A new day, but the sky was dark and gray, the wind blowing fiercely. Kochou was home by herself, which, while not unheard of, was very odd. Her parents were out gathering food: Inu-yasha was hunting, and Kagome was gathering. It was the same with Matsu's parents. Normally this wasn't a problem, but it was so scary out, Kochou didn't want to be alone anymore.
"Hey Matsu-chan? Can I stay with you until Momma and Poppa get back?" Kochou asked, opening her friend's door. Inside was Matsu, a little Kirara in his lap. He was practicing reading one of those strange scrolls that Kagome brought back from her time. Usually she only visited once a year now, and only to bring back those scrolls (Kagome called them 'books', right?) and little toys.
"Sure, Kochou-chan. If you want, I'll read to you." Matsu was quite good at reading, but Kochou needed a lot more practice.
"Thank you very much." She said, smiling and walking towards him. Suddenly, the wind picked up, howling and thrashing outside. Matsu screamed, and clutched Kirara.
"Matsu-chan, what's the matter?" Kochou asked, as Matsu shivered and the wind howled.
"N-nothing, I-I'm fine." He said, glancing around nervously.
"You can tell me, I'll understand." She tried to comfort him, and sat down next to him.
"I-I-I…" Matsu stammered, then caught Kochou in the eye. It seemed to relax him, and she smiled gently. Gulping, he said, "I'm scared of loud winds…"
"Really?" Kochou said, but not cruelly. Kagome had told her the story of Miroku's Wind Tunnel, and it seemed to her that it was perfectly logical that Matsu was scared of loud winds.
"Y-yeah…I'm scared that they're going to blow me away…or suck me up." He shivered again and clutch Kirara closer, who mewed and licked his cheek.
"Don't worry, that would never happen." Kochou tried to reassure him.
"Are you sure?" Matsu said nervously.
"Of course! No wind is that strong. Plus, if it ever did happen, Kirara and I could come and help you." Kochou said, which seemed to reassure him most of all.
"Promise?"
"I promise!" Kochou said, and the two smiled, but Kochou felt a little guilty. Matsu had opened up to her, but she still kept this secret from him, about the butterfly and the imp.
"Matsu-chan, can you keep a secret?" She whispered, and Matsu was startled, and told her that he would. So Kochou told him everything the butterfly told her, and watched as his eyes grew wider and wider. Kirara also listened intently, tails flicking back and forth.
"Wow Kochou-chan…I had no idea. Should we tell our parents?"
"No, you can't tell anyone else. I want it to be out secret, please?" Kochou looked at him with such a pleading look, that he had to agree.
"I won't tell anyone, I promise. How 'bout you Kirara, can you keep the secret, too?" Kirara mewed in consent and the pair laughed.
Next chapter- Some Rin and Sesshomaru fluffies, and maybe a confession? Maybe. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! See ya next time!