A/N: Oi, I really don't mean to lag, but midterm essays are catching up on me. Thanks for reading and all your patience!

Gutted and Cleaned

It wasn't until she was old enough for "real" missions – ones that weren't just about delivering scrolls in secret and being a fly on the wall – that Miyoko realized the gravity her profession entailed. The first daimyo wasn't so bad. He was an oppressive cretin and it was no challenge for the newly initiated ninja to convince herself he had it coming. But by the third mark, Miyoko quit. That one made her feel like turning the blade on herself. He was only a child, couldn't have seen five yet. The blood didn't stain Miyoko's hands, but her refusal and the subsequent delay was enough to muddy her clan's reputation. With word spreading like wildfire, it became an unnecessary challenge to send a new, successful assassin. For such a disgrace, the fiasco should've ended in her ritual suicide.

But I was too much of a coward. I ran.

When no one came looking for her after two years in seclusion, Miyoko changed her name and ventured into espionage once more, selecting the rare bloodless cases and, incidentally, charging outlandish rates. The eccentricity would've had her discovered were it not for the taijiya who promised a way out. Kohaku had proved you didn't have to live your life as a hired blade for human lives. Even in these warring times, there was still hope to find life and protect it. Miyoko cherished Kohaku's the most.

Four seasons at the demonslayer's side later, and killing was still never something that set comfortably with Miyoko. And, remembering that look on Rin's face a couple of days ago, she knew she was responsible for whatever she'd crushed in Kohaku's friend that morning.

She'd already wasted half the day debating, but one thought rang clear and true in her head: I've got to set things straight. It was decided and Miyoko set off down the winding dirt path to Rin's hut.

"Where are you going?" A strong hand gripped her shoulder.

"To talk to Rin." Her voice was taut, unwavering. She turned a sharp eye to Kohaku, but didn't slow her brisk pace. "I'm sure your 'kid sis' would like to know why her man came back with another girl."

The taijiya crossed his arms defensively. "Hey, how was I supposed to know I was being hooked up behind my back?"

"How do you not?" Miyoko took a challenging step forward, her temper flaring and she pushed the slayer back with a glare alone. "And you kept information from me. You never mentioned that: one, your mentor was a flippin' daiyokai! And two, that your 'little sister' was under his watch."

"That didn't seem relevant," Kohaku hedged, pulling distractedly at the tail of his topknot.

"Not relevant?" Miyoko snapped. "Don't you know anything about people? A man that powerful is gonna want to keep someone like you, someone he invested time in, close. Marriage is used to keep those ties! Now move!" Without waiting for Kohaku to comply, she placed her hands on his shoulders and leapfrogged over him.

"Hold it!" In a liquid reflex, the taijiya's smaller, equipment chain whipped out of his capacious sleeve, snaking around Miyoko's ankle. As if she were a weapon and not a woman, he caught her expertly before she hit the ground.

A few villagers grumbled about making a ruckus, others chuckled that at least this lovers' spat was a change from the priestess and her hanyo. Kohaku just wanted to get it cleared up.

"Let go of me!" With shinobi skill, Miyoko's serpentine slithers threatened to free her from Kohaku's locked arms and more than once he had to adjust his grip.

"Be still!" Kohaku ordered in a learned tone. "I may not have spent my life in convoluted politics, but I know Rin well enough that she'll come around to you in her own time. Give 'er her space."

Protests subsiding and struggles growing a little less adamant, Miyoko still vent her pent-up emotion. "No wonder she was so tight-lipped with me. I kept prattling on about us! She must've thought I was a total b—"

"I know you mean well," he said in a softer voice.

Miyoko stopped moving altogether. Her head hung and slowly Kohaku released her. Then spinning around, she buried her face in Kohaku's chest, shoulders shuddering. "It's just I…I wanted to be friends with someone you really seemed comfortable with…" To fit in with your friends, Miyoko confessed to herself. "And now, I've tarnished the chance. I feel like I just killed something inside her." Her voice caught and muddled the last few words.

God, no wonder she got out of the business. Feeling tears seep through his haori's fabric, Kohaku's embrace encircled the woman he admired for all her bravery. Gently, his leaned in to whisper in her ear, whiskers scraping the side of her face. "You're a good person, Miyoko. Never persuade yourself otherwise."

