InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Four Winds of Japan ❯ Honor Thy Enemy ( Chapter 1 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I do not won Inuyasha and Co
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Chapter One: Honor Thy Enemy…
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It was late afternoon, the sun high in the sky with the lush forest to their left and
A beautifully crafted drop of over six hundred feet. Below, a gushing river bubbled softly to their ears, more forest and mountains formed from previous demon wars. “You are lagging.” The beautiful miko turned to her aged mother, tipping the large rimmed straw hat and smiled softly. “Forgive me mother, I was merely enjoying the view.” The old woman was stout, sun spots on her saggy flesh, yet bearing three swords and a long bow. She used a thick knarled staff to walk with, and often fought with it. “Hmhmmmm.” The two turned back to the path and continued, with the lush, overgrown forest to their left. “Midoriko, how much further to the land of Musashi?” The beautiful priestess pulled from her long white sleeve a black tube, pulling on a flimsy side, she pulled out a map. The beautiful miko wore black and red bamboo armor across her chest, with three swords on her sash and a larger one on her back. Tagging along faithfully and silently, was a small yellow two tailed kitten. She meowed and ran to catch up, trotting at the ankles of the two most powerful priestess’ to ever exist. “If we do not stray from this path, we will enter Musashi in a day or so.” The old woman nodded, lurching forward at a steady, if not a struggling pace. Midoriko replaced the scroll and started after her mother, her long black hair trailing out behind her. Some of her hair was braided and pulled back away from her hair, but most of it had been pulled back in a loose ponytail that tangled into a thick coil down the middle of her back. “It is high time you took on an apprentice, Midoriko.” Dark ash colored eyes turned to glance at her mother and smiled. “I have searched but none so far posses the soul.” “Do not be so picky, child. Passing on the skills and techniques that I have taught you, you could produce an entire new breed of miko’s. Warrior Priestess’. Now that has a nice ring to it.” Midoriko shook her head. “People could not accept our ways. We break nearly every rule of tradition. Were we not as powerful as we are, we would cease to exist.” The old woman nodded sagely. “Exactly, were we not strong enough. But we are.” Midoriko shook her head, closing her eyes. “My apprentice would be an open weakness. I wage too much battle to raise an infant.” The old woman snorted. “I always said you needed to have an offspring.” Midoriko sighed. “It would be too dangerous.” The old woman waved her hand. “Bah! That’s bullcock! You know as well as I that when demon females give birth, their power to protect the offspring increases tenfold! What’s to stop us from achieving the same beneficial outcome!?” Midoriko smiled fondly, her eyes sweeping the perimeter as they walked. “The spiritual power of a mortal and the demonic energy of a demon are immensely different, the outcome could he horrendously different. Beside’s, tradition says that if a priestess gives up her innocence, she gives up her purity as a priestess.” The old woman scoffed yet again, coughing softly as they trudged along.

“I’ve already proven to you that tradition can be broken with little consequence-.” Midoriko held up a hand. “Exactly, consequences. The consequences of a demon female giving birth, is the heightened ability of her soul to protect her offspring. The consequence of a mortal priestess giving birth is the replacement of her stature from a Shrine Priestess and a Holy Priestess, is to be lowered to a wandering priestess.” The old woman nodded and held up a finger when suddenly a scream pierced the forest, making most wildlife instantly take for cover. Midoriko’s hand was already on the hilt of the large sword at her back, but Kirara was faster, leaping out from behind her mistress’, the tiny two tailed kitten erupted in a vortex of fire and grew in size. When the fire dissipated, a vicious looking yellow demon-cat stood, deadly fangs falling from her upper jaw as her coat bristled. The old woman lowered the rim of her straw hat and tapped her walking stick strictly before her.

Out of no where someone shot out of the forest, landing on the path a few feet ahead of them, before taking off in the direction the miko’s had been traveling with intense speed and agility. The girl’s hair was in high twin ponytail on the top of her head, wearing a black ninja vest and split skirt with thigh wraps. She was without weapons from what Midoriko could see as she gave chase of the girl, sensing a formidable demon keeping pace with the ninja girl from inside the forest. “Kirara! Protect Mother!” She heard the roar of the cat-demon before a burning whoosh of air made her glance up with dark gray eyes. Her mother was rapidly gaining on the ninja girl, Kirara running across the air at top speed, the difference of running on air as to land, Kirara’s paws and tail burned hotly and wildly. Midoriko lurched sharply to her left, deftly leaping over fallen foliage and boulders with the grace and agility of a spring doe. Her torso nearly touched her knee’s with the intense strut of her speed, dodging through the trees at breakneck speed. The only sound to her ears was the rush of her own blood and the creaking clack of her bamboo armor.

