Chapter Seven

I saw him! I know him! I know that I know him…but why? Why does he look so familiar? My dreams…they cannot be real and yet they are here! Two creatures that I have only conceived within my dreams and yet they are alive and real and they have found me as if they had been searching through entire lifetimes…I cannot possibly know this…but I do! It is beyond my reasoning to fathom their existence!

Miho clutched at her skull in all attempts to quell her bubbling thoughts but they remained relentless within her mind. And that woman…she too spoke my name as if she knew who I was. But I do not know her, yet my body had responded as if otherwise informed…Instant recognition all at the mercy of one brief touch and I saw, no more than for an instant, a woman so young and strong with a powerful strung bow and arrow poised as if to strike. Her clothing, although odd, sparked another name in which I could have spoken before it had left the lips of my 'sister' in introductions…and once spoken left me dump with shock. Kagome.

I can feel within my bones that I knew her, but there is something missing in the image that I am seeing. My mind cannot seem to grasp at what it might be that I should have been aware of, and before I can stop it…the image is gone and I can no longer conjure what could have been...only a small glimpse of silver hair and golden eyes…the demon from the woods? No…no, there was something different…who could have been with her…?

A twig snapping from behind the struggling woman jolts her back into reality and Miho instantly reacted in defense. She dropped to the ground, uncaring that she was dressed in nothing more than her thin maiko robes and fragile slippers, and anticipated the blow that swung over her head, just moments before where her neck and shoulders had been. The air was sliced through; carrying with it a sharp edge, indicating that whatever it was that had flown above the confused woman was a sort of thin, elongated weapon.

Miho anticipated yet again a new sound that should have approached her after said weapon had apparently missed its intended target, but there were strangely no footsteps or twigs snapping in a sign of attack or retreat. What in the…? Miho paused for no more than a few seconds before she lifted herself off the ground on her right leg and balance on her left so as to adjust her stance and regain her composure. Brushing the dirt from her hands on her bath robe, she glanced up and nearly started as her eyes met an object that had not been there only a possible minute ago.

Imbedded deeply within the tree in front of the seventeen year old maiko was a sight that caused her heart to jolt and make her blood race. My father's sword! How…? The question faltered and remained uncompleted once she realized just where the blade had come from and how it had somehow left her possession. The demon from the woods…?

After several hard yanks and a good slap of the internal face to break her of her amazement, Miho managed to free her sword and trudge through the remaining forest before her 'sister' and the new guest had finished with their own baths.

Not a soul was present upon entering through the back door connecting to the kitchens. This entrance was mostly for the cooks and servants, but Miho had need of it from time to time when trying to evade the prying eyes of her fellow maiko's. There was no time in which to anticipate the loathsome stares that she would receive from them upon hearing the news that her debut would start mere weeks before theirs. Not that she wanted it or anything, but it was a rare occasion indeed that one student would be allowed to surpass the others. But then again…she also didn't seem to care much about them period unless she had to deal with them alone. So long as she entered through the kitchens, she would remain safe.

Miho snuck through the kitchen door and slipped up through the back stairs and managed to dodge some of her fellow classmates behind a potted plant until they disappeared down the same stairs in which she came. Making sure that the coast was clear, she made a straight shot to her bedroom and barricaded herself inside to dress for her upcoming debut.

(Downstairs coming through the back door)

Kasumi followed a freshly cleaned Kagome inside and both were surprised to find a small group of young women whose heads were all lowered out of respect for the new guest. Kagome simply nodded in indication that she was aware of them, and all the women released a sigh all around.

Kasumi shook her head in mild disbelief. "My goodness, what is with everyone this evening? You all are acting as if you had never witnessed another living soul besides yourselves." Her voice carried a light laugh, which sparked another group sigh, but this one was not filled with tension.

A round of giggles came next. "We just wanted to know if the pretty little boy upstairs belonged to her." One woman with straight dark hair spoke out from the group and tilted her head in the direction of the stairs.

Kagome smiled sweetly and nodded. "Yes, he is my son. He must not have gone to bed when we left him." She turned toward Kasumi, who only shrugged her shoulders. "I had better go up and check on him before going next door. Shall I check on Miho as well?"

"If you would not mind, I think that it is an excellent idea." Kasumi offered a kind smile in return and watched as her guest retreated for the stairs and disappeared. Her smile faded once she turned back to the small group of women. In her vision, she spotted nearly seven of them, all looking eager as if Kasumi had something very important to say…and she did. "You all must be aware of Miho's situation."

