Chapter 2: Eyes of Silver

The night was alive and buzzing, the insects teeming in the air. A shapeless excitement had taken hold over the land, and the breeze brought with it whispers of a change in power.

A tall demon stood on a thick tree limb, his long flowing hair waving behind him like a bird's wing. His eyes scanned the forest around and below him, the moon bathing the wood in white hot light. He turned his head slightly and heard the whispers on the wind. He could smell the sadness in the air, the anxiety. He gave a low sigh, sounding almost like a cooing noise.

"So the rumors are true…the Sacred Jewel is no more…" his voice was low and melodic, carrying over the treetops.

He bent his knees slightly, and in one movement, he was up in the air, jumping over the trees, his long black sleeves billowing behind him as he dropped. He landed gracefully on the forest floor. He looked out of the corner of his eyes, to the left.

"Mikashi…" The man declared, still looking into the brush ahead of him.

A huff of aggravation could be heard from the other side of the bushes, and a second later, a figure stepped out from the shadows.

He was tall, but not as tall as the man across from him, and his form was still in the stage between a child and a teenager. He looked no older than twelve. His bright, strange silver eyes wore a look of frustration, his mouth set into a frown. He had his red-clothed arms folded, and his deep purple pants swayed as he walked into the light.

"Why can't I ever sneak up on you, Kuro-sama?" the boy asked, his voice sounding far more developed than a boy his age should have been. He cocked a violet eyebrow in question, awaiting an answer.

The man, Kuro, didn't reply right away, but in a sudden burst of speed, came forward and pinned the poor Mikashi to a tree, his arm around the child's neck.

"That is why." He replied, his eyes revealed to be the brightest red. He looked severe and angry, causing Mikashi to sweat in sudden fright. But, just as quickly as he'd struck, Kuro released the young man, giving him a calm smile. Mikashi knew now that his mentor was only joking and cracked a huge grin.

"Kuro-sama, why are you so tense tonight?" Mikashi asked, trying to pretend he wasn't interested, when secretly, he was dying to know why he'd smelt the anxiety spike in his father figure's scent.

"I smell something, a change on the wind…" Kuro walked away from the boy, looking between the trees, as if seeing something that wasn't there.

"A change? What do you mean?"

"The jewel is gone…" His mentor had spoken so softly, one would think Mikashi hadn't heard him. But his sensitive ears picked up the comment, and his eyes grew wide in shock. He took a step forward, the words "Is it really true?" on the edge of his lips, but he couldn't get his voice to say them.

Sensing his pupil's thoughts, Kuro looked around at Mikashi. "Yes, it is true. The Jewel of Four Souls is no more, burned with the ashes of the priestess who protected it. They also found a half-demon, pinned to a tree with an arrow in his heart. She died by his hands, no doubt…" He looked at the purple-haired boy. "She was no fool. Burning the jewel with her body has prevented anyone, human or demon, from using the jewel."

"Kuro-sama…" Mikashi knew how much his mentor had wanted that jewel. He was a full-demon, and immensely powerful already, but Kuro had been desiring the sacred jewel ever since he heard of its existence. But something had kept him away from the village in which it resided. Mikashi didn't know what it was, but he had an idea. It had to be the priestess…

"The jewel is gone. I have no more reason to stay in this forest." Kuro spoke abruptly, his voice harsh. Mikashi winced, fearful of his mentor's anger.

Without another word, Kuro was walking into the forest, his pace quick. Mikashi stood there for a moment, still too shocked to move. Then he snapped out of his reverie and called out, "Hey! Wait!" taking off after the man he had come to know as his protector, and his teacher.

"Kuro-sama!" Mikashi called, running along side the man to keep pace with him. "Where are we going?"

"To the west."

"The west?" Mikashi queered, tilting his head in wonder.

"I have information for someone…a lord…" Kuro replied vaguely.

Mikashi didn't ask anymore questions. He could sense that Kuro was in no mood to talk.

His mentor was taking him to see a lord, huh? Who could it be?He racked his brain, trying hard to remember the names of any lords in the western lands. There were men who had power there, but men did not concern Kuro too much. No, it had to be a demon…

Mikashi gulped as an image of a white-haired young man came to his mind.

They were going to see Lord Sesshomaru.

AN: "Where's Keade?" you might be asking. Not to worry, she'll be back in the next chapter. These are just two of my own characters that are part of the story. You like? Soon these two and Keade will meet…Chapter four will be up and running soon. Thanks for reading! Now, review?

&Niiroke&