~•o•O•o•~

The buzzing of locusts high up in the tall cedar trees made a mockery of the horse rider low below, their cacophony deafening against the deathly still darkness. Tall, white trunks like narrow bones scraped clean of their sinew stood out in an empty ribcage. As if shielding its innards of mottled grey forest, the high canopies above the lone rider were all alight with tiny star lights. The golden shimmers making an artifice of the high ceiling were an imitation of starlight, spider eyes.

Rasetsu took ragged breaths from behind the hollowed out baboon mask, his heated pants bringing forth the scent of long dessicated flesh hidden within the dried demon skin. Sweat beaded his brow, every step deeper into the cursed forest brought him more anxiety. Even his horse began to step softer through the thick undergrowth, his grip on the reins tightening.

"Wear this mask as you go into the dark forest, and I promise you, no youkai will harm you. I wish for you to spend one night in the cave, and if you come out of it unscathed, then we will know that my stories are true. If you go there, and you are in any way harmed, then my name is tarnished and I am nothing but a liar. It's your choice, Rasetsu. Do you take it, or leave it?"

Onigumo's words lingered on in his mind, this so-called promise that he would go unharmed only half helping his confidence, the other half was sure he would be sniffed out by the demons as an imposter, and Onigumo the victor... Rasetsu took a sharp gasp of air in as he began to realize what Onigumo's game was.

"Does he take me for a fool?" He muttered, and pulled his horse back, what's the difference if he stays the night in the forest, or anywhere else? He wouldn't allow himself to be swindled by the smooth talking man's sugar-laced words. The horse began to backtrack, snorting in abhorrence towards whatever had caused it offense. Rasetsu took his horse's reaction as a warning, and turned it around to flee from the forest.

As he fled, Rasetsu caught a golden light growing off in the distance, and pulled on the horse's reins to slow it. He glanced back and was surprised to see nothing there, his brows furrowing as he squinted to see where the golden light had gone. Then, as he stared, he began to see the glow of paper lamps swinging slowly on the air, as a low thumping could be heard, and a high-pitched murmur that he couldn't quite understand. Rasetsu crept slowly closer, then tied his horse off to a tree; not wanting to run off while he investigated the mysterious light up ahead.

Rasetsu crept carefully closer through the forest, a twig snapping beneath his foot louder than his beating heart at that moment, racing wildly. And yet, the celebration didn't seem to slow even though he'd made himself known. Rasetsu grew more confident; sure now that this was all an illusion, he strode forth quickly through the weeds, until he was at the edge of the demon party. The fairy lamps above him flickered as the flames within grew more intense. Looking around himself, Rasetsu felt smug in that the baboon mask truly did make him invisible to the demons, so he assumed they would pay him little attention.

Rasetsu walked up to a large table at the center of the celebration that was laden with all kids of delectable looking food, and dug into it with his bare hands, cupping the indecipherable yet desirable goods to his face and devouring them greedily. He picked up a leg of roast meat and bit into it hungrily, the other hand reaching for a ladle and scooping the creamy concoction up, tasting it in between bites of meat. After, Rasetsu found the dessert and ate eagerly of that as well, though his stomach felt tight and stretched, he sat at the table, and nodded eagerly as a weasel demon poured a shimmering gold liquid from a jug into a glass, and offered it to him. Rasetsu drank, looking around himself at the many curious demons and creatures, many of them animalistic, some even human-like, if it weren't for their sharp teeth and horns.

His attention was caught by a girl wearing barely anything but a bodice made of roots, and a tattered skirt of ivy vines and vivid purple blooms, with long, wavy black hair. She was dancing barefoot in the grass with a canine like youkai, her hair swaying as she laughed and danced playfully, the dog's tail wagging as she scratched its ears. Her innocent smile was made more malevolent by jagged teeth poking over her pink lips, her heavy lashed eyes a shade of caustic yellow. Rasetsu couldn't help but find her beautiful regardless of being a demon, and stood up from his comfortable place at the table, the lights around him duplicating and dancing as he felt the effects of the gold sake beginning to take hold.

