The boys were still speaking.
"So, how are ya finding Bara village?"
"Well enough." Mizoshi was could tell Ken was frowning. She knew what that low tone meant. "But, I wish we could've came here on better circumstances."
"Ah, Kita's grandfather is bad, is he?"
"Yes. He will be at peace soon." Her brother's voice brightened. "Still, after we tend to him and make his final days comfortable; Kita and I can return to Jari Village and be wed."
"A sad thing." The other boy's voice sounded closer now.
A pause. Then…
"Speaking of which, weren't you left an orphan?"
She gasped. Fortunately, no one heard the slight sound.
"Yes." Ken was back to being gloomy. "My mother and younger brother were killed by demons."
They weren't demons!
"Oh." The nameless stranger sounded embarrassed.
Mother and younger brother? What about me? Ken's not totally alone…
Even she had to consider the irony that Ken's sole living relation was hiding only a couple of yards away.
The subject was changed. "Ken, why do ya wear such long sleeves? They're near dragging on the ground!"
"It is because of the winter chill!" Ken exclaimed a bit too defensively.
The other boy was taken aback. "Well, I certainly hope ya don't wear 'em that long in the summer!"
Yes, brother. What will you do when the hot summer arrives?
Furtively, Mizoshi sought to grab a peek of her brother through the crack in the shed, but at the last moment decided not to risk it. For Ken, it was not worth it.
What if they glimpse a flash of golden eye?
"So, Shiro, what is in that shed?"
Dots exploded in front of her vision.
What is he doing? Did he see me?
Shiro's voice was exceedingly nonchalant. "Farming tools."
"Hmm." She could just feel her brother craning his neck to get a better look at it. Then, there was the crunching of approaching footsteps.
Why? Why is he coming in here?
He was now precious feet away, and she had to think of something. Quickly.
Mustering her will, she sealed her eyelids and shut and focused her mind.
Get me out of here.
She was moving away now—shifting through space itself. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in some tall grass that bordered the shed itself.
If only Ken could see what I can do now…
Predictably, the door creaked open. There was some shuffling. Mizoshi crouched lower in the pale gold straw-like grasses.
"Shiro…what is this doing here?"
"Oh…oh my! What finery!" Her brother's companion was clearly impressed.
"Why would anyone leave such a manner of blanket behind?" Ken demanded. "This white silk is so smooth."
She blanched.
I forgot to remove the evidence that I was in there.
"What should we do with it?" Shiro asked anxiously.
"Take it." She could almost hear her brother shrugging. "Someone obviously abandoned it here."
"Yes. All right then." Shiro sounded dubious.
Ken was speaking again. "It will make a suitable gift for Kita."
Unbidden, envy rode her heart.
Kita. It always was about Kita. She clouded my brother's thoughts—and still is.
"As a…wedding present?" The villager's voice rose conspiratorially.
"Of course!" Ken laughed. Shrilly.
He's so happy. But, should Kita ever uncover the truth under that blanket…
"Now, Ken, let us return to the village. Kita will be expecting us."
There was silence at first.
"Yes. Let us go." Her brother sounded almost reluctant to leave.
He probably wants to explore some more and find out exactly who left that blanket.
At last, they were gone. The barren field stood silent once more. Leaving behind a distressed phoenix hanyou.
That was close. Much too close.
She waited in the swaying grasses until she was sure it was just the gentle noise of nature that surrounded her. Then, slowly, she crept out to confirm that they were really gone. Tentatively, she edged to the shed and pulled open the door. Her eyes landed on something that caused her great relief.
Thankfully, he hasn't seen the food stores. That would've really aroused his suspicions.
Her basket of food was wedged in the same inky black corner where she'd left it. Only the stark white blanket had been left in the open.
I'll make do.
Scrambling for her belongings before anyone else got the urge to go for a walk, Mizoshi carefully closed the shed door and left her temporary home behind her for good.
Back to the forest…
Retreating to the woods, Mizoshi walked a mile or so before stopping to sit on a lopsided log wedged between several large stones. There, she began breaking dry twigs for a fire.
Just my luck. Just my luck…
Her brother was still alive and well. And not only that. Indeed, he was perfectly well, happy, and content because he had "hid" his deformities.
Was that my problem? Did I embrace my demonic blood too readily? Was I too…abnormal?
