Thanks to those who have reviewed! Tabera Blanc (Thanks, I will!), Inuyasha-inu-hanyou (Actually, Inuyasha no Mori means 'Inuyasha Forest'), Inuyasha'sMYlover (Sorry It's so confusing. :sweatdrop: And 'Warabe Tou Nai' means 'Child Without Equal'. It's also the translation of the meaning of the Kanji in Kimiko's name), and Namiko321 (Thank you! I'll be sure to try my best to keep it that way!). Sorry for the small delay in getting this chapter up. Got in a bit of a row with my mum.
Usual disclaimers apply, loves.
Just a note: "Hanyou" literally means "Half-breed" in Japanese. It's a very derogatory term for someone of mixed descent. Usually it's used to refer to someone that's half-foreigner; Since most everyone has dark hair and eyes in Japan, it's easy to spot someone who's a mix.
Remember how kids are mean to the kids who look different in grade school? Well, it happened in the Sengoku Jidai, too. Sometimes those prejudices follow into adulthood.
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Slipping quickly along, she followed the twists and turns of the Houshi's trail. She listened for the jingling of the staff, the flip of his shoes and the crunch of footsteps. She had no idea how she knew what to look for. It was as though, somewhere inside of her, she had known all along how to track and listen... and smell. The smells of this place were amazing. Once she paid attention, she could make out the rain, ferns, animals, grass... wow.
"Oi..." she called, cupping her fingers around her mouth, drawing it out. "Oi... can anyone hear me? Houshi... anybody?" the only answer that came back was the chirping of the birds. Frowning, she knelt down to her tracking again, gently touching a twig that had been broken under the Houshi's footsteps. Lucky the earth was moist. It made seeing his footsteps rather easy.
"Huh..." Screwing up her face in concentration, she brought it very close to the tracks, closed her eyes, and inhaled. If she paid attention, she could smell cherry-blossom incense. A satisfied smile came to her lips as she got to her feet, tasting the breeze. Among the forest-scents, she sorted through the threads of the information on the wind and found what she was looking for.
Kimiko didn't really need to keep an eye on the tracks now. She still vaguely saw them, but now it was something in the background of her consciousness. Using the scent of the sakura-blossom incense like a string, she followed her quarry purposefully, much faster than before.
It was only a few minutes before she could hear the rhythmic jingling of his staff. She jogged towards the sound, pushing aside brush. The jingling halted, and she blinked. She made her way through the dense forestry to where she'd heard it last. Her mind numbed with shock. What the... he wasn't there?
Confused, she looked around, but saw no signs of him. "Oi... Houshi?" she called, a little apprehensive now. She tried taking in the scent of her surroundings, closing her eyes. Hmm...she drew in a quick, sudden breath as the back of her neck prickled.
As quick as thought, she spun around, her clenched fist connecting with cheekbone. She managed to pull back on the blow at the last second, her eyes wide, knuckles pressed against the side of the Houshi's face. For a moment they stared at each other, then Kimiko exhaled heavily and removed her fist. "Don't scare me like that!"
His odd, deep blue-violet eyes narrowed slightly. "You were following me," he accused. "Why?"
"I..." Kimiko scowled slightly, not wanting to admit that she needed his help. "...I wanted to ask, how do I get to the nearest town?"
"You really aren't from around here," he said, raising an eyebrow. "But... why should I tell you?" he asked. "Why should I point a potential threat towards a village full of innocents?"
"A... what the hell?" truly perplexed, Kimiko took a step back, searching the Houshi's eyes. This was for real. He wasn't just toying with her, to freak her out. "Why d'you think I would hurt someone?" she asked. "What'd I do that has you so afraid of me?"
The young Houshi seemed taken aback, from the confused look he gave her. He opened his mouth, about to formulate a reply, then seemed to reconsider himself. "You're right," he said almost grudgingly, but he was still appraising her sternly, as though trying to figure out if he could trust her. "Two times you could have hurt me, and two times you didn't," he gave her a long look, then let out his breath, as though he'd been holding it.
"I'm Kouhei," he said, his tone polite, but when he inclined his head, he didn't take his eyes off of her. This confused, and more so irritated her. Didn't he have any manners...? (A/N; see a note on this at the end of the chapter) Well, two could play at that game.
"I'm Kimiko," she returned in a curt voice, and didn't bow her head at all, as was customary. Why should she? It was actually very satisfying when his expression flickered, but he caught himself before scowling back at her.