He made his way to her dizzily, bumping into a cat demon that hissed at him, and threatened to rake its claws across his face. Once seeing that he wore the baboon mask, it hesitated, crawling back warily to observe him along with the other feline demons, that took a break from chasing the rats demons to watch. Rasetsu didn't notice the low warning growls coming from the cats, and made his way closer to her, until the dog youkai noticed, and flattened his ears to his head, snarling.

"Uwezo toya da...? Gyzong apa?"

The girl said to the dog in a language Rasetsu couldn't understand, he was only listening to the delicate timbre of her voice with hooded eyes, heavy with desire. He came closer until he was behind her, and placed his hand on her hip, squeezing the flesh there suggestively. The girl turned her face quickly to stare at him from over her shoulder, baring her teeth in a silent threat.

Rasetsu wanted to dance with her too,and maybe more. He didn't know what it was, but his head was swimming with lust, he envied the dog demon and he let that basal need drive him. A clawing greed came upon him after eyeing this strange beauty, and he twisted her around, pulling her to himself.

The demoness tensed against him, her pupils narrowing in a threat. A growl rattled out from her throat, and she shoved off of him, the demons noticing the scene, and surrounding the pair. Low laughter sent dread through him, as the warm lamplight darkened to red, and yellowed eyes blazed at him.

"We know you are not the spider child, fool."

"Your head will make a lovely trophy."

Rasetsu glanced back and forth anxiously, tremors going through his body as he withdrew the blade at his waist, and held it before himself shakily.

"Back, demons! Lest you all be slain-" The bandit began, but his words became guttural as he was covered with the writhing bodies of demons, tearing the limbs from his body, and feasting on his entrails.

~•o•O•o•~

Dark clouds concealed the stars, the hollow priestess bones hanging from the low hanging trees, rattling, giving Kikyo a sense of dread as she stood at the entrance of the cave, watching the place where InuYasha had fled with a hand poised at her lips. Why had their kiss, the kiss she'd yearned for many times before, given her no feeling? Her eyes fell, and her hand clenched into a fist as she recalled the passion of Onigumo's kiss, a lingering reaction that sent her heart fluttering foolishly, a feeling that no matter how she tried to banish it away, she could simply never forget. Though she shamed herself for the moment of weakness, it was something she secretly cherished, and when InuYasha had taken her into his strong arms with their farewell, she had felt the strength and passion of the half demon, and yet no warmth within herself for him.

A tear fell down her pale cheek, and she wiped it away with her white sleeve. She worried for InuYasha, if he were to take the amulet and use it, then he should use it for his own purpose. Not to win her affections, nor to attack the bandit man from her past. Her past was simply that, in the past. Kikyo moved on now, having had her wish to be an ordinary woman fulfilled for a day. She silently thanked Onigumo for entertaining a foolish girl's whimsy, if only it was for a day, he had given her all she yearned for, and more. Onigumo, wherever you are… forget me. You and I can never be, I can never be for anyone. It is my destiny. She thought silently, and her shoulders slumped in silent defeat. Yes. A spinstress, that's what I must be. Like a spider, spinning a web, I shall entangle only myself, and cocoon away all my regrets.

She resolved as she let a tiny spider on her finger, and smiled at it. Even a tiny beast such as a spider was tamed by the lovely priestess, exploring the curious terrain that was her hand, jumping from finger to finger, spinning glossy strands to show off his skill. Kikyo giggled, twiddling her fingers so that the spider scrambled to fix his web, until she heard a terrible sound from far off in the distance. She froze, clenching her hand, squashing the tiny insect on accident. It was a guttural scream, followed by growls and terrible sounds that she could only describe as foul, the most foul sounds of a poor soul being devoured alive. Kikyo backed away quickly, and erected a barrier at the entrance of the cave with her open palm, a splatter of blood at the center where the tiny spider had perished.

