My Lovely Sin

Taken away from her family at the tender age of two, because her father cheated on her mother, Kagome lives with no memory of the Truesdale family; growing up with Jaden for a few years before her untimely trip down the well. She grows up in the past for about four years before she returns, with more than the majority of Japan thinking she's dead. She goes to Duelist Academy with her close friend, and her past only too willingly returns.

Anime – Yu-Gi-Oh GX/InuYasha

Main Couple – Kagome/Zane

Genre – Romance

Rated – M (Just guess!)

Bishonen'sFoxyMiko: My turn once again and with the start of Chapter 10. Hope everyone enjoys it^^ *looks around* Gods, I can't wait for this arc to be over with, I want to get started on the Duelist Academy stuff XD

AkumaChibi: Yes, I couldn't agree more with Bishi! Let's get these chapters over and done with, while of course putting forth the same effort we have in our previous chapters, and get a move on with returning that girl to where she belongs!

-x-x-x-

An Ambiguous Path:

Residing Within

-x-x-x-

Is there a place deep within

A place where you hide your darkest sins

There's a strange kind of ambiance,

It's surrounding you

As a songstress you lure me,

Towards the truth

-x-x-x-

(500 Years in the Future)

Despite him telling Jaden that he was finally giving up on ever seeing his sister again...it didn't stop Zane from missing her so much.

After finishing the homework that was assigned to him for the summer, his eyes immediately slid over to where his last picture of Kagome sat on his desk, with her grinning happily as she was holding the stuffed MagiCat he had given her the last birthday he was able to celebrate with her. The pictures were taken by Fumio as she was opening her birthday presents and she exclaimed proudly, "Big brother Zane's present is the best ever with Jaden's!"

Zane smiled at that memory before said smile fell. After furrowing his eyes, pained, the blue-haired boy reached over to the frame and went to set it face down.

He knew that giving up on the chances of his precious sister being alive was going to be hard, but he didn't think it was going to be this hard.

With a heave of a sigh, Zane crossed his arms over his desk and rested his head on them, concentrating on stopping his tears from flooding his eyes.

The sadness he felt flooding him soon washed away as he heard a screeching yell. He thought that it was just this father's mistress bitching about something not going her way but his blood went cold when he heard Syrus's voice yell out in fright. Faster than he could think, Zane reacted, running out of his room and following his brother's voice that was coming from the younger son's room where he saw a couple of the house staff rush to.

Zane ran passed them without even a glance before he burst through the door, catching the older woman by surprise; frozen in place, startled with her open palmed hand raised to strike at Syrus who was on the floor, looking frightened but relieved to see his older brother.

This woman...she was going to hit his baby brother! Already, because of this woman, Zane's family was broken, driving his mother to leave with his baby sister who was now gone forever. And now...because something hadn't gone her way, she was going to take her anger out on his little brother?

'I already lost my baby sister...I'm not going to lose my baby brother!'

"Get away from him." He ordered with his voice so cold it was scary, even for a child his age.

And the hard and cold look in his eyes was enough for even Syrus's mother to almost falter in fear, but since Zane was still only but a child, she thought he wouldn't be a threat.

As she went to ignore him, her anger still boiling within her, she raised her hand once again to carry on Syrus's "punishment"; a dark teal blur appeared in front of the small boy.

Everything paused, silent after the sound of a slap echoed within the room, the butler as well as a couple of maids looked on in shock. It was during this silence that the woman's anger ebbed some and realized what she had done.

Rather than slapping her son, Zane had moved in front of Syrus to protect him and had taken the blow for the younger boy. Never budging from his spot in front of his brother, arms spread to block the woman from Syrus, Zane was now sporting a red cheek from where she had just slapped him.

From inside his mouth, Zane could taste blood from when he instinctually bit the inside of his cheek to keep from yelling in pain or even crying from the force the woman had used behind the slap; most of the right side of his face throbbing and he was certain there would be a bruise tomorrow.

