Chapter 22

Promises, Promises

Kaede took a deep breath as she continued to stir the heating pot over her home's central fire.

It was time. She had tried to forget for so long; tried to pretend there was nothing to worry about but the old miko had to admit she'd put this off for too long. She just hoped she could be strong enough to do it.

Last night, she'd gone for a walk to clear her head. Afterall, she didn't want to jump to conclusions and panic if there was no cause. Misunderstandings happened all the time and perception was such a fickle thing. So, Kaede saw no point in causing problems where there wasn't one.

Then, she'd heard it. The tender words, the playful laughter, the easy companionship the two lovers had. It was like Kaede had stepped back into history. And, she couldn't let that history repeat itself.

To this day, Kaede could still hear the dying words of her beloved sister; begging her to end the cycle of pain and horror the Jewel seemed to inspire. The image of her dark, sorrow-filled eyes, the cloying scent of her life-blood covering Kaede's small shaking hands—

A sudden pop from the fire snapped the old woman from her memories, allowing her to calm her twisting stomach. Losing herself in the mistakes of the past would solve nothing. She had to keep calm and deal with this properly. Kagome was a sensible girl. She could listen to reason and Kaede's worries would be for nothing.

"I'm glad to see you are back," a smooth voice crooned from across the room in cheerful teasing. "You seemed so lost in thought, I guessed you were far away."

Kaede felt the corner of her mouth twitch in amusement. Count of the hoshi to utilize his charm first thing in the morning.

"Tis good ye are up," Kaede countered in a lightly scolding tone. "We wondered if ye'd sleep through the day."

The hoshi had the decency to blush at the barb but then flashed that bright smile Kaede had no doubt was many a young woman's downfall.

"I'm afraid travel wears me out considerably," Miroku replied bashfully. "But, I assure you, Honorable Miko, I don't make a habit of it."

Kaede just shook her head before ladling some of the cooked genmai into an earthen bowl. From a nearby pot, she pulled a good portion of stringy natto to plop on top of the brown mound before handing it to the still yawning hoshi.

The priestess didn't think for a second the young monk was actually embarrassed about getting caught but, she supposed that he at least tried to appear apologetic; however fake the effort was.

Before Kaede could scold her guest as she properly should, the sudden brightening of the room had her focusing on the slim figure brushing the woven screen of her door aside. A lump lodged itself into the old woman's throat as she watched Kagome shyly step into her house.

It had been so long since the miko had seen her young apprentice in her house. Too long.

A gentle clearing of the hoshi's throat preceded the young monk rising swiftly to his feet, bowl in hand.

"I believe I'll take this into the warm morning," he informed with an understanding smile. "If you'll excuse me, ladies."

Kaede was tempted to argue the monk's attempt to leave but she just nodded as he stepped passed the door and into the morning air. Refocusing on Kagome waiting in front of her, the old miko gave a gentle smile.

"It has been a long time, child," she replied warmly. "I have missed ye."

SSS

That did it.

Kagome had been desperately trying to keep her emotions in check as she stood before her old mentor; she was a miko afterall. But, to hear the familiar term Kaede had always used with her, it had been the final straw to break the dam of her emotions.

Without delay, she raced to the grey miko and wrapped her arms tightly about her stooped form. Tears pricked the corner of her eyes but Kagome refused to let them fall as she felt Kaede return the gesture somewhat awkwardly.

Other than her family, this was what she missed the most.

"I've missed you too, Kaede," Kagome answered as she tightened her grip.

Kagome knew the older miko wasn't the most affectionate person. She preferred the reserved company of teacher and student. But, the fact Kaede wasn't pushing her away told Kagome she was willing to let the younger priestess cling to her to settle her emotions.

However, the light patting on Kagome's back told her the older priestess was reaching the end of her willingness to indulge.

"There is much to do," Kaede quickly replied as Kagome stepped away from her mentor.

Kagome nodded in agreement with a patient smile. Kaede always shifted to the rule of teacher when she was uncomfortable. Kagome knew it was a miracle the older miko held her that long anyway.

"Of course," Kagome answered. "Sango said you needed to see me. What can I do?"

Kaede looked like she was about to answer when she suddenly grew quiet.

Kagome knew it wasn't unusual for her mentor to go into deep thought but the worried look on Kaede's rounded face had the younger miko's brow furrowing in curiosity. It wasn't like her to hesitate, in anything.

"Let's go outside," Kaede suggested tentatively as she rose slowly to her feet. "Ye can help me collect herbs while we talk."

Kagome nodded again, taking the offered woven basket from Kaede's hands and following her out of the woven mat door.

The morning light was only blinding for a moment, a mere flash before her eyes, but Kagome loved the warmth that covered her face like a blanket. It made the delayed step outside worth it. But, as soon as she opened her eyes, Kagome saw Kaede's back was already several steps away, heading towards the surrounding trees.

The miko must really be in a hurry.

Swallowing the questions that Kaede would undoubtedly answer when she was ready, Kagome hurried after her mentor, ready to help her in any way she could.

SSS

Koga growled low as he felt the hair on the back of his neck start to rise. Even from outside the sunken cave, there was a faint dark musk that set his fang on edge. He couldn't be sure if it was Naraku this far out, but there was no doubt this place had housed evil once.

"You feel that?" the taijiya asked cautiously as she tightened her grip on the strap on her large weapon.

"Smell it," Koga ground out, claws flexing in barely contained rage. "Something happened here, alright."

