Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the characters that are with it. They come from the wonderful imagination of Rumiko Takahashi. I do own Nidoriko and other characters that are not a part of that wonderful anime and manga. I am just a penniless fan fiction writer borrowing Ms. Takahashi's characters and putting them within my own twisted little world. All I own is a stick of gum and a nickel. Please don't sue. You can have the nickel though. Thank you.

Before you read this chapter:

I am going to point out that I had been in a rush when I wrote this. It's not anything like the original chapter I had written (don't ask me about how I lost it…). This is more rushed since life decides to get hectic once again. However, I do plan to rewrite this chapter later. I like how it turned out though. I will mention more in the notes after the fic.

Eternity's Passing: Kaede's Tale

Chapter Three: Her Ever Present Shadow

No matter how depressing the subject, people always had this morbid fascination with death. Mainly it was because the intriguing aspect of life (or the end of it, so to speak) had brought on so much curiosity. How would one know what dying was like? No one lived to tell about it, which was the entire concept of death, for no one survived (unless there was a miracle). So many are wont to imagine how they would die. Sometimes they imagine their demise in numerous ways. Kaede was one of them, for she had often wondered how her life would end. But never in a million years had she thought about dying of humiliation. Not that she would die from the shock of it, but that she was praying for it. Her exact thoughts that concerned the predicament; if there were any merciful deities, then they would kill her right then and there so she would not have to suffer the mortifying experience much longer. Unfortunately, the gods weren't that benevolent. To make matters worse, Tanosuke had to burst in, weapon drawn with murder in his eyes. Could things have gotten any worse?

Fortunately, they had not. Tanosuke had managed to recover from his shock long enough to order the other men to wait outside until further notice. The priestess had managed to regain her composure while gathering the last scraps of her dignity, which she needed, for Tanosuke was not above tormenting her about "taking advantage of injured patients". She had never forgotten how a very amused smirk appeared on his face at her expense. Kaede had known that if he wanted to, he could have used it to his advantage… of course if she had not been a fully capable priestess, he could have. He finally left the hut after hearing her explanation, which the idiot had already known, to force the men to not mention the night again. If he had opened that mouth of his to speak foul of her, she would have made Amika give him a 'special' tea. The priestess checked on the young man and found that his fever had gone down to a safe level. Feeling comfortable enough with his current condition, she had decided that she could go for a walk. The soft streams of color in the sky had signaled that daylight was near. She never had a prayer to fall back to sleep, so she had started her morning off with a stroll.

Her walks were normally very uneventful, but they had always seemed to rejuvenate her, especially since the air was so clean and clear of stifling herbs that always pervaded her hut. Also it had cleared her mind of the little event that had taken place moments before. As the sun had finally risen to the sky, she returned home to gather any supplies she had needed for the day. Mostly her day consisted of visiting different villagers and helping out whenever she could, examining the sick and the injured, or just to be a friend when someone had hit upon hard times (which was very often those days). Other days she would patrol around the village, keeping it safe from demons or humans with ill intentions towards those she had sworn to protect. It was as her sister before her had done.

Kaede had finally made it home. It was a very pretty morning, she had observed. The villagers were out and about their daily tasks while children ran and played outside. Everyone was taking advantage of the wonderful day. She wore a smile as she entered the hut which had fell when she noticed that something of importance was missing, her patient. Frantic, she rushed to find someone, preferably Tanosuke. What if something happened while she was away? Then again, a villager would have informed her of any danger. So, what happened with her patient? She stopped in her rush when she saw a figure sitting with their back against a tree. Upon closer inspection she had discovered that it was her patient. While all the panic and fear had vanished, she felt unnerved. It wasn't just from the fact that he managed to walk two miles from her hut with a gaping hole in his stomach. It wasn't even from the fact that he seemed to be perfectly healthy, unlike the day before when he was so near death. It was from the effect of his gray eyes staring up at her when she arrived. More unnerving was the small smirk that played on his lips, as if he knew something that she didn't. That smirk drew strange sensations in her. Her breath hitched, for it seemed that she had forgotten how to breathe.

"More flies get eaten like that." a voice had broken through her daze.

"Huh?" was all she could manage for it seemed that she had forgotten how to speak properly as well.

"You know flies… They are little bugs with wings. Quite annoying actually…"

"I…I know what they are!" Kaede interrupted, forgetting all events, current and past. "What about them?"

Mischief gleamed in his eyes as he noticed her getting all ruffled. He slowly stood up while placing a hand on the tree for support, a sign that he had not completely recovered. The breeze shifted a few strands of his hair. Silver danced upon black as he approached her. She was mesmerized. His features were very odd for him being a human, yet he was not a demon. Of course she had to doubt her thinking when she found that he was right in front of her fingering her white eye patch.

"Why are you wearing this?" he asked. His voice was smooth like silk. It would have been considered intoxicating. At least she thought that it should be.

"Huh?" she had forgotten how to speak again. He chuckled at the stupefied expression on her face.