Still, she already knew the answer. In anger, she tore the next branch into splintery shreds.
No, he is not right in playing this charade! Even Kita has a right to know. Just because Ken's demonic features are not so readily seen doesn't mean he has to deny his heritage.
The news had shocked her. Surprised her. Now, she was forced to accept it.
Ken will soon be a husband. Poor Kita.
A steady flame crackling, Mizoshi decided to eat. It would be advantageous to use the clump of fire for both cooking and heating.
Ken…
Halfway through her meal; Mizoshi thoughts took on a new form.
This is idiotic. Why should I be threatened by Ken? Just because he set the entirety of Jari Village on me doesn't mean he shouldn't be joyously married.
Satisfied, she chewed up another bite.
Still…isn't Kita a little young to be married? She's barely thirteen!
Hastily, she took another bite of meat—larger than the first. Mizoshi was seventeen going on eighteen, and she herself had no husband to call her own. She had nothing to ridicule in her position.
But, wait. I have Naraku. He's almost like a husband…right?
No. Not quite.
Mizoshi could not mask the ugly truth. The dark hanyou would never truly be hers. No. Naraku belonged to Naraku. And, as always, his deepest desires would always rule him the most.
And yet, I am one of those desires…
Tired of mindless musings, Mizoshi finished up her breakfast and cleaned her tracks so none would ever realize a stranded hanyou girl that was connected to quite possibly the most infamous demon in the country had even breathed here.
No more sad thoughts. I am sure that Naraku has emerged from the mountain victorious and will be perfectly exuberant to receive me.
This precious jewel of a thought comforting her; Mizoshi skirted over more dead grasses and clambered up the slow incline of a hill. The sun was rising higher and the birds were braving the cold to chirp their pretty songs.
Mizoshi kept walking—retracing her steps in the exact same area. Waiting.
At around nightfall—just when she was to nod off—it happened. The stars winked and flashed like melting ice while a snowy sliver of a winter moon rose. A whoosh of air whipped around her shaking shoulders and then there was the keen sensation of sharp scarlet eyes watching her.
"Hanyou," that voice began, "you have made no such effort to run or hide yourself. So, I can only presume that you wish to return with me?"
"Yes." She turned around to face the wind sorceress.
She's come. That means…
Slowly—anxiety tightening her limbs—Mizoshi gathered her belongings and stumbled towards the waiting feather. Still, she couldn't resist asking a small question. With trepidation, she searched Kagura's face.
"Is he…?"
"Come and see," the incarnation returned with a red-lipped sneer.
Naraku reclined in the crevice-dark side chamber. While the spider stretched out his new legs, the bird happened to bob into the room. Her yellow eyes passed over him with an intoxicating mix of fear, awe, and hope.
Let's see if I can pay homage to all three…
"Mizoshi, do me the tremendous honor of providing me with your company for a few minutes."
A bit tensely, the phoenix maiden padded over to him and fluttered easily into his waiting arms.
She's scared of my new form. She'll never admit it, but she is. I can even feel her escalating heartbeat beneath her clothing.
"See, Mizoshi? All is well. You're alive and I'm alive. How fortunate for both of us."
"Yes, Naraku. I'm so happy…"
He chuckled deep in his throat. "You don't sound so happy."
"But, I am," she protested. "I'm very pleased to see you alive and finally whole."
He reflected on that. "Still, I'm not completely whole," he murmured. Idly, he noticed how Mizoshi was cringing away from his "extra appendages."
She'll adapt to me.
She understood his insinuation. "Yes. The last shard of the Shikon Jewel."
"I will not rest until I find it," he hissed over the top of her raven-dark hair. "You know just how obsessive I can be."
"That I do," she replied.
He chuckled again. Lower than before.
So honest. So responsive…
Everything was back on track again. He had recovered near all of the scared jewel shards except for one sole remaining splinter.
There's always one…
So far, Naraku was winning. Indeed, even that offending human heart was removed.
Although, not destroyed. Is that why Mizoshi is in my arms right now?
Truthfully, she needn't have worried about the absence of his heart. No. Instead, she was worried about another trivial feature—his appearance.
In my opinion, I've never looked better. Finally, I can throw away off the extravagant nobleman disguise and now can be seen as I want my enemies to see me.
However, this had severely impaired Mizoshi's perception of romance.
