InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Journey Into the Past, Present, and Future. ❯ Butterflies and More Mishaps ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter Four

The day could not have gotten worse. She was sure it was fine before they had left. In fact, she could have sworn she had replaced it with a new one. She would have a talk with that carpenter when they came back.

"Of all my time serving the great ones, why does this happen to me?," she voiced, practically to herself. She scratched her head.

"Can we fix it?," asked Kaede, balancing herself on the passenger seat.

Reika let out an exasperated sigh, letting her head drop to her chest, as the events that led to this played out in her head.

While on their way to the next village, one of the back wheels, the right one, had slightly given out. Fortunately, Reika had stopped in time before a real accident could have occurred and cause injury to Kaede. She had to tell the child the truth of their situation. She brought her head back up, recovering her composure. Looking as collected as before, she answered Kaede with earnesty, "No. There is no time."

"I guess we walk, right, Reika?,"

"We would have to unharness the horse," she decided.

"What about the wagon?," Kaede inquired, showing her concern.

"We will have to leave it. It will only hinder us. Besides, we are only halfway to our destination," she calmy reported. "Luckily, I have come prepared for such emergencies."

"But, Reika, what if someone steals it ?"

"Do not worry, no one will. And if that were to happen, may this old thing bless them. Right now, this rickety carriage is the least of my worries. A man needs our help, Kaede. Whether or not we arrive on time, depends on whether or not he lives or dies. Come now, I need your assistance."

Kaede nodded, wasting no time in hopping off the wagon to help her guardian free the animal from its bondage. Reika smiled, slightly, showing delight upon the child's enthusiasm to help.

Kaede skipped to the opposite side of the horse. "Reika?"

"Yes?" she answered as she began loosening the straps.
"How did your father die?," Kaede asked. Reika had stopped her task for a moment. She had heard Kaede right. The girl, in all of her curiousity, awaited an answer.

"I did not see my father die," she replied. "However, I assure you it was an honorable death at that."

"Was he nice?"

Reika smiled, "Yes, he was."

"Were you very close?"

"Very. Now, why the sudden interest in my father?," she eyed the girl with a glimmer of mischief.

"Because I did not know mine. He died when I was a baby," her voice trailed off in a sad whimper. Reika, knelt, gesturing the child the way any mother would, to her. The horse huffed, stirring a bit. Kaede willfully let Reika take her into her arms.

She held the child a bit, caressing the girl's head, "I know how tough it is to be all alone in the world, Kaede. I can tell you from personal experience. But, you must be strong and not let the world overcome you. As long as it is possible, you have me. Understand?"

Kaede nodded.

She gently pulled Kaede away from herself, looking her in the eye, "No tears, Kaede. A man desperately needs our help. You would not be any good to him if you were a weeping mess."Kaede nodded affirmatively, rubbing her eye. Reika readjusted her bandage. "Hmmm? We are going to have to change that."

It had not taken long unharnessing the horse. Ushi, to Reika's delight, was most cooperative. He demonstrated even more cooperative as Reika fastened the supplies to his back. Kaede had helped her unfasten the horse of its buckles and was now handing the healer the supplies she could carry. With all that done, Reika hoisted the little girl on the animal's back.

"Reika, are you not riding with me?"

"No, I much rather walk," answered she, seizing the reins.

When Izayoi had said Santuary, he did not envision a multicolored unison fluttering in the air. All the different colors were magnificent as the butterflies fluttered in abundance in this beautiful domed holding area. To see the butterflies flying carelessly, it was an experience all its own. Beautiful flowers were very abundant in this closed off area of the garden, they were planted to provide food for these insects. Izayoi, herself, had raised these flowers with her own hands. There were luscious plants and other exotic type flowers Sesshoumaru had never laid his eyes on until now.