"Cute, but it doesn't really answer my question."

"Your question?" she kind of repeated.

"We are not going to play this game are we? What's with the eye patch?"

Eye patch… her mind worked to remember. Here she was, Kaede the great village priestess, getting all mushy brained over a man. Not just any man, but a stranger that happened to be very distinguished. Suddenly all reasoning returned.

"You will return to the hut with me and get back to bed." She stated with her regained authority.

"Oh, she is so forward! I kind of like that in a priestess." That damn smirk followed the remark. This only irritated her further.

"I meant that you need to get your rest. You were terribly injured the day before and nearly died. With the extent of your injuries, you should not even be carrying on like you are now. Surely no normal human being would be walking about after sustaining the wounds that you possess."

For awhile the man did not say anything. He sighed then opened the shirt that he was wearing to reveal… nothing. Kaede was stunned once again. Where there were once really deep cuts, smooth and perfect flesh remained. Not even a scar marked his skin. The only evidence of an attack on his body was where the deep gash in his stomach was. It had closed up without her having to stitch it up (it was bleeding heavily and was too infected).

"As you can see, my lady priestess, I am not a normal human being."

"H…how?" she muttered to herself. He had heard and was inclined to answer.

"I just heal much faster than normal. I also never become ill, unless I'm poisoned. Sometimes certain herbs will affect me as well."

Again, the priestess had forgotten how to speak. How was it that she had seen numerous nice looking men unclothed and remain unaffected, while this one seemed to have her mind going in circles? She blamed it on his uncanny ability to heal serious wounds in one night. There was just no explanation for it. No, it could not have been from seeing his well toned chest, unmarred from any wounds that have been there.

"Now it's my turn. What's with your eye?" he stated, interrupting her self debate. Her cloudy mind was trying to come up with a memory of what was wrong with her eye, she was about to answer with her baffled "Huh?" until she became aware of herself again. She did not know this man's name, neither did he know hers. Now why should she tell him anything about her past? She reasoned as her logic returned.

"That's hardly any of your concern." She answered sternly.

The stranger stared at her with his storm gray eyes, the smirk giving way to a small displeased frown. She suddenly felt scrutinized, and was beginning to feel something she never before... well that is if you didn't count that very morning. Kaede was feeling self conscious.

"And may I ask why not?" He had a small edge that proved his irritability. The beautiful man did not like to be told 'no' so it seemed.

"I don't know you, that's why. I don't even know your name nor do you know mine."

"Raiken." He stated.

"Rai… Excuse me?" she studied him strangely.

"My name is Raiken. Now you know my name and of my ability to heal quickly, I would like to know your name and why you are wearing that patch over your eye."

"I am the village priestess, Lady Kaede. As for my eye, all you will need to know it was from an accident." She replied shortly. The man, or Raiken he is called, grinned.

"That's all I cared to hear." He stretched out his arms, which opened his loosened shirt further exposing the toned muscles that had lied beneath. "I will be man enough to admit that you are right about getting my rest. This little chat has worn me out considerably." It was evident for lines had formed around his eyes and mouth, a sign of fatigue and pain. Kaede finally remembered who, where, and what she was as well as her duties. She looked up to find that he was no longer in front of her, but walking back towards her hut. Normally she was more aware of her surroundings, but earlier she had been in a daze. Blaming it on the lack of decent sleep, she followed Raiken home to make sure he didn't collapse on the way. After they reached her hut and he was back in bed sleeping soundly, she wondered at this stranger with the gray eyes and silver streak in his hair. Where did he come from and how come he can heal quickly? He was an enigma, this strange man. Sighing, she left the hut to attempt at going about her normal routine.

Within the next two days she had gotten to know her patient a bit more. About how he was a soldier traveling as escort to his lord and other men. He told her that he had broken away from the group accidentally and was attacked by some lizard like demon. The demon had nearly done him in until he took his sword into the creature's evil heart. In return he must have received the almost fatal wound in the gut. Then he managed to drag himself all the way towards the village before losing consciousness from severe blood loss.

"If it wasn't for your tender and loving care, I probably would have died." He had said in closing to his tale, a grin following the statement. That was something else Kaede had learned about Raiken, he was a charmer. He won over nearly all the women of the village, from giggling girls to the village matrons who were pleased to have such a handsome young man in the village. His stomach wound was taking some time to heal for some strange reason, but at least he was no longer in danger. The man was getting out more and more and not tiring so easily. He even entertained the villagers with tales while Kaede was seeing to others' needs. She had often found him telling battle stories or he would talk about the different places he had seen while traveling with his lord. Of course he loved to tell the story about his recent ordeal, which had the women twittering about him, hanging on every word.

"Oh Mr. Raiken, that sounded so... dangerous!" one of the girls emphasized while clinging to his arm. The girl was six years younger than Kaede, a giggly girl, as she called them for that is what they do when admiring the young village men. They get all giggly and act silly. She used to pass it off as the behavior of a young girl, but lately it had gotten on her nerves. More so when they clamp on to him to make sure he wouldn't fade away.

