Giving the Miko a Second Chance

Chapter 4: Leaving Behind Her Home

A?N: Sorry about the late update, I am currently taking six college courses: Which are all science courses

As she headed back to the village to gather a few of her belongings, Kaede knew in her heart that everyone in the village was safe. The residue left over from her miko barrier spell told her as much. Also for some strange reason she could sense Rins’ wellbeing as she headed back to the village. But it wasn’t like what she felt with the other villagers; it was as if they were connected. From what she knows about Rin past with Sesshoumaru, she figured that the Tensaiga had something to do with the link between herself and the young child.

‘Sesshoumaru father has had an impact on many beings lives even in death. Aye an amazing youkai indeed.’ She thought as she headed back towards the village.

She covered her left eye with her eye patch even though she could see perfectly out of it; she was use to seeing with her one eye. Another reason she covered it up was that it may possibly help the others recognize her as their miko. The towns’ folk were pretty jumpy when it came to outsiders, especially youkai and her right eye definitely did not look like that of a human. She already died once today, she didn’t want to do it again anytime soon. Especially by the hands of the people she sought to protect.

Although she is a bit worried about her physical changes, due to the fact that she doesn’t know the outcome of it, apart of her is ecstatic. If all goes well, having a second chance to relive her youth with the wisdom she has obtained over the years should be most interesting. An unusual feeling over came her and she knew where it was coming from, Inuyashas’ elder brother.

She felt his eyes burning in the back of her head. At least that’s were she hoped those golden beautiful orbs were burning. She was confused as to why the daiyoukai would stare at her. She figured if anyone should be staring, it should be her staring at the handsome creature at her back.

‘Ah yes, now he is a sight to behold.’ She thought and berated herself for even thinking about ogling him. She berated her self again for thinking that the daiyoukai would ogle her, a human miko.

‘Old woman you are being foolish, that youkai would not stare at my form in ‘that’ way, he is merely making sure I do as he wishes. Arrogant Inu.’ She thought as she decided to not even spare him a glance to confirm or deny her conclusion. No human male ever looked at her with desire for her; at least that is what she thought. Kikyo was the beauty of the family in her opinion, her damaged…former damaged eye saw to that. She also felt that the fact that she was on the plump side didn’t help either. However the miko Kaede didn’t have any relationships with any man that involved courting. The old now young miko was wise, but she didn’t know the male mind as well as she thought. If she knew what Sesshoumaru was thinking about her form right now, she would probably fall on her rear from the sheer shock.

After reaching the village and observing the wary eyes of the towns’ folk, she approached her hut to find the slayer and the children there with her. Sango and the other recognized her almost instantly. Kaede suspected that it was because of the eye patch and her still deep voice. The same voice she had as an elderly woman. She was showered with hugs and kisses which she eagerly returned. She was also bombarded with questions that she answered to the best of her ability by telling them what she knew.

After everyone settled down she told them what happened and were she was going. They all helped packed her things and told her how much they would miss her. Rin was the only one that seemed unconcerned. Being the positive person she was; she saw it as a blessing to Kaede as well as the rest of her family that Kaede will be able to live longer. Rin also looked at the village miko/grandmother as a second mother, just like she saw Sesshoumaru as a second father and Jaken as an old cranky uncle.

Before she left she asked Sango and the others to let everyone know her situation. This included Inuyasha and the rest of his pack when they returned. She hated to ask Sango to do this for her, but if she stayed and explained herself, there would be too many questions from the village. She didn’t have the time or the knowledge to answer all their questions. First she had to travel with Sesshoumaru to Totosai and see what he knows. Then if she survives the journey she would explain everything when she returned. This is why she told Sango to tell everyone that she was alright and would be leaving the village behind for a while. When they asked questions about the young miko entering the hut, she simply told them that Kaede will tell them everything when she returned. Not happy with her response they reluctantly accepted it. Sango reassured them that Inuyasha and the gang would guard the village the miko has protected most of her life.

With food, water, change of clothes (of smaller size), cleaning supplies and bow and arrows in tow, she said her goodbyes and left the village. Laughing at the bright smiles all the adorable children gave her and Rins reassuring words that ‘Lord Sesshoumaru will take good care of you.’ The child had such fate in Sesshoumaru.

As Kaede approached the area where she left the daiyoukai she felt a slight sense of his strong aura coming from him.

‘Ye must be using his aura as a beacon for me to locate him…and to ward off lesser youkai.’ She thought as she headed toward his energy signiture.

