Okay people, next entry up and ready for you to devour. This one's a little longer, so relax. I'm really tired so I'm not going to write a long opening comment. I'm sure you'll all get over that easily enough.
Disclaimer: I od ton nwo ahsayunI!
A Little Bit of Mischief
Approaching the stable curiously, hoping to find someone who would be willing to lend her a steed, the young, anxious miko poked her head through the barn doors. Standing calmly in the many stalls, an array of horses grazed lazily, pawing the ground and tossing their heads to and fro. In the corner, in an empty stable, a young man stood raking up hay.
Strolling up to him, she leaned over the stall door. "How much to rent?" Kagome inquired politely.
"A horse?" the man began. He cast a sideways glance in her direction, eyes sweeping over her in a scrutinizing fashion. "What manner of horse?"
"Any horse will be fine," she assured him, pulling open her coin purse to cast a quick glimpse inside.
"Well… thirty gold pieces is the lowest I'm willing to go."
Sighing, shoulders drooping, she informed him that she didn't have enough and bid him good day. When he called out to her, she paused in her step, looking over her shoulder at the sturdy young lad.
"How many gold pieces do you have?" he asked while leaning nonchalantly on his rake.
"Sixteen," she replied glumly.
Sniffing slightly, he went on, "Do you have any skills that may be of use to me? Perhaps I can put you to work?"
Hopes lifting, she told him eagerly, "I'm a miko. I can also cook, sew, clean-"
"Whoa, young miss," he interrupted, a lopsided smile tilting his lips. Brushing a strand of his dusty brown bangs from his eyes, the young man offered, "Help me clean these stables, and I'll rent you a horse for sixteen gold pieces."
Smiling brightly, she snatched one of the brooms she had seen leaning against the barn door. Bustling into another empty stable, she began sweeping up the discarded hay and bits of dirt from the floor.
Grinning at the animated young woman, the man went back to his own task, chocolate eyes shimmering with mirth.
Sighing as she poured the last bucket of oats into a feeding bin, Kagome wiped away any traces of sweat from her brow. "There we are," she groaned in relief, "all done."
Wiping his hands on his apron, the man nodded his head in approval. Deep brown orbs carefully scanning over every stall, he turned to her with respect in his eyes.
The young woman was currently eying a sleek, black mare. The healthy animal was approximately fifteen hands high, not incredibly tall, but an appropriate size for someone her height.
It seemed to be in good physical condition, well muscled with strong, lean legs. In its large, nearly onyx eyes, a wild yet confident look was reflected.
Noting the animal she seemed to be partial to, the breeder commented, "That one there's as stubborn as a mule. She's got a nasty mean streak. I've never been able to ride her, but she breeds good colts, otherwise I'd send her off for dog meat."
The mare whinnied indignantly, shaking its head in what seemed to be disagreement.
Chuckling, the stable owner sighed, "She's a clever thing, though, I'll give her that much."
The mare ceased shaking her head, and instead gave a single sure nod.
Kagome couldn't help the giggle that passed her lips. The animal certainly was entertaining.
"As smart as she is…" the man's words trailed off as he watched what could only have been described as a miracle. The stubborn, surly mare was currently nibbling playfully on a strand of the young miko's hair. When the girl paid it no heed, the horse gave her shoulder a soft nudge.
Feeling a gentle bump, Kagome turned to find the black mare reaching out toward her. Lifting a cautious hand, the priestess stroked the animal's nose, delighted when it leaned into her touch. Growing bolder, she turned and placed a palm against the mare's long, thickly muscled neck, rubbing lightly.
"Well, it seems you've made a new friend."
Kagome turned to face the breeder, smiling and giving the horse a final pat. "She's not so bad."
"Well then you might as well take her," the stable owner suggested.
Gasping, Kagome asked, "Are you certain? I mean, she is one of the nicest horses in this stable." Blushing, she rambled, "Not that the other horses aren't pretty, it's just I-"
Laughing deeply, the young man lifted his hand in reassurance. "Its fine, miko, I know you meant no offence."
Sighing, she smiled shyly and clasped her hands together. Then, realizing she had yet to give him her name, she bowed and introduced herself. "I'm Kagome."
"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Kagome, my name is Ryou. Now, what do you say we get that mare saddled up for you?" he suggested kindly.
Nodding in eagerness, Kagome asked quietly, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Shaking his head, the man assured her, "Its fine. If you like, there is a small well behind this barn. You can wash up and have yourself something to drink."
Thanking him, Kagome went to do just that.
The sturdy, wooden structure reminded her much of the Bone Eaters Well in Inuyasha's Forest, and a surge of homesickness struck her. Shaking it off, she hauled up a bucket of water to clean off with. Upon seeing her reflection on the water's surface, she couldn't help but laugh. She was absolutely filthy, her face smudged with dirt and heaven knows what else.