The butterflies were extremely friendly as they had taken the liberty to strewning themselves in the silkiness of his hair making an elaborate pattern in his locks. Izayoi was overcome with laughter. She could not help but giggle at the somewhat pathetic sight before her. Sesshouamru stared at her with full blown stupification on his face as the air was filled with Izayoi's contagious laughter realizing why she laughed for. Feeling annoyed by the spectacle these butteries made of him, he decided he would get them out of his hair even if it meant clawing them to death. However, before he was given the chance to do that, Izayoi raised her hands in protest.

"Let me," she offered.

One by one, she carefully removed the winged wonders with such a delicate touch, careful not to damage their fragile wings. Sesshouamru, much to his chagrin, had no other choice but to stand still as his father's little wife rescued the little colorful pests.

"I think they like you," he detected a kindness in her voice.

To Izayoi having Sesshoumaru standing there quietly still like a statue while she removed the butterflies, reminded her of her brother's son standing still as she, Auntie Izayoi, checked his head for lice and killing any eggs she found clinging to the hairstrands. Izayoi felt like a mother already, caring for a small child. She knew perfectly well, Sesshoumaru did not feel easy around her. Like any small boy, she imagined, he would have liked to have been with his father. Instead, he was stuck strolling with a pregnant human in the garden she herself, maintained. Despite appearances, the tension was there. He did not want to be there, she could tell. Nevertheless, as long as he was with her, she was determined to make the best of it. Hopefully, with patience and determination, she could win him over and be accepted by him and his clan.

Her husband had warned her about his son on numerous occasions. She was well aware that her arrival into the family would create discomfort to some, especially, his son whom was very attached to him. However, he also assured her to have faith. Sesshoumaru, as Lord Touga had put it, would come around, eventually. Izayoi, silently, prayed it to be so. She would hate her relationship with her stepson to be a sour one.

"They are such curious wonders," said she, letting another one of her contagious giggles escape as she tried starting a conversation with the not-so- conversational Sesshoumaru. She looked up when she noticed him not answering. He was in his own little world. This, her husband, had warned her about, too. Nervously, she brought her eyes down, tending to the labor before her.

Then, like a hot knife, Sesshoumaru's voice cut through the awkward silence, he asked, "Why did Father choose you?" All of a sudden, Izayoi stopped. Sesshoumaru knew he had stunned her. This made him happy. She then resumed, her hands shaking a bit this time. He had stricken the chord he wanted to strike. The air around her shifted, slightly. Her hands trembled more as she struggled to remove a stubborn butterfly. The rate of her heart had quicken and her breathing was a little bit labored. All in all, he could tell she was struggling for control of her emotions. Could he have wounded her feelings?

It was not like he cared, but he wondered if he did? He was also waiting to see how this mere human female, his father's new lover, because there was no other word for the woman who ursurped his mother's place, would react.

Then, unexpectedly, she calmed herself and replied, "Oftentimes, I have asked myself the very same thing. To be honest, Sesshoumaru-sama, I do not know why your father, Touga, chose me when he could easily have any woman he desires," she paused, then meeting her eyes with his, Izayoi confidently concluded, "However, at least, I know WHY I chose him. And knowing that gives me great comfort." With that, she dropped her eyes tending to Sesshoumaru's hair, once more.

Sesshoumaru, much to his chagrin, had been silenced.

Gold sun in the East

Brighter than a Tenyou's robe

Shining forever.

"Gold sun in the East, brighter than a Tenyou's robe, shining forever," Shiroi recited to herself as she ascended the stairs behind her sister, seemingly oblivious to the world around her. "Gold sun in the West, yearning for eternal rest, hiding in the sea…No, that is not right! Gold sun in the West, yearning for eternal rest, sleeping in a nest?"

Renga could not resist (stifle) the urge to roll her eyes in irritation as Shiroi drove her mad by reciting haikus she made up. To add to her irritation, she pulled her two headed mount by one hand and carried her sister's halberd in the other. She quickly looked up and realized that they were not even halfway up the palace plateau.

"Gold sun, gold sun…" the other uttered softly.

