A/N: Thanks so much for the review ArcherGirl87(anonymous). I'll warn you now, I only get random spurts of inspiration, so my updating won't be exactly clock-work. But, I do have another chapter and a half after this one finished.
Chapter 2: Stirred Memories

As soon as he heard the door close behind the girl, Sesshoumaru headed to his study. He had been so sure it was just a coincidence, 'And yet, she responded to that name. Perhaps there's an explanation somewhere. But what?' He sat on the mat next to his worktable and looked at the unfinished report he'd meant to get done that day. Instead of working on it, Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and leaned on his hand. 'It was so long ago, but it's one of my most vivid memories. I'd always assumed it was because it was my first time to directly disobey and lie to Otoo-san. But is that really why…'

Flashback

We were closing in on our prey. I could sense it. Then I heard her stumble and fall. As I got closer, I heard the mother speak. "Run, Yumiko, and remember not to use the ring." I hesitated slightly as the child disappeared into the underbrush, but then Otoo-san told me to go after her. I was easily gaining on her, and then she, too, stumbled. But instead of rushing forward with the killing blow, I slowed as I approached. The girl, Yumiko, was curled into a tight ball, clearly terrified. There was something about her that prevented me from acting, perhaps it was because she reminded me of my own brother when he was younger. I knelt to get a better look, and the girl opened her eyes. I was shocked at how clear her eyes where, as if she didn't even know the concept of containing her emotion. It was when she started whimpering that I made up my mind. I would leave the girl; she was only half neko-yokai anyway. I don't know how long she stayed there. I didn't stay to watch. I returned to Otoo-san and told him I had lost her in the underbrush. He punished me, of course, but for some reason, knowing I had spared her life made it more bearable.

End flashback

Sesshoumaru jerked awake as someone opened the study door.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! Where have you been?" Rin skipped into the room.

"I've been out." Sesshoumaru glanced out the window and saw it was mid-morning already. "Rin-chan, we have a… guest. Her name is Yumiko. Go to the guest room and be sure she knows where everything is."

"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Rin ran out the door and towards the guestroom, leaving Sesshoumaru to his report.

After the footsteps had faded away, Midori took the time to look at her surroundings. She was surprised to find herself in a rather comfortable room. The futon was well padded and had plenty of furs, there was an actual fireplace surrounded by cushions, even a door leading to a balcony. She would have taken a closer look at the large chest in the corner, but her lack of sleep finally caught up to her. She hesitated momentarily before crawling into the fur covering the futon and falling asleep.

Midori was woken by a pounding sound steadily growing louder. She groaned slightly as she rolled over and opened her eyes. It was then that she realized she wasn't home and remembered what happened. She looked up as a young girl slid open the door and bounced into the room. "Konichiwa, Yumiko-san!"

Midori blinked in confusion. 'There's that name again. Why are they calling me that?' "Konichiwa. I don't mean to be rude but… who are you and why did you call me 'Yumiko'?"

Rin looked at Midori, mirroring her confused look. "I'm Rin-chan. Sesshoumaru-sama told me your name was Yumiko."

Midori straightened up at Sesshoumaru's name. She wasn't sure why, but that name sent shivers down her spine. "My name is Midori. It's nice to meet you Rin-chan."

Rin nodded in reply. "Alright… Midori-san. I was told to make sure you knew where everything was."

Midori stood and glanced down at her clothes, now ripped and wrinkled. "I don't suppose there's some spare clothes anywhere around here."

Rin nodded again and pointed to the chest. "In there."

Midori walked over to the chest and looked at it suspiciously. There was something odd about it, something she couldn't see, but rather felt. When her hand made contact with the latch, she felt a sharp jolt that was gone so fast she wasn't sure it had really happened. She glanced at Rin, who was rocking back and forth on her feet and humming with her eyes closed, and reached for the latch again. This time she felt a barely perceptible vibration. Finally, she opened the chest and gasped at what she saw. Kimonos of varied elegance and formality were carefully folded in one section. In another section there were clothes closer to her own, simple and durable. What was more disturbing was that they were all color and patterns that she would have picked out, and they all seemed to be her size.

Rin walked over and peeked over the edge of the chest. "You have good taste."

Midori looked down at Rin. "What do you mean?"

"This chest was made so that whoever opens it finds things of their size and choice. Not sure how though…"

"oh…" Midori reached in and pulled out a simple green yukata. Rin stood outside the room while Midori changed and saw a servant rush by in the direction of Sesshoumaru's study. As she watched him scurry around the corner, the door behind her opened and Rin turned and looked up at Midori. "Come." She took Midori's hand and led her to a small garden within the castle walls.

