Chapter 2:

"Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins. Thank you." The announcement made has me blinking my purple eyes open lazily.

Another announcement is made telling everyone the time, 11:00 AM and that the temperature is 81°F. After thanking everyone and asking us to remain seated until the seat belt light comes on, the plane starts to become much louder as everyone is happily chatting about finally landing. I also cannot wait to get out of this giant metal contraption. While convenient, I hate planes with a passion. They pollute the already polluted air even more making my sensitive nose sting and while knowing, I most likely will survive if any issues arise, I still feel unsettled placing my life in some stranger's hands. I can never get a full rest on these things, only lightly dozing and replenishing my energy levels.

Once we're allowed to get up out of our seats to exit the plane a horde of impatient people rush forwards. How uncouth I think to myself while watching people shove one another in the economy class area. First class is allowed to exit first and so I grab my carry on and purse, walking out of the terminal towards the luggage area. Pulling out my phone and turning it back on I pull up my texts to Minori noticing a reply "Just let me know when you get here dear, I'll be shopping around the area so I can get there faster! So excited to see you!"

Tapping my fingers against the screen of my phone I send a reply saying that I landed and am waiting for my luggage. Also, saying I could not wait to meet her and her family.

Nobody would guess that Minori is in her late forties with the way she texted. I never met Minori in person, only over phone calls, text messages, and video chats. Her grandmother helped me when I first arrived here and their family has been my sanctuary ever since. Which is kind of ironic now that I think about it, considering they own and run a shrine. Despite my heritage their family holds no hostile feelings towards me and I'm very thankful for that. I taught them that not all demons are evil monsters and they taught me that not all humans are wasted space.

Minori will one day pass down her knowledge of me to her children, but for now they don't know. Her father, who I refer to as Gramps, even if I am older than him, has an unusual hatred for demons; however, he for some unfathomable reason is perfectly fine with my presence in his home. I won't complain though. He can be funny when he's in one of his 'DEMONS ARE EVIL, MUST CLEANSE' moods. I met him when he was a boy. At the time his mother and father took care of the shrine. I would show him all of my powers and tricks.

I couldn't wait to get back to the shrine and feel my katana, Yoarashi, in my hands once more. I shipped my most precious item over to Minori's a few days ago, knowing I'd be coming here soon and not wanting to waste any time in having it back with me. It's only been a few days and I'm still antsy without it. Even though it's frowned upon to carry a sword around this era doesn't mean anything to me. I'd never willing give up my last connection to home. I don't carry it around outside and if I do I always have my mask in place hiding my face from view.

Being so distracted with my own thoughts I almost miss my luggage, lunging forward a little too quickly, but hoping nobody noticed, I grabbed my luggage and rolled it towards the doors of the airport. I wait a moment before I feel my phone vibrating, pulling it out Minori's name flashes on the screen. Sliding the answer button over I hear her rush of words "I'm heeerree! Where are you Miyako?"

My lips quirk up some in a small smile, her never ending energy is amusing. I look around noticing that this seemed to be the only door for pickups and reply "I'm in front of the doors at 'Pick-Ups'."

"Of course you are! I'm just so excited I forgot" she exclaims as her laugh tinkles through the phone.

Then I see a woman pulling up in a little blue car pull up, dropping her phone in her lap and fiercely waving her arm at me. I walk over to her car as she pops the trunk so I can set my luggage inside. I place my carry on in the back seat before sliding in the passenger seat. Minori is bouncing in her seat and suddenly throws her arms around me.

"Look at you! Still not looking a day over 18!" She exclaims before throwing her hands to her own slightly aged face. Pouting she mumbles "Totally not fair."

"Don't forget no matter how low you try to mumble I shall hear you" I say as a smirk slowly slips across my face as she blushes a light pink.

"Oh yes, I seem to always forget that somehow." She manages to get out through her embarrassment. I shake my head slightly while glancing out the window as she starts to drive away. My eyes constantly moving about and my ears twitching every now and then on the way back to the shrine. Taking in all of the changes since I've been gone.

We decided to wait until we get to the shrine before I talk about my adventures, that way gramps can hear all about them too. Once we pull up to the shrine I turn to Minori and ask "Do you mind grabbing my purse and carry on? I'll get the luggage later, but I want to do surprise Gramps" I said grinning showing my sharp canines.

Minori laughs and agrees, but quickly responds with "Please don't give him a heart attack."

I throw my head back laughing and jump out of the car, too quick for a human to see, and mid jump I transform into a small silvery furred cat. One of the things I've managed to learn over the last 100 years is how to change my form. Being able to cover my markings on my face is just one of the many changes. I've figured out how to shrink my normal demonic form into one much smaller and more normal looking.

Darting up the Higurashi shrine steps I send out some of my energy and find Gramps easily. I prance over to him and meow to get his attention. He looks down in surprise, his eyebrows raising, and then a small smile comes over his face. "What do we have here?" he asks to no one as he leans down to pet him. As soon as he gets close enough I pounce and mid pounce transform back into my human self. A mischievous smirk pulls across my face when he releases a loud "AACK" almost toppling over in the process. A laugh bubbles up within me and I let it out. Finally, I look down at the old man, remembering when I used to look down at him when he was just a boy. I extend my hand, my eyes softening, and a small smile slips across my face instead of a smirk.

"Good to know some things never change Gramps, you're still so jumpy, even after these years" I say pulling him with ease. He just stares at me before a playful gleam is shown in his eyes. Suddenly he throws a sutra at me, I catch it easily only feeling a slight tingle in my hand from the holy power.

"Yes, yes some things never change. Reflexes still as sharp as ever I see" Gramps says while pushing his hands in his sleeves. I give him a dead panned look, knowing full well he just wanted to have some fun and see what would happen. I discover after living on a shrine for so long that I built up a slight immunity to holy power. After being away so long I hadn't really had contact with any other holy powers and Gramps decided to see what would happen. Although, it is good to know that I'm still at the top of my game.

~~~~TIME SKIP~~~~

After talking to Minori and Gramps for a few hours and discovering that Kagome and Sōta were both at a friend's house for tonight so the three of us could catch up. Not wanting to say anything, but picking up on their lie about Kagome's true whereabouts bristled me a little. However, I am a guest here, and I knowing it was none of my business let it go easily. Gramps handed me Yoarashi, which I practically ripped his arm off in the process of grabbing, I apologized profusely for almost mauling him afterwards. Since Kagome was gone I was told to use her room and bed for the night and we'll settle more things tomorrow.

Taking a quick hot shower and changing into my pajamas, which consisted of a silk camisole and my underwear. I turned the lights off, not really needing them with my eyesight, I grabbed Yoarashi and placed it on the bed next to me, just in case anything happened. My instincts were screaming at me to be on alert, but I didn't sense any danger. However, I've learned from past mistakes that my instincts are always right and so I went into a light doze in case I needed to awake quickly for anything.

A/N: Sorry for any mistakes as this was typed on my phone. Hope you all enjoy!

Miyako- Beautiful night child

Yoarashi- Night storm