She came upon the demon, keeping easy pace behind him with her hand creeping up over her shoulder to grasp the hilt of her most powerful sword. The demon was crazed, a wolf running on two legs about the size of a Shrine Temple. Its maw dripped in black poison ooze, dripping onto the ground and burning bubbling, tar pools, that’s stench alone wilted the foliage around it. Midoriko easily dodged it as she drew her blade. With the force of the thrust, the long deadly blade whipped from its sheath and dislodged from the hilt. Like a rubber band, a backlash of power connected the blade and the hilt, turning into screaming, tormented souls; the souls of demons. Snapping the hilt around her head and twisted to put enough momentum in the strike to bring down the beast with one blow. The souls connecting the blade and hilt snapped and coil, jerking the blade backwards and around, before snapping taunt and bringing the blade right through the back of the wolf’s skull, severing the cap of the skull from the base. The demon howled as the purification magic suddenly channeled through the demonic souls with another backlash of power, the demon crumbled from the torso down, laving the legs and hips to fall and tumble through a few trees and digging up the earth. Midoriko skidded to a stop, her blade already sinking into its sheath. She released a slow breath as she stood, she looked skyward just as Kirara appeared and began her descent with the unconscious ninja girl and the Old Woman. When they landed, Midoriko’s mother leaped easily from the back of the two tail. “This girl is special. She has no training whatsoever, but she is gifted in the art of combat. Had I not been so experienced or with Kirara, I might have had trouble subduing her.” Nodding, Midoriko walked over to the girl and placed a hand on the back of the girls skull, breaking through the layers of the sleeping spell her mother had weaved. Slowly she rewrote and reinforced the spell to fit her needs. Lifting her hand away from the girl, she smiled as she began to regain consciousness. “Huh…” Her eyes were dark purple, almost black in their intensity. Freckles kissed her nose and cheeks, and baby fat still clung to the girls curves. “Where am I? Why can’t I move?” “Sit up girl, and tell me your name.” Surprise contorted the girls face as she obeyed. “My name is Iziaoya.” Midoriko studied the girl, then smiled. “What are you doing, living in the wild?” The girl’s dark eyes turned to the ground, her hands fisting on her thighs. “I am an orphan.” The old woman suddenly stepped forward. “You reek of demonic aura, girl. Explain.” Iziaoya frowned but did as told. “I do not understand it myself. I have a mouse… he’s been my friend since I could remember.” She reached into the bread fold of her ninja vest, she pulled out a white and gray spotted mouse. Midoriko stepped forward. “It is a demon. Much like Kirara, of whom you know rest upon.” The girl looked down and to her left to see the large yellow cat looking back at her. Turning nearly white, Iziaoya gulped and looked back at the priestess Midoriko. “Who are you?” “My name is Setsumari Midoriko, I am a Warrior Priestess. Are you interested in training?” The girl’s eyes flashed vibrant lavender as her spine straightened. “Training… as in you teaching me? How much?” The old woman cackled suddenly. “Foolish child! Do you not know who offers your such a privilege?! She is Midoriko! The Warrior Priestess, able to purify the soul of any demon! Conqueror of Taiyoukia and defender of humans!” Iziaoya shrugged. “Never heard of her, sorry.” With a cocksure grin, Iziaoya suddenly rolled to her feet in a flash and tossed her mouse into the air. “Ryo!” She cried as her feet left Kirara’s back, the cat spinning to recapture the girl, while Midoriko held her hand up in silent prayer.

