Child of the Wind

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Memories

Stressed

Kagome wiped the sweat from her brow and crossed the wooden bridge in front of her. She had been traveling for four days to reach this shrine. She had finally arrived at the Ise-jingu shrine. Kagome walked to the side of the bridge and gazed at the river with awe. The river was a beautiful emerald green that was surround by forest. Kagome stepped off the bridge and walked down to the river. Kagome kneeled down next to thewater and splashed her face with the crystal coolness. She stood up and smiled at her reflection, she looked tired. Her skin was still pale and her hair wasn't as shiny as before.

"What must I do to live?" Kagome softly questioned the river.

"I recommend not talking to yourself…people may begin to question your state of mind," a calm voice recommended.

Kagome sighed and turned around, she didn't want a fight. She could clearly see that he was a youkai. It amazed her that her Miko powers were weakening to the point of that she couldn't sense a simple youkai. Kagome stared at the boy and wondered why he was on sacred ground anyway. She figured she should be polite, he hadn't shown her any hostility.

"I am Higurashi Kagome," Kagome introduced, deciding it would be rude to call him a bird.

"Maro," he simply said as he nodded to her.

Kagome studied him figuring it was best to know everything about a person. She didn't want to be caught off guard in case he attacked. He had black wings with silky feathers that rested against his back. Kagome took note that he wore a hakama and haori that had a silver honeycomb pattern on the sleeves. He also had a silver sash over the black material. His armor consisted of a chest plate and nothing else. In his left hand, he held a giant leaf of an Aralia plant. Kagome couldn't see his face or his hair because of the helmet he wore. The helmet was shaped in the form of a crow's head with a beak; she still couldn't find his eyes.

"Nice to meet you Maro-san," Kagome softly said.

"Are you headed to the shrine?" Maro questioned her as his head motioned to the shrine up ahead.

"Yes, I wanted to purify myself there," Kagome explained, she decided that honesty wouldn't condemn her.

"I see…you do know that no one lives there," Maro explained. Kagome's eyes widened in shock as she carefully watched the youkai.

"What happened to the caretakers?" Kagome questioned in suspicion.

"They died of a sickness, the Lords haven't sent anyone else to watch over the sacred ground," Maro answered with a hint of sadness.

"So, why do you remain here?" Kagome questioned.

"I have decided to guard the shrine until another comes," Maro proudly informed.

Kagome nodded, but she would not take her eyes off him. He seemed like a good person, but she knew better then to blindly trust.

"I will be staying there until I complete my mission, I hope you're pleasant company," Kagome softly said with a smile.

Kagome watched as the youkai reached up and removed his helmet. His glazed sapphire hair fell to his chin as he fully removed the helmet. Her blue-gray eyes made contact with his immediately. She stared into pearl blue eyes and deemed that he could be trusted. His face still held the boyish charm of a young man in his late teens. His cheekbones were high and his skin was a soft ivory. He bowed to her and quickly stood back up.

"I would be honored to have a Miko stay at the shrine I guard," Maro quickly said.

"Are you the only one here?" Kagome questioned as they walked back up to the bridge.

"Unfortunately I am," Maro sighed as his features saddened.

"I am sorry to bring up painful memories," Kagome apologized. He looked at her and smiled.

"Don't apologize, it's not your fault if my memories are sad," Maro assured.

"How long have you been here?" Kagome questioned since the silence was bugging her.

"I've been watching this shrine for about fifty years," Maro answered as he counted the seasons.

Kagome softly laughed and said, "You only look about seventeen."

"Karasu-Tengu age even slower then a normal youkai," Maro informed.

"So you are the one that caused my villages rice fields to overflow," Kagome joked as he chuckled.

"That was my sister," Maro informed with a nervous laugh. Kagome blanked, she was only joking even if the rice fields were damaged one year.

They walked past the stage of the shrine and into the main temple. He led her to the back of the temple where there were a few rooms. He slide open a shoji screen and coughed at the dust that arose. Kagome laughed as his nose twitched in distaste.

"I thought you watched the shrine," Kagome dryly said.

"I do…I just don't clean," he informed.

Kagome nodded and walked into the room. She slide open another pair of shoji doors to reveal a beautiful garden. Maro came back into the room with two brooms. They quickly swept the remaining dust away and cleared away any cobwebs. Kagome smiled at the quick, but satisfying job.

"I suppose you don't cook," Kagome said as she looked to him.

"I don't eat meat," Maro corrected.

"No fish?" Kagome questioned.

"Nope," Maro assured.

"I guess I can clean the shrine in thanks for allowing me to stay here," Kagome stated since she didn't want to screw up the meals.

"You don't have to," Maro assured.

"It would be no problem," Kagome assured with a wave of her hand.

"Then I guess I will prepare our meals," Maro sighed knowing the girl wouldn't change her mind.

"Where is the nearest waterfall?" Kagome questioned. His eyebrow rose in surprise.

"You really do plan to purify yourself," Maro mumbled before he answered. "I'll take you to closest one."

"Then let me just get changed," Kagome said as he left her room.