Once the translucent blue wall formed, humming with power, Kikyo hurried back into the cavern, using one hand to light her way, her long black tresses trailing behind her in her haste. She came to the back room, and found Kaede sitting up on the pelts, one eye wide, and frightened.

"Sister, what was that horrible sound?" She asked softly, bringing the white fur up to her chin. Kikyo hesitated to answer; wishing to let her younger sister stay ignorant to the truth, but no. She must know, so that she can be prepared as well. Kikyo walked away from her, to the next corridor, and erected another barrier on that end so that she and Kaede would both remain undetectable by the demons outside.

"That sound was of a man's death. Yokai will eat human flesh if given the opportunity. That's why I've erected these barriers to keep us safe, and hidden us inside the walls on each end." Kikyo informed her sternly, watching how the child's eye widened. She continued, giving her a silent command with the flat of her hand.

"Calm yourself. Anxiety will weaken a barrier you've erected. A miko must remain calm even under duress. Take a deep breath." She directed Kaede, and she watched her chest rise, then fall, closing her eye. "Good. Now, concentrate. Can you feel it? Imagine the impenetrable dome surrounding us right now. It's strong, anything outside will be deflected. Only we can exit." Kaede nodded, and Kikyo softly gasped as small threads of pink light joined her blue barrier. "You're doing it." She remarked softly, and Kaede broke into a smile, the pink disappearing as she became distracted.

"Did I really?" The girl asked, and Kikyo nodded. Kaede may have inherent skill, particularly with barriers. Kikyo was glad, it was a good skill for her to already have attempted with success. She felt relief knowing that her younger sibling would be able to shield herself.

"Yes, you did well. Now, back to bed. I can hold the shield even at rest." Kikyo soothed her, stroking her cheek gently and relaxing the girl. Kaede nodded, and laid on her side, watching as Kikyo followed, resting with her back against the wall, her bow in her lap as her brows furrowed slightly; keeping the barrier in place. She watched a little longer until her sister's brows relaxed, then closed her eye and imagined the barrier again, reinforcing it together as they rested.

~o•O•o~

As the fires burned down, and drunken shouts of battle songs drew to an end, Onigumo parted ways with Rasetsu's company to go stand at the forest's edge, his back to the dim glow of embers as he stood, and waited, as if he saw something there in the deep darkness of night. His russet eyes held a crimson cast as in the dimness, he caught motion in the bushes far from him. Yellow lights glowed as a beacon from the shadowy forest, and he made a discreet beckoning motion with curling fingers. A scurry was heard, and he watched as the yokai made its presence obvious.

"Master Naraku. A trophy of your victory." A demoness said, the female temptress that had caught Rasetsu's eye. She laid the bloodied mask on the forest floor at his sandaled feet, then scurried back. He bent and picked it up, turning it slightly to see the decapitated head within. He smiled just slightly.

"As expected. You've done well." He nodded, and the demon bowed her head to the ground.

"Might we be forgiven now, Master Naraku? Blood has been spilt on this night with the render of his delicious flesh. We have only ever done as you've asked us." She pleaded softly, and he considered this calmly, taking the trophy beneath his arm.

"One request, Zenatryx. Follow the Priestess Lady Kikyo through the dark forest. Be sure that no harm befalls her, and I will forgive you once and for all of your past transgressions." He said with a confident smirk, and the demon thanked him enthusiastically, kissing his feet with poison pink lips.

"You won't regret this, Master! I'll be sure to ward all the others against her. You should know, she walks the crooked paths of your birthplace. With her, a tiny child. No other demons shall dare to challenge her power." Zenatryx whispered reverently, blinking up at him expectantly for giving him this important information. Onigumo was silent, watching her yellow orbs astutely for any signs she wasn't telling the truth.

Why would Kikyo return to my cave? Is she safe? With Kaede in danger, as well? He thought, then shook his head.

