Home at Last
The sun begins to rise as our trio of girls finish up a very early breakfast. While Hitomi was still in recovery from her injuries. The trio couldn't afford to rest as they had to get back to Kaede's village as soon as possible. Kaoru was waiting outside the inn. While her sister helps Hitomi get dressed so they could hit the road. The sky was painted pink as the sun was just peeking over the horizon. Kaoru had stated to Hitomi as they were eating breakfast that if they made haste, and didn't stop for breaks. They could potentially make it to the village a little past midnight. However, she had made it quite clear that she nor her sister wanted Hitomi to push herself too much.
So she had made it absolutely clear that she should tell them. If her injuries were bothering her too much. While ideally Kaoru wanted to get home before nightfall. She had factored the possibly that they may have to stop in the forest for the night to rest. What worried her though was the threat that the enemy may attempt to kill Hitomi once again. Especially since she was now weakened, and not in any shape to defend herself properly. This only left Kaoru herself as a mean to oppose the enemy. Seeing as her twin sister wasn't a fighter in any way. However, with Kaori's exceptional spiritual awareness. Kaoru wasn't too worried about a sneak attack from the enemy.
"Sorry for the wait sis. Tsukiko-chan wounds took a little longer than I thought to dress," said Kaori as she exits the inn with Hitomi following behind her.
"How are you feeling Hitomi? Will you be able to keep a consistent traveling pace?" asked Kaoru knowing that even if Hitomi is hanyo. She was still injured and really needed bed rest.
"I'll be fine Kaoru-san. I think I'll be able to keep up a nice walking speed, and even run for a bit if need be," answered Hitomi.
"I see that good to hear. Though make sure to tell us if you feel tired, or are in pain. I honestly would prefer we rest up here until you're better, but given the situation. If the demons, you mentioned tried to attack you here in town. It would be a complete bloodbath. So it best we leave now while we can," explained Kaoru who gets a nod from Hitomi.
After everything is said and done the trio head out of town. Their destination Kaede's village which is home to Kaori and Kaoru. Hitomi herself was excited yet uneasy at the same time. As she would soon have all the answers to her questions about her parents, but more than that Kaori had assured her that her place was with everyone there. Hitomi could tell Kaori really believed that but would it be that simple? Hitomi could only hope Kaori was right as that would be where she would live at from now on.
The sun is now in the sky as it's fully morning. The trio had gotten a good start according to Kaoru. As Hitomi herself simply takes to observing the nature around her. Seeing as she didn't really know what to talk about with the twins. Hitomi could tell that Kaouru was on the lookout for any danger being the responsible one. While Kaori on the other hand wore a bored expression on her face. Even though there was silence among the three of them. Hitomi herself was a happy to finally have some company again. The time she had spent with Koga though brief was quite a fun experience for her. Hitomi wished her Ojii-san was still around though so she could tell him about Koga, Kaoru, Kaori, and even Sesshomaru. The thought alone made her hate Kuroisou that much more. Though the bottom line was she was in no position to do anything about it. Since she was weak to the point he could kill her at any time he chose. No her only hope now was to put her trust in Kaoru and Kaori's parents.
"What are you thinking about Tsukiko-chan," asked Kaori startling Hitomi upon noticing her walking next to her.
"Ah Kaori-chan… Um nothing much… I just miss Ojii-san. I want to talk to him so badly, but I can't anymore thanks to the Shadow Lords," replied Hitomi as she clenches her hand in frustration.
"Oh… Sorry about that. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories," stuttered Kaori with Hitomi shaking her head to let her know she wasn't at fault.
"No it ok you don't need to apologize. I know he wouldn't want me to remain sad about his death forever. It's just a bit hard to move passed it that all. Before meeting Sesshomaru, Koga, or you two. Ojii-san was all that I had in the world. He was the only one that cared about me," explained Hitomi with Kaori remaining silent and listening to her. Even Kaoru who was a bit ahead of the two she was listening in as well.
"Wow sound like he was an amazing person. I wish things were a bit different so that would could've met him," said Kaori the thought itself making Hitomi seem a bit better.
"Yea I wish that was the case too. I'm sure he would of like to meet you guys as well. Ojii-san was well respected in the village that I am from, but ever since the time he had adopted me things between him, the villagers, and the lord of it became strained," replied Hitomi.
"Sometime I wonder if he would have been better off. If he had never found me to begin with," whispered Hitomi before receiving a light bonk on the head from Kaori.
"Bad girl! You shouldn't think such negative things Tsukiko-chan. I am positive it'd make your Ojii-san sad that you would think such a thing. Beside from what you told us about his killers. They would've targeted him regardless of whether you were there or not," scolded Kaori. While Hitomi holds her hand to the place on her head that Kaori had hit.
"Wow Kaori I'm impressed. You actually said something really cool and responsible there," said Kaoru who was just baffled at her sister sudden change to being responsible for a change, and not goofing around.
"Moe not funny Kaoru. I can be responsible too you know," pouted Kaori before the two hear Hitomi who is just in a fit of laughter. The two sisters look at each other before letting their own smiles show. As they were glad that they could brighten Hitomi's mood.
It was soon passed noon. The girls having made it inside the forest of Inuyasha by now. During the whole morning walk Kaori had told Hitomi everything about the village. She had told her about her parents, her friends, and all kinds of other things she usually does in the village. Kaoru happy to see her sister being so cheerful. None the less kept her sibling for disclosing to Hitomi her more flirtatious escapades. Hitomi just happily listens to the stories Kaori tells her wanting to see the village more and more. She also wondered if there was anyone around her age living there.
