Sesshomaru stood on the cliff overlooking the sea. The storm had passed but the moon still lay hidden. Off in the distance, smoke rose from the burning ship. He knew where it was from. The unique sail told him as much. It was from that island, her island. He hadn't seen or heard from her in over one hundred years. Why now?
He flew down to the beach. Small footprints lead to the tree. The rain had almost washed them away. There was no scent to follow. He would have to return to Rin and Jakken. From there, they would begin the search. If she was here on this island, there must be reason. The burning ship was enough to show the urgency.
Fire crackled and popped as fish cooked, but no one was interested in the fish. On top of Kagome's sleeping bag, wrapped in a blanket, rested their guests. Shippo rested next to her head, watching over her. Miroku and Inuyasha sat off to the side, arms crossed and watching. Kagome sat by the fire but glanced over to the person sleeping while Sango finished wrapping her arm which had been scrapped all to hell on her way down the hill.
"What on earth is a child her age doing this far away from the village?" Miroku asked Inuyasha. "It's more than a day's walk."
"She doesn't look like anyone from the village, too." Kagome noted. "Her clothes are soaked through and her braids are too different."
"I didn't see anyone from the village with hair like this." Sango agreed, "much less clothes like this."
"Could she be from a different village?" Miroku asked. Inuyasha shook his head.
"I don't think so. The nearest is at least three days walk and they're just farmers." He explained. "Besides, she smells like she's from the sea."
"Could she be from a ship wreck?" Sango asked. "The storm that blew through could have sunk any ship."
"Still doesn't explain what she's doing here." Inuyasha grunted. They fell silent for a moment.
"I hope she's ok." Shippo added quietly. Kagome smiled at him softly.
"She should be fine." Sango told him gently. "It looks like she only hit her head."
"I wouldn't say that." Miroku told her. "The girl clearly hasn't eaten a proper meal in at least a week. She's pallid and looks frail. Didn't you mention how light she was, Inuyasha?"
"Yeah, I felt like I could break her just by touching her." He agreed.
"That's because you don't know how to be careful." SHippo told him. Inuyahsa growled and stood up.
"Why don't you come over here and say that!" He shouted. Miroku held him back and sat him back down while Kagome scolded him. Sango heard shifting and looked down at the girl. She was grimacing but rolled over, pulling the covers around her tighter. She was shivering. Very quietly the girl spoke in her sleep.
"I'm sorry mother." She whispered so softly Sango almost didn't hear her. She rested her hand on her head and stroked her hair. Her hair was long and slightly curly, some of it in braids which were coming undone. Her bangs were plastered against her forehead. While she was tanned, her hair was whiter than snow. Her hair and skin clashed beautifully. She looked maybe ten or eleven but looks could be deceiving. Inuyasha said she smelled of demon blood. She was most likely much older.
When they found her, she was in small hooded cloak wich was hanging near the fire to dry. Her small dress reached her knees and clung to her frame. Sango and Kagome had put her into a small dry robe so she wouldn't get sick. Her dress was also hanging to dry.
"Did she say 'Sorry, mother?'" Shippo asked. "What on earth could she be apologizing for?"
"I'm sure we'll find out when she wakes up." Sango assured him. "For now, we should get some sleep." As she suggested it, Kirara crawled out of her lap and settled on top of the sleeping girl, right in her side. Sango chuckled and moved to go lay down. Shippo left the girl and went to go share a sleeping bag with kagome. Everyone settled down for the night. The wind had stopped finally.
Hours later, when the fire was all but dead, she stirred in her sleep. Kirara shifted, not liking being woken up, and went to go sleep with Sango. The girl was still cold. She didn't want to wake up. She wanted to go back to sleep. It was warm where she was but it smelled unfamiliar. She rolled over and looked at the people around her. She didn't know any of them but remembered the description of the man she needed to find. None of them matched it. She sat up and crawled out of bed. She looked down at herself and saw herself dressed in white. She scowled.
The little one near the woman rolled over and she paused. The fire crackled and the man's ear twitched. She needed to be careful. She crept through the camp, grabbing her clothes. She needed to get away before they woke up. Dawn was beginning to creep up, lighting the forest in a dusty pale color.
She began to tiptoe away, passing the people as they slept. She was about to disappear into the forest again when something grabbed her ankle. Her heart almost lept out of her chest.
"Where do you think you're going?" The man in red asked her quietly. "Sit down, you aren't ok to be going off on your own." She yanked her leg, trying to break free but his grip was too strong. "Stop fighting, just sit, you need to eat." She paused. He almost sounded like he cared. He also sounded irritated.
