Chapter 5 | Clouded

- KYOKO POV -

Coming to the entrance of the shrine, I leaned out some studying the the rain. Grabbing my mino coat and straw hat, I placed them over me. Walking out, I made haste away from the shrine. I needed to see the blacksmith, I don't think I can last longer without a replenish of arrows.

~- Two Years Ago -

"Soooo .... what's your name?" He asked as he wore a mischievous smirk. Glancing at him I turned away trudging through the rain. Pulling down my straw hat, I looked ahead, trying not to make eye contact with him.

Catching up with me, Tatsumori began telling me that if I gave him the sword I would be free and we'd both get what we wanted, however I ignored him. I couldn't stray from reasoning because he was acting nice.

As I continued walking I noticed that Tatsumori had stopped. Even with the freezing rain pouring down on him, I could tell he had that grin on his face." I like you."

Those three words made me stop to a halt. Like? Me? Trying to resist the urge to answer I clenched my fist. A demon ... capable of love? No, this was just a scheme.

~

Walking towards the village, I glanced up towards the mountain where the Muranaga shrine was. The barrier should hold up, I've regained some of my spiritual power.

Then, during my thoughts. I bumped into something and stumbled back. Looking up I saw Sesshomaru. " Ah ... sorry." I said shyly. Why was I acting this way? Why do I keep bumping to him?

Looking at me he moved out of my way. Embarrassed I continued walking down the path to the village.

As I walked into the village I felt prying eyes stare into me, as if I were a demon. With a straw hat on a little girl ran up to me and hugged my legs. Startled I didn't touch or say anything to her - afraid of how the villagers were to react. Lifting her face up, I realized it was Hitomi. " Lady Kyoko, can you stay this time? Come play with me!" She said smiling wide.

"Hitomi come back inside, you'll catch a cold." A woman's voice rang out coming from a house. With a sad look, Hitomi let go of my legs and ran back inside as the woman gave me a disgusted look.

Forcing a smile, inside that look of distain still caused me more harm than demons had ever done. But I deserve it. It was my fault the barrier went down that day... it was my fault the demons came and killed so many innocents ... it's my fault.

Readjusting my straw hat, I looked around, observing the villagers. Hearing thunder I then turned on my heel. I'll ... come back another day ...

~

As the rain poured down harsher, the distant sounds of thunder engulfed the air. Stopping, I slowly reached back behind my back to grab an arrow, placing it on my bow. Aiming it in front of me, I shot it into the woods hearing a demon yell out in pain. I had sensed demonic auras ... they have me surrounded. Coming out of the woods, the rain became a thunder as the demons lunged at me - soaked. Releasing many sacred arrows the demons kept coming, overwhelming me.

Damn. Suddenly, the demons all around me lunged at me all at once. Clawing at my side, I shot them in the chest, making them disintegrate. Feeling the familiar feeling of a wound, I looked down to see I had been wounded. As blood spilled from me, my vision became a haze as I then collapsed. Falling into unconsciousness, my vision became overrun with speckles of black. As I struggled to keep awake, the muffled cries of demons sprained my ears as I concentrated on the rain fall.

~

Blinking rapidly, I had not fallen unconscious. Trying to keep my eyes focused, I saw a blurry version of ... Sesshomaru?Strange ... why is he so close? ... glancing down, I became frightened realizing he was carrying me.

"Why ... are you ... helping me?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

Looking at me he simply said," Quiet."