KAWAAKARI
"The river that glows amidst the darkness"
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Part II
Chapter XVI
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"This season is being such a bore," Yuka sighed.
That comment caught Kagome's attention, given what she knew of Yuka, and her otherwise carefree and lousy behavior.
"Winters are usually non-eventful, you know that. Besides, this year's snow season has been intense," Kagome argued, from her own state of calm that quite contrasted her friend's.
"Certainly; you couldn't cross the door of our house without someone getting hurt," Yuka continued complaining, "Thank the Kamis we had that dance at your house, Sango. Otherwise, this season would have been the worst."
Sango's smile in return, had a hint of courtesy that Kagome knew how to read. Her friend was trying to pass inadvertently in the conversation; in fact, she would have preferred to not be with them at all. If she hadn't insisted, Kagome thought, in taking her friend out of that house that seemed to be under watch by that pale Kyōfū little girl, that would visit the residence more often than desired, her friend wouldn't have felt like assisting this casual gathering.
"Yuka, you protest too much," Ayumi intervened, and Kagome noted the slight tension Sango was freed from, once the conversation deviated from her. In that moment, she understood her friend was afraid of being asked for details about the fiancé her father had chosen for her.
"It's not too much," Yuka continued," besides, we could use another dance, or some gathering that's at least more cheerful that just having tea at a komon."
"I am worried about something I consider far more important," Eri interrupted. Her hands rested on her lap, as her gaze remained on them. Everyone waited in silence for her to continue. "I suppose everyone is aware of what happened to Kousei, the man who used to serve the Seijitsu Household."
The silence among them became even heavier. The conversations of those around them seemed even louder in comparison. Kagome remembered Sango's description of how Kousei's body had been found, an image that only further troubled her mind.
Noticing that no one was saying a word, Eri continued.
"I think we all know that it is not the only incident," her voice was a tense whisper. "Sango, has your father told you anything?"
All attention shifted to the mentioned woman, who tried to maintain a neutral tone throughout her reply, "not much; he usually doesn't talk about work," she began. "I know they're investigating and that he warns me not to go out alone or be on the streets when it gets dark."
Kagome felt her back tense to the point of suppressing a shiver caused by fear. She was brave, but there was little she could do against the strength of an attacker.
"Yuka, will you go home with Eri?" Kagome decided to ask.
"Yes," was her disheartened answer. The conversation had radically changed its course.
"Ayumi, you're coming with Sango and me," the girl nodded gently.
Silence surrounded them again, clearly indicating that the meeting was over.
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Kagome was walking by Sango's and Ayumi's side. The streets gradually emptied as they moved away from the city center. They encountered two pairs of order's guardians during their walk to Ayumi's family residence, and they greeted the three girls with a bow as a sign of respect to Sango, the daughter of their yokiri.
Once they said their goodbyes to Ayumi, Kagome spoke up.
"You've been very quiet today, more than usual," she walked alongside her friend and gave her a gentle nudge with her arm as she leaned towards her, a gesture they had started using shortly after becoming friends.
Sango's smile lacked joy.
"I can never hide anything from that perception of yours," she admitted, then returned the nudge with her own.
"Are you hiding something?" Kagome asked with some surprise. Her friend looked at her and this time smiled more cheerfully.
"Not really; my thoughts are just too scattered," Sango explained.
"Something's bothering you." Kagome slowed down their pace, to give them more time to talk.
"Many things." Sango's acceptance of this fact seemed to lower the walls she usually surrounded herself with. Kagome remained silent, waiting for her friend's next words. "These days I learned that the Kyōfū family has two more members, Juromaru and Kageromaru, cousins of the three brothers we know. For some reason, I have to host them at home, and my father, who no longer speaks to me except to announce major changes, wants them to stay for a few days."
"That's quite strange," Kagome's voice denoted the way her mind began to deeply ponder the situation.
"It is," Sango agreed with a whisper that faded into the air.
Their steps slowed even further, as the Taijiya residence began to come into view at the end of the street they had taken. They stopped in front of the door, and only then did Sango speak again.
"I'll ask someone to escort you home," she sounded determined, and Kagome gave her a kind and tender smile.
