Notes: Hey again everyone. This chapter is extra long, making up for all those lost days. Also, I feel like I've been going too fast in this story. I need to slow it down even if that means stretching it out some with more chapters. I guess 'tragety' will have to close its jaws for a little longer...
Inuyasha's getting lonely. Poor Inuyasha, don't worry, your spotlight will come soon.
Inuyasha: Keh!
Also, where have my reviewers gone? Hello? Anyone there? Can I have some help here? lol. Tell me what I need to work on so that I can make this fic more enjoyable for you.
Anyway, farewell!
Kathy
Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha. Period. Except Kazuki, tee hee.
The Shinto shrine looked more like an elaborate hut, but bigger than most minka houses. It had a thatched roof with strong cypress poles stuck in the ground, which held it and the building up. A red torii stood before it, a wooden gateway to mark the sacredness of it. Kazuki was afraid to pass it, in fear of losing his 'disguise', but stepping forward, he realized nothing happened. Breathing a sigh of relief he strode forward, passing many groups of people who had either come to watch the dance, or pray to the kami.
Before the entrance to the shrine, Kazuki observed two stone Inari (fox) statues crouching as if in preparation. Kazuki only knew one thing about them and that they were dedicated to the kami of crops and rice. Kazuki bowed to them both and as he peered up he saw Kaede standing by the entrance waving to him.
"Mr. Kazuki! You came!" She cried happily. She ran forward and hugged him. He smiled down at her, but then turned his attention upward when he caught sight of red and white. There were more mikos coming into the shrine. One, with long black hair, a seashell placed in the middle of her bangs, and who reminded him of a serpent, stopped before him and asked, "Who is this with you Kaede-chan? Is he…a boyfriend?" She brought her hand upward and covered her mouth gigging and eyeing Kazuki as if he were bait.
Kaede seemed quite happy with her humorous remark, but instead bowed and said, "No Tsubaki-sama, he is not. His name is Kazuki; he wandered by one day and saved me from a gang, probably Yakuza. He's been helping me and onee-sama."
Tsubaki stopped, and peered below, catching sight of his katana, "What? Kikyo-dono? You know what they say about ronin, Kaede-chan." She looked at Kazuki with a flirting grin, who felt himself go numb.
"What?" Kaede asked, the creases in her forehead deepening. She didn't care much for Tsubaki; she always seemed to have something up her sleeves.
"They can be quite rough around the edges, you should be careful, Kaede-chan. Who knows what he could pull." Tsubaki said, still wearing her grin.
Kazuki felt a growl seep from his throat, as Kaede gave a stern look at the dark miko, "You don't know him like I do, Tsubaki-sama. He is a kind man."
Kazuki froze in surprise at her response to this miko.
Tsubaki gave a snort, giving Kaede a look, "Well, Kaede-chan, do what you will. Why should I care anyway?"
She flicked her hand at Kaede and flopped up inside the shrine. Kaede stuck her tongue at Tsubaki's back; Kaede knew that if she would have had that kind of attitude to Kikyo she would have gotten herself slapped. Kaede looked up at Kazuki, as if expecting something.
"Want me to go reprehend her? Kazuki asked.
"No, that's what she wants. She'll go tell the priest and then you'll have to spend either a whole day kneeling on rice, or an hour of public humiliation getting a bamboo beating." Kaede explained sadly.
"Oh…"
"Cheer up, Kazuki-san! Let's go look around for a bit, it's still early." She said excitedly, grabbing his arm.
Kazuki nodded, allowing her to take him wherever she went, besides he had never been in a shrine before, he had only seen them from the distance. By the shrine was a small tree and on it hung many small wooden boards with a decoration on them.
"What…is this?" Kazuki wondered out loud.
"It is ema, Kazuki-san." Kaede explained happily, "People come to get one and they write their poems or wishes on them. Then they hang them on here hoping the kami will grant or see them." She pulled out of her yellow kimono two boards; one already had writing on it, which she hung, the other she handed to Kazuki, "Why don't you wish for something?"
"I…I can't write, Miss Kaede…" Kazuki stuttered, looking quite embarrassed, "I wish I could…but I was never taught it. My family thought it was…a waste of time."
Kaede was surprised, but she looked at him sadly, "Oh, it is all right Kazuki-san. Here, let me write it for you. What do you want the most?"
"I don't know."
Kaede cocked her head, "Oh surely you must know! Everyone has desires." She laughed.
Kazuki sighed and looked up at the darkening sky. The stars were beginning to pop out one by one and the moon shone brightly in the evening sky, which was red and purple tinted. "A…sense of belonging. I wish also…for happiness, strength, and love. Can your kami truly grant such things? But if I be too greedy, may it deny me them then."