In an instant, the girl had vanished and Midoriko lowered her hand in defeat. “How did she manage to get out of my binding spell.” “She is a child, my love. You did not reinforce the barriers enough. You underestimated her. That’s how.” Midoriko glanced at her mother, seeing her astride Kirara. “I’ll take to the air and scout ahead. You continue on foot.” Nodding, Midoriko looked away from her mother and back to the path. She was being punished for a mistake that could have been fatal had the girl been confident in herself. Walking back onto the path, Midoriko let her mind wander as her senses fanned out to search for possible danger. “Were you serious?”
Midoriko stopped and smiled. “Absolutely.” She turned to see Iziaoya, kicking at the path with cute embarrassment. Midoriko turned. “Follow me, if you wish.” Looking up, Iziaoya smiled and trotted to catch up to her knew sensei. “Tell me, have you experience?” “Mostly in swords and archery. Nothing spiritual, though many tell me that I have the gift.” Midoriko smiled and nodded, slipping her hands into her sleeves. “I see.” Iziaoya glanced nervously at her new sense, before crossing her arms behind her head. “So, about your mouse friend. Will you tell me of him?” Iziaoya blinked, the looked ahead and hooded her eyes in boredom. “What, you mean like have me introduce you to him? He’s a mouse.” Midoriko nodded. “He is youkia. I know the language, for I myself have a companion that is similar in sentimentality.” Iziaoya frowned then sighed and lowered her arms, before clicking her tongue in a beckoning kiss. From her vest came the mouse with a series of squeaks and sneezes. Midoriko stopped and turned to the girl. “May I?” She held out a hand and Iziaoya shrugged. “If he’ll let you.” The exchange went by without incident, and Midoriko held the mouse up to her nose. “Priestess.” Ryo greeted softly. Iziaoya gasped in surprise, Ryo had never spoke to her, but now he was greeting people!? Midoriko smiled. “I had heard the mouse youkia was an intelligent breed. Tell me, demon, what purpose do you have with this mortal girl?” The mouse fluffed the fur around his face with his paws, before cocking his head and glaring at the priestess who held him. “That is no concern of yours priestess. I will not cause her harm, that is the extent of your knowledge on this matter.” Midoriko smirked softly and opened her palm for the mouse to crouch on. “Very well. Serve as her guardian when I am not near. Until then, I take responsibility.” The mouse tilted his head slightly, his eyes hooded. “Of course.” Midoriko looked back at Iziaoya and held out her hand with a smile. Iziaoya snatched her mouse back as if Midoriko had tried to steal him, she stroked Ryo’s coat and held him to her cheek. Midoriko smiled and turned back to the path. “Come, we have another day’s travel until we reach Musashi.” “Musashi?” Iziaoya asked in concern. “Hai. We are headed to the West, we seek council with a Taiyoukia.” “Oh.” Iziaoya blinked then and made a face. “But I thought you were the Taiyoukia Slayer.” Midoriko smiled fondly. “Ah, yes. That was my Mother. You may call her such, it would please her. I am a Warrior Priestess, but battle is not everything. To know ones better would serve to keep you alive when all other chances have faded.” Iziaoya snorted. “Was that my first lesson?” Midoriko smiled enigmatically. “Hai. Learn it well, and you may live long enough to learn the second.” Ignoring the startled gasp and falter in the girls step, Midoriko continued on, chuckling softly in amusement. Perhaps a little sister would go to serve for some entertainment and loyalty, something Midoriko lacked in. Already this girl amused her.
“Come, Iziaoya, you are falling behind.” The girl gasped and lengthened her stride. Midoriko smiled.

~~

“You spoke on knowing how to wield a sword?” Midoriko asked as she pulled a blade from her sash, a blade she hardly used. “This is Okaa, this blade I had forged by a demon. It possess the power of protection. A barrier so powerful even myself am unable to break it. Use it well.” Iziaoya blinked as she looked at the offered blade. The case was baby blue silver, the wrap on the hilt gleaming silver silk, with silver vines twisting up the length of the hilt. “Sugoi…” Pulling the sword free of the sheath, Midoriko held the blade out before Iziaoya and smiled. “Okaa is now yours, Iziaoya. It will be your first test.” Nodding, Iziaoya grasped the blade, and Midoriko pulled it free. Blood dripped down the girl’s forearm, but no wound was present. Iziaoya winced but opened her hand in awe. “You are now bound to this blade, call upon it and it will answer. Fall, and with it you will rise.” Sheathing the blade, Midoriko gave it to the stunned girl. Iziaoya grasped the blade and tucked it into the sash holding her vest, before pulling the blade free. “Will you… Can I fight you? I want to see how it feels.” Midoriko smirked softly, her dark gray eyes twinkling as she easily removed her second blade, pointing it directly at Iziaoya’s nose, faster than the girl could even note. Midoriko smiled, but suddenly Iziaoya smirked. “I guess I forgot to tell you this, Sensei. But Ryo… well you see, he can do more than hide me.” The girl’s aura suddenly doubled dramatically, lashing out wildly, the backlash causing loose foliage in the forest to sway violently. From behind Iziaoya came the impression of a demonic spirit, its hands gliding easily down the girl’s arms and grasped her hands around the hilt. His head was bleak, mousy and young. His hair was short and swayed against an unseen breeze that was lazy yet strong. He was lanky; intelligence gleaming in solid black eyes. He may have been an illusion, an impression on the girls soul, reflected through the combining of the demonic and holy aura; Ryo was ethereal, but solid as his own legs smoothed over Iziaoya’s, easily directing her every move as a Marinette to his puppet. “My name, Priestess, is Ryo, but you can call me the Puppet Master.” Iziaoya’s eyes glazed over slightly, but the girl was still aware, she had only given up control to the demon. The trust it must have taken amazed and confounded Midoriko. “Puppet Master. I know this name.” Ryo’s angelic, childish features aged suddenly with his amusement and secrets. “Of course you do, Warrior Priestess. I knew you, in living flesh.” Midoriko’s eyes narrowed slightly, her instincts at war inside her; was this demon of ill intent? Or simply a Guardian, as result of his death.