"Mr. Raiken, d…do you have anyone w…waiting for you back home?" one of the girls asked shyly as she batted her eyelashes.

"No, Miss Toriko, I don't have anyone waiting for me."

Amidst all the girlish giggles of approval, Kaede had released her breath that she was not aware of holding. Why had she been so relieved? Of course, any poor girl would probably have been worried if her love never returned, Kaede thought. During these times of war and strife, many men never return home to the awaiting arms of family or loved ones. How many women had she consoled over a lost brother, father, son, intended, or husband? The day after his regaling tales to the women, he accompanied her on her visits with some of the sick village dwellers. On her way to one person's house, she had spotted Nidoriko arm in arm with Hiroshi. Surprisingly enough, the boy wasn't a sputtering mess as normal. He was chatting quite efficiently with the older woman while guiding her along the small path through the village. It seemed that spending time with Nidoriko had helped the boy gain some confidence, at least when he was in her presence. The two seemed inseparable now. Nidoriko also seemed happier, for spending time with the boy had helped her in her self-esteem. Ever since she had lost her sight, due to an unknown illness, she often felt unattractive since she was unable to see otherwise. Kaede smiled as she watched Nidoriko say something to Hiroshi, causing the young man to blush a little. Hiroshi was her ever present shadow now. Noticing the young priestess, the boy said something to the older woman and both waved. Waving back, Kaede continued on her way to see a patient with Raiken in tow.

Three days later, Nidoriko had been walking with Hiroshi while running an errand. Kaede had been so busy, the older woman hadn't been able to sit and talk with her friend in days. The only reason she would disturb her friend from her duties would be whenever she had this nagging little pain in her head, the one she had since her illness. It had been seven years since she had last seen the light of day, since she had seen the moon and stars, and since she had last seen her friend's face. The near crippling illness had stolen that away from her, but it also gave her an extra sense as if to make up for the one lost. There were also the visions.

That day when walking through the village, she had overheard the village women sigh when talking about Kaede's guest.

"He's so handsome! I wish that I was in Lady Kaede's place. Then he would be staying with me while I tenderly care for him. Who knows what would happen during that time." One of the young women said with a dreamy tone.

"He had told Tori that he did not have anyone waiting for him back home. I'm sure if I lived in his village, I would wait an eternity for him." Another stated.

"What a fine husband he would make. He seems so strong! Just think about the beautiful children a woman could have with him." A third sighed, as if imagining herself as that woman. The rest sighed as well.

"Lady Kaede is crazy for not falling head over heels for him. Is there something wrong with her? I would give up my calling just to be with him!"

Hiroshi had described Kaede's guest as a handsome young man with dark hair with peculiar jagged streak and gray eyes. He had also informed Nidoriko that the man seemed to always be with Kaede on her outings. The older woman knew that Kaede would hardly look at a man as anything other than a patient or friend, but this seemed to be different. She had often overheard the young priestess admonishing Raiken over some little thing or she would be snapping the heads off the younger village girls who flirted with the supposedly handsome stranger. Something Kaede would normally never do. There was something about the stranger that changed Kaede, Nidoriko could feel it. Feeling the tension between the two helped in her studying of Kaede and Raiken.

"Lady Kaede is out and about today, Miss Nidoriko." Hiroshi announced. Nidoriko smiled before asking

"Really, is she alone today?"

"I'm afraid not. Mr. Raiken is with as usual. She is none too happy with him right now either."

Nidoriko had to agree since she could feel the priestess' annoyance. She also could overhear the conversation.

"It is not necessary that you follow me around, you know." Kaede grumbled as she made her way through the village."

"I am aware of that, Kaede but..." Raiken was cut off abruptly as Kaede interceded.

"I had told you many many times already... It's Lady Kaede to you. You are not familiar enough for it to be otherwise." She huffed.

"My apologies Lady Kaede. I feel that it is my duty to protect you since you had saved my life. Like it or not, I am honor bound to keep you safe. As for familiarity, I think we are familiar enough with each other since we share the same hut." He stated, his voice laced with innuendo. This earned him a fruit thrown at him. Fortunately for him, he dodged it before finding that the priestess was running ahead of him. Not one to be put off, he ran after her, refusing to give up.

"Hiroshi, I believe that Raiken is now her ever present shadow." Nidoriko stated before nudging him to continue on their walk

Note: There, a bit long I know but it's done. I was hoping to convey a bit more emotion into this, but unfortunately I lost the original. As I read over all my chapters, I had realized that this will not be a masterpiece. I realize that all my fics are not the beautifully written pieces of art like those I had seen. Be that as it may, I still love them all. I'm proud of myself for what I have accomplished even if I am lacking in writing skills.

Anyway, reviews will be appreciated. I hope to have the next chapter up and running soon. Computer issues are the only things slowing me down at the moment. Reviews are welcome. I will accept compliments and flames... as long as the flames are kept viewer friendly... and constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

Jul-chan