Chapter 2: The first pages...

Authors note + Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or anything to do with it.

Hey guys I am sorry it took me SOOOOO long to get started on this, new… um issues maybe I will let it slip soon.

Midori brushed her hair staring at herself in the mirror. She began to wonder about her mother, and whether she was going to be alright. Her mother was strong, brave, and always there for Midori. But her father hadn't seemed to show much interest in his family anymore, and yet Rin still stood by his side either foolish or desperate enough to believe that he was gone for them.

Midori quickly tied her hair back before walking out of her room and heading to the stables. Her horse called out once it saw her, and this made Midori smile. She grabbed the white mare and began to brush her down before saddling her. She skipped the major process and made it quick so she could get out into the open, and finally she was able to. With the doors wide open and her mounted on her horse she took off through the fields. Greens and yellows zoomed past the girl with a wide smile on her face as her horse's hooves dug into the earth ripping at it as it raced with the wind.

She found her normal spot embedded in the forest she was never really allowed in, but it was the only place she could find peace and solitude. The only place where she could practice her fighting in confidence. Midori loved the sword, but found more comfort and ease in the bow. Her target was almost flawless, unlike her foot work with the sword… she was clumsy. Her mother hated to admit it, but she was clumsier then Rin. Midori pulled out her bow and arrows shooting a tiny target she was placing on trees. She was trying harder and harder to shoot from farther distances, but her range seemed to sadly have a limit. Midori jumped when rustling of bushes broke her concentration and she shot off an arrow in the wrong direction.

"Ouch!" a voice said making her jump and her eyes widen. But the bow went up and an arrow in hand just in case.

"Whose there?!" Midori yelled curiously. A young man walked out of the clearing pulling an arrow from his arm, "oh… you."

"Yeah me and you shot me," Juro said holding the bloody arrow in his hand, "apparently you are a bad aimer…"

"Is that so?" Midori asked dropping her bow and placing a hand on her hip.

"Yeah that is so you missed," he said throwing the arrow at her. She just stood there as it plopped onto the ground.

"Hardly, I was aiming for your heart. Nearly half an inch I would say, then again I could see you," Midori said a smile that just made him roll his eyes.

"If you wanted my protection milady all you had to ask, all of this amateur work is embarrassing," Juro said his horse slowly walking around the tree obviously tired. He must have been riding much earlier then her.

"Amateur? I am a much better archer then yourself milord," she mocked him with a smug smile.

"Is that so?" Juro said walking closer to her. Midori got nervous and began to walk backwards a little bit, "nervous?"

"Hardly," Midori said stopping so he was only a inch from her face. She was shocked when he grabbed her and kissed her. She let out a shriek slapping him. He just laughed finding amusement in teasing and toying with her, "you are a pervert. Leave my presence at once!"

"No I think I will stay… that was barely payment for what I am about to teach you," he said walking towards her.

"Your disgusting and I think you should leave," Midori said backing into a tree.

"I think you want me to stay," Juro said grabbing her wrist making her eyes widen. He only pulled her off of the tree to place her where he wanted her, "don't worry that kiss wasn't enjoyable enough for a second. I won't bother you anymore with that."

"Good," Midori said unsure what to say as he walked behind her trying to put her into a stance, "excuse me I know what I am doing."

"Really lets see then," Juro said walking away from her. Midori just shrugged loosening her arms a moment before getting into position and shooting the target. She smile releasing her form. He clapped walking closer to her and then past her. Midori watched as he grabbed the target and placed it way farther down. Midori groaned shrinking a little, "let's see it."

"Oh very well," Midori said pulling the bow up and an arrow out. She released the arrow and it flung past the trees and hit her mark… but not where it was supposed to hit. It was three inches off.

"Hmmm," Juro said lifting his arrow up and shooting the target exactly where he wanted it.

"Oh… show off," she mumbled making him look to her. She gave him a weak smile. He just smiled triumphantly before placing her in position again. She sighed, but it was the same issues she had been working on for months.

"Just don't spend so much time aiming Midori," he said making her turn to look at him, he had never used her name… was he being serious for once. He just smiled and turned her, "find your target point at it stand like this keep your arm strong… and stop thinking so much."