Suddenly, Iziaoya’s eyes cleared almost fully, they rolled and locked onto Midoriko’s dark gray eyes. “Ryo is my friend, Sensei. He’s the reason I’m alive right now. If it weren’t for him, I’d be in the bellies of the Troll Demon Tribe.” Midoriko sighed softly, watching as Iziaoya’s eyes glazed back over, though a level of lucidity remained. “This is a nice sword. Totousai’s work, no doubt.” Midoriko smiled as the muscles in her left thigh pushed her foot behind her, centering her weight and bringing her blade to shoulder height, holding the blade’s hilt with a powerful wrist, and sliding her pointer and middle finger down the edge of her blade with a slow hiss of released air. Ryo pulled the strings and Iziaoya’s body reacted in kind, sliding in a similar stance, with a wide spread center of balance and her right arm stretched out behind her, the palm flat with her fingers in the air. Her sword arm twisted elegantly to point the blade directly at Midoriko. Iziaoya lowered her face with a smile.
:Pay attention, sweetheart. If you concentrate and practice hard enough, soon I will be able to assist you with my powers in battle, rather than directing you.:
Iziaoya sighed as she relinquished control, falling back against the comforting chest of the demon soul behind her own. She closed her eyes as his arms encircled her, his warm mouth hovering over the pulse point at her throat. His legs wove around her hips as he drew her closer.
:My beautiful Iziaoya. I promise you a future. Allow me to remain by your side, and I will love you.:
Iziaoya smiled and felt herself sink further into his soul.

Lifting her face, Iziaoya’s eyes cleared a little once again. “I will be conscious as we fight. I wish to learn as much as I can from this experience.” Midoriko’s lips twitched softly; she shot forward with a powerful, deadly lunge that would have pierced through the young woman’s face and severed the cap of her skull from its base. However, Ryo predicted the attack from its origin and dipped to the side, circling her wrist to make a wide windmill and swat Midoriko’s blade. Midoriko twisted with the momentum of her deflected attack and threw her hips to swing the blade upward and back down as she completed her turn. Ryo gasped and flung the blade up, catching the singing blade. The metal cracked deafeningly through the forest, an orange spark flying between the connected blades. Ryo grunted and Izioya gasped in sudden pain, her eyes clearing steadily as Ryo began to fade. “Come now girl. Grasp your demon, do not let him escape you.” Iziaoya’s eyes snapped up to Midoriko as the irises darkened to an almost black color. Ryo’s soul suddenly solidified, his limbs still directing Izioya; it wasn’t so much as he were simply pulling the strings now, Iziaoya possessed the controls, while Ryo instructed the moves before she made them.