But that didn't matter to him, Zane was protecting the only sibling he had left and protecting his little brother like he had promised Syrus when he was a baby and had promised his mother when she'd left the Truesdale manor.

The woman's anger soon started to bubble again when she saw that Hisao's eldest, and now only child from his ex-wife, had interrupted and was about to strike at him again but was stopped once again. Only this time, it was the father of both children.

After deciding to come home early to spend time with his sons, something he started to do after losing his daughter, whom he had spent so little time with because of his work, Hisao didn't expect to come home with one of his maids and one of his butlers rushing to him, saying in a panic that his mistress was trying to harm one of his children and that she was out of control.

At this, he quickly ran inside the house with the two house staff members leading him to Syrus's room, where he saw his mistress staring at his children. Syrus looking so frightened yet worried for Zane; while his eldest son stood his ground, despite the bruising cheek that started to become a stark contrast with his pale skin.

As the woman was about to hit his son again, Hisao stepped forward and caught her small wrist in his hand. Despite the firm grip on it, Hisao wanted nothing more than to squeeze the appendage so hard that the bones would fracture, but he wouldn't do that; he wouldn't stoop to her level.

He could now see why Amaya had never trusted her to be alone with their daughter and always asked him to allow Zane to come to the shrine, rather than drop their daughter off at his home.

Not taking his eyes off the woman he now held in his firm grip, as well as hard gaze, Hisao asked his eldest son as calmly as he could, "Zane...can you explain to me what happened? And please...tell me the truth."

Relaxing only slightly, but still keeping his guard up, Zane answered truthfully, "After finishing my homework in my room, I started hearing her yell...but when I heard Syrus shout out frightened, I came as quickly as I could and found her about to strike Syrus, just to lash her anger out at him for something that wasn't his fault. Even when I told her to stay away from Syrus, she didn't listen and was going to slap him anyway, but I jumped in front of Syrus and took the blow. I wasn't going to let her hurt my brother."

With every word that Hisao heard from Zane, it took everything he had to keep himself composed. It was bad enough that they had to witness this woman's anger. He wasn't about to show his own anger and frustrations.

And with the same tone, Hisao asked Syrus, "Syrus...is everything your brother said true?"

Too scared and overwhelmed by what had happened so far. He couldn't believe that his mother had raised her hand at him, but he was even more shocked that Zane took the blow for him. Syrus could only nod his head in reply to his father's question, since he didn't trust his voice.

At Syrus's nod, Hisao didn't say another word and turned to leave with his mistress' wrist still in his hand, pulling her along behind him as she struggled to get her hand free, making protests as she was pulled down the halls.

Once the woman was out of the room – her yells and protests fading as Hisao pulled her further away from the room – the maids hurried over to check on Zane and his brother. During their worrying and orders to have one of them get something for the bruise on Zane's face, Zane turned to Syrus and asked, "Are you okay, Syrus? She didn't hurt you, did she?"

Still unable to believe that his older brother had gone to such lengths to protect him from his mother, Syrus almost stuttered, "Y-yeah...I'm okay; but what about you?" From what Syrus could see, the bruise forming on his brother's cheek was starting to look bad and he knew that it had to be sore.

Zane gave Syrus a small smile – the first he had made since telling Jaden that he was giving up on waiting for Kagome to return home – and answered, "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm just grateful that its summer vacation so that there won't be questions asked if I go to school the next day..."

It was one thing that Zane was grateful for. He didn't want his teachers to be worrying and asking his father questions or even suspecting child abuse when his father wouldn't do anything of the sort. His father already had enough on his plate with his business and wanting to make up for the time he was never able to spend with Kagome.

Despite that the older man didn't show it, he was still heartbroken that his little girl was gone, and he was now doing everything he could to be there for his sons and protect them with all that he was and all that he had.

After that day, Zane and Syrus never saw their father's mistress again...and weeks later, Hisao came home with news that he had gained full custody of Syrus.

