Well, three chapters and still running strong! This time, along with thanking my reviewers, I would also like to thank all the college students studying the Shinto ways for publishing their rather detailed research on the internet. I learned quite a bit from them, and other sites and people, and hope that these next few chapters will be good enough of a thank-you.

Now, mind, I am a Catholic 21st Century teenage girl, so, I might not hit all of the training process exactly, but I must say I tried my best. And, hey, flamers are welcome (enough.) Luckily for me (and, for you, perhaps) I have another week or so to perfect it.

End disclaimer.

"Thank you so very much, lady priestess." One woman said as I exited her small hut. I had been healing her young son, who was sick with a fever. I turn to smile at her.

"Now, remember to give him that medicine every day. I understand it will be a little bitter at first, but giving it to him with something sweeter might help." I lectured. "The boy would be fine, of course, but just in case…" I handed her some extra herbs rapped in a white ribbon. "Boil these and give him the water."

The woman held them against her chest. "Arrigato, my Lady." She muttered, relieved, as I walked away.

I nodded to a few people as I headed to the forest, my usual haunting grounds. Kirara reluctantly left the group of small children playing ball and followed me into the shadows, mewing happily.

We reached the middle of the forest, its densest point, at about mid-day. Kirara settled herself next to a large pile of leaves as I found a comfortable position on the ground.

I closed my eyes and let my worries, thoughts, fears, and emotions leave me, leaving me an empty shell of a person. My body relaxed; I could feel nature's powers surround me, interlacing with my own senses until they became one. The wind blew; my hair blew; my heart followed the wind. I had reached a state of peace, a state of harmony with the world. I was free.

I remember my lessons from Chie-sensei. She was determined to transform me from a small, un-disciplined, and over-energetic little girl to a great, powerful, wise miko. That transformation, she warned me, wouldn't be easy; we would be lucky if I showed any signs of progress in six month's time. When I asked her what would happen to me if I could control my gift, she would sigh and simple tell me she didn't know.

"Chie-sama? Where are we going?"

We had been wandering around in the forest for quite some time by now. My young body, which at the beginning was so lively and energetic, was now slow and my steps heavy. I was tired, hungry, and a little frustrated. I had been asking that same question for at least an hour now.

Chie-san looked over her shoulder at me and grinned, her face more youthful than my mother's ever was. "Don't worry kodomo. You'll find out soon enough." She laughed at my look of exasperation.

"Yes ma'am." I muttered, head bowed. My dark hair, loose and tangled, fall into my face. This woman had saved me for my village working me and my mother to death; she gave me a chance to life. Thus, I had to agree with her.

A few hours later, after the briefest of rests and a tiny meal of some dried fish, Chie-sama and I reached a small, run-down village. There was a large, wooden wall surrounding it, but it was weather-warn and in need of some desperate repair. A few people were hanging over the edge from ropes, attempting to patch up a few extra places with some mud and grass.

A few of them, all men I noticed, stopped to stare at us as we approached their territory. A few smiled and waved, while others immediately lowered themselves once they recognized Chie-sama. "Chie-san! Chie-san!" A few called out gleefully.

"Chie-sama?" I asked, moving closer to her as these strange people gathered around us. She just merely laughed and tousled my hair, exchanging greetings with a few people. Soon, many of the village had come out to greet us. Men, women, and children were all pouring out of the eight-foot-high walls, all clamoring to be heard.

But, Chie-san just continued to smile and greet people.

"Chie-san! Welcome back!" A booming voice called over the excited voices of the group. Everyone turned to watch a small group of people join them, fronted by a large, burly man dressed in tattered rags. Around him were men similarly dressed, all of which looked like they belonged to the same family.

"Ah! Tsuyosa-sama." Chie-san said gaily, and reached up to accept the hug he offered her.

I was just a little confused. Who was this man? Though Chie-san had shaken hands and exchanged greetings with many of the people milling around us, she had never been as familiar with them as she was with this 'Tsuyosa' person.

"Any who might this be?" He asked when he had let go of my mentor. I blushed and moved to hide behind Chie-san, but she gently, but firmly, pushed me in front of her, so as I would be in plan view of everybody.

"Tell him your name, child." She whispered.

I swallowed, hard. "My name is Midoriko, milord." I bowed, awkwardly. He, and the men surrounding him, laughed.