Midoriko smiled in pleasure as she leapt back only to spin in a deadly whirl and crack her blade against Okaa, the sword crying and singing in harmony as Ryo counter attacked with another circle of Iziaoya’s wrist, circling Midoriko’s blade with a ringing melody, before locking and thrusting her back in a single, graceful motion. Continuing with Midoriko’s relinquished ground, Ryo advanced with three powerful, deadly fast chops that sang through the air in a whirring whistle. Midoriko allowed the advance and backed herself against a tree. Spanning out at the next interval, she punched out with the hilt of her blade, catching Iziaoya dead center of her forehead. The girl dazed backwards, her chin lifting skyward as Ryo faded to almost nothing. Midoriko made her move and stepped forward, punching with deadly aim and carefully controlled strength; Iziaoya’s chest, stomach and left hip. The girl whirled with the last strike, landing heavily on her right side with a grunted gasp of pain. Ryo’s image faded completely as the mortal’s body went lax, her mind giving out at the suddenly onslaught of pain. Midoriko elegantly sheathed her blade as she moved forward and dropped gracefully to her knees. She rolled Iziaoya slowly onto her back and touched her forehead and chest with her fingertips. Looking the length of the girl, Midoriko slowly closed her eyes and began to chant softly under her breath. Iziaoya’s frame began to glow, from the inside out, as if her blood and tissue were suddenly aflame in a soft white glow.

The girl’s back slowly lifted from the ground, hovering a mere breath from solid soil. Midoriko eased her back into place with only a touched of added pressure, and opened her eyes. The glow around the girl faded and Midoriko eased herself back onto her feet. Looking over her shoulder a large shadow formed in a gap of brush in the forest. Kirara appeared, walking as quietly as the dead, her head held high and her ears perked forward. Midoriko turned to face her companion; Kirara reached her master and purred as fingers scratched behind her ear. Smiling, Midoriko looked back down at the girl now under a more natural slumber. “She will do great things, Kirara. This girl will change the course of the future.” The two-tail growled in agreement as she bent down to sniff the girl’s hand. The fingers twitched and Kirara lifted her head and sat down with a straight back. Midoriko placed her hand gently on top of the demon cats head and regarded Iziaoya silently.

~~

Lunatari coughed violently into her fist as her daughter came into the room, the sleeping brat in her arms with Kirara as a kitten on her shoulder. “I see you come bearing gifts.” Midoriko smiled as she knelt and placed Iziaoya softly onto a cot before rising and making her way to her mother side, who sat stirring a pot of rice and beef. “Smells good.” “How long as the brat been out?” “Its almost sundown now; we sparred last night.” Luna nodded and cleared her throat. “Fetch me some water girl, my throat is dry.” Without complaint or hesitation, Midoriko rose to her feet and exited the hut. As she did so, the shrill sound of demonic aura touched her soul. Looking to her left she found herself nearly face to face with a young lord. His appearance was solid and foolproof, but his soul howled in raw notes, singing of demonic energy. Long black hair and vibrant, sea blue eyes. “Excuse me. I am new to this village. I am rounin and need a place to stay for the night.” Something inside of her screamed that she allow this man a cot to sty for the night. She needed to find out more about him. “What is your name?” The man’s sparkled with intelligence that was beyond his years, and kind understanding. The combination grated a little bit on her nerves, like he was mocking her for being inferior. “You have yet to tell me your name.” She found herself suddenly irritated with the man, irritated because he was handsome, irritated because he made her feel inferior, irritated because she wanted to learn as much about him as she could. “Foolish girl!” Midoriko gasped in pain as something blunt and heavy was dropped on top of her head. “Where is my water! How dare you forget!” Lunatari glared suddenly t the strange man, seeing an image waver over his frame. An illusion. A powerful one. He carries a single sword. Samurai… Perhaps for hire? “You there, young man. Are you by chance rounin?” The man bowed, is glossy black hair falling over his black and purple kimono. “Hai.” “Excellent. I have a job for you, should you choose to accept it.” Midoriko rubbed the top of her head and stepped away from her mother’s striking distance. No telling when the woman would strike over a fleeting thought or whim. “My daughter, myself and our apprentice are venturing into youkia territory. We could use a helping hand, the price would be worth your time.” The man seemed almost statue still before he smiled. “I would be honored.” Luna grinned a toothless smile. “Excellent. Your first job is to find me something good to throw in with my rice stew.” “Of course.” The man bowed again. Midoriko sighed and glanced at her mother. “Our objective seems to lead us both to the same place. I shall accompany you.” The man gave her a strange look, before glancing at Luna. The old woman merely grunted and turned to reenter the hut. “Kirara.” Midoriko called as she turned towards the forest. The man watched her in curiosity before a two-tail ran out of the hut and scaled her masters back, perching herself on Midoriko’s shoulder. His surprise was evident for only a second before he glanced back at the hut and began to follow the priestess. Kirara glanced back at him with distaste. She saw a demon. Long white hair, a powerful stride and golden eyes.

