Chapter 6

It was fairly early by the time Sakura had awoken. She had finally had a decent night sleep since she'd arrived in the feudal era. She rose from her bed and changed into her school clothes (she'd been lent a white kimono to sleep in) and walked out of the room to see if anyone else was awake.

As she had expected no one was up and about at this hour, no one except for Lord Renjiro. The young man was sitting quietly in the gardens by himself. Sakura remembered the night before and just how embarrassed she was. She was just glad nothing happened that might… well Sakura didn't want to think about that.

She turned around to head for the dining area when she spotted Kirara wandering around the halls.

"Oh, Kirara, I would think you'd be with Sango." Sakura knelt down and picked up the two-tailed feline, continuing on her way.

It wasn't long before Sakura ran into Kagome and Sango, both of which were walking quietly down the disserted halls. Kirara jumped into Sango's arms when they met up. Kagome was the first to speak.

"So, Sakura. What happened last night anyway? We heard you laughing with Lord Renjiro."

Sakura smiled to herself and waved a hand and said, "Oh it was nothing, just a big misunderstanding. It's all sorted out though."

"What kind of misunderstanding?" Sango asked as well.

"Well, it's all actually very funny…" Sakura went on to tell how Renjiro got the wrong message and thought Sakura was "suggesting" something when she excused herself so early.

"Oh my!" Sango laughed. Kagome giggled and gave Sakura a light pat on the back.

"I thought he seemed a little too friendly." And all three girls laughed as they walked down the hall.

Finally InuYasha and Miroku arose from their rooms to find the others gathered outside under a sakura tree.

"Come on. We're leaving soon." InuYasha stated plainly, placing himself under the tree next to them. Miroku tried to settle down next to Sango but she rose herself and walked inside to get her boomerang. When she returned the whole group made their way to the front entrance, led by Lord Renjiro.

"Good bye, and thank you again for your service to me and my sister." The others said their thanks and left through the front gates. Turning to Sakura, he smiled and asked her to stay behind just one moment.

Out from the stables, a guard led a very black horse with a strangely blue mane across the path.

"This is my gift to you, Sakura. He's half demon, they say, named Kurouma. He was given to me as a gift and now I give him to you. He will protect you."

Sakura smiled widely and was about to hug the lord, but caught herself and instead reached for the horse's head, stroking him nose and taking hold of the reins.

"I don't know how to thank you Lord Renjiro. I hope we meet again some day soon." Sakura bowed politely and left through the gates, jogging to catch up with the others. Kagome turned around at the sound of hoof beats and gasped to see Sakura leading the half demon horse down the path.

"Where'd he come from Sakura?" she asked.

"Lord Renjiro… he said he's a half demon horse. His name's Kurouma."

Sango fell back to admire the horse as well. InuYasha showed no interest in the beast and Miroku simply glanced back and then continued walking. Shippou climbed up on Kurouma's back, comfortably lying down on his side. Kurouma didn't seem to mind and Sakura continued walking.

It was quiet for almost the duration of the trip. Sakura wondered if it was always like this.