Sure she was happy to have the twins as friends, but they were five years older than herself. They were also more adult looking then her too. Both twins stood at the same height of 5'3. While Hitomi was only 4'11 in comparison to them making her seem out of place. Hitomi could tell Kaori was a very pretty young lady, and probably a center of attention for people in the village. Kaoru on the other hand looked to be difficult to approach and probably likes keeping to herself. This though didn't mean much to Hitomi who saw her as really cool, and pretty in her own way. The way Kaoru carried herself and how she acts. It was something that really captivates Htiomi though she can't understand why.
"Ok we've made some good progress. So let's take a small break for lunch," announced Kaoru with Kaori looking at her sister in curiosity.
"I don't have any complaints here, but I thought we weren't stopping at all unless it was necessary," said Kaori who was pretty sure. Her sister wouldn't just change her mind for no reason
"We need to eat Kaori. Beside I think Hitomi-chan need a bit of a break," replied Kaoru who looks at Hitomi herself.
"What are you saying? I'm fine I can keep moving no problem," countered Hitomi with Kaoru karate chopping her on the forehead.
"That why we are taking a quick break. You may think you're fine, but you could be pushing your body without even noticing it. I rather have you be able to escape danger, than walking non-stop, and not being able to move to the best of your ability. On the chance that we do run into danger, or the enemy," explained Kaoru
"Ah so that why we're taking a break. Man you really plan for everything sis. I don't understand how you do it," said Kaori the sounds of praise for her sister being heard in her voice.
"It nothing much. I don't want to think we be attacked, but I doubt the enemy is just going to let us get home without doing something. I'm counting on you Kaori to not let them get the jump on us," replied Kaoru with her sister nodding her head.
"You can count on me sis. I won't let the enemy harm Tsukiko-chan!" declared Kaori before stating she was going to look for some berries for the group.
Hitomi just watch as Kaori disappears into the forest leaving her alone with Kaoru. The two just look at each other. This being the first time they were alone, and having a chance to chat just between the two of them. Kaoru herself set the huge traveling pack she had around her shoulders down on the ground. Before getting up to gathering some sticks and stones to make a simple fire. Hitomi just watches her go about her task not uttering a word at all. Kaoru in no time finish setting up things, and starts the fire before reaching in the traveling pack. To produce some simple onigiri's and water.
"Here eat some of these. Kaori will probably be back with mushrooms, and some fruit," stated Kaoru handing a onigiri to Hitomi.
"Thank you Kaoru-san. You're really amazing and so responsible," replied Hitomi taking the onigiri offered to her.
"You're welcome and I'm not that amazing. It all just simple discipline that I learned from my parents that all. I know I'm probably not as interesting as Kaori. Who's all smiles and talkative," stated Kaoru taking a bite of her own onigiri.
"No not at all. I mean you're pretty amazing to me. After all you're a Miko I assume," said Hitomi though she wasn't sure. Since Kaoru didn't appear to dress like a traditional Miko.
"I guess you would be confused. Seeing as I don't look that part huh. I wouldn't say I'm a full-fledged Miko. I'm still in training under the tutelage of my father. He's a monk and a pretty famous one at that, or so he says," replied Kaoru getting a nod from Hitomi.
"Anyway the traditional garments for a Miko doesn't appeal to me. I like the wear the Buddhist monk garbs. Seeing as they are more simple, and give more personalization," said Kaoru as she handed Hitomi the water container.
"Eh is that so? Still it pretty amazing that have you father to train you. You even got a staff like the one Oji-san use to carry," stated Hitomi as they both turned their gaze to the staff next to Kaoru.
"Yea my father gave it to me on my fifteen birthday. He had an old acquaintance of his make it for me. It pretty durable as well. So there's no worries about breaking it in combat for the most part. The priest at your village raised you right? Did he not teach you anything about the path of a spiritualist?" asked Kaoru as she takes the water container from Hitomi.
"Ojii-san started to train me after the incident with another monk. I was eight at that time, and in four years I learned a lot about herb gathering, making simple medicine, and tapping into my spiritual power. Though the only thing I can seem to do is make a barrier when meditating. It easily shatters though when I even lose the slightest of focus," explained Hitomi with Kaoru nodding her head.
"I also had been practicing to infuse O-fudas with spiritual energy, but it always ends in failure. One thing that weird though is whenever I used the Tessiga sheath to protect myself. I can feel a lot of spiritual energy flow out of it," continued Hitomi before fishing said sheath out of her kosode.
"This is just a guess on my part, but maybe the sheath is acting as a conduit for your spiritual power. It not unheard of for wielders of spiritual power to use specially crafted items. To put it simply the sheath acts an outlet for your spirit power to manifest itself," reasoned Kaoru.
"Though that just a guess. You'd have to ask my parents, Kaede, or Sesshomaru more about the properties of the sheath. On that note though if you want I can be your training partner. If you still plan to continue on the path of a miko. I can't teach you much but I can help you out as best I can," said Kaoru with Hitomi's eyes lighting up instantly.
"Really? You'll help me train?" asked Hitomi receiving a nod from Kaoru.
"Thank you so much Kaoru-san that mean a lot to me!" said Hitomi who was beaming now in pure joy.
"Ahaha! No problem Hitomi-chan it a win for me too. Since it'll be nice to have a training partner for a change. I can't get Kaori to train for the life of me," replied Kaoru who was equally happy with the arrangement.
"Ah no fair Kaoru! Don't try to steal Tsukiko-chan from me!" cried Kaori who had return just in time to hear her sister's last remark. The girl was carrying a bundle of berries and mushroom in her arms.
"Maybe with this you'll be willing to train for a once Kaori," countered Kaoru causing Hitomi to just laugh at the twins bantering. This also make the two sister laugh as well. Thus, the trio sit down to for lunch before heading off once more.