"

I lad my hand over Kaede's that lay on my cheek, and rubbed my flawless cheek against her old crinkled and calloused hand. "You don't have to give me anything. You already gave me a greater grandmother then I could ever hope for."

The dying miko smiled up at ne with tears of joy in her single good eye. "Glad to hear it my dear, but still you deserve something for your many struggles."

I shook my head, making my crimson hair bellow out about my face.

"I give you my place as Head Miko of Edo," she whispered softly as her hand was take from my cheek to grave Inuyasha's clawed limb. Kaede's other hand reach out ad took my left hand, and then surprised us all by placing my hand within Inuyasha's. "I give you my hut to share, and with young Shippo of course."

I fought back my own tears as Shippo let loose a bitter cry as he detached himself from Kirara's side and flung himself against Kaede's side. "Kaede!" he cried out as big fat tears fell from his big green eyes. "Don't die! Please don't die!!"

Kaede released Inuyasha and I hands to hug the kit close as she could as tears swelled in her eyes. "Gomen nasai Shippo, child, but I am old; it can't be helped. Be good for Sachi and Inuyasha," and she turned her face to look at my hand that was still grasped by Inuyasha. "You…all will be a…good family..."

I lifted my mournful indigo eyes to the golden honey of Inuyasha. There was understanding, trust, friendship, and among other important feelings written in our shared gaze. I felt Inuyasha squeeze my hand, and I mustered the smallest hint of a smile.

"Now…Sachi…" began Kaede hesitantly as she closed her eye. "Ye know what ye have to do."

I looked at the miko before me, gapping in shock. "Kaede…" I trailed barely finding my voice behind my shock and pain. "Onegai…don't make me do this!" I almost felt the tears on my cheeks then, but I held them in with all my remaining strength. "Onegai…" I begged nearly breaking.

"I'm tired of suffering, you're the only one that can do it," Kaede weakly spoke back; her strength was vanishing at a far faster pace then I had thought.

I bowed my head in mournfully in defeat as I clutched Inuyasha's hand, ignoring how his claws bit into my palm. Finally, however, I found the courage to raise my head and lined forward as I let go of the consoling hand holding mine. Placing the now freed hand on the my grandmother's brow, I swallow as I felt a single tear escape my indigo orb, to slide down my cheek to land on Kaede's cheek.

"Close your eyes Kaede-baba," I whispered hoarsely.

"Arigatou…granddaughter…" huskily answered the passing Kaede, but still she remained starring up at me; I knew then what she wanted. To have her proclaimed granddaughter to be the last face she saw before traveling to the next world.

I held back the flood of tears I knew were about to break through the dam of my proud will. Willing my power into my shacking hands I closed my eyes as the glow of miko powers shown through my closed lids. I didn't want to watch as the one good eyelid fall in slumber as my powers lulled Kaede to sleep. Kaede wanted me to keep her into a peaceful slumber till her body totally gave out to the cold grip of Death. Hearing the elder miko sigh under my hand, I let the purple pink light ebb away to nothingness before cracking open my eyes hoping the flood gates wouldn't open. They did.

Kaede's sleeping face made my softly smile in regret and joy. "Sayonara….grandmother…" I whimpered out and then I was gone, out of that crammed hut; running like the devil was nipping at my heels.

I never heard my friends call my name as I bolted from the hut into the dying day and rising night. I heard pursing footsteps however, but those were stopped by a solemn male's voice. I silently thanked him from within my private mined; he knew I wanted solitude in my mourning. It did occur to me at I ran, that there was only one person that knew that about me, and it was Inuyasha. I didn't care though, I just ran through the quiet and quant village of Edo. Through unused rice fields surrounding the village and into the silent Inuyasha no Mori I ran, conscious of only the will to run and run forever. I seized to remember anything; not why I ran with such determination to get away, or why I hated cowardice running; nothing existed but my constant resolve to run with no stopping.