If this had happened a lot sooner, Zane believed that his mother, although she wouldn't get back together with his father, would've been able to bring Kagome home a lot more for visits. But he knew that would never happen now. His sister was gone...he had given up hope...and he would never see her again...

-x-x-x-

(500 Years in the Past)

~Dreamscape~

'My eyes are open, but that's me...' Kagome stared below at the slightly younger version of herself that sat on the carpet in her room. This room, she hadn't seen it in almost a year and a half. She missed this room, its warmth and familiarity. Oh how she missed it and all it held. 'Why am I seeing this?' Her dream self stared down at a pink jewel that was held in her hands. She was smiling in her night clothes, assumable happy for a thousand reason a more. She really was happy. Kagome couldn't remember why she had been so happy; she couldn't recall the reason she'd been so happy if her life had depended on it.

"Tomorrow is our sleep over, and we'll have lots of fun too! Mama said I have to put up my necklace where it won't get lost though..."

'Mama~' Kagome frowned, she missed her mother. 'Sleepover? I wonder, who with...'

"So pretty..."

Kagome looked down and her eyes widened, the pink sphere shined a light pink in her dream self's hands. She released it and expected it to fall and hit the ground, but rather than it falling, it hovered. Her other self moved closer only for the jewel to shoot off towards the window. Kagome shut her eyes tightly, ready for the loud crash and shatter of glass that never came. Kagome cracked open her eyes and watched her dream self take off out of her bedroom. "What?" Kagome moved to follow when a pink glimmer caught her eyes. Moving towards the window, she stared at the hovering jewel. Phasing through the wall, she floated down in time to see her self rush out of the house.

Kagome frowned, why weren't the others outside, her mother, her father...her grandparents! Why was she alone? Had she asked permission inside? Had they not known she'd left the house? Kagome moved closer as her dream self chased after the glowing jewel. It would vanish, and appear a little further away, vanish, and appear, vanish and appear...finally when it appeared for the last time above the lip of the bone eaters well, Kagome felt her heart skip a beat.

"This is familiar...I know this..."

The jewel glowed brighter, and Kagome, the dream Kagome, climbed atop the well to reach the jewel. She reached her hand out carefully, and took hold of the spherical pink stone. Her small hands grasped it carefully in both hands and for a moment, the glow subsided. A few seconds later and a bright light shot forth from the jewel before phasing through her hands and chest. A tingly sensation filled her up and she couldn't help shivering at the warm feeling that caused trimmers to race down her spine.

"The jewel..." Kagome brought her hand up to her chest, eyes wide as she stared at the images unfolding before her.

"Whoa..." The younger Kagome smiled as the glow around her finally vanished, Looking around, she smiled at how high she was, playfully, she walked around on the lip of the well, balancing on bare feet, she smiled and laughed as she twirled and skipped to the other side of the wells lip.

~Please stop...~

Kagome turned, she saw no one, turning back, she saw her dream self staring off at the opening of the door and smiling, she opened her mouth to speak...but instead of hearing soft spoken words, she fell into a spiraling darkness.

~End Dreamscape~

Kagome shot up out of bed and glared at the woman shaking her awake. Now, almost nine years old, and thoroughly upset for being woken, she slapped the woman's hand away. "Lady Tsubaki, I understand if I'm late, but send one of the maids or lady's-in-waiting to wake me!" She wasn't normally so snappy in the morning, but the woman had a way of causing her to feel edgy when around her. She was beautiful, but when she'd first met the woman a few weeks ago, she could have sworn that she'd seen this dark spark and purple glow surround her as she smiled at her.

Lord Sesshoumaru had even stared critically at the woman before finally giving a curt nod and leaving. He didn't like humans to begin with, not enough at least that he wanted to spend quality time getting to know them, and it was even more farfetched with this human being a fully trained miko with the teachings of destroying demons through methods of purification. Kagome pushed those thoughts away as the woman scoffed. "Please, you know I don't care for interacting with those demons. Now get dressed and meet me in the courtyard,"

Kagome watched the woman leave and sighed irritably. She closed her eyes and tried to think back to the dream she'd been so cordially awoken from, but her mind fell short as she could no longer remember what the dream had been about. All but the well had vanished from her thoughts. She couldn't help but think that, perhaps, she should go to that well. Maybe, just maybe, she would find something there. However, she wasn't sure how to get there, or if her Lord would take her there.