Kaede looked up, as she was done writing the things he had spoken for, "I don't think your greedy, Kazuki-san. I think you truly want them." She hung the board beside hers. "But you know…" She stood up, "I think the kami already granted them." She smiled.
For that moment, Kazuki felt his surroundings grow dim, as he thought deeply about what she said. He was so frozen in time that it took Kaede to take hold of his arm to bring him back to the present. Kazuki shook his head and focused back on the little girl, who was peering worriedly at him. "Mr. Kazuki?" Kaede called.
"Oh." Kazuki said, fumbling with the hilt of his katana. He smiled down at her, which instantly calmed her. There could be no doubt about it, as the day wore on he grew happier, but then…Kazuki glanced at the nasty mark that consumed his left shoulder and part of his chest. It throbbed and it seemed to grow worse then yesterday and the day before. Kaede did not notice his sudden interest in his wound and led him down to the front of the haiden hall (hall for worship).
There, hanging at the top hung three bells, which were connected to ropes that fell down, nearly touching the stone walkway. There were also wooden boxes, three of them, that were neatly placed on the wooden shelf under the bells. Kazuki was about to ask what this was, but Kaede politely interrupted him with a, "Watch closely." She grabbed a rope, jerked it, which made the bell ring. She then drew three coins from a pouch she carried and tossed it into a box. "That was to summon the kami. Now we pray." Kaede explained, she then lowered her head, bowing and stood that way for a minute.
Kazuki felt rather ridiculous, but if the kami was truly listening, he repeated Kaede's motions, and bowed in silent prayer.
After the quick prayer, Kaede was about to lead him back to the entrance, but stopped herself when she saw her older sister, Kikyo, walking quietly and gracefully like a ghost inside the haiden hall. Her hands were together in a prayer motion, probably chanting a blessing for the dance. Kazuki's breath caught in his throat when he saw her. "Kikyo..."
Kaede and Kazuki maneuvered their way out from the crowd of people to get closer. Kikyo saw them and stopped, bowing towards the people who had come to pray, she leaned over the wooden wall and waved towards Kaede, but kept her eyes away from Kazuki. Kaede stood up on her tip-toes and embraced her sister as best as she could. "I showed Mr. Kazuki around! We also tied our wishes to the bamboo pole!" She said in one breath.
"I see you were also praying." Kikyo added, giving a smile. Kaede nodded in reply. Kikyo took a deep breath and said, "The dance is about to start, I must go Kaede, but meet me inside, okay?"
Kaede nodded again, shaking her head vigorously, "I will!" She hugged her sister again and raced off towards the entrance, "Come on Kazuki-san!" She yelled, laughing. Kazuki wanted to follow, but he had to make things up with Kikyo. Kikyo had turned around to walk away, down the polished floors of the hallway, but Kazuki reached over the wooden wall and grasped Kikyo gently by the arm. A few gasps came from the praying crowd, never was one to touch a miko. She was to be pure, a virgin in all things, as well as a symbol of strength and elegance.
Kikyo turned savagely upon Kazuki, whipping her head about and ripping his hand from her arm. She did not say anything, but her look was deadly enough. She turned to go again, but Kazuki wasn't quite finished yet.
"Kikyo-sama…" Kazuki pleaded, his words getting caught in his throat. Kikyo was the second woman who could make him feel so weak, worthless and undignified.
Kikyo did not even turn to face him, "Go away…" She spat, and with that she disappeared around a corner, leaving Kazuki alone and receiving several looks from a few villagers.
Kazuki felt himself grow hot, especially his eyes, as he peered around at all their angry faces. Some even got bold enough to say that he didn't belong here in the first place. Kazuki screamed at himself to move and finally his limbs responded. He ran off, he couldn't breathe and could barely see. Gasping for breath underneath the ema tree, he gripped his scarred shoulder, which no longer throbbed anymore, at least for the moment.
He growled at it, "Why must you torment me so?" As if in reply, the wound screamed in agony, rocking his body with fierce pricks and more dull throbs. Kazuki sneered in return, but soon gave into the pain and bitterly let the tears fall silently. After the pain subsided, Kazuki dried his eyes on his long sleeves and walking back to the entrance, he solemnly walked inside.
He followed the small crowd of people down the haiden hall into a rather large room that was separated from the rest of the shrine. For no man could enter the heart of the shrine, only the priest could.
The room was very well kept, a soft, highly decorated rug covered the floor, and a few small statues stood here and there. Some were quite surprising to look at, considering that they were made to honor fertility and lovemaking. Many scrolls hung on the walls, painted with beautiful calligraphy and symbolizing Shinto beliefs. There were also a few incense burners here and there, giving off a smell that made Kazuki instantly think of Kikyo. When Kazuki got to the doorway, a Shimenawa (rope made of twisted rice straw) hung above it to ward off evil and sickness.