"You should hold fast to that promise, or else the priestess will retaliate quickly with her powers of purification. I am finished. Leave this place."

"Dagoma. Irrik ya dzobkya, Naraku..ku.." The demoness chattered her promise, and he nodded, turning his back on the lowly creature. She left silently, returning back to the depths of the forest with the knowledge of the powerful priestess at the forefront of her mind. It was their ancestor's fault that the child had taken the fall off the sheer cliff, and fell into the darkness, becoming Onigumo under the leadership of the corrupt monks. They had played a crucial, cruel part of his cruel upbringing, yet also he had to thank them. He may not have been the powerful man he was now, had he not survived.

Onigumo returned to the bandit camp in silence, shoving the head on a pike, and leaving it there to wash his treasured mask in barrel of sake, red threads of blood being released as his hands quickly worked the stains with alcohol to return the bloodied fur to white. He squeezed it out well once he was done, and set it out on the flat grass to dry by night as he reclined against the barrel, taking a small saucer, and dipping it in the bloodied drink, taking a small sip of the pinkened liquid, relishing in his victory. He knew that the youkai would easily sniff out the imposter, and sent him on the way with the promise that he would go unharmed in the dark forest.

He smirked smugly, closing his lilac painted eyelids as a gentle breeze made his wavy tendrils brush against his cheeks as he took another saucer of sake, and tipped it back. He had lied, skillfully at that. Onigumo had no qualms telling a lie to achieve what he wanted. Rasetsu was not worth his breath, he was nothing to him but scum. Onigumo built his army now with the desire to conquer empires. Only he, and the great demon lord of the West could relish in world domination. Domination, power, riches. He would have it. He would be no longer the meager bandit who suffered an embarrassment before a filthy half-demon. Onigumo may have stepped back silently from the destiny he truly wanted; leaving Kikyo to decide which path she would take. He wanted her to have the freedom to make her own choice, should she return to his open arms and take her place as his Conqueress. Once Kikyo was his again, he would only give her the best. Gold, silk dresses, a palace. His lady Kikyo was above the dog demon, he knew it. She would come to him. He was certain of this.

Lady Kikyo, should you return to me, I will not only make you an ordinary woman for just a day. I would make you feel as an extraordinary woman, for as long as you live, for that is what you truly are. A jewel. He thought, looking down into the sake, and imagining her beautiful face smiling back at him, her brown depths shimmering with feeling as they had during the throes of their passion. He would only appear to her when he was strong again. That's the type of man she deserved, a great protector, so that she may never live in fear again.

~o•O•o~

Dawn came, softly parting the curtains of night with its gentle light. Smoke curled up from the lands where bright molten lava sprayed, the cry of a great serpent cutting through the stillness with it's agonized cry.

A tendril of green light snapped, and wrapped around the dragon's claw, the lasso cutting through the flesh and detaching it from the body of the great serpent. There was a flash of white, then a great outpouring of red blood splashed out of its belly as Sesshomaru cut it down easily. He retracted his whip, and caught the severed arm quickly.

"Me Lord! I knew that you would slay the dragon effortlessly!" Jaken commended him, watching as his master pulled back his sleeve, and attached the dragon arm easily. The blunt muscle of his bicep where it had been cut by the lowly human man's blade fused with the dragon limb, crackling with electricity. His golden gaze was lit by the sparks as he clenched his fist, the claws moving as he did. Sesshomaru grimaced, and lacked the satisfaction he thought that this would bring him. The dragon limb wouldn't last very long before the flesh started rotting. He should make his move quickly if he wished to utilize it skillfully.

Sesshomaru resolved that it was his duty to put down his younger brother, an abomination of demon and human blood that could not exist any longer. He'd seen the effects his father's blood had on the halfling, and he was certain that if InuYasha went on like this, he would only become a beast with no control over its own mental faculties. But, he was also curious how long InuYasha could last when challenged again. Perhaps he was too inquisitive...but Sesshomaru had sensed something when he came to the village InuYasha had been terrorizing. There was something about that human man that was with the priestess, something dark and sinister that made no sense in comparison to the purity of the priestess. Regardless, they'd be dealt with if he ever came across them again.

