Chapter 21 | Outcast

- KYOKO POV -

Tucking my hair behind my ear I walked through the barrier of the shrine. Sesshomaru has been gone a long while now, and Jaken left soon after our conversation that day. I've lost track of how long it's been ... I'm starting to think he's no longer eager to obtain the Muranaga.

Looking up towards the sky, it was dull in a gray way that made it seem like it was going to rain. Sighing I rubbed my eye. Did he decide that he didn't need the Muranaga? This should be a good thing ... so why do I feel that it's not?

~

Rocks and pebbles hit me as I strided through the village. I guess this is why Jaken dislikes me so. Then again ... its always amusing when he falls backwards from such a tiny pebble ...

Hearing my footsteps with each step I took forward, I tucked back a piece of my hair, trying not to look back and make eye contact with the villagers. I've ran out of arrows ... I admit I've been procrastinating ... but I knew this would happen eventually just ... not today ... not now.

Stopping in front of a small hut, I slid the straw draping door. In the hut, the man standing there froze when he caught sight of me. Giving me a disgusted look, he scoffed at me.

Mustering the courage to speak, I did, awaiting for whatever insult he had to say. This man was the blacksmith of the village and his daughter had been killed the day I let the barrier down.

It was obvious he would hold a grudge, I didn't blame him. I did however still need arrows to fight off demons.

"So you finally had the nerve to show up here once again you selfish woman?"

Biting my lip I sunk back a little. " Toshi ... I just need more arrows, please."

Making rude comments towards me, Toshi did so, giving me a supply of arrows, shooing me out of his hut.

Now outside of his hut, I looked down upon the new arrows placed in my arms; the tips looking more shaper than my last batch.

This supply should last me awhile, and then there's the matter of retrieving the ones I use ... yeah ... I should be able to put off coming here for awhile.

Squatting down I took my quiver off my back and put my new arrows in it. As I did, I heard a young voice shout out at me.

"Die Priestess!" The young boy in front of me said with a rock in hand.

Throwing it towards me I stood up quickly and moved out of the way, pulling my quiver over my shoulder.

Why did I move out of the way?

To my left, the young boy then proceeded to tell me to die once again, in a chant. The villagers now paying attention to what he was saying, grabbed the boy and covered his mouth to prevent him from speaking anymore.

It's almost funny, they all hate me and wish for me to die and yet ... they don't want me to because I ward off the demons ...

Chuckling to myself, I went out of the village, receiving more glares as I did.

~

Now near the Cherry Blossom trees, the sky had kept its dreary appearance, making the trees seem somber.

Sitting on my knees I laid my hand on the grass, scrunching it.

They aren't coming back.

Their demons.

Why would they come back?

You shouldn't have formed an attachment ...

Doubts stirred in my mind as I felt a raindrop plop on my shoulder. The rain then came, drenching me. But I stayed ignoring it.

No ... He's going to come back.

He wants the sword ... right?

I then laughed at myself. What a selfish woman I am indeed. Here I am... wishing once again that a demon come here and ... keep me company.

Bringing one of my hands up, I pushed back the hair that had draped over my forehead over my eyes; the touch and feel of it wet from the rain.

Tatsumori was right. I really can't stand ... being left alone.

__________Authors Note -Btw Sesshomaru has been gone for three weeks. :(