I didn't feel angry invading branches cutting and gouging into my flesh. Nor was the tug on my clothing or fiery mane registered in my mind. I had tunnel vision as I ran further into the forest as night fell on me, even as my vision became obscured and blurry, I still ran. Stumbling further toward my unknown destination I sprinted like my life and sanity depended upon it. Yet as my vision fogged, so did my resolve to run; my exhaustion was hindering me. With the last of my strength I burst into a clearing to plant myself against a large tree's trunk for support, but even that wasn't enough to hold my burdened shoulders.

My dull ebony painted ningen nails clawed the rough ancient bark as my once strong knees gave out from under me. Plummeting to my knees before the giant tree, with my hands flat against it's broad trunk I ignored the icy moisture sucked up by my hakama. I reluctantly let the flood gates open, and out came the tears I had fought to keep from everyone else from seeing; the sheer force of it force a broken sob from my chest. I began my secluded grieving for the grandmother I never hade.

"Kaede…" I whimpered out between convulsing sobs that racked my body. "W-why did you have to go K-Kaede!?"

-End Sachi's POV-

In the young miko's misery and grieving, she never knew she wasn't alone within the secluded clearing. Someone else stood on the edge, draped in the shadows of the night. He watched Sachi as sobs shook her small, fragile, mortal body. No one can be strong all the time, no matter how hard one tired to be, yet the modern day miko had been determined to do so her whole life. Sachi's broken weeping was proof that not even the strongest of creatures could hold up against the build up of everything sad and sinful.

"Sachi…" whispered the hidden figure as he stepped from the shadows.

Said miko spun her head to the soft sound of his whisper, she had barely heard it over her sobs of anguish. "What are you doing here Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha heard annoyance in the mournful sound of Sachi's voice. He had invaded her privacy she so held so highly, but the hanyou also heard the silent and secretive cry for help. For comfort and strength; the warmth and support a pair of arms wrapped around her sobbing form would bring. A silent plea for someone to take her bitter tears away; the inu-hanyou knew this and kneeled before the weeping miko with no recollection of ever covering the distance to her broken body.

With strong and warm arms possessing limitless comfort, Inuyasha took Sachi in his arms, as he nuzzled his nose in her hair.

It shocked Sachi for a time; the sudden change strange and oddly out of character. However, shock was soon overcome by grief of the nearing loss Kaede. So into Inuyasha's warm chest Sachi cried out her misery. Leaving salty water stains on his read haori. The broken miko wept into the chest she was hugged to; giant silent tears streaking her once flawless face.

"Why Kaede!?" sobbed out Sachi as her voice became muffled by the clothing she clung to so desperately.

"Shh," cooed Inuyasha swaying slightly as he stroked the name of crimson fire. "It'll be alright Sachi…"

Tears seized to fall as the devastated young woman fisted her hands in the bright red haori. "Why does Kaede have to die…" droned out Sachi looked up at the sad face of her companion and close friend. "Why Inuyasha?"

The inu-hanyou drew the fragile miko closer shutting his eyes against the tears he too wished to shed but refrained. "She was old Sachi; she lived her life to the fullest." Looking down to the tear stricken face, he whipped the salty droplets away with a padded thumb. "She wouldn't want you to cry Sachi-chan."

Sachi feeling more tears falling whipped them away with the palms of her hands. "Why are you speaking in pass tense," hesitantly asked Sachi; she feared the inevitable answer.

Cupping a flushed cheek, Inuyasha starred into the somber indigo eyes that mirrored the ocean at night. "Sachi, Kaede passed on a little while after you took off."

Tears came anew as the truth rang true the young broken girl's mind. Sachi buried her face in the crock of the of the consoling hanyou's neck, as he held her in his lap. She cried into his neck like a child after loosing a precious toy or lost pet. Inuyasha was Sachi's shoulder to cry one; they only shoulder she would cry one. And so the silver haired youth stay with the weeping miko still her tears dried up and sobs no longer racked her body in powerful shudders.

