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Chapter Ten: Acquaintance

There was a goddess crying on the veranda.

I'd happened upon her quite by chance. It was a rare moment when Sesshoumaru let me wander unescorted and I was taking advantage of a particularly beautiful day. I hadn't seen her at first. The veranda was large, and the sweeping edges of its roof cast dark shadows across its interior. She sat in the farthest corner, sobbing quietly into her hands.

It was a heartbreaking sight.

Feeling for her, I moved toward her quickly to kneel at her side. "Excuse me, megami-dono?"

Her head snapped up and I almost reared back in surprise. Naturally, she was beautiful, with skin like cream and hair the shade of dying embers. But her eyes . . . I'd never seen such eyes, even among the other celestial beings I had met. The irises were an amazing green color, which was ringed with a bright golden-bronze tone, and her lashes were impossibly thick and long.

Said eyes were shining with tears as she looked at me sadly. "Whatever it is, I cannot help you. Please leave me be." She turned away from me while wiping the tears from her cheeks. "I'm having somewhat of a bad day."

"Please," I said softly. "Tell me what's bothering you. Maybe I can help."

"I doubt it," she muttered, but she slid back around to face me. "First, what's your name?"

I smiled, pleased she was opening up. "I'm Kagome. What's your name, megami-dono?"

The goddess stared at me, her mouth agape. "You'reKagome?"

"Yes." I quirked a brow. "Do you know me?"

"No, but everyone's been talking about you. You're Sesshoumaru's bride, aren't you?"

I nodded. "I am. I was sacrificed to end the drought in my village."

"That's incredible. Usually sacrificed brides can't survive the journey here. It's really rather sad." The auburn-haired goddess shook her head elegantly. "Well, my name is Chisaki, Kagome-dono, and it is a pleasure to meet you."

"The same to you, Chisaki-dono. And may I just say that you have a beautiful name."

"Thank you. It means 'a thousand blossoms.'" Chisaki grinned impishly. "My mother thought it was appropriate, since I'm the goddess of earth."

I nodded to myself. That explained her eyes. "Then tell me, goddess of earth, what had you so upset." I moved to take a seat next to Chisaki and placed a friendly hand on her shoulder. "I want to help you if I can."

The goddess' grin faded. "I don't know how you can help me, Kagome, if Icannot even help me." She sighed heavily and looked out over the open water surrounding the veranda. "It's Kira."

Puzzled, I asked, "Who's Kira, Chisaki?"

She sighed again, and I suddenly realized what was troubling her. "Coincidentally, he is one of Sesshoumaru's dearest friends. Perhaps you have seen him."

"What does he look like?"

Chisaki's lips seemed to tip into a smile of their own accord. "He's stunning, Kagome. His hair is like yours: so black it seems blue, and it's always loose and hangs down his back. And his eyes . . . you would never forget his eyes. You know what the night looks like in summer, when the stars begin to shine and the sky turns midnight blue?"

"Yes. Is that what his eyes look like?"

Chisaki giggled girlishly. "I would never tire of looking into those eyes, Kagome. Not ever."

I felt my own lips stretch into a smile. I knew precisely what she meant. "So, did Kira do something to offend you?"

"If only." Chisaki clenched her fists in aggravation. "He's barely even spoken to me the entire time I've known him. It's as though he likes to act as if I'm not even alive."

"Oh." What was I supposed to say to that? "I'm sure there's a reason, Chisaki. Perhaps . . . perhaps I could speak with Sesshoumaru about it. What sort of god is Kira?"

The goddess was silent for a while before she replied, "He's the god of death."

"Of death?" I exclaimed. I hadn't been expecting that.

"I know," Chisaki murmured. "It's strange, but I believe it's because we're such opposites. My sole purpose is to give life. His is to take it away. I couldn't help but be drawn to him, though it obviously isn't reciprocated."

I fiddled with the lapels of my kimono nervously. "You're not sure of that. Maybe he's shy—"

"Shy?" Chisaki started to laugh humorlessly. "If he were shy, I wouldn't have just seen Haruyo pressed up against him like a . . . like a whore."

"And Haruyo is . . . ?"

"A sun goddess."

Ah. So that was why she'd been so upset. "Well, we're not sure he was welcoming her advances. Come," I said as I stood. "Walk with me and we'll get this whole thing sorted out."

As she stood, Chisaki asked, "Why are you being so kind to me, Kagome? You have no reason to want to help me."

I frowned and slipped my arm through hers. "Of course I do. If I help you, that means we have to be friends and, since you've already agreed, there's no backing out now."

Chisaki beamed brilliantly. "Well, I guess I have no choice then."

I grinned back at her. "That's the spirit," I said, and I led her out into the bright midday sun.

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