Sesshoumaru looked up from his report at the sound of tapping on the door. "Enter."

A servant entered and bowed. "Sesshoumaru-sama, Chuuichirou-sama of the Eastern Lands is here to see you."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "Show him in and bring him here."

The servant bowed and scurried off. Sesshoumaru continued working on his report until he heard the footsteps of the returning servant. He stood as the servant opened the door for the shinrin-yokai. Chuuichirou's green outfit perfectly matched his eyes and complemented his copper hair and red four-pointed star on his forehead. He bowed slightly, as did Sesshoumaru. "Konichiwa, Sesshoumaru-sama. Do you have the report ready?"

"Konichiwa, Chuuichirou-sama. I'm still finishing up on the report. Your welcome to sit while I finish." Sesshoumaru said in his usual emotionless tone.

"Arigato, but I'll stand." Chuuichirou wandered over to the window as Sesshoumaru sat and continued working on his report. He gazed out the window and eventually his gaze was drawn to the enclosed garden below. He was mildly surprised to see two girls, one at least ten years older than the other. "Sesshoumaru-sama, who's that in the garden?"

Sesshoumaru didn't even look up when he replied. "It's probably just Rin-chan. You should remember her from your last visit."

Chuuichirou turned from the window. "There's someone with Rin-chan."

This time Sesshoumaru looked up at Chuuichirou and barely contained a look of surprise. After a moment it clicked what had probably happened. "She's no one of importance." He finally answered and returned to his report.

Chuuichirou raised an eyebrow and returned his gaze to the two girls. Several moments passed in near complete silence, but for the scratching of Sesshoumaru working on the report. Finally Sesshoumaru stood and picked up the completed report. "Chuuichirou-sama?"

Chuuichirou turned and received the report from Sesshoumaru. "Arigato, Sesshoumaru-sama." Then, in a casual tone, Chuuichirou dared a question. "Will I be seeing you at the New Year Festival?"

Sesshoumaru glared at Chuuichirou. "You know I haven't attended since chichi died. What makes you think I'd come this year?"

Chuuichirou repressed a smile. "Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. Just thought I might ask. I'll be taking my leave then. Sayonara, Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru bowed slightly. "Sayonara, Chuuichirou-sama."

Kyoshi set down his scythe and plopped down on the ground for a short break. He had just closed his eyes when he heard approaching footsteps. He opened his eyes to see a younger boy running up. "Kyoshi-san! Your Otoo-san told me to get you. She said Midori-san is missing."

Kyoshi stood and dusted himself off. "Did anyone check the waterfall clearing?"

The boy nodded. "Hai."

It was only then that Kyoshi was concerned. He didn't stop to say anything to the boy, but instead just sprinted off toward the family hut. Upon reaching it he found his father. "How long has she been missing?"

His father turned. "No one's seen her all morning. We checked the waterfall clearing but she wasn't there."

Kyoshi let the information soak in, then he realized what might have happened. "Oh, kami." He mumbled under his breath as he sprinted off toward the waterfall clearing. He reached the clearing in minutes, faster than he ever had before. He closed his eyes and tried to remember where Midori usually went when she was here. Slowly, he made his way over her favorite spot and bent down to try to find her tracks. He was surprised to find her tracks leading toward the waterfall. She had only taken a few steps before pausing. Then something happened that make her jerk away. His brow furrowed in concentration, Kyoshi tried to decipher what he was seeing. It looked like she was dragged away, but there weren't any other tracks that he could find. Then it hit him. He never could find yokais' tracks.

From what he could tell, she had come her sometime the night before, and had been kidnapped. Kyoshi collapsed on the ground and held his head in his hands. 'I should have listened to Okaa-san. If I had kept my mouth shut Midori would still be here. But she seemed ready for it.' When he pulled his hands away from his face, he found they were wet. He hadn't even noticed when he had started crying. One thought kept running through his mind. 'What have I done?'

Japanese Glossary:

Otoo-san : father

Neko-yokai : cat demon

sama : lord, someone of great respect

chan : used for small children, younger females, and anything a female dubs 'cute'.

Hai : yes

Konichiwa : Hello

san : someone older with the speaker, more formal than chan or kun

yukata : simple kimono, usually only one layer over the under garment

Shinrin-yokai : forest demon

Arigato : Thanks

chichi : father (formal)

Sayonara : good bye

Kami : God

yokai : demon

Okaa-san : mother