Renga huffed, "Red sun!" She stopped, resting (hard) the tip of the halberd's handle on the next step but keeping a firm grip on the animal's reins, below. "The sun in the East is gold but the sun in the West is red!," she shouted.

Shiroi just stared blankly at her older sister.

Renga continued, "Red sun in the West, settles down for nightly rest, hiding from the Moon."

"Ah, Sister, I did not know you had it in you to compose poetry."

"Well, after listening to you for many hours within our journey, which felt like an eternity, my hidden talent has been awoken," she said sardonically, still irritated.

"I am truly sorry, Renga. I just wanted to surprise Father."

"By driving me insane?! No, I rather take my chances upon a battlefield. At least a sword in the gut is a more honorable death than bad poetry."

Shiroi sighed. "I should have known better than to enforce your judgement."

"Look, if you allow me some silence until we arrive on the summit, I promise you, by all that is holy, I will hunt down the runt. And when that is accomplished, you can torture him with all the haikus you want. For now, I just want some quiet so then to hear my own thoughts."

"Alright, but do not forget your promise."

"I will make certain of that," there was a glint in her golden eyes.

The courtyard was heavily guarded however, Renga and Shiroi had no trouble getting passed the main gates. The palace was as beautiful from the last time they were here. Renga looked around to see the familiar two headed dragon greeted them with its roar.

"At least, we can be rest assured. The runt is here," Renga informed. A breeze blew in, playing with her grey locks. Shiroi nodded. She felt relieved Sesshoumaru had made it safe. True, she was still a bit disheartened that he had left without them this morning but she was glad, all the same, that he had made it.

Renga, on the other hand, wanted to ring his neck for getting the jump on them, this morning. Apparently, she figured, he wanted to see their father's new bride before everyone else. No matter, she would find him later and give him a piece of her mind. She had more pressing matters like find Jubei and get Shiroi's halberd repaired.

"Shiroi." Renga gave her the reins to Ain, which Shiroi accepted.

"Reika?," voiced Kaede.

Reika was too well into her thoughts to hear the girl. She pulled Ushi by the reins and was too concentrated to the horse's footfalls to hear Kaede's little voice. Her mind had been wondering since they left the wagon behind.

"Reika?"

The child had been through so much, she thought. She had lost her parents when she was barely a toddler. Kikyo had been both mother and father to little Kaede as she trained hard to be a priestess in the Shinto shrine. Reika had arrived not so long ago not a mission. Her first intention was just to pass through this town but then, she had met Kikyo. There had been a plague and Reika lended her a hand with the sick. She helped by mixing the herbs for the medicine. Some people had already died before they had arrived. However, the saved the ones that could be saved which were many. Most of them were children. From there, Kikyo had invited Reika to the shrine and that was where she met Kaede for the first time. Instantly, the child took a liking to the healer. For this reason, the healer decided she would stay.

"Reika, can you hear me?!," Kaede cried for her attention. Kaede pouted, bringing her arms akimbo to her chest. "Reika?"

"I hear you, Kaede," she finally replied.

"It does not seem that way."

Reika smirked, stifling a chuckle.

"Well, appearances can be deceiving, little one."

"Hmmm? I still think you were not listening."

"That is the trouble with little people like you, Kaede. You think too much," she ended that in a soft chuckle.

"Hey!"

Reika laughed harder. Kaede pursed her lips and furrowed her brows as Reika laughed at her expense. But then, she unfurrowed her brows and started to break out in laughter as well. It pleased Reika to witness her joy. The healer's laughter settled into bouts of chuckles, then it died as she finally caught herself. Kaede calmed as well, and took a deep breath to slow her fast beating heart.

Reika looked back at Kaede with a sad sort of glimmer in her eyes but she tried her best to feign happiness for the sake of the child. She turned her attention to the road ahead. She realized they were nearing their destination. It will not be long before they were at the patient's house, tending to his wounds.

