Year 1491

January 1st

Tsubaki inhaled the chrysanthemum tea Aiya prepared and sighed at the fragrance, and from her spot on the terrace, she admired Kagome's training with the staff. Maemi practiced with the young girl, dodging and thrusting her naginata with precise coordination, and after months of training, it was clear in her mind Kagome had surpassed her expectations.

"What do you think, Lady Tsubaki?"

"Hm?"

"About Kagome. She's only been here for a short time, but she's already mastered nearly everything you taught her. Isn't it about time to let her leave?"

At the mentioning, she side-glanced the child beside her, smiling from ear to ear and then back to Kagome and Maemi in the distance. "No. Not just yet. It's impressive she's gotten this far in so little time, especially for how young she is. But I'm hesitant to give her back to her village. I'm more concerned about her ability to control her spiritual powers…"

"Really? She's handling that just fine through her meditation."

"Yes, but she possesses a far greater amount than any I have encountered. It will take more than simple meditation to control it, especially with the Shikon Jewel inside her. From what I've seen, it's still partially impure, and that worries me."

Aiya's eyes widened at this, and she furrowed her brow. "What can we do to purify it?"

Tsubaki released a breath and lowered her cup onto the table. "It may not be possible… So long as she's able to control her emotions, then it should be fine. When the time comes she finishes her training, I will speak to her."

"Understood, Lady Tsubaki—Oh! Look, my lady! We have visitors!"

Her aqua orbs shifted away from Kagome's training and toward a group of five traveling monks, two in particular, she recognized as old friends. Shinsen and Ungai. Tsubaki knew them since her fourteenth year when they saved her from terrifying demons; this happened during her early years of training. They visited the shrine a few times a year, if their journey allowed it.

Delighted by their visit, she stood up and descended the steps to greet them as they passed under the tori gate, and as she passed Kagome and Maemi, with Aiya following close behind her, she welcomed the monks. "I hope the journey has been kind to you."

Shinsen, an older man in his late fifties, smiled and tipped his hat. "I wish I could say otherwise, but the winter hasn't made it easy. Ungai and I had a few difficulties along the path…"

Ungai greeted her and nodded. He was older than Shinsen and wore an expression of hard scrutiny. Despite his travels, his shoulders remained stiff, and he turned a peculiar eye to Kagome across the way. "There's been an increase in demons as of late. Strong ones dwelling West of here in the Shinano Province. Unfortunately, we couldn't catch up with them. The villages in those directions have only suffered misfortune…"

Tsubaki frowned. "Strong demons?"

Shinsen nodded, his smile diminishing. "Stronger than any we've encountered… But pardon our intrusion. We didn't realize you were training students."

At this, she shook her head and turned to stare at the ebony-haired child, who had yet to notice the monks. "Surprising, isn't it? She arrived in early October, and already she's exceeded my expectations… Tell me, Shinsen. Do you sense it?"

From the inquiry, he turned and squinted his gaze, followed by Ungai and the other monks. Soon enough, his face hardened and his eyes widened, and he stared at Tsubaki. "How is that possible? Such power… I've never witnessed such great spiritual energy!"

"Indeed. It surprised even myself. The girl is a jewel among many. Her spiritual power is far greater than even mine. I figure within another month or two, she may be ready to venture out on her own."

Ungai turned to this. "In so little time? You're not serious, Lady Tsubaki? She's only a child."

"Child as she may be, there isn't much left to teach her. Out of all the students I've trained, she surpasses all of them. And dare I say it, she may soon surpass even me. She's no ordinary girl. An old friend of mine insisted I train her since she will soon take over leadership of her village."

"That's fantastic news!" A monk said from behind his elders.

"Potential like this is rare to come across!" Another said.

Ungai nodded. "It seems only yesterday you were a student in training yourself, along with many other talented girls," He said, smiling at the memory. "How times have changed. Though she seems quite young to lead a village… Perhaps that's my age talking," He said, chuckling.

Tsubaki joined in, laughing at the thought. "Yes… it's a shame, though. It's been years since I saw a devoted student here at the temple. Ever since that law passed, many priestesses have taken up residence in provincial towns and have abandoned the poor. Not to mention their abhorrent practices that go against the priestess code. Truly a shame and a waste of their gift."

