"Hime-sama, are you feeling alright?"

The sound of Keikain's voice startled Yohime out of her thoughts. Nonetheless, she answered quickly.

"I am fine, thank you."

Carefully listening to the sound of Yohime-sama's voice, Keikain concluded nothing was wrong and walked away.

Just as I thought, it's faint, but I've sensed an aura around the hime-sama for the past few days. However, there shouldn't be an ayakashi that can break the reinforced barrier. If there is then...

Compared to the adventures I had with Sango, Miroku, Shipp and Kirara and I-

"Another hard night at work for Omyoji-dono there."

Deciding that despite anything she could do, that ayakashi would continue to come she would just act normal. Turning, she noticed the finely detailed pipe currently being used by said ayakashi. She took a moment to take in his features before asking.

"Where did you get Father's pipe?"

"it's a nice piece," he answered easily, "I gather there is quite a bit of money, which makes you," his eyes met hers, "a caged bird."

"Don't say it like that," she said, glancing off to the side at another reminder of her past.

A caged bird. How ironic. He has no idea how much those words ring true.

Nurarihyon, while appearing laid back, was actually observing Yohime very carefully. Small and petite, she barely came to his collarbone. Her dark brown hair was soft and smelled of cherry blossoms, framing cream colored skin and huge brown eyes.

Her eyes is what caught his attention.

Wise eyes. Eyes that have seen suffering, yet remain strong. Whatever could this young of a girl have seen to give her eyes like those? They shine with the light of someone with a strong will, yet that light is being dimmed as if being slowly suffocated.

It does not suit her, he thought decidedly. At his words, he saw the sorrow and bitterness enter, her next words confirmed his course of action.

"There's nothing to be done about this, it's my Fate."

His own eyes gleamed and narrowed as he pointed the pipe at her.

"Ne, want to go outside? This place is stifling, right?"

Her eyes brightened before fading so quickly, he almost wondered if he imagined it.

Yes, this would do just fine.

At his words, she felt the spark in her heart leap, then it died.

"I cannot go outside!"

If I go, there's no way I came come back and stay!

"For the sake of this house, for my father, I have to stay in this house!"

Please! Take me out! I can't living like this much longer!

"Also, there are guards!"

I have to stay! If I go out, I couldn't bear to come back!

"Oww!"

At the cry of pain, Yohime quickly looked up in concern.

He was hunched over his arm, faced contorted, holding it.

"The cut on my arm!"

Did I not heal it properly before Keikain-dono came?

Stepping forward she reached out her hand only to be grabbed and pulled forward by suddenly standing and totally fine ayakashi.

"There, I got you!" he said, delighted with himself.

"You tricked me, Ayakashi!"

His face was alight with amusement as he swung her up bridal style and leapt out of the room.

Opening her mouth she was prepared to scream, but then a breeze caressed her face, carrying with it the smell of a forest. She 'kyaa' faintly.

"Hey, quietly now! What's the big deal, I'm just borrowing you for the night and you'll be back by morning!"

"What?"

He smiled, clearly enjoy her confusion.

"Don't struggle, if anything you should enjoy it!"

And he leapt into the courtyard.

Oh, the moon and the stars! The wind through my hair! We'll be caught and I'll have to go back!

However, no one noticed. Hope flared within her. Then, she caught sight of a familiar man.

"Father?"

He turned away yawning, as if he didn't see her.

"Why does no one notice?"

She felt the ayakashi's chest rumble as he laughed.

"Because I am Nurarihyon, that's why."

And with that, he jumped and flew through the sky. She closed her eyes at the nostalgic feeling that overwhelmed her. The buzz of many people, forced her eyes open. They were on a busy street packing with merchants and shoppers. Yet everyone acted like they weren't there.

"There are so many people coming and going," she said in awe.

"Don't worry, no one will notice. Just lay back and trust me. Trust Nurarihyon."

Gazing up at him, she questioned, "Nurarihyon?"

Glancing down, his eyes softened.

"It's the name of a free ayakashi. Why don't you live the way you want?"

At his words she thought back to past days.

Sango and Miroku.

Shippo.

Kirara.

Rin and Kohaku.

Kaede, Jinenji, Koga, Ayame, AhUn, even Sesshomaru.

And Inuyasha.

I did live the way I wanted. But that was so long ago.

And here it got me. A bird in a cage, surrounded by pretty baubles. Too afraid to stretch my wings and fly. I don't even think of myself as 'Kagome' but as 'Yohime'

Just, maybe Nurarihyon-

Instantly she shot that train of thought down. She did not think her heart would survive being shattered.

Again.