The sun was almost set by now which made it harder for her human eyes to see, especially since one of her eyes were still covered. Deciding to give it a try, she took off her eye patch. Even thought her left eye looked like Sesshoumarus’, it didn’t seem to have enhanced its capabilities. However she was able to see better as she moved slowly through the forest towards her destination.

After 10 more minutes of walking she saw a red light coming from the distance. When she got there she saw Sesshoumaru Standing on a large rock looking at the moon as if he was in deep thought. His thoughts involved his attraction to a certain miko and he wondered what his father had up his sleeve. His father was particularly organized when he was alive, especially when it came to his children. He made sure all of his plans for his pups were set in place before he was killed.

‘It cannot be a coincidence that this Sesshoumaru is attracted to the miko. Nor can it be a mere happenstance that the Tensaiga gave her the gift of youth as well as life. The same miko this Sesshoumaru left Rin with no less…Indeed old Inu was up to something.’ He thought. So far his fathers tough love tactics paid off, but why the hell did he set this up? He had a feeling he knew why, but he had to go see Totosai to confirm it.

‘That irksome elemental knows something.’ Sesshoumaru thought with a scowl. Kaede stood there quietly for a few moments and wondered what he could be thinking when he spoke.

“Finally returned miko.” He stated. As he looked at her from the corner of his golden eye. He took note that she removed the eye patch and he thought her new eye was…satisfactory. That eye showed the world that they were connected. A part of him wanted her to disguise the eye; he already has a reputation for going soft when he took Rin in. This may make things worst. Another part of him wanted to show the world that she ‘belonged’ to him by displaying her eye proudly. Ignoring the fact that he just thought of her so possessively, he continued to look at her, waiting for her to speak.

‘Yes it took me a while to explain everything to the others, pack some of my belongings and adjust my garments so they would fit properly.’ She said as she sat her pack on the ground. Sesshoumaru pivoted on the large rock and jumped down in front of her. He could see that he startled her immensely as he heard her gasp. He repressed a smirk as she placed her palm over her heart. Frowning at him she said:

“Do not do that! Are ye trying to scare me to death?!” She said sternly. He scowled at her and narrowed his eyes. Who did she think she was talking to in that matter, no one reprimand him?!”

“Do not take that tone with this Sesshoumaru.” He said in a low voice followed with a short low warning growl as he towered over her.

Being the tough old cookie she was, the stubborn miko practicually broke her neck looking up at his tall form. Still frowning she placed her hands on her curvy hips she said:

“If ye wish me not to use such a tone, then ye shouldn’t do anything to provoke it. I do not wish to die again so soon so stop startling me.” She said in a matter of fact tone.

He looked at her and raised his arched silver eyebrow at her. The little petite woman had some nerve talking to him like that. He knew she wasn’t foolish enough to think that her miko powers could not harm him nor did he think she wanted to. The little miko in front of him was full of spunk and determination. She knew he could kill her easily yet she stood up to him. He knew he pick the right human to protect and teach Rin when he left the pup in the miko hands. Unusually he would have been irritated by these antics but he actually found her behavior intriguing. He always loved woman with a little fire in them, it made dominating them all the more rewarding. However he got the feeling that this little miko would not be dominated so easily. They stare at each other for a moment before she asked.

“May I ask what is that look for.” He looked at her impassively as he stated:

“Do all humans of your standing have such poor recollection or are you exception.” He said in a condescending tone.

“And what the he-…what do ye mean by that.” She almost let lose a curse as her temper from her youth seem to emerge. She has always been a calm and collected individual, but when she was younger it was easier for her temper to flare.

Narrowing his eyes at her near slip of the tongue, a look she knew said ‘watch it’ he said:

“You have forgotten that youth makes your body stronger. It is highly unlikely that you will expire due to fright. If this Sesshoumaru wished you dead, your corpse would be rotting at this moment. Use that wisdom your maturity has gifted you with and think before you speak.” He figured why would she even think that, not only did he revive her but she is Rins adopted mother, he wouldn’t take that away from the pup. He may be a mean bastard at times, but he wouldn’t go out of his way to hurt children. She bristled and said:

“I will be forever grateful for your aid, but are ye going to use the fact that you save my life against me Lord Sesshoumaru?” She asked calmly. Frowning even more he got in her face. With his face inches from his own she leaned back some, her personal space feeling invaded.

