Name of Story: Misa

Summary: Now that I have been freed from the geisha house, I can continue my journey with the fearsome Sesshomaru. However, it's no picnic. Demons are after me because of my abilities that I have just recently discovered. Including Hisao, a demon I thought was dead.

Author's Note: Hi! I'm back. I know I haven't updated in what seemed like forever. On New Years, I started getting anxiety problems and I had to deal with that. Still do, but not so much anymore. And I have been busy with school. So, here's the chapter! R&R

Name of Chapter: Be Safe

…

"Why?" I ask, my heart skipping at the beat at the thought of them meeting.

"I need to know that you will be protected and safe with this Sesshomaru." My mother simply replies, looking at me, silently pleading with her hazel eyes that were so much like mine. "You are after all, my only daughter."

I sigh in defeat. I knew she wouldn't sleep anymore at night if I didn't let her meet him. Despite all the hardships I have given my mother in the past about my arranged marriage, I still loved her.

"Fine." I got up and moved towards the door. "Come on. Let's get this over with."

She followed me quickly and quietly as I went into the forest near our hut.

"Sesshomaru," I yell quietly, knowing he would be able to hear me and would be here in an instant.

"Misa."

A smile breaks out of my face at the sight of him next to me, stoic, guarded, yet open.

His golden eyes roamed my body. I could feel it. They stopped briefly at my new hairstyle. I felt my cheeks warm.

"Sesshomaru, this is my mother, Suki. Mother, this Sesshomaru." I introduce them, cautiously. This is weird, I think.

"Hello, Lord Sesshomaru." My mother says, bowing slightly. "Pleasure to meet you."

Sesshomaru, in return, inclined his head, his eyes showing respect for my mother. Whether it is because she called him 'lord' or because she's mother, he respected my mother

"It is my understanding that my only daughter wishes to travel with you." My mother says, cutting straight to the point.

Sesshomaru nods, glancing towards me. I inwardly groan.

"My only request is that you protect her with your life." My mother states, smiling and her hazel eyes glossy. I am stunned by this. "If she dies in your care, don't ever come back to this village again."

"I will protect her with my life." Sesshomaru says. As he says it, his gaze is locked on mine.

He means it, I think, my heart skipping a beat.

…

"Are you sure you are well enough to travel again, Misa," Kayo asks me two days later in the middle of the night. We were talking in hushed voices. Kayo glances around us, seeing my mother and brothers next to us. Akio was steps behind Kayo, his blue red tinted eyes darting the area. Sesshomaru was in the forest out of view from everyone.

We were all on guard of my father and other villagers. My father did tell our local priest about me and Sesshomaru now everyone was on edge about demons coming into the village and ravishing women. If Sesshomaru and I did not leave by the morning, the priest would be at our hut to "cleanse my soul."

My mother hasn't told him that she met Sesshomaru but has told my brothers, excluding Juk because he was too young, because she can trust them not to tell him after I left. No one besides us knew I was leaving tonight besides them.

"Yes, Kayo, I am sure." I reassure her, smiling. My heart was racing my chest with anticipation. I was finally well enough to travel. I felt refreshed, and better than I have ever felt in my life. Better than that feeling I got after the geisha house. Freedom.

"Just tell Sesshomaru when you need to rest. I don't care if you guys have been walking for an hour or even five minutes." Kayo said, gripping my shoulders. "Get rest!"

I laugh. I put a hand on her shoulder. "I'll be fine. Don't worry, Kayo," I lean close to her and whisper, "I have a handsome demon protecting me." We giggle quietly to ourselves.

"What are you two laughing at?" Akio asks us, an eyebrow rose.

"Nothing," we quickly say. This makes us laugh more.

Akio opens his mouth to reply but my mother cuts him off.

"Misa, almost sunrise," she says, her hazel eyes glossy. I look at the sky. Indeed the sun was rising. Once the sun was fully up, the priest would be at our hut, demanding for me. Once he found out I ran away, I would be in deep trouble if I ever came back.