"Inuyasha?"

Still stroking her hair Inuyasha answered with a simple, "Hmm."

"Arigatou."

Looking down to the pale face next to his Inuyasha saw the wide sorrowful eyes of the miko he had come to respect for her boundless strength, endless love and admirable loyalty. Her eyes stared up to him with still a silent cry of comfort and the hanyou found he couldn't look away. His eyes starred steadfast into Sachi's deep pools of endless unique color. Then it was her rosy lips that drew Inuyasha's attention; so close and kissable.

Lining forward with strange sense of gentleness, the once rough inu-hanyou laid a soft feather light kiss on Sachi's brow. Followed by one on either wetted cheek getting a taste of salt in the process, but before lining back again, there was still another kiss to give. With no further hesitation, Inuyasha laid a soft yet passionate kiss on the rosy lips of the miko he held. Letting himself linger just for a moment, the hanyou retreated back and saw Sachi look up at him with new found admiration.

"Thank you so much Inuyasha…" she whispered so softly even the inu ears atop Inuyasha's head struggled to hear. "You have no idea of how much you've done for me thus far." And with nothing more to utter, the crimson haired miko laid her head against the strong chest, as the rhythm of his heart lulled her to sleep in which she gave into with complete surrender.

"I'm happy to hear it Sachi-kun," he whispered stroking his cheek against the silky tresses as a single tear left his eye. "And I'm not stopping till your scars are healed."

-Next Day: mid-day-

The value of a person is said to be measured by the number of people crying when they die. For Kaede, the whole village of Edo came, plus some. And every mourning person at the least shed a single tear for dearly departed miko. The Inu no Taishi stood at the front before the pile of timber that the body of Kaede lay upon. However, on the inu-hanyou's right was a space between him and the youkai slayer Sango; Sachi wasn't present at the funeral procession.

The young dark miko had risen before the break of dawn and had vanished into thin air. N one sought after Sachi, knowing very well she didn't want to be found. So Miroku preceded the funeral ceremony.

The houshi lowered his head in silent prayer, as the villagers followed. Tears fell continuously as the moans of the woman and children filled the heavy late winter air. Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, and even Shippo spoke a few parting words, fighting off tears the whole way through. With a lit torch in hand the houshi went forward to start the pile of gathered firewood, when a sudden flame flared to life within the pile of hay and timber.

All gasped in shock, as their eyes grew wide in both fear and awe. Looking around, no one found the cause of such a strange phenomenon. Five individuals however, knew too well who had started the ceremonial flames. There was only one person could summon and command fire so effortlessly.

The Inuyasha gang stood before the funeral burning of the past Head Miko. Through Sachi wasn't physically there, they all knew that she was somewhere nearby. Hidden and withdrawn into shadow, Sachi, the Unblessed Child and Miko, watched the procession in mournful silence and solitude.

"Sachi…" whispered Inuyasha as he tore his stare from the devouring flames to the hill overlooking the funeral. And there, standing motionless as the wind pulled at her uniform skirt and mane of fire, dressed all in black like she normally as always. The unblessed shrine maiden truly looked solemn, dark infested and alone atop the hill. "Sachi…"

The woman-child atop the hill out of sight of ningen eyes, Sachi turned away to vanish from the hanyou's sight. The scarred miko retreated into the forest of white, not to be seen the rest of the day.

-Next Day: morning-

A shower of light white fluffy flakes of snow fell from the grey heavens; even they seemed to grieve the loss of a pure protector. The snow blanketed the silent lamenting village of Edo. The white fluff built up upon the ice that had been created melted snow after the days of warm weather; soft pure specks of ice clung to the broad branches of the trees. Everything was silent; not even the winter song birds sang their song. The new headstone before the Edo Village's shrine, like everything else in the calm winter world was blanketed in snow.

