I thought that I won't be able to update this story until the New Year, but I've got some idea at last, so here it is.
Chapter 09 – New Power
I woke up early. Everyone was still asleep, even Inuyasha, which was unusual for him as he never slept during his human nights. The sun didn't rise up yet, but it would come out soon. I quietly left the hut and went to the nearby stream to get some fresh water. There was a little girl sitting on the ground and crying. I quickly rushed over to her and put my hand on her shoulder kindly.
"Hello there, why are you crying?" I asked with smile but I was taken aback by her reaction when she turned to look at me. She crawled backwards away from me until she was stopped by a tree.
I looked around myself but didn't see any threat, but as I turned my head, the strands of my hair fell into my sight and I saw that they were white. I slapped myself on my forehead realizing that I forgot to put my rosary on to hide my appearance and cursed myself. I turned back to the girl and finally knowing what's going on I tried to calm her down.
"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you." I took a step to her, but she flinched and started to tremble uncontrollably, so I quickly returned to the spot where I was before. She relaxed a little, when she saw me step back, but still watched me cautiously. I sighed and sat on the ground.
"I promise, I won't go any closer to you, but in return you'll tell me why were you crying." She raised her eyebrows and I sighed again.
"You cannot speak?" I asked and after a little pause of thinking she nodded. Great, it won't make it any easier, but at least she seemed to calm down.
"Can you somehow indicate what's your name? My name is Kagome." There was longer pause this time, but then she stood up and started to circle around the tree with light footsteps and sometimes she made a pirouette or jumped with spread hands.
"Is it a dance?" I asked. She stopped and nodded. I pretended to be in deep thoughts and then said victoriously.
"Then your name must be Mai." Her face lit up, so I was sure that I was right. For some reason, I was sure about it even before she confirmed it, but her name wasn't so hard to guess. She sat down, still quite far from me, but she didn't seem to be scared anymore.
"Did you get lost?" She nodded shamefully and I smiled.
"Don't worry, I'll help you to find your village." I offered her my hand and waited for her to come to me on her own will. She still seemed to have some doubts, but then she stood up and slowly came closer. She paused for a while, but then she put her hand into mine and I stood up with smile.
"So, which way should we go." I was thinking aloud and sniffed the air. I remembered at the others and wondered, that they will be probably worried if I don't return soon, but Inuyasha can easily follow my scent, so I dismissed that thought and focused on finding the village.
"It seems you came here from this way." I pointed in the certain direction and moved forward. She looked at me questioningly and I smiled.
"I am a half-demon, you know? So I have very keen sense of smell and this is how I know where did you come from." I hoped that this information won't scare her from me, but she just nodded that she understands. Seems like that I really convinced her that I am not a threat.
I followed her scent backwards, but after a while another scent mixed up with hers. A demon's scent. At the same time, she froze and refused to move further.
"Were you attacked by a demon? That's why you got lost?" She nodded and I picked her up to my arms.
"There's no need to worry now, I will protect you." I stroked her hair and she leaned against me. Now, that I had her in my arms, I could move faster and soon I've found the village which I was sure she comes from.
When I came closer, several villagers came running towards me and stopped just a few steps in front of me with raised weapons.
"Release her demon, or we'll kill you." They shouted at me and I sighed. But before I could explain myself, Mai jumped down from my hands and stepped in front of me with spread hands in defensive stance and shook her head. The villagers paused and looked from Mai at me and obviously didn't know what to think.
"I found her lost in the forest, so I brought her back. I won't make any trouble." I explained and when Mai confirmed my statement with a nod, the villagers relaxed and one woman came running to the little girl.
"Oh, Mai, are you alright? Are you hurt? I was so worried about you." They hugged each other. The woman with tears of relief in her eyes and the girl with smile on her face to say that she is alright. I guessed that it must be her mum, so everything was okay now.
"Well, I should go. I left my friends without telling them anything, so they are probably worried about me." I stated and the woman looked at me.
"Thank you for bringing my child back." She said with shaky voice.
"Don't mention it. I am just glad that she is safe now." I wanted to turn to leave, when I saw a slight motion from one of the men.
"Is something wrong?" I asked and he flinched. He probably didn't expect me to notice him.
"I just thought... You look strong... Maybe you could help us with the demon, who started to attack our village lately." He said unsure about if it was the right thing to tell me that. I turned to Mai.
"Is that the same demon who attacked you in the forest?" Everyone's attention focused at her and she nodded.
"I will help you." I assured them and saw the hope in their faces. Inuyasha will probably want to kill me for me disappearing in such way, but I can deal with him. Though I can't let the villagers to keep suffering from that demon's attacks, when I can help. From what I caught from his scent, he shouldn't be much strong, so there won't be a problem.
"Can we help you somehow?" One of the villagers asked.
"Do you have a bow and arrows?" I still had more confidence in my abilities as priestess, than for the demon side of mine. They looked at me with confused faces and I smiled.
"Just trust me, that's all I need to defeat that demon." They nodded, still not quite convinced about it, but I didn't mind. I am going to use my demonic powers only if necessary. They brought me the bow and arrows and I tensed.
"It's coming, you should hide." I told the villagers and turned towards the incoming demon. It must have caught our presence, when we were passing through the forest. After a few seconds it came to my sight.
It was a centipede-like demon and I cursed internally. Why it must be always centipede. It brought me back the memories from the first time I came across the well and I frowned. But this time I can take care of it myself and I don't need Inuyasha's help. I prepared the arrow and aimed at the demon.
"What kind of ridiculous creature are you?" It asked mockingly. "A half-demon fighting with an arrows. Don't step in my way and maybe I'll let you live." It laughed and moved forward.
"If I were you, I wouldn't be so confident." I stated calmly and launched the arrow. The strong pink light surrounded the arrow and the last thing I saw from the demon was his frightened eyes. I turned back at the villagers and smiled.
"Well, it's done, so I will leave now." I said as if nothing happened and watched the bewildered expressions on their faces. Mai came running to me and I knelt down to be able to look into her eyes. She smiled.
'Thanks for saving me and our village.'
"You're welcome. But now I really should go." I answered absentmindedly but then paused. Mai cannot speak, so what it was right now. The others looked at me as if I was crazy and I turned back to Mai.
"Mai, think about something." I said hurriedly.
'What do you mean?' She tilted her head and looked at me confusedly. I smiled now and continued.
"It seems you helped me to discover my new power. I can hear what you think." Her eyes widened.
'You can hear what I think? But how is it possible? I didn't do anything to cause it.' She thought almost blaming herself for it.
"It's ok." I calmed her down. "I guess I didn't know about it until now, only because I didn't need it. But because you cannot talk, I had to more focus on figuring out what do you want to tell me and that's why it surfaced now. Thank you." I was always very empathetical towards the others and maybe because of awakening my powers it turned into the ability to actually hear what others think. I stroked her hair, stood up and turned to leave. But after two steps she stopped me by grabbing my hand.
"What is it?" I turned to her.
'You didn't hear me right now? I called at you. Did your power disappear?" She was confused.
"No, I didn't hear you, but I can hear you now. Maybe I have to look into your eyes to make it work." I explained. "What did you want?"
'Will we see you again?' She looked sad.
"I don't know. It is possible, but I can't promise anything." I answered truthfully.
'See you later then.' She smiled and rushed back to her mother. I waved to her and was on my way back to my friends. This new power really could come in handy later. Even though it's limited.
I realize that my description of Mai's dance isn't very apt and I'm sorry for that, I couldn't think of anything better.