Sesshomaru walked across the blackened ground laced with glowing cracks, towards the sun where he sensed a heavy burden upon the lands. "Where are we going, Lord Sesshomaru?" Jaken asked after him, running across the hot rocks and jumping up in surprise when they burned his bare feet.

"Yeowch! Hot, hot, hot!" He yelped, and Sesshomaru closed his eyes, not giving him a passing glance.

"I have a matter of debate that must be settled, Jaken. Be quiet." He said in a sullen voice that demanded obedience, and the little imp hopped across the rocks after him, into the growing fog.

~•o•O•o•~

Sunlight filtered in through the cracks of the old temple where InuYasha had taken refuge in during the night of the new moon, the one still lingering with Kikyo and the bandit's scent. He'd caught the scent, just barely from digging in the dried leaves scattered on the floor where a man had laid once before. It was faint, but he wouldn't forget that foul scent. InuYasha stood up from where he sat urgently, his black locks slowly lightening to silvery white once again as the sunbeams hit him, his dark eyes becoming golden once again.

He had formulated a plan for how he would succeed in saving Kikyo. He may have to change himself permanently, but he was sure it would work. He didn't want to be a human, that weakness was dangerous. InuYasha knew that he couldn't protect Kikyo that way, maybe she felt confident that he could have at one time, but he'd always felt uneasy at the notion. InuYasha stared at the sapphire amulet in his hand, watching how it gleamed, blue reflects falling over his features as he gazed at it dreamily.

Ye must find the embodiment of power thee desire, and challenge it head on. This is the only way to accomplish thy transformation.

Once in thy desired form, place the amulet around thine neck. Only then, may ye remain this way… never to remove the amulet again.

The amulet whispered to him in a soft, feminine voice, blue, shadowy ghosts of hands stroking the sides of his face as listened, and took the words in and processed them for their true meaning. InuYasha grinned, stuffing the necklace in his pocket quickly as he walked out of the temple hurriedly. Now he was absolutely certain of what to do, it had told him! He became nothing but a red slash of color as he moved quickly through the forest, disregarding the bandit's scent for the time being. He was looking for a real challenge. A tiny speck clung to a strand of his hair desperately, Myoga squeezing his eyes shut against the wind as he hoped he could find a way to speak sense into his young lord.

~o•O•o~

There was a shrill cry that awoke Onigumo from his slumber in the grass, moving one arm to block his eyes from the sun with a black sleeve as the woman screamed.

"Shuddup, ya lousy wench." A bandit shouted, and hit her, silencing her cries at once. "Look, its Rasetsu!" A man cried out in horror, the others gasping as they took in the sight of the severed head thrust onto a pike, the end of the sharp stick poking from his eye cavity. "It's terrible! Who did this?!" Another accused, and Onigumo sat up, stuffing the mask into his sleeve for safekeeping.

He stood and quickly approached them, his arms crossed as he observed the head as if he'd never seen it before.

"The demons must have done this." He stated seriously, and nodded to one of the men. "Cover it up, quickly!" He clipped, as if the sight of it disgusted him, and it would only be the respectable thing to do. The head was quickly covered by a burlap sack, many of them sighing in relief now that the hideous face of their former leader was concealed, and they no longer had to see his eternally screaming face.

"What a shame." Onigumo mused, and all the men turned to glare at him.

"You're the one to blame, you sent him away with the promise he wouldn't be hurt!"

"You lied to us!" They accused, but Onigumo was unphased by this. He used two fingers to make a sharp whistle that they covered their ears in reaction to, as he called his steed back to his side. The horse had remained hidden in the weeds, his armour and gold stashed with the saddle. He'd approached the camp without it to make them all think he was nothing but a poor vagrant looking for a fireside to warm himself, a stiff drink to numb his pain.