"Let me go." She hissed at him and pulled again. "Let me go or I'll scream." She threatened. When she starts screaming, it startles people and they always let go, just out of reflex.
"Why are you being so stubborn?" He grunted quietly, trying not to wake anyone up. "Just sit until you get some food!" She sucked in a deep breath and yanked her foot. He didn't let go and she opened her mouth.
She let out a scream so piercing and so startling Inuyasha let her go to cover his ears. Shippo woke up shouting and jumping. Kagome and Sango shot up, covering their ears. Kirara hissed and flared up into her larger form. Miroku jumped up, covering his hears.
"What the hell is that?" He shouted. She kept screaming at Inuyasha until she was out of breath. Then she ran but she didn't get far. Inuyasha was right behind her and picked her up, making her drop her things. She started to scream again but Inuyahsa covered her mouth. She kicked and kept screaming.
"Would you shut up?" He shouted at her and spun her back around to the group.
"Inuyahsa, put her down!" Kagome ordered.
"She's just gonna run again!" He shouted back.
"We can't just force her to stay here!" Miroku told him.
"But she won't get far on her own." Sango added. The girl bit Inuyasha's hand and dug her fangs in as deep as she could. Inuyasha dropped her and shouted out in pain. She hit the ground in an oof and crawled away before scrambling into a run. Someone was following her, but she kept running.
"Wait!" It was one of the women, Sango. "Wait, please just let us talk to you!" She called. The girl slowed down. "Let us help you!" she stopped running. She was tired, and painfully hungry. Her head hurt and she had no idea where she was. She needed help. "Hey," Sango panted. "You don't have to be alone. We can help you find your way home."
"I'm not looking for home." She stated. Sango looked at the girl's back.
"Just at least eat with us." She pleaded. "Maybe we can help you. We can keep you safe."
"You'll just betray me." The girl responded. Sango looked at her sadly and stepped forward. She put a gentle hand on her arm and turned her around so she could see her sincerity.
"We would never." Sango told her softly. "We've all be hurt or betrayed. You can trust us. I promise." Sango paused and the girl briefly looked away before glancing back at Sango. "What's your name?" She asked gently.
"Takara." The girl answered quietly.
"That's a beautiful name." Sango told her gently. "You look like you haven't eaten in a long time. Are you hungry?" Takara stood silent, her shoulders slumping in defeat. Takara nodded and her stomach grumbled in pain. Sango chuckled and put her hands on the girl's shoulders. She turned her around and walked with her back to the camp. "We have plenty of food. Don't worry everyone here is really nice."
"I don't like the dog demon." Takara announced and Sango chuckled.
"He does seem pretty grumpy." Sango assured her. "But he isn't as bad as he seems." Sango led her back to the group who was sitting around the dying fire. Shippo was coaxing it back to life and Kagome had begun passing food around. They all turned to look at the two with mixed expressions. Kagome and Miroku were smiling softly. Shippo stared curiously at her. Inuyasha sat and glared at her. She glared back, a small growl starting in her throat.
"Leave her alone, Inuyasha!" Kagome shouted at him. He whipped his head around to shout back that she had started it and the two bickered, completely ignoring everyone else around them. Sango ushered Takara in and settled her near the fire, giving her food and something to drink.
Takara was handed the food and inhaled it. She knew she was hungry, but she thought she could have a little more self control. She sat, a little embarrassed. Sango smiled softly and offered her more. Takara had eaten enough that she felt lethargic and found herself nodding off just sitting there. Why was she so tired?
"Did you…poison me?" She asked quietly, turning to Sango who was looking at her, concerned.
"No. you've just eaten a lot." She answered and put a hand on her shoulder. "Takara what happened to you? Have you been eating well? Sleeping alright?" Takara stared at her for a minute before leaning forward, resting her forehead against Sango's arm. Very quietly she mumbled something to Sango before falling asleep, her fatigue catching up to her. She had been on the run for weeks, barely sleeping, always on the move, surviving on what little food she could find. She was so tired. Surely if they wanted her dead they would have killed her by now, not fed her, right? Takara couldn't help it. She was asleep.
The group sat around, finishing their food, talking about their plans. They agreed they would bring her with them. For now, they would carry her. Kagome and Inuyasha got her settled on his back. The small child, not knowing exactly what was going on, snuggled closer to the warmth and comfort. The smell was familiar but so foreign. It comforted her. Something about the smell told her she was safe. Again she mumbled something so quiet only Inuyasha could hear her.
"Don't let them find me."
For the person who left he review saying I have a track record….what do you mean?