A single figure stood before the newly dug grave. An agile hand whipped away the flakes of fragile ice clinging to the smooth carved stone. The winter breeze blew the incense smoke into the air as the lone individual prayed before the grave that had kanji so gracefully carved into it. It read:

"Here lays Kaede-sama; a great miko, friend, sister and grandmother, with boundless strength and determination she guarded the village of Edo. May she live on in our hearts and never be forgotten."

The figure dressed in a black haori and hakama with unbound fiery tresses raised a flute to her lips and played a sad and eerie tune. Mournful and slow, it was carried on the slight wind to lull the village below with a sullen lullaby.

Heads turned, as ears opened to take in the sad song that was carried on the wind, as the new Head Miko played for the passed miko. The villagers saw Sachi-sama atop the temple stairs; hair flying as the ebony sleeves flapped in unison. She was a picture-perfect image of a grieving family member. While others were forced to move forward, even with reluctance, the young odd miko was at a standstill. Refusing, as well as unable to move beyond the point of such a tragic loss; she stood there no longer able to shed bitter tears.

The eerie lullaby came to an end as quick as it had begun. Sachi was gone in a flurry of falling snow, fading once more beyond the reach of all but one individual.

-End Flashback-

Sitting in the cold frozen snow, in her lone uniform Sachi starred unseeing in her grief. She was long passed tears; she was now in stuck in stubborn shock. She didn't feel the cold; she was burning inside with so many emotions she thought she had long forgotten. Then there was the pain; the pain she never seemed to feel as it was barred so far deep inside her. Her arms were bare of their covers, Sachi's scars were bare to the world and so was her fresh ruby blood, as it stained the virgin snow.

The knife the fire haired miko had used to carve into her flesh was now slack in her unclenched hand. Blood frozen on the blade appeared to be like ruby crystals, gleaming and taunting the one that had bled that very life's fluid. On the wounded arm the word, "Death to all I love," was written anew. The droplets of red dripped to the white layer building upon the dead ground.

All alone in the white forest, Sachi bleed and wept for the loss of Kaede. She knew very well Kaede-baba wouldn't approve, but it couldn't be helped. The act of self inflicted pain was Sachi's only way to cope, even if it was at the top of the list of thing not to do when depressed and breaking into a thousand pieces.

Ebony painted lids fell slowly till they were completely shut. The ironic thing was, was that blaring in her ears from her iPod was none other then "Valentine's Day", by Linkin Park.

"I was hoping for a happy Valentine's Day this year, "whispered Sachi, and clutched the knife she still half held. "Damn it," she seethed through clenched teeth.

My insides turn to ash/so slow/ And blew away as I collapsed/ so cold

Raising her eyes to the falling flakes, Sachi felt hot tears burn in her eyes to give birth to an inferno as they caressed her cold bitten cheeks. Kaede had been dying through the months of her training, and she hadn't even noticed. When someone loved another so deeply, they were supposed to feeling something when they were in danger. Course, Sachi knew already that to be absolutely false. With the death of her mother, the fire haired child had been none the wiser. Fortunately for Kaede-baba, she went in her magically induced slumber Sachi and encased her in, instead of being butchered by a evil monster.

A black wind took them way/ from sight/ and now the darkness over day/ that night/ and the clouds above me move closer/ looking so dissatisfied/ but the heartless wind kept blowing, blowing

"Why does everyone I knew have to fucking die," Sachi screeched to the high heavens in English. "Am I that cursed? Does Kami and every other god hate me that god damn much!?"

I used to be my one protection/ not now/ cause my path has lost direction/ some how/ a black wind took you away/ from sight

One more, no matter how hard Sachi fought to keep them shut, it was futile; the flood gates of her tears swung open. The salty tears marred her cheeks, and smeared the carefully placed onyx makeup. Starring down at her hands that she found cupped in her lap, the emotionally struggling miko noticed something.