Cringing at the thought, she lowered her hands into the water. Waiting until the cool, clear liquid filled her palms, Kagome splashed it over her face and let out a pleased moan. Scrubbing away any dirt residue that stained her cheeks, she brushed herself off and rinsed out her hair.
After having collected another bucket of water, she drank greedily, bringing her cupped palms to her lips eagerly so that she might quench her thirst.
Upon returning to the stable, she found the midnight mare saddled and ready to go.
Smiling kindheartedly, the man informed her, "There are a pack of provisions behind your saddle. They should last you a few days. As for the horse, she can graze. There is a small bag of oats, however, in case the land becomes more rugged."
Gesturing a blessing to him, Kagome bowed once more and bid him farewell. Advancing toward the bearing beast, she strolled around to the left side and placed her foot in the stirrup, hoisting herself onto its back with ease.
Her sword, she found, was too long to strap to her back while on the horse. Instead, she strapped it to the pack of provisions that sat atop the mare's rear, as well as her own bag. Taking hold of the reigns, she gave the horse a small nudge with her heel.
Shaking his head as the sweet little miko steered the stubborn mare out of the barn, Ryou followed the two of them out to the main road, where he saw her off.
Just as she made to leave, Kagome asked, "What is her name?"
Smiling, the stable keeper answered, "Mischief."
Chuckling, Kagome gave the mare a pat on the neck and commented, "A fitting title."
Nodding once to the young man who had provided her with the steed, Kagome was off to the west once more, certain that, with the help of her newest comrade, she would find the final shard in no time at all.
Roaring in rage, Sesshomaru lashed out at the closest thing to him, which happened to be a defenseless sapling. The pitiful little plant didn't stand a chance as the western Lord's claws cut it down, bark and leaf giving way to his corrosive acid with a hiss.
For days he had gone without rest or food, and as of yet, his efforts were in vain. His search for the young miko was not going as he had planned. Apparently, her newly obtained power had increased her ability to mask her scent as well. So well, in fact, that even he himself could not pick up hide or hair of the little onna. Whenever he managed pick up on her scent, she was long gone by the time he got to where it originated from. The barrier she had erected was a powerful one indeed, and it was making his task all the more difficult.
The very fact that he was out in the wilderness, searching for a human wench, was farcical. The fact that he was out in the wilderness, searching for a human wench, and was unsuccessful in finding even a trace of her, was embarrassing, to say the least. He felt like a puppy that'd lost his bone.
Stretching his senses out in all directions, he attempted once more to find her unmistakable aura. Growling when he found his efforts were yet again abortive, Sesshomaru settled for searching the old fashioned way.
Summoning his demonic cloud, he rose into the sky and began combing the landscape with his carefully trained eyes.
For hours he searched, but to no avail. His little miko had seemingly disappeared without a trace. For the millionth time, he cursed himself for his dishonorable actions. Human or not, what he had done was unacceptable, especially since she was the woman he loved.
He was sick of hiding what he felt for the onna. It was undeniable, the bond they shared, yet he had played the fool and ignored his instincts. He had realized his feeling for her long ago, but had been too obdurate to act upon them.
Only now, after he had lost her, did he understand what a mistake he had made. Before, he had thought having a mate would only present risks; that it made a man weak. After having pondered the notion for a while, he had realized just how wrong he was. Several times before he had seen Inuyasha in battle, and scoffed at his brazen antics. Yet, somehow, he would always pull through in the end, despite the fact that he was a hanyou. Inuyasha had, much to his dismay, bested him on several occasions. He had considered the reasons for such outcomes many times before, but had never realized what the source of his strength was, what truly fueled the raging force behind his power.
Now, however, the answer was perfectly clear to him. Love… love had pushed him forward, allowing him to reach heights that he never could have without the miko's influence. Inuyasha fought to protect, and that was exactly what his father had been trying to tell him all those years ago. Back then, he had assumed it was his father's way of defending himself. Now he saw the words for what they truly meant.
Inu no Taisho had always known his eldest son to crave power, and so he had given him an answer. Love… to have someone to protect, someone to fight for, was what made a person strong.
And now, because of his foolishness, he feared that he may have very well lost the only woman he would ever love.
He fingered the thin, silver chain in his pocket, its presence a constant reminder of her, how he had wronged her, and what needed to be done.
A ferocious snarl left his lips. He would never give up his search, not until he found her and expressed just how sorry he truly was. He would not allow her to slip through his fingers for a second time.
Yeah, Kagome makes another friend, and she's black and furry! I wish I had a black horse. I have a brown one… but black just seems so much nicer. Oh well, I love my Chubby. He's cute too so I guess I can live without a black horse.
And, of course, Sesshomaru is out scouring the countryside for our little miko. It's about time he admitted everything, I know, but there had to be some sort of climactic suspense between the two.
Anyways, review and… whatever… God I'm tired!