"My dear, do not call me 'Lord'. I am nothing of the sort." His warm brown eyes burned into mine. "You may call me what everyone else does."

I tried to smile, but the overwhelming feeling I got had seemed to have frozen my facial expressions. "Yes sir." I said quietly.

Again, the people laughed. "If you insist." The man said dismissively, and with a final smile to me, offered his arm to Chie-san and began to lead her to the village. I hastened to follow them.

We were resting in Tsuyosa-sama's home, sitting around a large fire and talking, when a small group of men, all dressed in strange, ninja-like outfits with various, unfamiliar weapons in their hands or on their backs. "Tsuyosa-san?"

"What is it?" Tsuyosa-sama sat up, quick and alert.

One of the men stepped forward. His facial mask was hanging around his neck, but he was holding his weapon loosely. He was ready for battle. "We got a message from one of the neighboring towns. A large group of youkai was reported in the area. They seem to be heading towards us."

I gasped, but the rest of the room grew quiet. Chie-san looked grim, but Tsuyosa just sighed and got to his feet. "Why am I not surprised?" He muttered so only I could hear and exited the room.

I was surprised. There were demons coming! And all he did was sigh and leave? I turned, confused, to Chie-san, but she was busy, immersed in conversation with the man who had reported the coming attack.

"And are you sure it was them who said this?" she whispered, head bent in concentration.

The young man sighed. "Who else?"

She smiled grimly. "Midoriko-chan?"

"Hai?" I said, surprised.

She turned towards me, and put on a cheerful face. I knew something was up though. "I know, this may seem a little confusing, but, I have to go with them. Don't fear, child," she added when she saw the look on my face, "I plan on returning. How about I leave you with this woman over here?" she motioned towards a sturdy woman in about her early-twenties. "She'll watch over you until I return."

I nodded, speechless. She gave me a final, encouraging smile, before following the men at a brisk walk. The other woman come over towards me and took my hand, gently leading me towards her home.

"Come, child, ye'll be fine." She said softly. I tried to smile, but with all the day's excitement, I was exhausted. When we reached her rather plan home, I immediately curled up into a ball and fell into a state of bliss.

Over all, I remember my first impression of the demon-slayer's village as thus; a flurry of excitement. Despite their rather gruesome jobs, or, perhaps because of it, the village was like one family. Indeed, many of the families here intermarried, so, in a retrospect that was entirely true. Everyone was so cheerful, so friendly.

That kindly woman, whose name I did not know until later on, was in fact the headman's (Tsuyosa's) daughter. She and her husband and their family, all either demon-slayers or demon-slayers-in-training, followed the men into battle with the youkai. She, herself, knew the art of slaying; indeed, everyone (including women and children) knew at least one weapon. Though I noticed there were no women slayers. When I asked Chie-san about his, her face darkened and she asked that I never ask her again.

I had been in the Slayer's Village for but a few hours, and I already felt at home. I hoped this would last for years to come.

At this time, the Author would like to apologize profusely for not updating till now. She will offer the lame excuse of school, tests, and high-school planning, knowing full-well it is really because she's just to damn lazy to try to elaborate on anything.

Though, she would like to thank you all for your patience, reviews, and, hopefully, understanding.

She would also like to thank her good friend and anime-buddy, InuPhoenix, for, alongside with helping her out with a major roadblock (figuratively speaking, that is), mentioning this one's story in her most recent chapter. Thus, feeling the need to repay the debt, I would like to recommend her story:

Sweetness of the Past

By InuPhoenix118

This story is about the famous Izayoi and how she came to be human wife to the Great Dog-Lord InuTaisho and the infamous InuYasha's mother. With it's descriptive writing, plot twists, and the occasional glimmer of humor, InuPhoenix spins a tale of one woman's journey to, not only find herself, but to help another do the very same.

One Command: Read it! (Arrigato Heather-san!)

Final thanks to: EdSbyouch911, PriestessLennoue, and Heather. Ya'll make my day.

And, with that last note, I bid adieu.

Or, whatever language you speak's word for goodbye.

Japanese Dictonary:

-sensei - 'teacher' or someone who teaches you. Honorific.

-san - someone older than you that you are familiar with.

Tsuyosa - 'strength'

hai - yes