And, tipping her chin upward so she could met his gaze and all the tenderness that welled inside, he kissed her.

oOo

Rin was just getting ready for her afternoon break when Kagome shuffled over and took up a seat beside her.

"How's it goin'?" the miko asked brightly, setting down a basket full of rice stalks from one of the other ponds.

"Mm, getting better." Sorta…Scratch that. More complicated. But Rin was helpless to stop the open smile that stretched across her face.

Kagome rallied for the young girl, glad Rin had perked up considerably since this morning and the past couple of days. She reached over to idly gather the remaining good stalks Rin had overlooked.

"Hey, Miss Kagome?"

The priestess hummed lightly to let her little friend know she had her full attention.

"What would you do if…if you could wish for anything in the world?"

Kagome looked up from her work. "Anything?"

Rin blinked as if remembering a caveat. "Well, almost anything."

"I wouldn't." Kagome watched Rin's expression dissolve. "Do you remember the Shikon Jewel?"

"Yeah," Rin groaned, she knew where this was going: to a lecture she didn't need. "Let's say this wish isn't coming from a little marble with malicious intent. How 'bout just hypothetically speaking?" she tried again.

"Most wishes come with a heavy price, you know that. You're better off striving with hard work or being happy with what you've got."

Rin twitched. Kagome was just seven years her senior and she already acted like such an old crone.

"To be honest, Rin dear, I wouldn't wish." Rocking back on her haunches, Kagome stared pensively at the sky. "Sometimes, things happen for a reason and if you don't get what you want…well, it usually works out." She laughed good-naturedly. "Take Lord Sesshomaru for example…"

Rin smirked. "I'll bet."

"Don't worry, hon." A white sleeve wrapped around her in rough camaraderie. "Kohaku will be sorry someday."

"Okay…uh, thanks."Rin hoped her hollow laughter wasn't too transparent. I don't want him to be sorry. I want him to be happy, Rin sighed inwardly. Preferably with me.

"C'mon." Kagome patted her friend's side and scooped up her tall basket of unstripped rice, looping her arms through the shoulder straps. "Let's take these over to the mill to separate the chaff."

Rin nodded and followed after the priestess. They hadn't gone a very long ways when Kagome abruptly stopped short, turned around, and said, with a weird smile plastered over her blushing face, "Let's take a shortcut."

"Huh? Why?" Stepping around the miko before she could give any warning, Rin got an eyeful of the scene. Kohaku. Miyoko. Lip-locked. When they separated it was with, to Rin's ears, a loud, wet smacking noise. At least they both had the decency to look embarrassed.

Actually, geez, Miyoko looks like she's about to cry.

But instead of listening to Kagome's calls to "come along," Rin walked up to Kohaku's…girlfriend. Be happy with what you have, huh, Kagome? "Hi, Miyoko."

The young woman nodded and Rin watched her make the visible effort to straight her shoulders and scrub a rough hand over her face. "Hello, Rin," she said hoarsely.

Shouldering her basket and shifting the woven straps, Rin fumbled for what exactly she meant to say. "I, um, just wanted to ask, has anyone shown you the sakura groves over the next slope? It's the spring season, you know, and I think they should be in bloom and…" Rin stopped when she realized she was rambling. Then smiled.

Miyoko blinked. "No." She sniffled, but forged ahead, emboldened by the kind offer. "Are you… inviting me?"

"Sure, if you want to come." Rin beamed, glancing back at Kagome who nodded approvingly. Then the girl tapped a hand on the bushel she carried. "Lemme just put this away."

Leaving Kohaku's side, Miyoko reached for the basket. Then, remembering Rin's initial reaction, she paused. "May I?"

Bangs bounced in an obliging nod, and Rin allowed Miyoko to help.

"Be back later!" Kohaku's friend smiled and waved at him. In return, he offered his best lopsided grin. He hadn't doubted her for a minute.

Ah, well, Rin thought with a careless shrug. He'll be sorry…someday.

.

A/N: And here's a shout-out to all the anonymous reviewers! Thank you very much for your kind encouragement. Wish I could reply to you all individually. Your support is most appreciated!

Also, for a little character visual, I've uploaded a bit of concept art on Deviantart .com: feral-instinct. deviantart. com/art/Hooked-Others-in-the-Sea-161541157 Please remove spaces before input