"Don't bother, I can go alone; you know it's not that far." She sought to appear calm, despite the topic that had ended their teatime.
"It's no trouble, besides, I'm worried." Sango rested her hands over Kagome's, which were clasped in front of her lap, in a gesture meant for calm.
Kagome thought of insisting on how unnecessary her worries were, especially since there was still some daylight left. However, her attention was captured by a figure she had already seen before at the Taijiya residence, steadily approaching from inside. Probably something in her gaze betrayed her, given how Sango turned to look at the same thing she did. When her friend saw the man approaching, her cheeks flushed to a warm shade of pink. Kagome noticed that the density of the conversation they had on the way didn't allow for talking about this man.
"Sango-sama."
Kagome heard the constant tone of the guest's voice addressing her friend, while he gave her a slow bow that lacked depth yet seemed full of admiration.
"Miroku-sama."
The way Sango returned the greeting with a gentle bow, and how her voice reverberated at the end of the phrase, surprised Kagome, making her realize that her presence was unneeded in the scene.
"I'll be on my way." She wanted her departure to be as inconspicuous as possible, so that those two in front of her could speak more freely. Then she made a slow half-turn.
"Kagome." Sango stopped her just by mentioning her name. "I don't want you walking alone."
"Where is she headed?" the courtesy in the monk's words drew her gaze to him. He was tall, with dark blue eyes that shrouded his thoughts in mystery.
"Oh, well…" Kagome hesitated.
"Kagome lives in a Shinto temple nearby," Sango declared promptly.
"The Higurashi Temple?" the monk insisted, fixing his expressive, inquisitive blue gaze on Kagome.
"Yes." What else could she say?
"I would love to escort her if she allows me. At some point, I would like to visit the temple, and this way I will know exactly how to get there," the monk's words were carefully and elegantly chosen. Kagome felt a sense of affinity with the man and soon came to feel he could be trusted.
"However, Miroku-sama, you are a Buddhist," Sango pointed out with a friendly gesture that came very close to a smile.
The man observed her and smiled gently, a view Kagome found hypnotic.
"Buddha is everywhere; he just changes names for the benefit of those who believe in him," the monk's delicate smile also manifested in his words. However, Kagome sensed that those details hid something, and she didn't miss to whom they were directed. Both, this gesture and her friend's smile, were part of a non-verbal language they were weaving. She saw Sango quickly lower her gaze, trying to hide a telltale blush.
"I'd be delighted to show you the Higurashi Temple, Miroku-sama," Kagome decided it was a good idea to draw the monk's attention and rescue her friend from the evidence of her feelings.
"I appreciate it…" Kagome realized that the man didn't have a name to address her.
"Higurashi Kagome," Sango hurried to respond. The monk nodded.
"I appreciate it, Kagome-sama," Miroku performed a perfect and polite bow. Kagome then came to understand that the attractive her friend could see in him, laid in the strength the man hid behind layers of calm and meditation.
It didn't take them long to be on their way. Sango watched them for a long moment before going inside the residence, once the man and Kagome were a distance away.
"Are you from the area, Miroku-sama?" Kagome asked with elegant courtesy, measuring her words, just as expected before someone one had just met.
"In a way," the monk began to say, his steady steps drawing jingles from the rings on his staff. "As a child, I lived in Edo, now Tokyo," he clarified.
Kagome smiled gently.
"Many of us are still getting used to the name despite the long time since the change," she remarked.
"However, you are young, and must have been born after the renaming of the city," the monk pointed out.
"Not that young, actually." Kagome smiled at the implicit courtesy in the man's comment. "I was a couple of years old when it happened. However, at home, ojisan still insists on calling the city Edo."
"That means your ojisan and I have something in common, Kagome-sama," the monk made a bow as he said that.
A brief silence fell between them until a new topic arose.
"Thank you for accompanying Sango-sama back to her residence." Kagome was surprised by the man's words, who probably noticed, as he hurried to explain. "I know it's not my place to express such gratitude, yet I feel relieved to see that she does not walk the streets alone."
"No, please, Miroku-sama. You do not need to apologize to me for wanting the well-being of a mutual friend." Kagome observed that her escort's gaze was cast ahead, into the distance.
