Notes: Sorry for taking so long. I was doing some research into Kikyo's character. I had gotten some video clips of her during various episodes. It was very intriguing to say the least and sad. Also Kazuki is so deep and complex he litterally wore me out. (honest) I like Kazuki. . He's the most complex person I've ever done to date! lol. While working on this chapter I was listening to Inuyasha music. "Every Heart" is my favorite song, what's yours? Haha. Anyway, let's see, for a chapter description, I would just like to say that this chapter is the most thoughtful yet. You get to see the first glimpses of Kazuki's character here. Also a quote from Inuyasha is in here. Can you guess which one it is? lol.

Anyway, read on and enjoy.
Kathy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I do own Kazuki however. LOL. Kazuki is mine!

"What?" Kikyo stuttered. Never in her life had she experienced this. Sure there were many people who had come to ask things of her, but never this!

"Please…" Kazuki begged, "Allow me to stay and learn from you."

Kikyo was not sure. Should she trust him? He seemed to be determined enough and besides that his eyes, literally his whole body leaked with intensity. A faker could not produce such heavy emotions. "Big sister, please?" Kaede pleaded. She had been watching this scene quietly from behind.

Kikyo sighed. He could stay with her while she was away. She pondered this for a few more minutes before finally answering, "Well, all right." She turned towards Kazuki, "But you must work if you stay." Her brown eyes then darkened with a menacing glare, "If you so much as lay a finger—

She could not finish for Kazuki interrupted with... "You need not worry, Kikyo-sama." He stated, using an honorific title, "I will not harm your sister." A satisfied look crossed over Kikyo's face, which made Kazuki give a short sigh of relief. With this he added, "I will work." And as if to prove it he stood up and began to pick the spilled rice and the broken pottery of the bowl up from the floor. Kaede moved to help him, but Kikyo stopped her. "I am sorry for the bowl. I shall repay you." Kazuki told the priestess.

When he finished he bowed politely to Kikyo before heading outside. Kikyo watched him with a puzzled look. Kaede, however, was exasperated, "Why didn't you let me help him?" She asked with a huff.

Kikyo looked down at her, "He did not want help." She said, "You could see it in his body language and eyes." Before Kaede could question this, Kikyo walked away and began to skillfully pour hot green tea in small, white, floral decorated cups. It came from a copper teapot, which hung above the fire in the hearth.

Kaede became quiet as she sat down beside her older sister, who passed her a cup. A few minutes later Kazuki stumbled inside. He turned his attention to Kikyo who asked, "Would you like some tea…um?"

"Kazuki."

"Yes, Kazuki-san?" Kikyo finished. In her hands was a cup of the steaming green tea. Her head was cocked to one side. Kazuki could see very well that she was curious as to what he would do. He was a bit shocked; his emerald eyes darted around though his face remained calm. He shook his head, "No, Kikyo-sama, I could not accept such kindness." He gave a quick bow and continued with, "But, if it isn't too much to ask, I am rather tired. I have been traveling long. Might I sleep?"

Kaede watched as Kikyo's face once again twisted into puzzlement. Of course, she nodded and with a gentle voice she told him that there were futons in a room in the hallway north of here. Kikyo stopped Kaede again when she tried to stand up to go help him. She shook her head at her younger sister.

Kazuki did not seem to notice this. He bowed again and with no word walked pass the priestess and her sister to ready a futon for himself. Kaede pleaded with her sister through sorrowful eyes, but Kikyo simply sipped on her cup of green tea, ignoring her look.

"It is strange." Kikyo suddenly said, causing Kaede to jerk her head up.

"What?"

Kikyo took a breath, "It is like he has the mind of a tormented child. He is intelligent, but he is confused, torn in many places."

"Like…a battle inside him?" Kaede asked, adding her thought to the mix.

Kikyo took another sip, "Yes. There is something within him that he is fighting against in his search…his search for something more." The priestess closed her eyes, seeing the agonized look that Kazuki had given her. "Atonement…he is searching for atonement. But why? I sensed a subtle pureness about him, but yet it is blotched, like dark blood on a white rag. What is it that he is in so desperate need of?" In her soul Kikyo began to sense a bit of familiarity between them. "I too seek and dream, but…"

Kikyo sighed, rubbing the temple of her forehead. A headache was beginning to set in. Maybe she had worked too hard today. After all those errands and then…the slaughtering…Kikyo grunted, causing her sister to peer up at her. "What is it big sister?" Kaede asked, a look of worry crossed her face.

Kikyo simply looked down at her and gave a small smile. "Ah, it is nothing…just remembering something someone said to me today." "You reek of the blood of a demon!" Without noticing, Kikyo's mouth dropped into a frown, which caused Kaede to give her a look. Of course, Kikyo caught this and said sadly, "I hope that I can help him as he says."