"Are you going to be okay?" I ask Kayo, looking at her with worry. I felt like an awful friend. Didn't see her for two years because she was kidnapped. Found her again and then I left after a few short weeks. Now, I came back to village because I was ill and now that I was better, I had to leave again, while she moves on with her life with Akio.

"I'll be fine," she tells me, smiling a little. "I have Akio. Just make it back for our wedding in three months."

"Don't worry, I won't miss it for the world. I will be there. I'll make sure of it."

"Good." We embrace. My eyes stung. I was a bad friend. I knew I couldn't ask her and Akio to come with. They deserved a chance to be happy in the village, planning their future, having little children running around a lot and causing chaos like we did when we were little. I shudder at the thought of Kayo's first daughter, acting like her mother, going all crazy and beating up people that have done her wrong.

"I hate this," I whisper to her, swallowing past the lump in my throat.

"Me too," she whispers back, her voice strained. "Just be safe."

"I will." I pull away from her and wipe my eyes.

"And if you get scared, come home." Kayo says, looking me straight in the eye.

"Yes, mother." I jest, smiling a little.

"I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you, too, best friend." We embraced once again. Then I turn to my family. My mother was the first to embrace me.

"You're a strong girl, Misa," my mother tells me. "You can handle anything. I'm truly sorry I was forcing you to marry Kyo. You left because of it." She held me at arm's length and smiled. "Although, it may be a good thing now." I giggle. I know she is referring to Sesshomaru and Kayo. If I hadn't left, I wouldn't have found either of them.

"I'm not mad anymore, mother," I reply. "You were just doing what you thought was best for me.

"But your father and I should have listened better to you. I should have said something. I could have said something. But I didn't."

"Mother, it's okay." I reassure her, partly to myself also. "Everything worked out for the best now."

"When did you become an adult? You're only fifteen winters."

I laugh slightly. "I think just a little bit ago." This makes my mother laugh also.

Suddenly, her laugh and smile turned sad. Mine did, too. This was it. I was leaving finally, with my mother knowing I'll be safe.

"Eat while I'm gone, okay?" I tell her, noticing since I was back, she has eaten more. "And get some sleep."

"I will, now that I know you will be safe." She embraced me once more. "I believe your brothers have something for you."

I looked at them, studying their faces. How could they be so familiar to me, yet, so distant?

"This is for you, Misa," Kale says, stepping up and holding up a familiar sword. "Nara. This sword was owned by our great-great-great grandmother many years ago when she met our great-great-great grandfather. He was a demon. He gave this sword to her for protection. Use it wisely, little sister."

"I will," I say, unable to say anything else. I have a demon sword? Awesome. I embraced him. "Thank you, Kale. This means a lot to mean already. Watch over mother for me, will you?"

Kale smirked. "You bet, sis."

Ryei stepped up next, in his hands a burlap sack. "Food, for your journey. Also some old clothes of Ai's in there, just in case." Ai was his wife and wore outfits like mine. A kimono and hakama's. Something easy to fight in.

"Thank you, Ryei," I reply, taking the sack, noting it was light. "It means a lot to me."

He nods. "And if this demon causes you trouble, come get us."

I laugh. "Don't worry about that. I'll be the causing trouble for him." This got Kale and Ryei laughing.

I look up at the sky, seeing it got lighter. I had to hurry. Everyone looked up with me, a somber expression on their faces.

"I got to go." I say, reluctantly. "But don't worry, I'll be back soon to visit."

My family nods and Kayo sniffles, leaning on Akio.

"I'll miss you all," I continue, my eyes smarting. I gave everyone a quick embrace again, including Akio. "I still stand by my promise, Akio." I say to him. I see a look of fear pass through his eyes.

Finally, when I was done, I stood just in front of the trees.

"Goodbye, Misa." My mother says, tears falling down her face. "We love you and be safe."

"I love you, too, and I will." I reply, and then step into the woods.

Be safe.

To Be Continued…

Wow. Long chapter. I hope this makes up from January. I worked hard on this and I hope you all love it. Anyway, I'm going to head to bed now. Night!

R&R Kindly

Drama Kagome