Onigumo turned around and approached his horse, the other men all taking up swords as it seemed like he was readying himself to retreat. "Let's get him!"

"Yeah, noone messes with Rasetsu's company!" "Get him, men!" They all rallied against him, just as Onigumo finished dressing in his armour, and jumped up onto his horse, finishing by pulling the black helm over his head. He turned to face them, his sword brandished, ready to do battle with whomever dared to cross his path. The men on the ground gazed up at him as he rode in circles around them, herding them in with the large stallion, his sword held out at his side keeping the group huddled in.

"The dragon. The bloody black dragon." Murmurs of his title came from them as they were crowded together in fear, some dropping their blades.

"You're The Black Dragon. Dark Knight of the Hell Brigade." "But...they disbanded." "Didn't their leader go insane after his–?" A man said, but was quickly silenced, half of his upper body falling to the ground with just one slash of the long katana with a gold and black embellished pommel, a red tassel with braided relief at the center knot.

"Silence." Onigumo demanded, shaking the blood from the blade and allowing it to drip onto the ground as all the others stared on in shock.

"He was wrong. I didn't fall into madness. Forget what you heard. I am The Black Dragon. Whoever wishes to join me, take up your blade. We shall not rape, or enslave the people, whom of which, villages will be liberated. Under my hand, you lowly bandits will become honorable men. The Black Dragon kills men who would challenge him, but does not slay innocent women and children. I am a conqueror, and I seek only to defeat lords, and liberate slave lands so that I may one day rule them beneath my hand. If you desire a noble death, a rich life, you'd be wise to join my Brigade." He challenged them all fearlessly with his unheard of method; one bandits like them had never imagined ever being worthy of. They glanced back and forth amongst themselves in confusion, looking to each other for confirmation.

"Any man that chooses to disobey my code of conduct shall be beheaded, so choose wisely. I will allow for no traitors in my employ, of which you'll all be paid handsomely given you perform the tasks I give you how I wish you to." Onigumo stated seriously, stopping his gallop around the men to face the front. Low murmurs came after this, as they nervously considered his terms.

"Don't worry. You will have the opportunity to spend the night with fine women, and drink to your content in whatever inns we come across in our travels. Do not think I'll be forcing you into chastity." He said with a warm chuckle, and some of the men joined him in laughter.

"Hey, uh… I'll do it!" The first man shouted, raising his hand.

"Yeah, I like what he said!"

"Let's take the offer, men!" They all rallied excitedly, raising their swords and shaking them. "Black Dragon! Black Dragon!" They all began chanting, a grin growing on Onigumo's fair countenance as he smiled genuinely, hoping that with this change of command, a change of heart, too could be instilled in these men.

"If you wish to follow me, then make haste and ready your horses. We'll take these women to a nearby village where they're safe. Are you with me?" He said, bringing his horse to the front, and looking to one of the bandit's women that had been stolen from their village. She nodded happily, tears streaking down her dirty cheeks as cheers for the Black Dragon rang out across the battleground.

~•o•O•o•~

There was a tinkling of laughter along with water splashing, as Kikyo and Kaede were playing in the river where they were bathing. They both wore a white najuban robe to keep their modesty, though they were the only ones this deep in the forest beyond Onigumo's Cave by now. The river water was cool and invigorating as Kikyo dove in, and let the water wash the cobwebs and grime from her hair from spending the night in the ruins, purifying her from the outside. One of her beliefs as a priestess was that one should always be clean in body, as well as mind. She broke the surface of the water at last, taking a deep breath. Kaede laughed as her sister came up, and her black hair was like a curtain in front of her face. Kikyo parted her hair and smiled genuinely at her sister for perhaps the first time since last summer.

