Mesu's wound had been healing quite quickly, but it was still painful for her to move. Even with the pain, she moved about the village, performing her Miko duties. Inuyasha watched over her, but never approached her. He was sitting on top of Yujin's hut, watching Mesu tend to a sickly child. "She's very strong willed, isn't she?" Sango asked, climbing up to the roof with him. "She always has been. She's never been one to let pain get in her way." He replied, continuing to stare at Mesu. "You really care about her, don't you?" Sango inquired. Inuyasha nodded mutely. "You're in love with her, aren't you?" she questioned. He didn't answer. "You can't deny it. I can tell that you are." She stated. "I know I can't deny it. But even so, I don't know how she feels about me." He said. Sango smiled at him. "I don't think that's really an issue." She said. "Then the only problem is Kagome. I don't want to hurt her." He sighed heavily. "If you want, I'll deal with Kagome. That way, all you have to worry about telling Mesu how you feel." She said standing up. "That's nice of you to offer Sango, but I need to talk to Kagome myself." He said. "Good luck to you. On both accounts." Sango smiled, then jumped to the ground. She waved up at him, and then walked away. "I'm definitely gonna need It." He sighed to himself as he jumped down.
Mesu was approaching Yujin's hut when Inuyasha leapt off the roof. She turned in the other direction when he landed. "Mesu, wait." He said grabbing her good shoulder. "Oh. Inuyasha. I didn't see you there." She lied. "I was just on my way back to my hut for a rest." He released her shoulder after he turned her to face him. Neither of them spoke. "So, how's your wound?" he asked, breaking the silence. "Can't really complain. It still hurts, but it's healing." She replied. "Mesu, I'm so sorry. I never-." She placed two fingers on his lips to silence him. "Don't. I know, everything. So just don't." she said softly. He just nodded. She walked past him towards Yujin's hut. "Where are you going?" he inquired. "To see Yujin. I need my bandages changed." She responded. "If you're looking for company I saw Kagome going into the woods." She stated, then entered Yujin's hut. "I guess it's time to talk to Kagome now." He said to himself, and then headed into the forest.
"Ah Mesu. Here for your daily re-bandaging I assume." Yujin stated as Mesu entered the hut. "Yeah. This one is starting to itch." Mesu responded. She sat down beside Yujin, and then took off her hakama. Yujin unwrapped her wound slowly. "Looks like this is gonna be a scar." Yujin stated as she pulled out new bandages. "Just another one to add to the collection." Mesu sighed. "Something is troubling you, am I right?" Yujin inquired as she wrapped fresh bandages around Mesu's wound. "Nothing's wrong." Mesu snapped. "It was just a question. No need to bite my head off." Yujin said as she finished wrapping. Mesu pulled up her hakama and stood up. "Perhaps whatever is ailing you would be fixed by talking to Inuyasha." Yujin suggested. "Maybe I'll go and talk to him now." Mesu said as she left. After leaving, Mesu ventured to the woods. She had wandered deep into the woods before she caught a glimpse of Inuyasha's red robes. Following swiftly, she was lead to an empty field.
From the trees, Naraku and Kato were waiting for Mesu's arrival. "She's here Kato. Cast your illusion now." Naraku instructed as soon as he saw here. Kato nodded and waved his hand at the field. "Illusionada." He muttered, and the illusion began.
Mesu looked into the empty field but saw Kagome and Inuyasha. Hiding in the near-by bushes, she listened closely to their conversation.
"What are you saying Inuyasha?" Illusion Kagome asked. "I'm saying I'm in love with you!" Illusion Inuyasha replied. "What about Mesuken?" Kagome inquired. "She's not a beautiful human like you, so I couldn't possibly love her." He responded. Those words tore at Mesu's heart. "He doesn't love me because...because I'm not human." She whispered to herself. She looked again only to see the two kissing passionately. She gripped her chest as tears started flowing down her cheeks. "Oh Gods." She sobbed and ran from the field as fast as her legs would take her. As soon as she left, the heartbreaking illusion disappeared.
Mesu ran back to her hut and fell onto her futon, sobbing uncontrollably. She lay there, crying to herself for the rest of the night, eventually falling asleep.
And here's chapter ten. Hope it's to your liking. Chapter eleven will be coming soon. Enjoy