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She knelt by the bank, filing up the canteens she brought with her. The rounin stood protectively at her back. The priestess glanced back at him with a sigh, corking the last canteen before she stood. “Tell me, Rounin, what business do you have?” The man’s blue eyes turned to the priestess’s back. She wasn’t wearing her armor, however wore all three of her swords. Her tangled assortment of hair hung from her back as it always hand, in multiple brains, twists and free length tied in a braid that trailed down her back. She looked over her shoulder at him, before sighing again and attaching the canteen at her hip. She turned to face him; he continued to stare. “My name is Midoriko, you may call me as such. I am traveling to the West, to meet with the Taiyoukia Inu no Taishou. Your help is not wanted nor needed.” The man continued to stare at her before he spoke, evenly and deeply. “You are training a young child. Will you always be there to protect her.” Midoriko’s eyes narrowed. “Very well. You re her protector, though she will need little; as you will see with time. Get in my way, and I will cut you down.” The man smirked suddenly, adding expression to his face. “You are Priestess.” Midoriko smiled. “I am a warrior first. My objective is clear and within my reach. I will advise you only once more; do not get in my way.” Something was defiantly strange about this man, Midoriko concluded. His aura song and his body did not complete one another. This was no typical illusion. This was a form of this creatures power. “What do you hide from?” “How observant of you.” The man concluded with a nod of approval. Midoriko frowned, her fingers tightening into a fist.

The man began to walk suddenly, pacing absently as he folded his hands in his sleeves. “I am Rounin. You may call me Toau, for it has been my title since birth. I travel under guise because my true form would not be acceptable to those of innocent eyes.” Midoriko frowned, watching him with her dark gray eyes. “I am not innocent.” “Your aura remains pure.” Midoriko opened her mouth in protest, but he beat her to the punch. “Why are you so curious?” Closing her mouth, the most powerful priestess of her time, for the first time, had absolutely nothing to say. Toau smirked and turned to face her. “Is it possible that you lust for the appearance that is presented before you.” Midoriko’s eyes widened as she blushed. Gods… I haven’t blushed since… Since she was a young girl still in the archery programs of her early training. The man nodded as he stepped forward, lifting a hand to grasp her chin. “I would choose not to remove your innocence, Priestess. But allow this one to humble grant to you, what you will achieve given your profession.” Midoriko’s eyes widened dramatically as her heart beat skipped. He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers. Midoriko inhaled sharply, her eyes widened as his hands slid up her neck to cup her jaw; shuffling forward Toau loomed as close to her as he could while holding her as one would a fresh babe. Midoriko’s hands snapped up and dug painfully into his biceps. What is he doing!? Panic swelled up in the beautiful miko, a panic she had not dealt with since the completion of her training. She jerked back out of his hold, her heel slipping on a rock; the proud, beautiful miko splashed butt down in the river, the water surging up her waist. She glowered as her hands shot out of the water as if she’d landed in a pool of carnage. She looked about in and hissed, her long hair caught under her butt and tugging sharply on the back of her skull. Toau blinked in surprise before chuckling and folding his hands elegantly in his sleeves. “It is your own fault, you know.” Midoriko looked up through her bangs, eyes nearly storm cloud black with the banked anger the priestess barely kept in check. “You were not threatened in any way, yet you acted out of sheer panic. Tell me, why is this?” Midoriko’s left eye squinted with her irritated confusion. Her temper simmered after a moment, and the miko rose to her feet, ignoring the sucking sound of her kimono as it stuck to her form. To his credit, Toau kept his eyes locked on hers. “I have hunting to do. You might as well bathe while you are here. Your magic could dry those clothes, could they not?” He asked as he turned away and melted into the shadows of the forest. Midoriko’s lips fell apart in genuine amazement. Who… What does this man think he’s doing!? Who is he!?
Baffled and beyond words, Midoriko eased her fingers into the proper prayer symbol and began to chant softly. A deception, deflective barrier rose around a section of the river, allowing passage of others, but preventing any eyes, mental or astral, to see or disturb her.