Shinsen nodded. "Ah, yes, I know what you mean. I can't tell you the last time we met with a traveling priestess. It's as though they've vanished from the face of the earth. But that is our loss that we must accept…"

"Tsubaki, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but on our way here, we encountered a growing number of demons in the area, just outside your barrier," Ungai said, clenching his staff. "Seems they were drawn to something inside the temple. Perhaps your student?"

Her eyes widened at this. No. She hadn't noticed at all, and she glanced at Kagome for a moment. But when her gaze landed on her bare wrist, she understood. Now that Kagome was training without the need to subdue her spiritual power with beads, it was likely the demons had sensed it. And if that was the case, only more would appear, and she hated to imagine what else her pupil might attract.

"You needn't worry. Shinsen and I eradicated the creatures. I doubt they would have broken through, but it might be best to take some precaution if you plan to venture out sometime soon."

"Thanks for the warning. If needed, I can always extend the barrier further. I'd hate to keep you out in this chilly weather. Come inside and warm yourselves. We can talk more there," She said, and she turned to Aiya. "Go to the kitchen and bring refreshments and porridge, dear. Take Maemi and Kagome with you."

"Of course, Lady Tsubaki!"

Tsubaki laughed as the child ran across the stone pavement to fetch her twin sister. And when she caught Kagome's curious eye across the way, she turned to the monks. "This way, please."

Morning breakfast left Kagome sitting awkwardly at the table, her sapphire eyes shifting from Tsubaki, Maemi, Aiya and the monks seated across from her. According to the elder priestess, she knew Shinsei and Ungai when she was a priestess in training, and they'd been friends since. Though the old man studied her over his porridge and bread, she was thankful the younger monks were more engrossed in the food than her.

Fortunately, Aiya and Maemi entertained the guests with their boisterous excitement over the month's training and their own improvements in maintaining the temple grounds. Which, of course, took their hard stares off her for just the slightest of seconds. What surprised Kagome the most was their insistence on following in Lady Tsubaki's footsteps when the time came for such arrangements, and here Kagome assumed they'd leave and learn to adapt to village life.

But as she listened to the monks' conversations concerning their year's travel around Japan, Kagome found it difficult to consume the meal in front of her. Thoughts of her friends weighed on her mind, and she wondered how everyone was, especially Shippo. Hopefully, he wasn't a handful for Aiko, but then again, he'd always been a quiet child.

I hope nothing has happened during my absence… Then again, the Demon Slayers would still be there. Right? I'm sure Yuuta and the others are still constructing the other huts… I wonder how much longer I'll train for. Lady Kaede said it would range around a year or more... Speaking of Lady Kaede… she's been having trouble getting around, even before I left the village, and what she said about wanting me to take ownership after she's passed on doesn't settle well with me… I guess I haven't given it much thought. Marry Yuuta and lead the village. Is that something I can do? And what about Yuuta? Even if it's a contract marriage, I never imagined my life would take this sort of turn.

A sigh escaped her. What about her family? Although the Goshinboku refused her entrance into her world, she wondered if this training would open a path, at least to see her loved ones again. But the idea seemed impossible. The last time it happened, she was sure it was a fluke, or at least a god send miracle to escape the jaws of Mistress Centipede.

Kagome's gaze wandered to grandfather's ceremonial staff leaning against the wall next to Maimi's weapon. Although it was nothing but a decorative item, it had purged that demon into ash that fatal day. Though it was her weapon of choice for close combat, Tsubaki had taught her to store her spiritual powers within the staff and release the dormant energy upon her foes. It had been easier than she first realized.

I've gotten this far. I wonder what else I can infuse my spiritual powers with… I'm sure I can use my arrows… She stared at her hands on her lap and unclenched them. Maybe it was possible to deliver a god awful smack to someone. The thought made her smile, and she stifled a laugh. If only I knew about this sooner… I would have given plenty of punches!