Kagome quickly changed into a white kimono. The material was thick enough that you wouldn't see through it. She had removed her bra and went with a simple cotton material. Kagome didn't want to have messed up bra. She slipped on her Zori sandals, grabbed her beads, and left the room. Maro smiled at her and took note that she had her Hami-Yumi with her. Kagome memorized the trail they took so she could come here on her own. The sound of rushing watering made it to her ears in no time. She smiled at the sight of the waterfall. It was perfect to begin her cleaning.

"The last time I tried to meditate under a waterfall I almost drowned," Maro mumbled as she chuckled.

"There's a certain way you have to do it," Kagome advised as she wrapped her beads around her wrist and walked to the lakes side.

Maro watched as she looked at the rocks from every angle. She smiled and climbed up on the rocks careful of the slippery spots. She carefully got under the waterfall so half of her body was facing him. She closed her eyes and relaxed against the cold chill.

"Amazing," Maro mumbled as he flew next to her and studied her calm features.

"It's not that special," Kagome assured with a soft smile.

"Are you sure that your not a Betsushikime?" Maro questioned.

"I am in no way a warrior woman…if anything, I am weak," Kagome sadly assured.

"You seem pretty strong," Maro complimented.

"I will accept your compliment even if I don't agree," Kagome whispered.

"Why do you wish to purify yourself?" Maro questioned.

"I am cursed," Kagome softly answered.

"Cursed?" Maro questioned in confusion.

"My incarnation was cursed to die an untimely death if she ever fell in love, and that curse carried over to me," Kagome explained.

"That can easily be broken," Maro assured as he smiled at her. Kagome opened her eyes in shock; she didn't dare to have such hope.

"Are you sure?" Kagome softly questioned.

"Positive," Maro confidently assured.

"How?" Kagome questioned.

"All you have to do is have the person that cursed you remove it, or you can remove the curse once you become strong enough," Maro explained.

"The person that cursed me is dead and I will never have that power," Kagome whispered.

"What about the Shikon no Tama you carry?" Maro whispered.

Kagome reached up and grabbed the Tama in an attempt to hide it. The thought had never crossed her mind.

"Never, that would only taint the jewel," Kagome firmly said.

"Wise answer, I will train you," Maro seriously said.

"What?" Kagome asked in shock.

"I've got nothing better to do," Maro supplied.

"What would I owe you?" Kagome questioned.

"Nothing, I just wish to train a warrior," Maro assured.

"I accept your offer if it is honest and holds no deceit," Kagome humbly said as she bowed her head.

Her bowing her head gave the waterfall enough leverage to wash her off the rock. Maro laughed as she screamed and fell into the lake. When she made it to the surface, he flew down and pulled her back to shore. Kagome thanked him and rung her hair out. Maro watched and studied her actions with an intense gaze.

'If I can train a Betsushikime then I will be worthy of my clan,' Maro thought with a smile.

Kagome watched Maro as he stared at the waterfall in thought. She knew that Karasu-Tengu were worthy fighters. They were not only strong fighters; they were intelligent and honorable. They had always helped warriors find their way in order to stop tyrants. Kagome made an internal agreement that this youkai could be trusted until he proved himself dishonorable. Kagome smiled at the sky and beamed with joy.

'If I become strong enough I will be able to be with him,' Kagome determined.

Their dinner was short and sweet. Kagome felt like she had her arms ripped off. She knew her arms were sturdy enough to wield a bow, but she had never felt this sore. Maro focused on her finding her inner peace while balancing two weights in each arm. Kagome's lip twitched as she thought about the training that would come. She didn't see why she had to be physically strong.

"What will we train in tomorrow?" Kagome questioned.

"Tonight you will train in illusions and how to see through them," Maro stated.

"I can already do that," Kagome scoffed and he frowned.

"You must be able to tell when someone is bluffing and be able to confront your own fears," Maro clarified. Kagome sheepishly smiled and nodded.

"My fear…I don't have one," Kagome assured.

"Everyone has a fear," Maro assured as he bit into his apple.

"My fears have all come to pass," Kagome assured. Maro raised an eyebrow and grinned.

"Well see," Maro whispered. He wanted his warrior to be perfect.

Kagome had a feeling of dread.

Kagome stood under the moonlight as she gazed Maro's form. He wore his crow helmet once more and she knew it was to conceal his emotions. Kagome watched as his figure slowly vanished from her sight. She squinted and could see that he put up a barrier to hide himself. Kagome patiently waited as a form stepped out of the shadows of a barrier.

A fist punched her and sent her flying. She coughed up blood and noticed that she was really bleeding. Fear coursed through her as she remembered this was just an illusion. A warm hand caressed her face and she met the cerulean eyes with dread. Kagome embraced the figure with a feeling of joyful fear and yelped as she was roughly pulled away and tossed to the side. A sword pierced through her stomach and she screamed in pain.

"I told you I'd get ya," the voice whispered.

"Bankotsu," Kagome whispered as everything went black.

Author's Note:

Thanks to all the wonderful reviewers! Without you I wouldn't update, the reviews let me know that people actually read this!
I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while, I have finals and I've been cramming all the info I can. I've also been working nine hour days while studyings. I think I'll update this story on the 19th since finals will be over.
Sorry, but I won't bash Kikyo in this fic, and Kagome won't die from this curse(or will she?)
Please leave a review after the beep
Beep