~~

Midoriko opened her eyes to the darkness of the hut, the venison, rabbit, beef and rice stew was still simmering for morning breakfast, and only the hot coals cast off light. She took note of her mother’s place beside the coals, Toau near the entrance, his back against the wall and a sword at his shoulder. Iziaoya and Ryo slept curled up on the cot nearest Lunatari. Blinking a couple times to wake herself up, Midoriko rose and began to apply her armor, the bamboo and leather creaking softly as she bound her torso. Reaching last for her largest sword, she swung it onto her back and easily strapped it under and through her armor. Kirara was beside her within an instant, watching her master as she prepared for her day. As the two left, Toau decided to make his arrival to the waking world. He stretched almost as if for show, and cracked an eye at her, where the priestess had frozen at his movement. She met his stare, her hand already pulling aside the pelt that acted as a door. Toau closed his eye and scratched his chin. “Morning meditation?” She didn’t dignify him with a response as she slipped outside in the chill, baby blue morning. He followed a second later, silent as a ghost. Midoriko sighed rubbed the side of her neck absently. Kirara ran ahead and transformed, before turning to await her mistress. Midoriko reached the two-tail and sighed. “If you insist on accompanying me, than I must warn you that my morning spar with Kirara is quite lethal. Its all or nothing. Are you prepared to fight a three-way battle?” Toau blinked before puling his hands from his sleeves. “I would be prepared for nothing else.” Midoriko frowned and looked back at Kirara. The two-tail hissed and leapt away and into the air. “Kirara will be attack from the sky. I would use close-range, and you, my friend.” She turned slowly to him. “You would sneak.” Her eyes narrowed slightly, but Toau seemed oddly pleased. “Very well, when do we begin?”
He’s actively hiding something, and you just benefited somehow. Midoriko turned away, before drawing the sword at her back and lashing back around to face him. With the snap of the release, the blade detached from the hilt, a chain of demonic souls lashing out like a wild whip. Toau blocked the attack, but Midoriko used the momentum of his deflection to redirect her weapon to the air. Kirara had been coming down for a charge, narrowing twisting out of the way of the loose weapon. She landed an inch from Midoriko’s fleshy body, her claws rattling against the bamboo and leather without damage. Midoriko stepped back, bent and twisted out of the way Kirara’s deadly claws while snapping her weapon and bringing it down for a proper frontal attack. Suddenly the loose blade reattached, allowing Midoriko the ability to properly block and counterattack the claws that nearly blinded her field of vision.

Toau watched in stunned amazement at the fierce display of speed, agility and determination that both the demon and priestess possessed while still maintaining a certain level of control.

~~

“Always remember, Iziaoya, even while facing an enemy, keeping a certain level of control will enable you to call upon the full force of that control on a whim, often on instinct.” Midoriko watched as Iziaoya went through her morning exercises with Okaa. “I don’t understand… Why would I want to control it… I mean, if I’m going to kill him, why not just hack through him, why does it have to be a precise kill?” The girl panted, sweat beading down her cheeks as she continued the same, straight hacking motion her sensei demanded she do until told when to stop. “Getting your body familiar with the motion of being able to stop or continue at any given moment is a skill that many have died trying to achieve. “More oft than naught, while in battle, being able to control your strike, will result in avoiding disaster or a fatal mistake.” Iziaoya shook her head, straining to keep the steady, fluid motion her sensei demanded she keep. Midoriko stopped at the girl’s left, watching the hack and step with a critical eye. If the girl slowed down, the girl would be whacked on the back of the shoulder by simple walking stick. “Your shoulders are your weakest point. Your wrists are next. You have a descent center of balance at all times, but more so, you show an imbalance on your right side.” Midoriko used the cane to halt Iziaoya’s motion. The girl gratefully allowed her shoulders to fall as she heaved. Midoriko slapped the girl on the back with her cane when Iziaoya began to loose grip on her sword. “Never release your weapon. Always put it away when your through. Taking your hands off a weapon could lead to your death.” twisting suddenly away from her, Midoriko used the cane at throat level with a back slash. Iziaoya barely brought her sword up in time, the blunt edge still smacked into her nose and chin, making the girl stumble backwards with a cry. “Even if blocked, a blow can still cause damage. You would not have died, but you would be unconscious, and that’s as good as dead.” Iziaoya was panting and crying now, the pain in her nose so intense the tears fell without her realizing it. “Damnit! Ow! Can we stop now!? We’ve been at this for hours!” Midoriko sighed. “Go and chop wood, we’re running low.” Iziaoya hissed in pain. “My fingers are blistered! I can hardly hold a grip-!” “Now.” Midoriko barked, at the end of her temper. “Disobey an order again, and I’ll have you chopping more wood that this forest can supply!” Iziaoya whined as she sheathed her sword and turned to do as she was told. “Having trouble?” Midoriko’s eyes closed as she turned to regard the Rounin behind her. “What do you want, Rounin.” His smile wavered slightly. “You’ve been ill tempered with me since last night. Why are you troubled?” Huffing softly, Midoriko pinched her sinuses. This is too much… A child and a pervert… What have I gotten myself into? “I’m going to cleanse myself and meditate. Watch over the girl and have her fed when she’s chopped enough fire wood.” Toau frowned. “You treat her as if she were a… dog.” “She’s a student. She has no discipline and no regard for authority. You don’t like how I do things, look away.” Midoriko turned then and left. Toau blinked, then shrugged and turned to where the girl had gone. Upon finding her bent over a pile of wood, her sleeves pulled back by a sash, an axe in her right hand with the mouse on top of her head.