"Well, Kimiko," he stressed her name (A/N; also, see the note on honorifics), and jangled his staff slightly as he rested it against his shoulder, walking past her with his chin lifted. "I guess I'll show you the way."
ﾁeI guess I'll show you the way,' Kimiko mouthed silently, making a face at his back as she fell into step behind him. She quickly wiped it blank as he stopped to look back at her.
"Well?"
"Well what?" she asked, frowning.
Innocently raising an eyebrow, he gestured slightly with the staff. "Shall we?"
For a moment she simply looked back at him, then shrugged and trotted up to fall in step with him. She slipped through the foliage just as easily as he did, going at a measured pace. He looked like he was used to traveling. When he moved his staff to hold one of the thornier branches aside for her, she softened towards him a little.
"I guess you can be all right when you want to be," she murmured.
Kouhei looked up, then scoffed a little before becoming dead serious. "I'm not stupid enough to leave my back vulnerable to a hanyou."
Kimiko stopped, dead still, then scowled. "Hanyou!" she growled under her breath, gritting her teeth. She was no hanyou. Sure, she had light eyes, but that didn't mean she was a mix. Everyone said that, growing up... good lord. He was just like those annoying kids at her school. Irritating. Hurtful.
"Forget you!" she yelled, stomping past him, hands balled into fists. "I'll find my way on my own!"
"Hey -" he called after her, but she brushed him off with a glare. Thankfully, he didn't follow her.
What the hell did he know anyway!
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Well, that's the chapter. See the review button…::Nudge:
A cultural note from Sara; It's customary to bow when you meet someone, right after you introduce yourself. Even enemies on the battlefield would do this before trying to gore each other. Part of bowing is turning your eyes down, conferring respect. It's kind of like a Japanese handshake. When Kouhei bows to Kimiko, but doesn't turn his eyes down, it's kind of the American equivalent of reaching out your hand, then pulling it back like touching them is gross. "It's nice to meet you… (NOT…)"
I've included a portion of a glossary I wrote awhile ago to help a friend in Japanese class.
Because this story is set in Japan, though I'm writing in English, I make a point to leave all the honorifics intact. Here is a short guide to honorifics. You'll probably see most/all of them in the story.
Honorifics, like "Mr." and "Ms." are used much more in Japan than they are in America. They are an important part of the culture, and a way of marking relationships and stature. When addressing someone in Japanese, the honorific is usually attached to the end of the name (example: "Kimiko-san") or as a title at the end of one's name, or in place of the name itself (example: "Shizuna-sensei," or just "Sensei"). Honorifics can be expressions of affection, respect or endearment. In the context of fiction, honorifics give insight to the relationship between characters. When anime/manga is translated to English, many translators leave out these important honorifics and the work loses some of its original intent.
-san: The most common honorific. It is equivalent to Mr., Miss, Ms., Mrs., et cetera. An all-purpose title that can be used in pretty much any situation.
-sama: One level up from "-san". Used to confer great respect, it is used to address those of significantly higher rank, such as teachers, bosses, or just someone the user has a lot of respect for.
-dono: This honorific comes from the word "tono" which means "lord". Even higher than "-sama", this term is used to address someone who has the user's utmost respect. Nowadays it's extremely formal, and hardly ever used. In normal conversation it's kind of like saying "M'lord-so-and-so".
-kun: This suffix is used at the end of boy's names to express familiarity and endearment. Sometimes it's used by men between friends, or when addressing someone younger or of a lower station.
Bozu: This is a very informal way to refer to a boy, similar to the English term "kid" or "squirt".
-chan: This is used to express endearment, usually towards girls. Schoolgirls use it amongst each other much like men and boys use "-kun". It's also used for children, pets, and even between lovers. It has a sense of childish playfulness.
Sempai: This title suggests that the addressed is the user's "senior" in a group or organization. It's most often used in school from lower to upperclassmen. It's also used in business towards an employee of higher rank.
Kohai: The opposite of "Sempai", used towards underclassmen in school or newcomers in the workplace. It points out, though politely, that the addressee is of lower station.
Sensei: Literally meaning "one who has come before," this title is used for teachers, doctors, or masters of any profession or art.
-blank: The lack of an honorific is usually forgotten in lists like this, but it's probably the most important of all, not only in the language, but the culture. It is called "yobisute". Simple addressing someone by their name means the user has permission to address the person in a very intimate way, "seeing them only as themselves". Usually only family, spouses, or very close friends will have this kind of permission. If it is used when the intimacy hasn't been earned, though, it can be very insulting.