“What type of dishonorable youkai do you take me for?!” He said sternly, he may have done some shady things in the past i.e. the unmother incident, but he always had some form of honor. Now however he had a lot more honor because his anger and hatred for Inuyasha and well the world in general had disappeared.

Not shaken in the least by his tone, she gave him a look that said she could think of a few past incidences his honor was questionable. Then her expression changed as if she remembered the same thing he did. He had changed so there was no reason for her to feel that way. She was sure he didn’t exactly mean what he said the way it sounded to her.

“I apologize to ye if that is the way ye feels, I do not think ye are dishonorable. I have been thought a lot this day and my temper is a bit short. Nonetheless that does not excuse my words.” She said with a calmly as she bowed apologetically.

“Very well.” He said his way of accepting her apology as he walked away. Kaede thought:

‘I forgive you as well for mocking me.’ She knew the stubborn Inu was not going to come right out and apologize, so she decided to let it go. She unpacked a few of her belongings like her quilt and water. She sipped some water out of her container. As she started to leave to gather wood and rocks for the fire, Sesshoumaru quickly returned with an arm full of fire wood neatly cut and some rocks.

“Here.” He said as he set the wood and rocks in front of her. Knowing this was his way of apologizing she thanked him and proceeded to set up camp. Sesshoumaru wondered what had gotten into him when he made the impulsive decision to gather up fire wood. Normally he would have Jaken do this sort of thing but since he was not there, he decided to do it himself.
‘Hmmmm, the same thing this Sesshoumaru did with Rin.’ Yep every time Jaken was away and it was just him and Rin he would do things like that for her helped her gather firewood, accompanied her when she fetched herself some food etc.

Scowling to himself he thought:

‘This Sesshoumaru is a Lord Inu daiyoukai yet he helps humans with mediocre tasks…humph laughable.’ He thought to himself. He saved there lives and he is one of the most powerful youkai on the plant yet it seems that he was serving the weaker beings. He knew deep down that was one of the lessons his father wanted to teach him, the strong should use their gifts/power to protect the weak.

He relaxed against the rock, using his tail as a pillow to lay back on.

Kaede started the fire so she could see and warm herself up. She ate dinner of rice balls and dumplings in silence as the daiyoukai watched over camp. She would have offered him some but from what Rin told her, he didn’t eat human food. That was something she didn’t quite understand, Inuyasha, Shippo and Kirara ate human food. She guessed it was because of the amount of power Sesshoumaru has, requires him to eat food with more nutrients that will go directly to his blood. Food in their purest form would do this like raw meat for instance. She figured he ate something before she got there because he seems comfortable enough. She said her prayers got laid down on her quilt and fell asleep. Sesshoumaru stayed awake all night thinking as he watched over Kaede. When dawn approached she was packed and ready to go.

“Come.” Was all he said as he walked off toward Totosai scent. Since Sesshoumaru ran him out of two of the houses the sword smith lived in, he was forced to move again. This time his residence was farther away. Since it will take longer for them to get there, he wanted to leave early.

“Will ye wait a moment; I cannot walk as fast as ye.” She said carrying her pack and bow and quiver of arrows. The Inu continued to walk at his graceful pace. Although it seemed like he was taking his time, his long legs made it hard for the miko to catch up. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and said:

“Stop your complaining and keep up, this Seshsoumaru will not wait on you.” He said haughtily as he kept walking. Sesshoumaru heard her mumble something about arrogant obstinate aggravating Inus as she sped up determined to keep up with said aggravating dog.

“Precisely this Sesshoumaru is a Lord after all.” He said as if it should have been obvious that he would behave the way he does.

Surprisingly he wasn’t angered by her comment, mainly because it was true. He was pompous, dogged and proud. If she found him aggravating then it was her problem. He smirked at her as he felt her miko powers spike in anger. Usually she would just ignore such comments, but something about him just seemed to get under her skin lately. She didn’t know if it was the fact she died, he saved her, her renewed youth, their connection, her attraction to him or a combination of things, but she felt she had to do something to get a reaction out of him. Ignoring the last thought of her being attracted to the Inu, she decided to aggravate him as he did her by telling him what a good father he was to Rin. She also told him that his whole attitude was just something he used to hide the real him. She knew any comments about him being good would irritate him. He told her how ridiculous she was being and how he hides from nothing as he narrowed his eyes. Sticking his nose in the air to sniff they continued his path towards the old sword smith, smirking again as he heard her little short legs work to catch up.

A/N: Hoped you like it, please review.