“Iziaoya.” A chill raced up her spine at the baritone voice that appeared out no where behind her. She stood up and looked hesitantly over her shoulder. “Oh. Its you. Who are you anyway? Lady Lunatari said you were a sword for hire.” Toau nodded as she sat down on a fallen log that had yet to cut. “Tell me young, Iziaoya. Why do you seek training from a miko?” Iziaoya shrugged as she hefted a block of wood into place, she stared at it for a moment before arching back and fluidly bringing up the axe to chop down and split the wood. “Apparently I have some sort of soul, something like its compatible with demonic aura, or something. I heard Sensei and Lady Luna talking about it.” Toau’s eyebrow lifted in silent surprise. “I see. You wish then to become a Warrior Priestess?” Iziaoya shrugged and wiped her brow, hissing as sweat slithered into open blisters. “Don’t really care. Sensei and lady Lunatari are my family now, never had one, but I like them. Sensei may be a bit hard and foul tempered at times, but she’s kind, smart and pretty. She’s deadly with a weapon as well. To be able to learn from her; that’s, I think, it worth living to achieve.” Toau watched the girl for a moment then nodded. “Such wisdom for one so young. How old are you, child?” Iziaoya snorted. “I’m well over fifteen summers. Not sure exactly.” Toau nodded. “Did you know your parents?” Shaking her head the girl hacked another section of the wood apart. “Not really. I remember living in a village with Ryo, that’s about it. I escaped and ran into trouble. Ryo saved me, and we’ve been on the road ever since. Well, until I met Sensei.” Toau nodded again.

“Enough about me though, I hear you’re a rounin; sword for hire. Whys that?” Looking at the girl, he had to admit he was a little surprised. “Why?” “That’s right. You ask all kinds of questions, so I’m gonna ask you a few. You don’t have a problem with that right?” She threw him a challenging look and though Toau knew she was a child, he met her challenger full force with a glare. Iziaoya gasped. “If you wish to know, simply ask.” He stated, allowing his temper to cool as he looked away from her. Iziaoya frowned. Yeesh, think I’d asked him how his mother was murdered or something. “Okay, anyway. Why are you rounin. Have you always been?” Toau continued to stare into space. “No. I was once only a simple village boy. My parents were farmers. One day my father made a bet he couldn’t pay; my mother, sister and I were all sold into slavery. I made my way out, but I never saw them again. Since, I have been rounin.” Iziaoya watched him from over her shoulder, then turned back to her task. “Alright. Are your skills self-taught, or-.” “I learned from experience. I had no teacher.” Nodding, Iziaoya nodded. “I understand that. Most of what I know, I learned on my own, though Ryo helped out allot too.” The mouse squeaked and traveled down into her kimono for a nap.

“Ryo. He is a demon, yes?” “Hai. For as long as I could remember, Ryo’s been with me. I don’t know where I’d be without him.” Toau nodded and stood up. “Come, you’ve chopped enough. Your breakfast awaits.” Iziaoya blinked and looked down at the small stack of wood she’d managed to chop. “No. I’ll finish this first. I’ll be in when I get done.” Toau folded his hands I his sleeves and frowned. “How odd.” “Hm?” Iziaoya blinked, having only caught a murmur. Toau smiled fondly. “No, it was nothing.”

~~~
Wow! First Chapter! What does everyone think!?

~ Azuka O’Hara