Sango nodded though her sharp eyes darted about in tense confusion.

"Come on," Koga ordered as he start to march towards the hollowed out hill. "I need a closer look."

If not for the filthy musk clinging to the surrounding rock, Koga would almost ignore the opening. It was so faint. But, there was no denying the warning instincts raging inside him the closer Koga came to the crude cave.

Ducking under the over-hanging roots of the mouth, Koga's snarl building in his throat suddenly broke free. The smell was everywhere, permeating the air like a putrid smoke. This was it, alright.

Stalking forward like he half-expected the spineless filth to crawl across the packed dirt floor, Koga glared about the dug-out hole.

"Koga?"

The taijiya's uneasy tone had the Alpha snapping out of his fury, forcibly unclenching his shaking fists.

"It's here," he ground out. "The wind never reached in here to clear it away."

"So, I was right," Sango added with a determined set to her eyes.

"Yeah," Koga agreed. "Naraku was here."

The smell was everywhere. But….it wasn't one scent on its own. That was the weird thing for Koga.

Usually a being's scent, yokai or human, was centralized. It could have several different aspects to it, but it was still a single unified smell. This was….fragmented. Like a whole bunch of different ones decided to just smash themselves together and became muddled.

It was…..unnatural.

"Over here!" the taijiya called from the back of the cave.

Koga moved towards her, keeping himself alert as the foul smell grew stronger the closer he got.

"This was what got me suspicious," Sango informed as she crouched next to a large scorch mark on the cave floor.

Koga didn't know why it would matter at first till he quickly stepped back. It would be hard to tell for human eyes but the surrounding darkness didn't bother Koga as he studied the mark. It was….a spider!

"It's his mark," Sango bit out. "He leaves it wherever he wants to claim victory."

"And, you saw it?" Koga asked. He remember finding it scorched into a broken tree on his own land. It still infuriated him the bastard had dared marked his territory.

The taijiya snorted bitterly. "I can't forget it. He left it permanently blackened into the walls of my village. To this day, you'd still see it burned into its ruins."

Koga didn't bother offering comfort, or an apology for the female hunter's pain. She was a warrior. He knew pity would do her no good. He wouldn't want it. So, he did the only thing he knew.

"We'll kill him," he vowed darkly.

The taijiya met his eyes evenly and nodded in assurance.

Crossing his arms, Koga ground out an irritated sigh as he glared about the cave. This was where Naraku started, alright. This was going to break Kagome's heart to learn it all started here afterall but, there was no getting around it.

"So, tell me your theory again," Koga ordered, unhappy with the prospect but unable to ignore what was right in front of him anymore.

SSS

Hojo tried to force his hands to remain steady as he shifted from foot to foot outside the quiet home that Kaede occupied. In the early light of day, he didn't have long. But, he had to act quickly.

It was a risk. If he was caught, it would mean…..a lot of trouble. But, he had to try.

He'd struggled with this through the whole night. There was a chance he could ignore this. He could just walk away and go through his day like everything was normal. But,….what if the old woman had been right? What if all it took was just something pure and he could have Kagome's heart for himself?

The possibility was too much. That was why he was currently crouched beside Kaede's door, watching intently to see if anyone was about. He had to try.

Not spotting anyone outside or hearing anyone inside, he quickly slipped into the old miko's home.

The shadowed interior had Hojo cringing slightly as he forced his eyes to adjust. A quick glance around showed him the house was indeed abandoned; at least for the moment. Another look and he spotted what he was aiming for.

The clay jar was small and smooth, no decoration or ornamentation of any kind. But, its contents were what mattered. This was the purist thing in the village. The one thing he needed.

Trembling hands cupped the jar delicately as he tried to keep a firm hold. No-matter what happened, it was worthy of respect. Even if what was about to happen to it was questionable. But, it worth the sacrifice. Wasn't it?

"What are you doing?"

The voice was sudden, causing Hojo to spin wildly and stare wide-eyed at the curious gaze of the hoshi leaning against the doorframe.

Hojo had no idea how the young monk had snuck up on him, but the observant way his eyes locked on him had Hojo feeling like a cornered animal. What was he supposed to do, now?

The hoshi's eyes never changed as he started to step closer.

"As you can see, Kaede-sama is not here," the monk informed cautiously. "But, if you will just be patient and wait…. I'm sure she'll be able to help you any way she can."

Hojo knew the hoshi was just trying to help. He could see it in his steady eyes. But, this was something a holy man couldn't understand. This was…..necessary.

The handle of Kaede's broom poked Hojo in the back as he backed away from the approaching hoshi. It was like a sign had been given to him, permission to do as he intended. He just had to be careful.

Instantly, Hojo gripped the handle behind him as the hoshi extended his open palm towards him.

"How about we set that down as we wait for Kaede?" he suggested warmly. "You wouldn't want to drop it, would you?"

"I won't," Hojo reassured right before he brought the broom around, the handle cracking painfully against the hoshi's temple.

The monk's cry of pain caused Hojo to cringe as he watched the monk drop to the floor like a sack. He hated causing pain but this was an emergency. He just hoped the monk would forgive him later.

"I'm sorry," Hojo whispered before rushing across the room and out the door.

Cradling the pot in his arms, Hojo pumped his legs through the village as he raced towards the trees. Nothing else mattered but to meet the old woman. Nothing else was in his focus. So much so, Hojo gave no notice to Ayumi as he nearly ran into before he reached the forest.

"Hojo?"