Her hands were as agile and graceful as any female would have wanted, when she lacked a feminine atmosphere. However, the hands Sachi's owned were calloused and obviously used to harshness of work labor. There was scars cress -crossing the silken skin. Across the back of her hand were the X shaped scars that were perfectly formed, and slightly rising above the skin. Sachi always had a few nicks and scratches on her hands at all times no matter what.

And now the darkness over day/ that night/ and the clouds above me move closer/ looking so dissatisfied/ but the heartless wind kept blowing, blowing

Sachi's vision blurred, as her cupped limbs became obscured. Feeling warm droplets fall on the exposed flesh, Sachi knew she was crying even harder now.

"Kaede…I miss you…" crocked out the grief stricken miko, as she left the tears alone as they created dark smears upon her pale flawless face.

So now you're gone/ and I was wrong/ I never knew what it was like to be alone

Looking to the clouded shrouded sky, the miko longed to see the azure sky. Holidays, especially a holiday like Valentine's Day was supposed to be happy. Full of boundless joy and smiles, spent with loved ones. Sachi's holidays were always spent alone, and in a dark cold room of things furthest from love imaginable.

On a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day/ on a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day/ on a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day/ (I used to be my own protection, but not now)/ on a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day

Fighting the tears that would not stop, Sachi shielded her face with her scarred hands. Kaede was gone, and left a still training miko hanging. Where was Sachi to go now, she didn't know.

(Cause my mind has lost direction, some how)/ On a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day/ (I used to be my own protection, but not now)/ On a Valentine's Day, on a Valentine's Day

Building up her anger at her pathetic display of weakness she made, Sachi stopped her mourning. Clutching the small knife in hand as the other now clutched her iPod, she raised her eyes. The modern shrine maiden glared up at the sky with new set ire. Her fingers itched for movement; craved brutal and bloody action. It was a bad habit, but one hat couldn't be helped. What better way to relive stress and anger, then to brutally killing something.

"I wish there was some youkai around," sighed Sachi resting her head against the rough surface of the Goshinboku. "Killing some youkai would be nice right now…"

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

The high pitched scream of horror ripped through the silent forest like a gun shot. The pitch of the scream made it obvious that it was a young girl; child even, jerked the slightly relaxed miko to attention as if she had been slapped across the face. Even overwhelmed by her grief Sachi never passed by a person that needed help.

So before she knew it, Sachi had sheathed the knife in her boot top. Her iPod somehow vanished from her hand to be replaced by her inu-katana. Faster then she knew what was driving her to her feet, Sachi was sprinting through the snow covered mori at top speed.

"AHHHHH!!!!"

The child in danger cried out and Sachi needed nothing else to direct her to her destination. Her mind blocked out all else, so just the screeching of the young one was heard in her keen ears. The miko had once more required tunnel vision for only the child; Sachi knew nothing else, all previous problems gone. So with strong legs she ran with both youkai and miko speed as the four pointed star upon her brow glowed in earnest.

( Cause my mind as lost direction, some how…)

A/N: I'M SO SORRY!!! (pleads on her knees) I didn't intend to kill Kaede, I really didn't but it just came out that way and I couldn't move forward without her death. I know some of you are just going to kill me in my sleep some night (nervous laughter) so i just want to say that I am sry.

You have to admit though, that Kaede-baba was getting old, for that time period anyway. It was bound to happen some time (insert tear here) and I really liked Kaede too (moans) So I apologize to those that also like Kaede and seeing her die in this fanfic, not something I take pride in I'll let you know.

So (bows deeply) accept my deepest apologies, character death is never an easy thing to do, and even harder to do when there's no way around it to get moving forward.

So good bye, BLAZE

P.S.- it may be a time before I update again, I have some other fanfics that I need to get started on. I have a contest among my friends; oneshots of different phandoms, so wish me luck XD And I'll try to get back to this story as soon as possible; I'm not giving up on it, far from it!

Sayonara!!