Aw. What a way to encourage me to update. I feel like you guys have something against me. It didn't bother me but now, it does. Oh well, thanks Rabid Otaku for the sole review and adding this piece to your favorites.

Better Days

The Tale of A Tragic Camaraderie

Chapter I

Musings

Tsubaki drowned herself in thought as she strolled the open path. Her emotions were a mixture of intrigue, fear, and astonishment at the same time. The sensei back at the village disclosed as much of the magical artifact know as the Shikon as he could. Despite some of the obvious ambiguity of the Jewel entirely, he informed her the origins of the relic-- which is of legendary proportions. It was said that the jewel was the remains of an all powerful warrior; a priestess/general named Midoriko. This woman, had such a powerful soul that demons--

"Tsubaki?" Yumeji's voice intervened her from her musings. "Don't you realize that you're heading straight for that tree?" Her advisory proved valid, as the miko abruptly halted mere inches from the tree she was obliviously heading to. Yumeji made a sigh in concern. "How peculiar. What the sensei said back at the village really had you pondering."

Sighing herself, she sat near the tree which provided excellent shade from the uncanny autumn heat dur to the world being close to the sun during the time of year. "That is true." She responded. "It is to a point that it bothers me. How could a simple gem be so... important? So important that many lives were lost because of it. It's mind boggling."

"First of all, it's a jewel." Yumeji prompted as she stood underneath the shade. "That is not a big surprise, Tsubaki. Jewelry have that sort of effect on mankind. It's so elegant and mysterious that we must get our hands on it."

"Some regard you have for you own species." Tsubaki admonished with a smirk. "Didn't you heard that demons were after the damn thing as well? More so than humans."

"Uh huh." Yumeji nodded. "It's one of the... 'Many Evils of The World' which definitely does not concerns us."

"I don't know." Tsubaki remarked dubiously. "We was requested by even the formidable Demon Slayers to assist them in vanquishing that demon this morning. Technically it does concern us."

"Yeah, but they have guarded that relic for decades." Yumeji bickered with a slight frown. "They've done so far before even my grandmother was born."

Tsubaki gave the notion into consideration. "Perhaps... But I have a terrible feeling that they are not suited to guard it any longer. With each attack on the village over the jewel, the casualties there are growing."

Yumeji began to protest once more, "That's not-- ACK!" A peculiar noise caught her attention. "What is that sound? Isn't it another demon?"

Tsubaki frowned. "It's close. Could it be?" She listened for the sounds more intently and realized that it was coming forth from the other side of the large tree she was resting against. "Yumeji... don't be alarmed but whatever it is, it's behind us."

The younger miko chanced a peek around the tree. "It's not a monster," she reassured. "It's a monk just taking a siesta." She sauntered around and peered onto the strangers face but a moment recognition dawned on her features. With a sigh she said, "I know who this is... He's no one important." She turned away with a huff and Tsubaki can make out a blush appearing on her cheeks.

Tsubaki stood from here spot and inspected the man. "You know him? I've never seen him in my life."

Yumeji prodded her fingers together guiltily. "That monk you see right before your eyes... is a womanizer of womanizers." She disclosed, the blush on her face more vivid than before. "His name is Miyatsu, and it's fair to warn you that you must distance yourself away from him before--"

Tsubaki batted her eyelashes in wonder of Yumeji's sudden interruption; her face was now damn near lavender. "What do you mean? What is so threatening about this monk?"

"It's simple: this." Yumeji disclosed, prompting Tsubaki's view to gradually follow her friend's glower to a new limb which was occupied with fondling her derriere. "See what I mean?" She grounded dangerously.

"I see..."

The monk's face peeked from underneath his broad woven hat. Miyatsu was a handsome youth of his late teens. His long black hair caused the long bangs on his forehead to half cover his eyes which gave him a rather boyish appearance. His dark eyes glimmered in admiration. "My it's a pleasure meeting you again, dear Yumeji." He beamed as the girl swatted his hand away from her rear, now indignant. "Ah, feisty as always I see."

"Nice seeing you too, dirty Miyatsu." Yumeji responded in mock sincerity. "You never change do you? Someday that hand of yours will be your downfall."

"I'm offended by your resentment." Miyatsu feigned. "What I displayed was not perversion, but an healthy interest in the fairer sex." His eyes detailed Yumeji's build deliciously. After a whistle, he added, "And by that, I do mean fair. Your still just as beautiful as I remembered and your rear is supple and plum-shaped despite those robes."

"Well this plum is never a fruit that you shall savor." She rebuked with a huff. "You can believe that and can very well rid your mind of any ideas." Clearly this guy really knew how to get on the usually docile Yumeji's bad side.

Miyatsu grinned. "If that is the predicament, then what's with the sudden rush of vital fluid to your lovely face? Could it be that you harbor feelings for me deep down inside."

'Why that conniving little--' "I'm ah... I'm going through my cycle. That's all." Yumeji lied. Forget the embarrassment, she will never admit to him that she had feelings for him. However, Tsubaki was appalled at how her companion blatantly conveyed such a "feminine secret" to the monk.

"That's commendable." He replied before finally noticing Tsubaki. "What do we have here? Another fair lady in my presence. What is your surname my dear?"

Just as the aforementioned miko was about to answer, Yumeji cut in, "Tsubaki, don't!"

Miyatsu nodded at the sound of the name. "Quite a fitting name for a beauty such as yourself. But even the camellia itself pales to you tremendous beauty."

Endeared by his compliments, Tsubaki gushed, "Thank you."

"Are you by any chance seeing a paramour?" Miyatsu wondered.

"Why no I'm not seeing anyone." Tsubaki admitted. "Unfortunately I am far too loyal in my duties and that fact seems to dissuade possible suitors. I don't know why, but I'm open-minded." With that said, she personally noted that she was indeed attractive but she was never actually engaged in courtships in any form. She wondered about this because she does take pride in her beauty and kept herself in shape physically, mentally, and spiritually and found it unusual that she wasn't all that 'interesting' to men her age. But then again her sensei advised her that she must be chaste and pure in order to remain trustworthy to her sacred obligations. Then again, should she obtain a mate, it is appropriate in the name of love not lust. If the case was otherwise, she shall be regarded as an abomination.

"There is a time for everything, my dear." Miyatsu's voice cut her off from her musings. "I am sure that you will find that special someone that will accept you as a lover."

"Preferably you..." Yumeji suggested sarcastically while she jabbed Miyatsu's shoulder. The monk faced the brunette with mock innocence. "Don't give me that look." She warned him. "It's not going to work on me any more."

This brightened the monk's mood even further. "So are you saying that my wooing methods are no longer effective? Hmm... maybe I should improve. From your tone of voice there's still hope." He nodded in thought.

On the contrary, the brunette priestess grew angry at his assumption. "Why you..."

BONK!!

Miyatsu sighed, slightly downcast. "Alas, I cannot forget that fiery temper of yours, either. It pains me greatly..." He said as he carefully rubbed the know throbbing atop his head.

"Well my right is quicker than ever, Houshi!" Yumeji seethed.

Tsubaki watched this in amusement, but soon reminded herself that she intended to visit an old friend of hers in a village not to far away. Still, the heavy concerns of the Sacred Jewel riddled her mind as she ponder a little more about it. Perhaps Kikyou may knew something about the gem. From what she could remember, the older priestess does seem erudite along with her duties.

Yep, she should visit Kikyou, and soon.

END OF CHAPTER I

Note: Hope you enjoyed it. Too bad I'm suffering from writer's block, a retarded PC, and previous cases of virus. Once I'm done rectifying the problems, I'll promise major updates.