"Right," she said as he touched her shoulder before she let loose so she couldn't think before she released the arrow, and sure enough it hit the target. She turned to look at him in shock, but of course he had his smug smile on once more.

"See," he said dipping his head to the side and raised his shoulders. Midori let out a laugh then raised her eyes and covered her mouth. He got a curious look on his face.

"I have to go now," Midori said backing away not knowing how he managed to make her smile and laugh. He just watched her mount her horse and ride off away from where they were residing.

She rode her horse at a trot trying to get the memory out of her head. How could she ever smile at that pompous show off? She was so mad at herself for letting him even help her. She swallowed biting her lip hating it before something caught her off guard and she was knocked off her horse. She let out a loud scream as she hit the floor. The horse nickered as it backed away from the large youkai staring down at them with large fangs and drool hitting the floor with acid.

"Food," it growled with a wicked smile. Midori reached for her bow but all of her arrows were scattered.

"Oh no," Midori said softly feeling for something anything as her breaths got heavy with panic. She began to plead, "p…please."

"Midori!" a familiar voice yelled making her look to where the prince rode at them making the youkai look at him, "kasai suto-mu!"

Midori watched as a large red fire tornado like attack erupted from his sword. The attack hit the youkai knocking him over, but only made him mad. He then turned his attention on Juro. Observing him, Midori noticed he didn't look scared… or nervous. But his glances kept bobbing over to her.

"Run Midori," Juro said as the youkai stood up making walking towards Juro roaring. Midori stood up trying to back away, but apart of her could not just up and leave him.

"No," Midori said shakily reaching for her arrows but only holding onto them unable to use them.

"I'll tear you to pieces!" it growled angrily as it began to run at Juro. With swift movement Juro was into the air slicing at the youkai, Midori while hugging her bow and arrows was stunned by how magnificent he looked for a change. She kind of understood why he was so cocky, slightly. But even though when Juro hit the ground and it looked as if the youkai was about to go down as well. He stood there with a smug smile watching Midori whose eyes went wide as the youkai got up and swiped at Juro with long sharp claws. Midori screamed closing her eyes, never before had she seen real blood like that.

"Juro!" Midori screamed out unable to see what was going on. She could still hear the tares of flesh in her mind as she quickly opened her eyes and saw Juro lifted into the air by the youkai's large claws. He was probably about ten feet and obviously very hungry. Midori aimed her bow and arrow trying to remember what he had taught her and released her arrow. The youkai squealed as the arrow struck into his head, and then another one. One after the other, but it was not enough to take down the youkai, they were simple practice arrows… human arrows, "oh no…"

"Pathetic food," the red and black youkai dropped the bloody Juro and walked towards Midori, "tasty… female…"

"Run," Juro coughed feeling hoarse as Midori shot more and more arrows. She began to feel hopeless as she closed her eyes waiting for the attack. But all that was heard was a high pitch squeal and a thud right next to her. When Midori opened her eyes there laid the youkai eyes wide open and no life left in them, and on his back stood Juro who fell onto his knees his sword still in the youkai's back. Midori stood up and walked to him.

"Are… are… you alright?" Midori asked shakily as she fell by his side. Juro shook his head yes, but then fell forward nearly knocking her over as well, "Juro? Juro?!"

No response came from Juro, but he still breathed. Midori saw all the deep bloody gashes on his back as he laid there. Midori panicked her eyes teary and her breaths shallow, shaky, and fast. She stood up running to get her horse, but when she got on she looked back at Juro… if she went back for help, perhaps it would be too late.

"Damn it," Midori said whipping her horse around and jumping off and placing Juro up. It took the horse laying down and Midori dragging nearly throwing out her back to get him on her horses back. She then asked the mare to get up, and when she did she jumped up behind him trying to keep him from falling off. She gave a soft kick, and her horse took off as she urged her faster then she normally would.

Blood was staining not only Midori, but her poor white horse who was breathing hard snorts filling her nostril. The view of the castle came into view, but his breathing was getting shallower, and shallower…

Authors note: I know this was short, however… I needed to get something out. So now the question is will Juro actually make it? If he does will he be fine? And will there be a new friendship between the two? Or will this blow to his ego, cause him to be more of a jerk…. Hmmm how much fun can be had with this. Tell next time.

3

Love4horses