"It doesn't hurt to ask...but, later...maybe later..."

This was how it was. She didn't want to leave, so she chose to put off something that would call out to her at night, and even play on her thoughts during the day.

Dressing in her training outfit, Kagome sighed; she wore a simple miko uniform like lady Tsubaki's, in the colors of white and red, her training boots and her hair tightly up in a ponytail before moving from her bedchambers and out into the hallway. Running along the halls marble floors, she smiled as she came face to face with her Lord. "Good morning, Lord Sesshoumaru!"

He nodded his head just barely, "Kagome,"

"Lord Sesshoumaru, are you feeling better now? Are your arms okay now?" She was looking down at the floor, or more precisely, at her boot covered feet; too ashamed after having caused harm to her dear Lord, she couldn't bare see his look of disappointment.

After a few moments with nothing being said, two strong arms lifted her up and she smiled when he held her close, walking into his study before sitting on the long cushioned couch like furniture. She sat in his lap, facing him with a half smile, half frown, staring at his arms in wonder as he held her. "Kagome, listen to this Sesshoumaru carefully. I will not fall to one little outburst of energy, no matter how small or how great it may be. I am a demon Lord, and I am not weak. Do you hear?"

Kagome stared into his eyes and gave a silent nod, moving to get up, she witnessed in that moment a rare show of affection from the demon lord. One she was sure wouldn't be repeated anytime soon as he held her in a warm hug close to his chest. She understood what this was. It was his alpha inside, him as a demon alpha, needing to show her, as a part of his pack, his family, that she had caused him no harm, and he was fine. He still cared for her, and she was still important to him. All of this was said in that hug, and a ticklish nuzzle of his nose to her neck. This girl had grown to mean so much to him, like his own pup, he would do anything to protect what she was. The innocence that she held deep within her, portraying every second of everyday, even in her battles and training, she knew nothing of being cruel and cold, she couldn't.

He wasn't sure how he'd come to care for such a being, a child so human, but he wouldn't change it for the life of him. This girl had come to mean the world and more to him, and he liked it that way. "How is your training going?" He asked.

"It's going, but I don't like Tsubaki, she doesn't seem...right..."

"Explain,"

Kagome had to think about it, "...something dark...I guess. Yes, it's like there's something dark surrounding her. She's been here for three weeks though, and nothing has happened, so maybe she's okay, but...I don't like her waking me up!" She pouted irritably.

Sesshoumaru smirked at her childish show of emotions. "I see, I shall speak with Ryoushi about watching your chambers and waking you for training."

"...thank you," Kagome smiled, still a little down about injuring her caretaker.

"..." Sesshoumaru lifted his sleeve to his shoulder and watched as her eyes followed the silk fabric up the length of his arm before smiling brightly and jumping off his lap.

"I'm glad that your okay now, and I'm happy that you aren't mad, please continue to care for me the way you have, and I'll train hard to control my ability so not to harm you or anyone else ever again!" She bowed before taking off out of his office, the door shutting by itself as she vanished around the corner. Sesshoumaru sighed, shaking his head as he let his sleeve fall. Lifting the other sleeve, he stared curiously at the slight scarring caused by the attack of her energy on him. Yes, his right arm was fine, but then again, it was his left arm that had taken the full force of her energy when holding her in her state of despair and emotional hurt.

He wouldn't complain though, if all he had was a little scar after going head to head with purification energy, he would take it with arms wide open. No, he would count his blessings, for being able to stand after such an encounter. He was not so proud that he'd deny a miko, even an untrained miko, the level of their purification, 'Kagome, although untrained, is a geode in itself with a hidden jewel deep inside.'