A little while later, Kaede assisted Kikyo with her hair, using a long wide tooth comb to pull it back from her crown, and gathered it neatly into her hand in preparation for the hair band. Kikyo's silky locks gleamed with a reddish brown hue as they dried from the sun, Kikyo holding the white fur of the baboon to her chest to warm herself. They'd taken the pelts from the cave to keep themselves warm on cold nights, not to mention the fur was soft and luxurious, and Kikyo couldn't help but pet it as she cradled it to herself.

"There." Kaede said, and tied her hair ribbon.

"All set." The little girl said, and then turned around. Kikyo attended to her little sister's hair in the same way, combing it at the ends first before the midsections.

"I think I still smell funny from the cave, sister. When can we go to the hot springs, or maybe an inn and have a real bath?" Kaede said with a tilt of her head, and Kikyo gently tugged her hair taut in a gentle reprimand.

"The river will have to do for now. If we come across a hot spring then yes, we'll see. I'm not sure where they'd be in these parts." Kikyo sighed, inwardly feeling bad that she couldn't just take her there now and let the child have a warm bath for once. She had been through so much.

"We need soap, too. You forgot to bring soap!" Kaede frowned, Kikyo rolling her eyes.

"We shall survive this time without soap. Plus, I know how to make soap from animal fat, I can show you."

Kaede made a loud noise of disgust and stuck her tongue out at that.

"Where did you learn this attitude, Kaede? I know it did not come from me." Kikyo huffed as she tied her ponytail, letting her go. Kaede hesitated to answer, looking at her sister from over her shoulder.

"Nowhere…" She muttered, reminded of how Kikyo felt about her listening to the village women.

"Well, when you come upon a large sum of money, you can buy soap."

"But, you do have money. From...that man." Kaede said carefully, flinching slightly. She knew Kikyo didn't like her talking about Onigumo, as past attempts had shown. Kikyo snorted at that. "That was months ago, why do you insist on bringing up these things? I have some coins left, yes. But most of it was spent to help others, not on myself." Kikyo said, feeling irritable, and stood up quickly, letting go of Kaede's hair.

"I'll hear not one more slip of that man's name from your lips, Kaede. I am done talking about the past. You're too young to understand what happened, a miko in training should not trouble herself with the affairs of grown men and women." She bit out seriously, Kaede turning her face to look at her sister in surprise.

"Now, either start acting proper, or I can delay your training until next spring, and we can go home." Kikyo said sharply, the words she said tasting like bile as they left her lips. Kaede nodded meekly, looking baleful as she decided that she'd better listen to her sister, or else face the consequences.

Kikyo picked up her robes, and began dressing, pulling her clothes over herself roughly in her frustration. She pulled the knot tight at the waist to hold up her hakama pants, and listened to the whisper of fabric on skin, and Kaede did the same. Kikyo lowered her head, and clenched her fist. She wanted to apologize to her sister right away, but Kaede would never learn if she took back her words so easily. It wasn't that she wished to punish her sister, but to quiet her from saying any more things that reminded her of the past, she wished to be over it at last.

"I'm sorry… big sister, I'll be quiet now." Kaede said meekly, and Kikyo accepted her answer for now, slipping on her sandals and walking up the path. She would teach the child the value of silence, and how being quiet could be to your advantage, especially in the danger of the woods. Kikyo would wait to speak to her until later, given she behaved. Kikyo walked down the well trodden horse path that would lead to another village in a few hours by foot, then perhaps she could afford a night at the inn to make up to the child. Kaede was faced with enough difficulties as it is, being a young girl in the feudal Era, she would see demons, death, disease and famine more as a priestess than any other child not in her position. Because of this, Kikyo wished to give her a little taste of normality, before returning to her training. She hoped that with this trip, Kaede would learn from her, perhaps not how to be like her, but how to protect herself from those frightening things, and hopefully never make the same mistakes she had.

I'm so sorry, Kaede… please, do not dwell on healing my pain, for my path isn't walked by you, child. Only I can be the one to retread those footsteps, and sweep the dust over such haunted ground.

~•o•O•o•~