CHAPTER FORTY ONE

Mikage

You wouldn't have to be a cruel person to dislike Lord Sesshomaru. There are just some people who would be intimidated by him upon first sight. I was not one of these people, but some just wouldn't like his appearance on first glance. It wasn't that he was ugly, or beastly. His shapely, pale lips. Pearlescent skin without a flaw or tarnish in sight. Incredibly distinguished cheekbones and tamed, full silver hair. And not to mention his eyes. Just one look into his piercing, judging eyes and you could find yourself either falling victim to him, or finding a rival within them.

I didn't know where I lay.

There were some days when I would find myself, much like old times, defending Jaken. Lord Sesshomaru often picked on him, and as it usually goes, there wasn't truly a reason behind it. He seemed to love asserting that he was top dog around here. Often times, he and I would get into silent arguments about it. While I'm not as shy as I used to be, sometimes it is difficult to take a stand. Mainly because after I would save Jaken from a kick, I would receive a glare straight from the dog demon. And if you knew him, you'd understand why I don't like to see that.

But there are some times where I would get silent praise. Since the battle with Ginkotsu, I had been riding out a slow recovery. I had a scar still to prove that it happened. But beyond that, pain had vanished. I could still remember the terror I had felt that day, unsure if I would make it to see another morning. I wanted to make sure that never happened again, so I had begun training. I can't remember the last time I brought Arashi-Kiba from its sheath. But I knew why. I wanted to learn how to defend my own body without aid. Sesshomaru had recognized this, and seeing me catch fish with my bare hands, running around, or sharpening my claws on trees, he sometimes would acknowledge me with a simple bob of his head.

It had been around a couple months since I initially began my travels with him, Rin and Jaken. Since that time, I found myself frequently questioning my joining, wondering if I ever even should have left home.

I was alone here, though. The others had gone off to the next village in search of any signs of that Naraku. I chose not to go with mainly because I saw no necessity.

Around me, the sweet, high-pitched twittering of birds filled my ears. The hollow trickling sound of water could be heard, cold fluid seeping around my ankles as I sat. I hunched my shoulders forward. Although it was serene, peaceful here, I couldn't help but feel slightly lonely. I pushed that thought out of my mind as I tilted my head towards the trees. The forest around me was lit brilliantly with the sun, every color of orange imaginable filling my sight. On the forest floor, millions of beads of light danced around, cast from the openings of the leaves. A gentle breeze brought tiny strands of my hair back from behind my ears. Removing my feet from the stream, I let my body fall back. The skin on my feet felt chilly as I gazed at the top of the trees.

And it was then that I realized.

Everything around me was in a circle. The sounds of the birds, the swaying plumes atop the trees, the echoing of the stream beside me.

"Remember, young Miss. Everything you see, is in an endless cycle. This is the first teaching of a priestess such as yourself."

"But what if I want to be a warrior like Daddy?" I asked, blinking.

She chuckled a bit, but not nervously like the others. Tucking her greying hair behind her pointed ear, she smiled. With a couple creaking bones, she got to her feet, lowering behind me. She gently grasped my cheeks, warm air from her mouth puffing gently on my neck. Her fingers were steady as she tilted my head upwards.

"Young Miss. Tell me. What is it that you see?" the old miko questioned.

"Well," I began, grin etching across my face. "I see lots of birdies, and clouds, and...ouch! The sun!" I rubbed my eyes as tiny green orbs phased in and out of my vision.

"Good, good... But what shape is it all?"

I looked up again, this time squinting. I couldn't see what she was talking about.

"I don't understand..."

"Look."

A single, wrinkled hand passed before me, circling carefully around the blue sky.

"It's all a circle now, isn't it?"

I placed my hands on my stomach, the warm earth cradling my body. Around my shoulders, my long strands of brown hair were splayed about, catching tints of blonde from the light. I could see what she meant now, as I squinted my eyes to the glaring sun.

"The next step, my dear young Miss, is making yourself aware of that circle. Bring your hands...like this."

The old woman positioned my hands before my chest, making sure they covered my heart with them. It was slight, but beneath the hard bars of bone under my skin, there was a small beat. Although I couldn't hear it, it had begun to magnify. It reverberated through my whole as I gently closed my eyes.

And this is what I did now, cupping my hands over my chest, waiting for the tiny drum. I listened. Not with my ears, but with my being. And sure enough, I felt it. Pumping and surging through me again.

"Connect yourself. Be one with the earth."

She brought my hands down into my lap, much like the ancient Buddha statue I had once seen in Father's room. I recognized it instantly, the man's tiny little smile coming to mind. I thought of the statue, recalling it in all of its shined, golden wonderfulness. His eyes had been closed.

I lowered my eyelids, concentrating. My hands still lie over my heart, as I let out a gentle exhale. The cold breath passed against my lips. My focus was now strengthening, I could feel the lightest brush of my soft hair against my forehead. The radiating heat of the sun against my front. I let that warmth envelop me as I continued gradual deep breaths.

The calls of the birds soothed me. I imagined the stream washing away worldly burdens as I had been taught. Low hums had begun flowing through my mind, small whispers that were unable to be understood.

What is that?

I kept my eyes shut, pressing them when eerie voices began hissing, beckoning me to listen.

"Remember... Allow yourself to listen to them."

"Who?"

"The voices. When you connect with the earth, they will speak to you."

I silenced my nervous thoughts. Perhaps it was time that I tried to understand what exactly that old priestess meant.

There it was... She was becoming louder...

I strained myself to hear. She was saying...jewel?

"Lord Sesshomaru! Is Lady Mikage all right?"

My eyes snapped open to see Rin bent over me, brown eyes studying my face.

"A-ah! Rin!" I jolted forward, nearly ramming into the girl. "I was just..." I took a peek at the dog lord behind me. His eyebrow was raised, unamused look crossing his face. He came to a stop noiselessly behind Rin, peering down at me with his thin chin raised.

"What were you doing, Milady?" Jaken inquired, scanning me with his large eyes. I fumbled around with my hands a bit, slightly roughened skin brushing against my knuckles.

"Um, nothing... I mean, ah..."

"If you're going to lie, than get better at it," I looked upwards again to see Lord Sesshomaru's back, broad shoulders shielding my view of his face. His silvery hair glistened with the sunlight, softly billowing in the breeze. The fluff trailing behind him tickled at my knee, causing me to retract. He shifted his head to give me a sideways look, surveying my every move.

"I was just...trying to meditate."

"Typically that is done while sitting."

I hesitated, trying to find words. None came out of my throat, though.

"Ah, well...yes... Um."

I fiddled with the tips of my hair, pressing my lips.

"Master Jaken..." Rin whispered, leaning close to the imp. "I think he wants to know because he doesn't want her dreaming about some other guy."

I choked up, face heating in mortification.

"R-Rin!"

"Absolutely RIDICULOUS, Rin! As if Milord would care about such foolish things!"

"He could, Master Jaken!"

"Rin. Stop rambling." Sesshomaru's eyes traveled to the imp and girl as a warning.

And here I was, getting all flustered.

Yep. It's true. I really didn't know where I lay.