Oh...Sesshoumaru had no idea...how right he truly was. He held no real idea how true his words were, and at what meaning it would have for her to be mishandled, if in the wrong hands.

-x-x-x-

"Your mind is still not clear! In order to summon your energy and channel it at will you must have a calm and clear mind to do so. Once you start summoning that energy more and more, it will start to become second nature to you and you can do this, even in the midst of fighting a demon." Tsubaki's voice could be heard as Kagome kept her eyes closed, trying to concentrate on summoning her energy from her very core.

'But with her always snapping at me like that and right when I'm almost there, it's hard to do so. It's like she has no patience at all.' Kagome thought as her brow started to twitch in irritation and annoyance.

It was like the woman wanted to get the lessons over with so she could leave. Sure, the one who found her had said that she's pretty tolerant of demons but...

'She carries herself around like her crap doesn't stink…' Kagome once again thought, now getting more annoyed with Tsubaki's nagging before the older woman sighed and suggested, "Alright, let us take a break. It appears to be almost close to lunch time, anyways."

The young miko child heaved a sigh before lifting her hands to massage her temples. As she went to stand, she looked up to see Ryoushi coming up to them.

After Ryoushi gave an untrusting glance at Tsubaki, she gave Kagome a smile and announced, "It's about time for lunch, milady. And Lord Sesshoumaru will be at attendance, if delayed since he is speaking with a surprise guest that bestows some pretty good news."

Returning the smile that was much brighter at the news of her Lord dining with her for the midday meal, Kagome thanked her demon handmaid, protector, and friend before excusing herself to head inside.

Once the child was out of earshot, Ryoushi's soft expression turned hard and cold as she turned to her charge's Miko teacher. She didn't like this woman one bit, especially when she didn't feel at all like normal priestesses – quite the opposite, in fact. And a majority of that dark energy was centered on her eye, where she can see a distinct pattern under the glamour.

Narrowing her eyes at the dark human, Ryoushi spoke in warning, "I don't know what you're trying to play, dark one, but I have my eyes on you. I'm not certain if the scout had heard right when he was being given orders by Lord Sesshoumaru to search for any priestesses to help teach Lady Kagome, but you are not someone who should be teaching that child about her heritage."

At her words, Tsubaki returned the favor of narrowing her own eyes before replying, "Hmph, there was no other priestess within your lord's lands that would tolerate the presence of demons. Let alone a child that is the ward of a demon lord. And even if I offered to teach her how to place a curse on anyone or anything, I doubt she would take kindly to the offer."

-x-x-x-

Kagome waited patiently for her Lord Sesshoumaru to come and join her at the dinning table. Tsubaki wasn't present yet either, which wasn't all that strange to Kagome. For a woman who was so impatient when it came to training her, she sure took her time when it came time for breakfast, lunch or dinner. She hated being in the presence of Kagome's Lord, so she would arrive late, and leave early, unless sure that he wouldn't be present.

"Kagome," Kagome turned and her eyes widened at the familiar face. Standing with a single motion, she ran forward as Tsubaki chose that moment to enter and witness her student hug a demon she'd not seen in the castle before now.

"Lord Kógairan!" She exclaimed cheerfully, "Have you come to visit?"

"I have, child. I came bearing news to your Lord, and he has requested my presence here be extended." His blind eyes closed to his surroundings, he kept a growl to himself at the offending stench that had walked through the doors before he'd caught the delightful ward of his best friends' oldest son.

"Oh, that's wonderful! Come, join us for dinner, won't you?" She smiled when he followed calmly to the table and sat beside her. Ryoushi came out with some other maids and brought out the food as Sesshoumaru took his spot at the head of the table and Tsubaki sat across from Kagome, irritable at the addition demon at the table.

"Who is our guest?" Tsubaki questioned with concealed distaste.

