Chapter 8 | Burden

- KYOKO POV -

For a while the darkness surrounded me, the unnatural feeling of my will being restrained a pain.

Why ... can't I move - OW!

Opening my eyes, I sat up abruptly, rubbing my forehead from the newfound pain thumping up and down on my head.

Beside me stood Jaken with his two faced wooden staff.

"... Did you just hit me on the head with that thing?"

"Yes, I needed to see if you were alive woman!"

Standing up, I bonked him on the head making him fall over. "My name isn't woman, It's Kyoko." I said as I gathered my bow and quiver from the ground.

Looking around, I noticed the sunrise was coming up in the distance.

How long have I been out?

Turning towards the shrine I saw that the barrier was still up and the demons and Sesshomaru were gone.

Why does he keep ... helping me?

Frowning, I groaned. He's not helping me ... surely not ... because he is after all still a demon.

~

After making sure the shrine barrier was stable and getting a rest for a while, I departed away from the shrine and ventured off returning to the empty field that held a viewing spot of the village.

Sitting down, the wind brushed itself against my face. Looking down at the village, It looked beautiful under the sunset - the long lines of farm fields went along the outside surrounding the minka houses scattered in random places.

Hearing a whoosh, I glanced back. There, stood Sesshomaru.

Tucking a loose strand of hair back I spoke, " Thank you ... whatever your reasoning is. You know ... There wasn't always this many demons  for me to encounter ... I suppose since the Shikon Jewel has been destroyed, more demons have been coming after the Muranaga."

Fidgeting my fingers I could feel myself trying to find the right words to say to him. " I don't think I'm capable anymore to guard the Muranaga but ... I don't want to give this burden to anyone else. So ... I'm still not going to let you have it."

As the wind blew, I could hear him walking towards me. Looking up I saw that he looked elegant under the sunrise but not as much as he did under the moon.

For a while he stayed there, not saying a word. I chuckled to myself. The two of them couldn't be more different from each other... however in some way... I can somehow read Sesshomaru better.

I think ... he's here for something else ... otherwise ... he would've already used forced to obtain the Muranaga ... right? I then laughed at myself. That's a foolish idea.

I felt my eyebrows furrow. I must be going crazy .

~

Hearing my stomach grumble I shrunk down some embarrassed. I ran out of my food reserves yesterday ... I might as well go down to the village before the sun goes down.

Gathering my bow and quiver, I left Sesshomaru to his own company.

As I walked down the mountain for awhile, I eventually came to the hill that led to the ground. Hearing rustling I went to ready my bow before stopping and rolling my eyes. Tumbling down the hill, Jaken shouted for me to wait. As he landed with a thud, I stood over him.

Looking down on him I spoke, " why are you following me?"

Getting up he answered me."I'm just making sure you don't collapse again, that's seems to be a nasty habit of yours!"

I silently laughed. Yeah... I've been doing that a lot lately. No matter, as long as he doesn't attack me or go after the Muranaga, he's no threat to me.

Walking carefully on the rocky hill that was ahead, I glanced over to notice Jaken having trouble getting up.

Turning around I picked him up by his back collar. As I expected, he started complaining.

"Put me down you insolent woman!!"

"Oh, calm down."

Going down, we made it to solid ground again when I put him down. "I would advise you not to come. The villagers ... don't like demons." I said gazing at the village.

They are not going to be happy to see me ...

As I made my way into the village, I received many glares and disapproving looks from the people outside. Going up to the butchers hut I told him the usual.

As I waited something sharp hit my arm causing me to flinch in pain. To my right a boy held a rock in his hand and was pointing at me. " G - Get out of our village Demon Lover!" As he got ready to throw another I turned to the butcher who held a sack towards me, his eyes adverted to prevent himself from looking at me. Of course he's not going to say anything...Taking it, I started to stride out of the village. As I went more small children can up to me  carrying rocks and threw them towards me.

Do they think I'm going to fight them?

Many of the rocks hit me, but one nicked me on the forehead. Making it out of the village, I didn't look back. I could feel something dripping down my forehead. Wiping it I saw a little blood.

In the distance I spotted Jaken. Strange, I expected him to get bored and leave.

He wore an annoyed expression when he finally came up to me. "Your one of the most weakest Priestesses I've ever met!" He said angrily.

Furrowing my eyes brows, I walked past him.I did not need his commentary, the villagers have their reasons for not liking me. Stopping I turned around and kicked him.

~

As we made our way up the mountain I saw Sesshomaru in the distance. He still has that same serious look.

Ambling past him I felt a hand touch my arm as they pulled me towards them. Realizing I was now somewhat close to Sesshomaru, I tensed up. What - what is he doing?!

Before I could say anything a strong hand brushed my forehead where my wound had been.