Chapter 10 | Silence

- KYOKO POV -

Waiting for an answer I didn't get one as he stood there staring at me. The flush on my face felt hot as I struggled to find words.

Why does he keep touching me?

Standing up, I backed away from him a bit. Crossing my arms I could feel the flush on my face start to dissolve . " You can't touch someone without their permission."

Not getting a reply again I sighed as he turned away to look at the scenery before us that was illuminated by the moonlight.

Sesshomaru was strange, that was plain to see. However, there's something else about his actions towards me that remind me of - stopping in my thoughts, my eyebrows furrowed.

"Do you pity me Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru then lowered his head towards me and looked as if I had said something offensive. " Do not make assumptions about me Priestess."

Now somewhat annoyed I moved closer to him. " How can I not when you don't speak to me?What else do you expect me to do?"

This time he didn't even move his mouth to speak. He's ignoring me. " Could you please tell me why you want to stick around here? Why you don't just kill me? You've had plenty of opportunities and yet ... you leave me alone."

Then, startling me, Jaken popped out from the bushes. " My Lord I have found A - Un!"

Striding, Sesshomaru left me to my own company. How more rude can he get?

~- One Year Ago -

Releasing my arrow the demon disintegrated before me. As I wiped the sweat from my face, in view stood Tatsumori. There he held a expression a demon would not normally wear - One that he had wore regularly these days. It looked like sadness ... no? It was ... pity.

Almost scoffing, I went past him until he grabbed my hand. Trying to remove it from his grasp, it wouldn't budge. As he looked down, he moved his fingers - brushing off the demon blood that stained my fingers.

"Get off!" I said as I finally pulled myself away from him.

Like a wounded dog he drooped his head down. I had hurt his feelings - somehow. But I don't care - this pitying act is starting to irritate me.

"How can you keep doing this? Don't you want to be free?" He said. Looking up at me he wore a pained expression. " I can set you free, you just need to give me the sword Kyoko."

Turning away I bit my lip. Over the time that I have known him, he has changed my perspective of things I thought were my beliefs. I have developed so little trust towards him ... I have thought about it Tatsumori. But ... you wouldn't be able to wield it. But I can't ever know for sure.

~

Going back to the shrine I could tell it was midnight. Yawning I made my way inside the barrier to the shrine. Setting a fire I held out my hands to warm myself. Suddenly a sensation hit me causing me to tremble. What was this aura? Glancing over at the Muranaga it rattled violently.

I could feel my eyes widen. Rushing over to the Muranaga I chanted and began forming sealing signs as fast as I could. However, the Muranaga would not stop. Panicking, I transferred most of my spiritual power into a seal. Placing it on the Muranagas sheath, the rattling stopped.

Feeling weak I tried to concentrate on not losing my balance - I had once again used up most of my spiritual energy. Then again - if a normal priestess where to have done the same as I just did, they would've surely collapsed and would have been bedridden for days to replenish their spiritual power.

Peering over at the Muranaga, I sighed out loud. I've only ever seen the Muranaga move so much ... that's when the position of the Priestess changed when Lady Yua could no longer uphold her duties do to her age ...There has to be another reason ...

Lifting up both of my hands, I undid my fabric hair tie, rewrapping it to gather all the loose strands of my hair. There's nothing I can do. The monk who knew about the swords history is long gone. Thinking about why this is happening is not going to help keep it under control.

Stumbling over towards the fire I made it over to the wall, sliding against it to the ground. Wrapping myself in a blanket I watched the smoke rise for awhile.

Ever since Sesshomaru arrived here, the Muranaga has been acting strange. Standing up I grabbed a cup of water, clearing my throat. I have changed ... I keep thinking about him ... But ... that's mostly your fault for making me lenient towards demons ... Tatsumori.

Suddenly a loud bang sounded against my ears. Going out of the shrine as quickly as I could manage, I saw that a demon was banging against the barrier.

Strange ... there hasn't been a demon for awhile. Grabbing my bow I shot an arrow towards them. They disintegrated into dust as they cursed at me.

Setting my bow at my side, I cursed at my negligence.

I shouldn't have gotten used to the demons not being around. Things will always remain the same here. And so shall I, like it or not.