I suppose it's inevitable. Surely, I just wasn't another handsome face to Mizoshi's golden eyes?
"Do you like my new home? Tell me the truth, Mizoshi."
"It's wonderful," she whispered into her shoulder.
Lying again…But, he would overlook it. He would give the bird some time to nestle into her new nest. Then, the spider would be unconditionally accepted.
Or else.
"You seem so sad, Mizoshi." Naraku dropped his voice purposefully. "What is the matter?"
The answer was not forthcoming. Finally…
"It's…my brother." She nearly sounded embarrassed at the subject matter itself.
Naraku was authentically taken aback. "Your brother? Did he attack you?" He kept his voice relaxed and easy.
"No. He's getting married. I heard it when I was in hiding around a local village before Kagura came to collect me."
The dark soon-to-be youkai was getting bored, yet he did not show it. "This news does not sit well with you?"
"No. It does not."
His eyes began to roam her vulnerable form. "May I ask why?"
"My disagreement is more for the new wife than my brother," Mizoshi said a little bit too tartly. "He's overbearing, simpleminded, and obsessively critical."
"He's out of your existence. He's over." The dark soon-to-be youkai was straining.
If this was anyone else…
Her voice reached his ears. " I know. But, he'll always be my brother." She sounded so wistful.
He grimaced. This was painful to hear.
Mizoshi still has too much human feeling. Human pangs and grievances. Sometimes, I despise that. She has me. She desired me. What else is lacking?
"Thanks for listening, Naraku." Her voice was languid. Spent.
He growled inaudibly--hands curling into cruel claws around her heedless body.
She treats me like a mere human. How insulting. Our relationship is more than that.
Soon, a gentle snoring was heard. She had fallen asleep in his arms. He smirked at the sentimentality of it.
How touching.
It was the ultimate trust. To leave yourself so unguarded. So defenseless.
Picking her up, he walked her over to a nearby futon and deposited her on its cushions. Perhaps she would be so good as to have him join her later on.
But, she won't. She's only recently entered my arms this evening…
He'd never forget the utter expression of shock and horror that had crossed her face when she had first beheld him. Never forget.
I hope she puts aside her silly girlish fears. Which is what they are.
Resentfully, he moved away from her and walked out into the corridor, and had the fortunate happening of running into his second incarnation.
Kagura.
Stiffly, she shuffled towards him; scarlet eyes hatefully meeting his own eyes of red.
I've taken away the last measure of her independence.
Indeed, his disobedient youkai daughter was not alone. She rarely was. In her arms was a conspicuous white bundle. It remained still as if inanimate, but he knew better.
"Kagura. It's so good to see you."
"What do you want?" Her voice was weary. "I have to take care of this…thing…I've been confined to this castle for ages…"
"Kagura, I have an assignment for you."
Another one? Surely you jest." Her tone was acidic.
He smirked. "This isn't another caretaking duty. In fact, I think you'll enjoy it."
"What is it?" Her mouth remained fixed in an impassive line, but her eyes gave her away. They flickered in anticipation. In optimism.
That's what I like about her. Always hoping. Always disappointed.
"You are going to find the last Shikon Jewel shard." His eyes switched to the bundle she carried.
She blinked her eyes curiously. "How?"
"You'll love it," he promised her.
"What does it entail?"
"It entails the nearest village by five miles and their rather expansive temple." He kept his timbre dark and mysterious. Presentation was everything.
Nothing makes me gladder than reflecting on my meticulously planned plots. These are matters I cannot even discuss with Mizoshi. Only my incarnations really know what the master wants and what the master is like. It's been so long since I've felt this way…
"Temple?" the youkai gasped. "Have you finally lost it? The monks there have spiritual powers!" Her ruby eyes widened.
He stepped closer so that he was right in her face.
"And that's what I want."
Shivering, Kagura backed towards the wall.
Now that he had effectively put her in her place, he continued. "Let us discuss this further. In detail."
"Yes, Naraku." She nodded her head uncertainty.
Leaving the oblivious Mizoshi behind, Naraku disappeared with the wind demoness.
Author's Note: Ken will not be shown again. At least not physically. Also, I finally did a Naraku POV! Mizoshi's POV will be introduced in the beginning of the next chapter. This story has only two chapters left and there will be a big twist!