Kazuki cringed once again as he stepped under it, but again, thankfully, nothing happened. He spotted Kaede waving to him in a corner and made a motion towards the cushion next to her. Kazuki nodded and kneeled down on it. She smiled, but said nothing; instead she turned her attention back to a boy sitting beside her, who appeared to be a rather nice lad. He too was excited to watch the dance for his sister was also miko. As they talked, Kazuki watched as a small group of miko came into the room one by one kneeling formally in a row to the side of the crowd.
They prepared their instruments of hichiriki and Sho, including a small Taiko drum and various others. It was a type of formal music called Gagaku. At last the dancers came forth and kneeled before them in front in the form of an arrow. Kikyo was near the front, Tsubaki behind her, her eyes gleaming. Kikyo was calm, but there was still some evidence of anger in her brown eyes. What had he done to cause her such fury?
And then…he understood. Kikyo was very protective of her sister Kaede and though she was a bit jealous by Kaede's infatuation with him, Kazuki had crossed the line by getting into her personal business. Though he was here to receive help, he should have kept his distance. Also, it would have been more polite to have asked her permission to get Kaede a Taka.
Kazuki sighed and lowered his head. How stupid he was! Just as the instruments began to play and the shrine maidens assumed their positions, Kazuki whispered, "Miss Kaede…"
"Yes, Kazuki-san?" Kaede replied, turning her attention back to him, "What is wrong?" She asked, seeing his distressed look.
"I can't stay here any longer. I have to go." Kazuki stated sadly, standing up. Kaede's jaw dropped, frozen in shock, as she watched him leave. Suddenly realizing what was going on, Kaede raced off after him. Kikyo watched, unable to do anything, as she followed along with flowing movements to the music. A hurt look crossed her face.
Outside, Kazuki briskly walked to the outskirts of the village. He could no longer stay here. He did not belong. He was different and he had intruded into their lives. But, as he headed towards the woods, which loomed over the grassy hills in the distance, he knew after all he would miss them both. Kazuki began to pull off his kimono, when there came a sound of running behind him.
"Wait! Kazuki-san, wait!" Kaede cried.
"Miss Kaede?" Kazuki said, turning around, surprised.
Kaede stopped before him, placing her hands on her knees to catch her breath. "Miss Kaede, you shouldn't be way out here, especially at night. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Go back to your sister Kikyo, she is probably worried." Kazuki spoke sternly.
"Not…without…you." Kaede huffed, looking up at him.
"What?"
"Don't leave…stay. Please…Kazuki-san, please?"
Kazuki stood perfectly still, his mouth ajar, "Why, Miss Kaede, way? I've only been a bother."
Kaede became furious, "Don't say stuff like that! You mean a lot to me!"
Kazuki turned around, his back facing her. He was quiet, too quiet.
"Kazuki-san?"
No reply.
"Fine, if you want to be that way, I'll leave you alone. Goodbye, Kazuki-san, I'll miss you." There came a sniff.
Kazuki's mind was so clouded he could barely make out what she had said, but it seemed all he could hear was the padding of her zori sandals against the grass. He was stunned, how could this mere human child have so much affection for him? Amazed, and suddenly lonely, Kazuki spun on his feet to try and catch Kaede when he sensed dark chi coming from the nearby forest. It was gaining speed and it was heading this way.
"KAEDE!" Kazuki screamed, as his leg muscles sprang into action. Just as he grabbed her from behind and lifted her into the air, there came many yells, shouts, and savage laughing as a large group of rugged mortals charged towards the village on their many horses.
Kaede turned her head to look and then, frightened, yelled, "The Yakuza!" She then whimpered and buried her face into Kazuki's shoulder.
"We have to warn everyone…!" Kazuki puffed, as he steadily picked up his pace. But then a secret ambush appeared out of nowhere from the west side and blocked them in. A group of men dropped down from their horses, and drawing their swords, strode towards them in a mocking way.
"Don't worry, Kaede…I'll protect you." Kazuki whispered in her ear.
A man sneered, "Hey, that's the brat who made a fool out of us! And you! You must have been that masked man!" He grinned, "What a coincidence! Now I'll get some payback…"
Kazuki gasped…that voice. He was the same leader who was threatening Kaede from yesterday morning! Kazuki snarled, baring sudden fangs in their direction. "How dare you come back and show your ugly faces! Especially whentrying to destroy this village! I am the one who will make you pay!"
Kazuki set Kaede down gently and told her to get behind him. He would have loved to sink his claws into their wretched bodies, but Kaede would see and would have known what kind of a monster he was. Kazuki grasped the hilt of his katana, his eyes blazing with hatred. There would be no running, blood would rain tonight.