Sesshoumaru scoffed, which Kagome smiled at. He rarely showed his emotions, but this woman could truly bring out the worst in people. "He is not our guest; he is mine and Kagome's guest. You are her teacher, and will be gone as soon as Kagome is trained."

She snarled glowing a vicious violet, "You'd do best to watch who you talk to demon!" She snapped rudely.

Sesshoumaru stood and narrowed his eyes, "It is you who knows not to whom she speaks!"

Kagome watched the woman cautiously as her energy flared furiously around her body before finally, standing and walking back to the room she trained the ward in, "Be quick, child." She called from over her shoulder before vanishing through the doors.

"Oh, Lord Sesshoumaru!" Kagome stood so suddenly it took both by surprise, "It's dangerous to have her here! I would be devastated if she caused any variety of harm to you, Lord Kógairan or the others whom I hold close to my heart. Everyone here is family, and I would feel ill at heart if anything were to happen because of that woman being her because of me..."

Sesshoumaru stared a moment at the girl before settling down back in his seat. "Be at ease, Kagome. No harm will come to me, nor those under my care. This Sesshoumaru has no intention of falling to a miko darkened by loss and hatred."

Kagome frowned, "Loss...and hatred?"

Lord Kógairan chuckled, "Goodness me, if I may inquire, why is the kuro miko here?"

"She is training me to control my miko energy."

Lord Kógairan raised a brow at that, "Oh?"

"Tale's for another time, Kógairan."

The elder understood, continuing with his meal as everything silently fell into place...for the time being.

-x-x-x-

Once night had fallen, and with Tsubaki's departure until the morn, Kagome was put to bed after she had bid goodnight not only to her lord but to Kógairan as well.

After the young ward of the West was sent to her chambers, it allowed the two lords to speak more.

As Kógairan took a seat in front of Sesshoumaru, he turned his blind gaze to the younger lord and asked, "Now that the little one is resting...and the Kuro Miko is gone until the morning, will you kindly answer my question from earlier, the dark woman?"

With a moment of silent contemplation, Sesshoumaru gave an equally silent sigh, before replying, "One of my scouts misinterpreted my request to find a miko that was tolerable in teaching Kagome how to control her power. Instead of finding a pure miko, he brought back a Kuro Miko, thinking that I wanted Kagome's power to be tainted for my own use rather than helping her control it for her own protection as well as those within my home."

"To assume is to create more misunderstandings than before. Why do you allow her to stay and continue teaching Kagome?" Kógairan asked, now thoroughly curious as to why his young friend continues to allow the dark and hate-filled woman to teach Kagome about her priestess powers.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Sesshoumaru spoke, "Despite her being a Kuro Miko, due to her hatred and jealousy, she still holds knowledge of what she was taught before her conversion. This knowledge is vital for Kagome and her control of her energy and it's the only reason why I tolerate the woman's presence within my home...as well as her arrogance when she has no right to believe that she can do any great harm to me."

Kógairan considered the younger dog lord before him with blind eyes before asking, "But is it still wise to allow Kagome to be around such a woman who could convert her power to that of a Kuro Miko's? Can you trust that woman enough to not teach the child curses and hexes that will eventually darken her purity?"

"I do not trust her to be around Kagome, no. But her presence must be tolerated...at least long enough until I send out another but more competent scout to search for a pure miko that will tolerate demons and be willing to teach a child who is a ward of a demon lord..."

-x-x-x-

(Dreamscape)

Kagome was well accustomed to her dreams being strange and such, but she'd never had one quite like this.

Sitting in the middle of nothing, sand for miles, a barren wasteland was all that she could see, beyond the sweltering sun by looks, that gave off no such heat...beyond the twilight stars that shined and sparkled brightly above her, the little dipper clear from their, an orbit and even Saturn's rings could be seen.

It was like nothing she'd ever seen before, mystical in all it's beauty. Standing, she felt sand between her bare feet and frowned, looking down as a gust of wind caressed her body with light traces of sand.