The whole group nodded in unison and their 'sister' released a steady breath. "Alright you all. Miho has been requested by Hisoka to entertain our new guests next door." Noting the desperate looks filling each face, Kasumi continued on quickly before the absent air gave way to their unsettled thoughts. "Yes, that does mean tonight is her debut. This is a mild setback for you all, I know. Seeing as everyone was to be debuted all at once, but Miho was not only requested by Hisoka, but was also requested yet again only moments ago by one of our guest's constant companions. Do not be jealous of your 'sister', for you all shall have your chance in just a few short weeks. Until that time, you shall leave Miho alone so that she can collect herself, gather her thoughts and be prepared for the tasks that await her. Again, you shall all have to do the same in just a few short weeks."

Although her words gave them comfort, Kasumi could still see sparks of jealousy lingering within the eyes of her maiko's, which oddly set her soul aflame with motherly protection for Miho. In a snappy tone, she addressed her younger 'sisters' with the only words she could think to force their retreat. "You are dismissed."

No one dared go against Kasumi whenever they heard her speak in that tone.

(Kagome at Miho's door)

What shall I say to this woman? I am afraid to even mention Kikyou's name, but she did not seem to react when Kasumi spoke my actual name. This is crazy…but when I touched her shoulder, it felt as if I knew her…or at least should have known her. Kagome looked down at her hand at the memory of her brief contact with that woman's bare shoulder. My finger tips still burn from the contact. Is this a sign that I should know her? Oh…

Inuyasha, if you could see her, or even catch her scent, could you be able to tell? Could it really be Rin? I want to say that it could, but this woman has no physical similarities to my deceased friend and sister. Only her eyes, but I only caught a glimpse of them…

Even Jaken sounded convinced when he arrived just after I left the bath. Kasumi…perhaps he should not have informed her that he had stumbled onto Miho when he went looking for me. She did look slightly annoyed. What was Sesshomaru thinking when he sent that stinking toad? And of all things! He was spotted by Miho! Which was why the young woman had fainted in the water! Oh, I could knock that toads head off his shoulders for leaving her like that!

Kagome clenched her fists in annoyance at the memory, but took a steady breath to calm herself before she got up the nerve to face Rin's possible reincarnation. Lifting her clenched hand, she held it up and lingered in mid knock as if having a second thought. What if it is Rin…can I bear the thought of her existence after all of these years? She could feel the heat of her tears welling up behind her eyes and she clenched her eyelids shut to fend them off. I want it to be her…I do…but if she isn't, what will I do?

Kagome huffed and made up her mind. Her fist shot forward and knocked only once before the door flew open to reveal a woman standing, with her face stark white, lips redder than a bloody rose, and dressed in a paper thin robe that left little to the imagination. Kagome was unfazed by the woman's attire, having spent countless hours tending to the sick or wounded who had often been stripped of their garments so that she could assess the damage. Nudity only ever left her cheeks with a light tint of pink, but she had not had a full on blush for many years now. Therefore she did not even turn her head as the woman before her crossed an arm over her chest to conceal herself despite the soft pink robe.

"Miho?" Kagome used her kindest voice in hopes that the woman was not too embarrassed.

But Miho was indeed mortified. She may be a maiko, but she still had her moments of embarrassment whenever she really had the opportunity to think about it. She knew her robe concealed little, which is why she felt the undeniable need to run for cover. "I…I'm sorry, I was just on my way to locate my maids…"

Kagome had to stifle a giggle, fully aware of how modest this young woman was. "No, no. Forgive me. I was just coming up to check on my son, and I decided to check on you as well." She noted that the woman made no move to cross her path. Kagome cleared her throat, attempting to divert Miho's attention. "If you would like, I would be more than happy to assist you."

"Really, I'm alright. I just need help with my robes. I cannot tie my obi alone, you know. It is a task which requires the help of at least two." Miho did her best to smile.

Kagome was not fooled. "I insist. You seemed rather startled by the hot spring when I arrived, so I would like to make it up to you."

Miho knew the skin on her face and neck were flaming. She was surprised it didn't show through her white makeup. "I-I-I don't know…perhaps if Kasumi was alright…"

"Miho, if Kagome would like to help, I see no problem with it." Kasumi appeared out of nowhere behind Kagome and Miho almost jumped out of her skin.

"Oh! Oh, alright…I guess." Miho knew that this was going to be a long night as she backed up into her room and allowed the two women entrance.

Author's Note: Alright everyone! First update of the month and I'm sorry! It's really been a while since I've updated and I have been crazy busy with a life outside of writing. You just really can't beat a good book, or about 20. Not to mention the fact that I've had a whole bunch of my favorite shows produce new episodes all at the same time. I can't help but get sidetracked!

OliviaAR