Thoughts concerning the incident with the lecher at Edo, coupled with the asshole whom she and Kaede exiled from the village, lingered in her memory. No way would she allow others to take advantage of her! This was her new beginning. Her new life! But she paused. Could she do this? Was she ready for this kind of responsibility? Was she ready to risk it all?

Why am I second guessing myself? Don't think about it. This has to happen. There's no other way around it. I'll have to accept this someday, anyway.

"If I were you, Lady Tsubaki, I would take precaution. Those demons may venture this way soon enough," Shinsen said.

"In that case, I may visit the neighboring villages soon…"

"Did anything interesting happen on your journey?" Aiya asked, taking a bite of her porridge.

Shinsen nodded. "Oh, but of course! Plenty of things. Actually, we encountered the legendary demon horse. Entei."

"What's Entei?" Maemi asked.

Shinsen leaned over the table and gave the children his utmost attention. "It's a horse covered in flames and flies across the sky. While it's never known to attack without reason, it's only rarely seen by humans. Ungai and I discovered it three months ago, and true to the rumors, it had chosen its rider."

"Chosen?" Kagome asked.

He nodded. "Yes. Entei is a demon without loyalties and only aligns itself with powerful demons. We've only encountered the creature twice in our lifetimes, and each time, it had a different rider. One stronger than the last. But the beast vanished before we could eliminate it."

"How long ago did you first encounter it?" Kagome asked, finding the story interesting.

"Thirty-Three years ago," He said. "I doubt there will be a third… But the most interesting was our encounter a month ago with the two-headed dragon demon. Right, Ungai?"

"Two-headed dragon?!" Aiya asked, gasping. "It had two heads?"

Ungai nodded. "That's right. A peculiar beast. It happened outside the Bizen Province further West half a year ago. The memory is still fresh in my mind. You may not know this, but the entire Western Region is controlled by the fiercest of demons and is rumored to have humans and half demons living together… Absurd. It is not possible for both to coexist, but it is only a rumor, mind you," He said, revealing the story in the sternest of expression.

Shinsen nodded, chuckling at his old friend. "And we didn't dare step one foot in that direction. Had we continued, I fear we would have been overwhelmed the moment we stepped into that territory."

"A losing battle," Ungai said. "It's a shame for those humans trapped within, but there is little we can do unless we can gather an army…"

"But what about the dragon?" Maemi and Aiya asked. "How did you meet it? Did you fight it?"

Shinsen laughed. "Well, we didn't fight it. It flew overhead after our last battle with a weaker demon and gave us all a fright. It had a mane of flowing black hair and green scales. Fearsome looking, but the rider on it was the gentlest we had seen. In fact, the rider wasn't a demon. It was a human girl."

Hearing this, Kagome's eyes widened. A human girl riding a demon? Was that possible? "Are you serious?"

"Yes," Ungai said, and shook his head from side to side. "I have every reason to believe she was bewitched. Had I been quicker the moment it flew overhead, I might have purified it, but I risked endangering the girl. The beast flew over the mountains and vanished into that territory of demons," He sighed. "What will become of that child?"

"How old do you think she was?" Tsubaki asked.

Shinsen mused. "From the angle we saw her from, I'd say no older than fourteen. She was young, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say she was the daughter of a noble."

How interesting! So, there was a place where demons and human coexisted? And not only that, but proof with the girl and dragon demon! Fascinating! The thought brought a smile to Kagome, and she wondered about the territory further west. What was it like compared to the Kai and Musashi Province?

Although the conversation seemed serious and tense at the dinner table, Kagome hoped her inquiry would ease the monks' frustrations. "So… if that territory is rumored to coexist together with humans and demons, maybe she was born there? Neither she and the dragon attacked you on your journey, so maybe they are friendly—"

Ungai's fist slammed upon the table, and the bowls and cups clattered in response, so much so that only an awkward silence filled the air, and Kagome held her tongue. "Preposterous!"

Author Note:

I hinted at a couple of things in this chapter through the conversation with the monks. The two-headed dragon and young human girl, for instance. I'm sure we all know who those two are. :) And the stronger demons further west is a hint at Youko and his band of thieves! :)