-Saira-
Chapter 10: Under Another New Moon
"So she specifically told you not to go, how dangerous it was, that you could even put the world in peril, and you're STILL going?!" Myike asked Saira incredulously.
It was afternoon.
They had left the village several days earlier and Saira was just telling them about her sudden change in direction. They were no longer seeking rumors of the wandering Toutousai, but were on the road to her parents' grave, wherever the hell that was.
Mikkoku was trailing behind them, eyes downcast respectfully, thinking kami-knows-what.
"No, stupid. I'm going because she told me I couldn't."
Myike blinked. "Oh." Jeez.
He brushed back a loose strand of hair in exasperation. I hope what that zombie-woman said isn't true. I definitely want to stay clear of that accursed place.
Now Myike wasn't truly cowardly, he just had an innate sense of self preservation. Something the miko, resolutely marching straight for the danger like a magnet, must have been lacking.
Saira was visibly fuming from her spot ahead of the small group.
What is with all these strangers telling me what to do?! I'm sick of it! They can't order me around! This is MY trip. Gods! Not even a month of traveling and I've already had several attempts on my life!
A month.
Saira's anger faded instantly. "Myike, what night of the moon's cycle is tonight?"
Myike turned to face her slowly. "Why…?"
She gave him an 'Are you that dumb?' look.
Wince.
"I don't know."
"You were supposed to be keeping track." she ground out slowly, her anger returning tenfold. "This was important. This was the whole reason you came!"
The boy winced. "I forgot." He smiled weakly. "Sorry?"
Saira just glared at him.
"Excuse me, Saira? I know the cycle of the moon tonight." said a sticky sweet voice from behind the arguing couple. Myike smiled at Mikkoku while noting the missing suffix. That's odd, usually she doesn't speak so familiarly.
"Yeah, what is it?" Saira asked irritably.
"New."
Myike and Saira both cursed.
"Are you sure?" Myike asked, trying to ignore Saira's accusing glare.
"Yes. Why? What's wrong, Myike-sama?" Mikkoku asked timidly.
Myike swiped at his stray bangs again, nervously. "You may want to camp a little away from us tonight, Hime. We'll have some family issues to be dealing with around sunset."
--
Dinner was uneventful.
Mikkoku offered to cook for their services to her as amateur youkai exterminators.
Actually she had just been talking to Myike as she said this. He had wasted no time after introductions bragging about his heritage. Descended of the head of a youkai exterminators' village and the most powerful houshis of their time.
Bah!
Saira didn't know about him having any spiritual powers. She had neither seen nor felt any hint of the ones he bragged of possessing as the youngest male of his line. She rolled her eyes as Mikkoku praised him for slaying the demon.
He did no work! All he did was get knocked into a tree. Idiot. Needless to say, she didn't protest when the princess tried her hand at cooking. Let her do the work! Saira didn't much feel like eating anyway.
Mikkoku began humming an annoying little tune as she proceeded to burn the rice.
That's IT! She's evil! Everyone is trying to torture me!
Myike joined in loudly taking samples of dinner from the kettle as he did so. Saira threw a rock at him.
Myike sighed. She must be in a bad mood. I don't blame her, but everything'll be fine. "Look at it this way, at least YOU remembered."
"I hope I bite your hand off." Saira replied idly.
--
Myike was setting up camp for her in the forest tonight. Saira had proclaimed it too dangerous to sleep in an inn. They had left Mikkoku with a small knife and a blanket from Saira's bag near the river. Myike had promised to be back to check on her after sunset. They weren't sure if Saira would keep transforming regularly on the New Moon since she had started transforming in the daylight hours as well, but they wanted to be safe anyway.
"Okay. So we've established you remember the chant." Saira said fingering the blue-beaded necklace that would restrain her for the night. "You can't start the spell till I start to change. Otherwise I'll attack you after the spell wears off before I change back." She tried not to show her nervousness. She didn't want to think about what would happen if she didn't transform back when the sun rose.
"Don't worry about it." Myike reassured her for the umpteenth time, then grinned. "I could always hit you with my staff if you get out of line."
She rolled her eyes. "Thanks. That really puts my mind at ease."
They both watched the sunset.
When she felt the beginnings of the transformation she calmly warned Myike, and he watched in fascination as her claws grew and the demon markings formed on her face.
Saira tried not to show any pain, but the queasy feeling in her stomach as her youkai blood overwhelmed her, combined with her growing agitation weren't making it any easier.