"I'm honored that you consider us bound by friendship, though it is not the case. Sango-sama is a charitable soul, who helps some people passing by the ruined temple I am trying to repair," the man hurried to clarify. Kagome couldn't help but notice the slight sadness in his words. She thought it was an appropriate time to leave the matter to rest.
"I would love to visit the temple you speak of." Kagome felt genuine curiosity about a place where people were received and helped.
In her thoughts, she recalled that the Higurashi Temple only did something similar during important festivities. The people who attended the celebration were treated to some preparations made in the main house's kitchen. And she couldn't call that help.
"It will be a pleasure to welcome a shrine maiden to my humble temple." Miroku emphasized his response with a deep bow.
"I fear my abillities pale before what a shrine maiden should have." She tried to be cautious and correct in her view of herself.
Miroku observed her for a moment, and Kagome held her breath, wondering why that man, also a monk, would assert so confidently that she was a shrine maiden. Perhaps he could see the energy that emotions emanated from people, just as she occasionally did.
"If you allow me, Kagome-sama, I believe your ability is sufficient," Miroku asserted with total certainty.
"Thank you for your trust in me, Miroku-sama." Kagome modulated those words with elegant delicacy, and the man smiled at her, then gave her a slight bow, thus closing that conversation.
They walked the short remaining distance to the Higurashi Temple, amidst a comfortable, trivial discussion through which the monk gave the necessary directions to reach the temple he was rebuilding. They stopped at the start of the stairs leading to the temple, and Kagome thanked him for his company.
"These are dangerous times, Kagome-sama. It is expected for you to not be alone in these the streets." The man's warning was made with a certain solemn concern. Kagome slightly furrowed her brow, not fully understanding the man's worries, and Miroku likely read the question in her gaze. "I say this out of the appreciation Sango-sama seems to have for you. Too many things are happening under the cover of night."
"Of course," Kagome accepted the warning. However, she sensed something more intense in the man's words than mere friendly consideration. The light around him had turned a deep blue, tinged with yellow tones. She interpreted this as a will to protect. "I shall keep your words in mind."
Once her answer was given, Kagome made a soft, perfectly executed bow. With that, she said goodbye to her companion, not without first inviting him to visit the Higurashi Temple whenever he wished. After that, she began to climb the long staircase leading to the top of the hill.
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InuYasha crouched at the edge of a ledge on the hill. He had arrived there while running and enjoying the air that barely filtered through the thick fabric of his red garment. His gaze was set skywards, watching the sun as it disappeared behind the clouds and mountains. The evening was cold, and winter likely still had some snow left to deliver, before giving way to spring. He found winter pleasant; it was a peaceful time compared to the human bustle of the other seasons. The forest was enchanting at this moment as well, with its life lying dormant beneath the earth. He enjoyed hearing the soft, slow underground murmur of the tree roots and the creatures finding shelter among them. He took in a lungful of the cold air, then decided to run once more through the vegetation, recalling a more dangerous time for him, yet filled by freedom as well.
He slid down the hill, and as the wind whipped his hair, he allowed himself not to think about anything, just wanting to feel the whisper of the air in his hanyou ears and the earth under his bare feet. At the bottom of the hill, where he met the forest, he reached out with one of his arms, the claws on his fingers resonating like sharp blades as they left a deep scar on one of the nearby tree trunks. InuYasha knew he didn't need to mark the area, as there were no youkai around it that may dare confront him, but it was a habit that connected him with a primal, wild part of himself that he didn't want to let go of.
Running through the trees, at the exact moment when the forest began to smell like night, transported him back in time, making feel once again as he did when he was just over a century old, and these same hidden paths were his habitat. He jumped to a tree branch and then to a stronger branch. Next, he bent down and took enough momentum to rise above the treetops and observe the lights that began to illuminate old Edo. When the force of his jump brought him to the highest point, he fixed his gaze on a hill that maintained a faint light at its summit. InuYasha knew what it was, and wanted to reach it; the Higurashi Temple.
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To be continued.
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N/A
I have said more than once that I LOVE KAWAAKARI and I will keep saying it. This story is allowing me to work with another form of narration, as well as to emphasize the characters' traits. I hope you are enjoying the steps I'm taking.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Anyara
This text is possible thanks to the translation of: Dezart