Benifits of plight

“Here drink this.” Musashi held out a small earthenware bowl to miroku.

“What is it?” miroku questioned taking a sniff of the pale green liquid.

“It’s an herbal remedy they say it dose wonders around here.” Musashi and miroku had stopped at a food stall on their way to the castle and miroku had ached the whole way. The night of running had taken its toll on his muscles beside the fact of his long rest. Miroku had come to realize it was futile to argue against this man who was so kind to him. No matter how hard he tried to argue Musashi would wear him down with his kind yet stern words.

“If you say so.” Miroku took the bowl and sipped it. It had an odd bitter and sweet taste that he could not quite place. He brushed it off deciding that it was not all that important. He drank the rest of the remedy, immediately his pain seemed to roll off his body. “Ah they do not lie when they say that stuff works. I feel so much better now.” Miroku stretched his arms above his head rattling the staff that rested on his shoulder. “So shall we go?” He said rising.

“Yes let us be on our way it is not much further.” Musahi rose and once again took the lead in his feminine yet masculine gait. Miroku wanted to hurry, to meet the demon meant that he could work off his festering aggravation. Miroku stretched again enjoying the new freedom of his muscles.
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The came to the base of a hill, the sky above was draped in a dark and ominous cloud that threatened to unleash it terrible wrath. It blocked out all light that might have come from sun or moon and stretched over a mile in the sky like spilled lantern oil. Miroku heard voices coming from around the bend on the path that lead up to the castle. As they walked past miroku heard clearly the end of their conversation.

“That cloud has rested here for nearly two moon cycles and has yet to show any sign of dissipating.” The elder one with white hair said.

“Yes and the young lord has acted quiet strangely since it has appeared.” A man of around 20 spoke.

“Yes such a horrible thing.” The older man muttered. They continued on out of earshot shaking their heads time to time as if they had been defeated.

“Looks like this is the place huh.” Musashi said as miroku turned his attentions back to the castle.

“Yes. Let us see how truly powerful this demon is.” Miroku started up the path without another word. The look in his eyes warning all to avoid his angry side.

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Miroku and Musashi found only one guard standing before a slightly ajar wooden gate. He bowed as if he had expected them for some time. When he stood the truth of it was established.

“I have been awaiting you monk. You have come to exorcise this castle have you not?” The guard asked in a gruff voice suggesting he had been waiting a while with nothing to drink. Miroku eyed him for a moment. He wore the traditional armor that was required of a guard.

“Yes that is why we have come.” Miroku spoke making sure to include Musashi.

“Very well then follow me.” The guard turned and entered the gate as a dry clap of thunder rattled the air. Miroku and Musashi did what was asked of them. In side mai main courtyard all the gardens still grew the flowers vibrant colors dulled by such an evil presence. The cheery blossoms bloomed like they did every spring. There was something odd about the castle miroku could not quiet place then it hit him, it was completely and utterly deserted. No flames flickered through paper windows, now food trays clinked, no floorboards squeaked under the weight of scurrying feet, not even a birds ruffling of it’s feathers could be heard. It was as if everyone and everything including the wind huddled quiet and still as if afraid that if they did anything the evil would rise up and envelop them.

“It is strangely quiet for a palace.” Miroku said. He looked over at musashi who seemed to be observing this as well.

“By the priest’s orders backed by the young lord the castle was demanded to evacuate all but me to greet you. Then the priest fled as well. Only I and the young lord remain here and he refuses to leave his quarters except when it is absolutely necessary.” The guard said stiffly. Miroku nodded at musashi in a gesture of understanding and suspicion.

“So has the lord been acting different as of late?” Musashi asked.

“Yes he used to act friendly and joyous. Now he is withdrawn and barley responds to anyone. Those he dose respond to consider themselves very lucky.” The guard replied he shook his head as the servants had before. The guard stopped and turned. “Go on young I c I can not continue.” He said with a small bow. Miroku nodded back and began walking into the inner courtyard. Musashi began to follow him but the guard held out his arm.

“Please lower your arm.” Miroku said hastily glaring at the guard. The guard almost flinched at the burning gaze.

“I am sorry but only you can be allowed past this point. Your friend must remain behind.” The guard bowed again. Miroku began to protest but musashi stepped in.

“It is all right I witay tay behind with the guard and wait for you.” Musashi said placental. Miroku nodded grudgingly and continued on his way. The guard and musahi retraced their steps and disappeared past a corner. The air seemed to chill the closer he got to the inner chambers. His objective loomed through the darkness. He heard a groan coming from a room directly ahead of him.

Miroku readied himself for an attack and stepped up onto the veranda. “Young lord are you here!” Miroku shouted into the dark. A rattling cough answered him from within the room. Miroku pushed out one end of his staff andhed hed the door aside. Within was pitch as black, but he could see a large lump hidden under a quilt on a futon in the room. “Young lord.” Miroku said quietly.

“What do you wish of me?” The voice that answered him was that of a young boy. The boy turned over to show his face he looked only to be about 9 years old.

“Young lord I am here to help you.” Miroku said crouching next to him.

“I need no help, leave me.” He turned back over as if not interested.

“Then let us speak. Come why don’t we go out to the garden.” Miroku said offering a hand to the boy. To his surprise the boy took it and rose.

“Yes. I need to get out of this room for at least a little while” the boy left the room and miroku followed. The boy led him to a large courtyard within the palace. It had a large pond gardens and boulders. A bridge stretched across the pond and that is where the boy went. He leaned on the railing that was almost too tall for him and stared as res reflection. Miroku stood beside him and looked at the water.

“It is awfully dark out here. Do you have any indication why?” Miroku asked in a paternal manor.

“I like it like this.” The child said offhandedly.

“Where are your parents?” Miroku said in an attempt to continue the conversation.

“Dead.” The child said simply as if he did not care. He turned and strode to the other side of the bridge.

“It must be lonely to live like this.” Miroku said quietly. He knew such a thing could cause enough weakness to allow a demon to possess someone. He felt childish arms wrap around his waist. Miroku did not turn he smiled a bit inside.

“Some times it dose get lonely.” The boy said quietly. He rubbed his head into the small of miroku’s back.

“So what is your name?” Miroku asked caringly. He felt the boy withdraw but soon larger adult arms wrapped around his shoulders. Miroku’s eyes widened as he saw whose reflection stared back at him from the waters surface.

“Naraku.” Naraku’s arms wrapped tighter around him. “And you are mine.” Miroku pushed naraku from him and lifted his hand removing the sacred beads. What happened caused his jaw top anp and naraku to laugh.

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Cri: Ok so yeah. I really want reviews and real reviews. Ggrrr no but yeah if I get 5 reviews I will post soon. But not until then ok what will happen who knows. And unless I get review you won’t hahahaha mwahahaha and I will forget soon enough so your fate will be sealed bwahahahaha. Hehe. Ok I am done.