"What're you waiting for?! Start the spell, dumbass!"
Myike snapped out of his awe and began chanting.
The spell of Saira's necklace was special in that it lasted so long. Most subduing spells (that Myike had heard of) only lasted a few minutes at the most. But those spells were among Kaede's specialty and it had only taken her a few weeks to adjust the incantations enough so that it worked differently.
He watched with an odd sort of satisfaction as Saira effectively plopped on her back where she would be napping for the night.
By now the youkai's red eyes were glaring at him as she snarled ferociously.
He blew her a kiss jokingly. "Have a good sleep, Gaki." He threw the blanket on her quickly before the feral girl could make good on her threat to bite him.
I'm not going anywhere near those fangs. Myike was worried. He really was. But now that he knew she'd turn back to her old self in the morning he was starting to find the situation extremely amusing.
Smirk. She can't get up off the ground until I say so!
He was really very choked up about it.
However, man cannot survive without food. Myike began to eat his after-sunset-on-the-new-moon snack right in front of his demonic prisoner. "Mmmm. This chocolate's really good…"
Mikkoku innocently wandered toward the campsite at the sound of violent snarls and a girlish scream as Myike learned that, though the demon-girl couldn't get up because of the spell, she could still move her claws around limitedly.
"Houshi-sama?"
From Myike's position clinging to a nearby tree, "I wasn't scared!"
Realizing it was only Mikkoku, he retained his cool know-it-all demeanor. "Ahem. Hime? I thought you were going to stay by the river until I came for you."
The Lady sidled up to him. "I was, but-- What is that?!" Her startled outburst was provoked by a now very irate youkai tearing up her blanket with her sharp claws.
It seemed Mikkoku's presence had agitated her.
"Uhm . . . " How to explain this? "That's Saira." Getting straight to the point works.
Mikkoku's pretty face twisted into a hateful scowl, "Youkai."
He was a little stumped at that. Myike would've thought that it was obvious considering the girl had claws and fangs beforehand, but then again princesses weren't known for their deduction skills. "Don't worry yourself Mikkoku-sama. She'll soon be back to her old grumpy, partially youkai self."
The princess did not reply as she went closer to the mindless demon. The fire he had built earlier for Saira cast eerie shadows on the human girl's flawless face. The normally demure Lady looked almost malevolent in her intent as she watched the youkai, who went wild at the princess's close proximity, scarlet eyes flashing angrily.
"Maybe you shouldn't--" Myike started, remembering the sleeve of his shirt which now had a gargantuan tear from Saira's claws.
Mikkoku only held up a hand as she continued to stare. After a time she spoke again. "Why would you waste your time with this… thing? She is a vile creature, deserving only death. Why would a benevolent priest travel with one?"
Myike stared at her in open mouthed shock. Then his eyes hardened as the anger began to surface.
No one talked like that about his family.
"That 'thing' invited you to come with us as our charge. She offered to protect you. She arranged this journey, and in that way is our leader. Saira deserves your respect even in her weakness. I should abandon you here in the woods right now and let you be eaten by the real demons. You'd better leave before my anger gets the best of me." He replied coldly. His violet eyes for once were deadly serious as the spell of the fire was broken.
Mikkoku left quietly.
--
Saira blinked one eye open, squinting. The sun was in her eyes. She covered them as she slowly sat up rubbing her back. She always felt like she had a hangover after the new moon. It must've been the power in her blood suddenly ebbing away that drained her for the next morning.
She gradually got used to the sun and started her monthly examination and decided that she pretty much looked the same as the day before.
That was good. She still hadn't gotten used to the new hair color yet without adding something else to the list.
Saira eventually decided it might be good to get up and demand food. She suddenly had a huge appetite. She'd make Myike cook today. She didn't feel like it and Mikkoku's meal had been disgusting. Saira could tell from the look on Myike's face the night before when he forced it down cheerfully.
She looked around and spotted the sleeping boy only a few feet to the right propped against a tree, clutching his nicked staff to his chest.
That's weird. He didn't leave to sleep near Mikkoku. I would've thought he wanted to be alone with her to cash in on all his flirting.
Saira smiled lightly. Maybe I'll cook today.
She got up and was about to go to start the fire again when she noticed a shred of rags, which looked suspiciously like part of a shirt, by where she'd slept.
What's this?