She was dressed in a silk white sleeveless and strapless dress that stopped a good five inches above her knees, with a translucent, light pink robe veiling her innocently in a gentle hug about her small, but lightly toned body. Her hair had over the time grown out to just a couple inches past the middle of her back, and was let loose for the wind to play with, each tress being pulled this way and that as the wind bowed to her.

"Kagome, you have matured in your time here..."

Kagome glanced around but saw no one else in the deserted, ethereal realm that she had found herself in.

"You won't find me, no matter how hard you look."

She frowned, "Why?"

"Because love," The whispered softly from behind, causing Kagome to whirl curiously around. "I am apart of you now. My body has vanished, and since my soul has adjoined with yours, my soul no longer has a form of its own. All that is left is my ability to speak freely with you, but once you leave...that too will vanish."

"When I wake up you mean?"

"No love, when you return home."

"...home?"

It was silent for a moment, "Kagome, listen carefully. The woman training you is withholding important lessons, lessons that are important for you to learn, not just as a Miko, but also as a human. Lesson's that a demon can't teach you. Though, I cannot deny that Lord Sesshoumaru indeed has a heart hidden within his cold exterior, he can't teach you the simpler things like Philia or Civility, Sensitivity or Generosity...he can only provide those values he himself was taught, such as Pride, Honor, Spirit, Vitality, Wealth, Passion, Confidence, Integrity, Honesty and Independence. Though, there are a couple values that no one can teach, such as Justice, Individuality and Character..." The voice paused for a few seconds before continuing, "What I'm trying to get at is, at night, during your hours of rest, I will try my best to walk you through what others cannot."

"...in my sleep?"

"That's right Kagome,"

Kagome thought about it for a moment, "Alright then, but, can I ask what your name is?"

"...my name is...Midoriko..."

-x-x-x-

A couple days later, slightly but nimble, feminine hands paused in their task in pulling out weeds of her herb garden before lifting a one-eyed gaze to the female demon that appeared before her. Behind the demon, stood some of the village men wielding their farming tools as weapons willing to defend her if the demon wanted to do harm to their miko.

Although the priestess could sense some apprehension as well as some slight distrust, she didn't feel any killing intent or hate from the demoness.

After telling the village men to lower their weapons, the one-eyed miko stood and turned to the demoness, asking, "May I ask why thee have come to this village, milady Demoness?"

Once the human men lowered their weapons, but still kept their guard up, the demoness replied, "My name is Togéko. I am one of the handmaids of Lord Sesshoumaru's only ward. In replacement for milord's scouts, he had sent me out to search for a miko who might be willing to come to the Western castle."

The reply made the village men jump to conclusions, refusing to allow their miko to go the home of a demon with the threat of her life being endangered.

Requesting the men to calm their selves, the miko turned to Togéko and asked, "May I ask the reason thy lord is looking for a miko to come to his castle?"

"Milord's ward is a human child; a young and untrained miko. After her powers manifested recently, he sent out scouts to search for a miko not only willing to teach her of her heritage, but also be tolerant of the demons that live within milord's home and not attack them or the lord himself." Before the miko in front of her could ask about her charge, Togéko added, "And even though we have someone to teach her...she's not the proper priestess for the job."

Holding off her question about the child, the one-eyed priestess asked, "Who did this scout bring to teach the child?"

"Whether he was assuming our lord's wants or being incompetent, we don't know, but he went and brought back a Kuro Miko to teach milady of her heritage. This woman may know of teachings from before she was converted...but she's impatient, disrespectful, and I, as well as my fellow handmaids and the other servants do not trust her with our charge's well being."

With a slight furrow of her brow, the miko asked once more, "And what might the name of this Kuro Miko be?"

"Her name...is Tsubaki..."

-x-x-x-

Bishonen'sFoxyMiko: Well that's the end of chapter 10. Now it's Akuma's turn to start ch11 XD Hope you guys liked this chapter^^

Akuma Chibi: Hope everyone enjoyed! I'll be starting the next chapter, so I hope you guys are still with us for CHAPTER 11!