Kaede looked at her older sister, viewing the weakness that had suddenly sprung into her tense face. She gave Kikyo a smile and encouraged her with, "I'm sure you can big sister. Why don't you stay home tomorrow?"

"I will try." Kikyo replied, she then went back into sipping her tea, deep in thought. Kaede watched this with a small feeling of sorrow.

It was late in the morning when Kazuki woke up. He opened his eyes to find a small wooden tray of hot tea and rice cakes in front of him. His stomach grumbled as the scent was overpowering. He stretched, yawning, and then stared at the tray as if it were something alien. But his stomach was so empty, so he shook the feeling off and ravenously began to devour the food. As he ate, he heard the sound of a door sliding open and then peering upward saw Kikyo standing in the doorway of the room, watching him with her emotionless eyes and blank face. It sent chills of awe up his spine, but he tried to ignore her gaze.

"I see you are awake, Kazuki-san." She spoke softly.

"Yes." He responded, "I see you have stayed home today." He sat on his hunches like an animal, stuffing his mouth full of rice cakes. Kikyo found this to be amusing. Indeed, he had been a wanderer, but an uncivilized one. He could not have been a ronin for usually they were more proper. With the katana by his futon she didn't know what to make of him; maybe he taught himself swordplay while he was traveling. Either way that didn't matter, what mattered was 'who' he was. To find out what brought him here.

Kikyo bobbed her head, "I had a few things to do this morning while you were sleeping, but yes, I am." She surveyed him closely, instantly spotting the blackish-blue mark on the right side of his chest and shoulder. "What a wound…" Kikyo thought to herself, wide-eyed.

There came a grunt. "You have a question in your eyes." Kazuki suddenly said, "Say it." There were bits of annoyance in his voice, though it sounded as if he tried to keep his disposition under control, as if he knew what she was meaning to ask.

"Where did you get that wound, Kazuki-san?" Kikyo asked. She was indeed curious, "It is not normal."

Kikyo watched as Kazuki's body tensed, a dark shadow crept over his face, as his emerald eyes flared in rage. Though he had managed to control himself in front of Kaede for she was just an innocent child, here was a woman who could and would poke her way through. He would not allow such a thing. He glared at her, "Though I shall stay here to work and learn from you, my past is not for your amusement, priestess!"

Kikyo did not seem the least bit shocked at his sudden roar of rage. Instead she merely flicked her hand, saying, "No matter how people put it, atonement is something that requires confession, Kazuki-san. It is—

Kazuki was having a hard time controlling himself for his face stretched and contorted, but he managed to only growl, "Some secrets are better left unknown." He stood up to face her, "I'm sure you have yours too, Kikyo-sama."

Kikyo turned her head away and replied, "Pardon me. I meant no offense." A thin emotion of sadness swept across her face, but it quickly dissipated.

Kazuki lowered his head. Bowing, he only sputtered in return, "Forgive me for my uproar."

Kikyo shook her head, "Do not worry. Here…" She grabbed a brown package behind her and handed it to Kazuki, who gave a confused look. Kikyo must have thought it was funny for she cleared her throat, a small smile leaked unto her face. "It is clothes. I got them for you." Kikyo looked him up and down as if to show him how dirty and torn his were.

A thin line of blush crossed over Kazuki's face. "Oh…" He choked. Either he wasn't used to women, or he just wasn't used to charity, but if you had looked upon him that day you knew it was both. Kazuki stared at the brown, neatly wrapped package in his trembling hands. "Kikyo-sama…I cannot take—

Kikyo gave him a roll of her eyes, as she grabbed and placed one of his hands on top of the package, "Kazuki-san, learn to accept people's kindness. It is one of many steps of growing and healing."

As Kikyo turned to leave, Kazuki was frozen in shock. But then, just as he reached to gently untie the string that held the package together, Kikyo spoke once more, facing him.

"When I was little, before I had even begun my training, an old priest, seeing me sad and alone, told me something his master, before dieing had said."

Kikyo stared off to the side as if she was in a deep trance. She cleared her throat and quoted, "'Maybe if I share the path I walk then a little more of your pain will vanish. I want you to heal, whoever you are. I don't care what pain you've brought the world; I just want yours to subside. No matter what, your path is yours. Don't follow misery or worry. Devote every moment of your life to improving your dreams. Love your world. Cherish the good you do. Let go of hatred. Dream of love.'"

With that, Kikyo left him there to dress, but it was a while before Kazuki could do so, because he stood there abashed, deep in thought.