Suddenly, fear crept into her being. It was more like a realization to Kaede's situation. Reika acknowledged her initial intention of just passing through. She was not going to stay. However, she did stay and now, was afraid of having to leave again. Yes, she realized, she would have to leave sooner or later. It was part of her job. She could not ignore duty. To do so would be perilous to her mission. He silently prayed she did not have to leave too soon. Kaede still needed her. She was all alone in this world, despite having the villagers willing to take her in whenever the need arise.

Reika made a silent oath to care for Kaede as long as she was permitted to do so. She would make sure that Kaede was led on the correct path. She would guide her as she had helped guide others before. This little girl needed her. It would be a cruelty to abandon her at a time like this. She would stay until she was assured Kaede was alright and could stand alone.

"Reika?"

Kaede had drawn her out of her reverie again. She replied with her serene but authoritive voice, "Something on your mind, Kaede?"

"Well…" she started, nervously. She twidled her thumbs, not knowing quite well how to word her question.

"Kaede, if you have a question, do not be afraid to ask it," Reika urged. Ushi bobbed his head in agreement. Reika smiled, patting the animal on the nuzzle.

"Well…I was wondering?"

"About what?"

"About something," she said in her whiny voice.

"Well, I will not know what that something is unless you say what it is. So, what is it?"

Kaede looked down on her hands.

"Unlike you, I am not getting any younger. What is it? Be bold, do not beat around the bush. Tell me."

"Alright!," she started, as if gathering her courage. "where did you get that scroll?"

Reika paused. The horse stopped with her, stopping all of them altogether. Kaede now feared that she had said something wrong. She prepared herself to give her guardian an apology in case she was mad. Suddenly, Reika graced Kaede with a look. The girl could not tell what the look was.

"You are so curious about that scroll, are you?," she was serious.

Kaede nodded. Reika stood still in thought. She held her eyes in place staring intensely in the girl's eyes. Kaede did not dare look away. Neither was she about to. Reika owed her an answer.

"It was given to me."

"Oh."

Reika, about to lead the horse, was interrupted again with another question.

"And who gave it to you?"

"A friend. She gave me the parchment. Are you satisfied with the reply or do you have another query?"

"What is in the scroll, Reika? What does it say?"

Will this questioning stop?

"Are you always this persistant?" she spoke to the horse.

"Please Reika! I want to know!," she begged from her high seat.

Reika stared at the girl. There was silence between them and an expectant Kaede waiting for a reply. She thought, What could she reply? Kaede deserved it. However, she was too young to understand such things. It was too soon to explain such complexities. Keep it simple.

"Red sun setting West, sinking down for nightly rest, in the Western sea.," she recited. She continued, "

Kaede was in awe. Her chin had dropped, her mouth forming an O. "That is was so pretty."

"Haikus…haikus written by an ancient hand," she replied. "The scroll contains a lot of haikus and I know everyone of them. Actually, it is a series of haikus written in Demon Script. Are you now satisfied?"

"Haikus written in Demon Script? You read Demon Script?"

"I have the knowledge, yes," she replied softly, quenching enough of the girl's curiousity.

"Oh. Reika?"

"Yes?"

"Can you teach me Demon script?"

"Kaede, as much as I would like to, it is not as simple to teach," She confirmed.

"You will not teach me, then?"

"That is correct."

"But, but why not, REika!"

"Because, it is too difficult."

"Please, Reika! I am going to be a miko one day and I think I am supposed to know these things," she argued.

"So being a miko gives you the right to being nosey?"

"Kikyo said that it helps if I am to protect my village from youkai," Kaede defended.

"I see."

"So, will you teach me?"

"Out of the question."

"Reika, Please!," Kaede begged.

"Kaede, I said No."

"Please? Oh, pretty please?"

"I said No," she stared the girl sternly.

Disappointed, Kaede dropped her head. Tears started to be shed. Reika felt sorry for her.

"Kaede, please understand my reasoning."

""Because it is too hard?"

"It is not only that. You will just have to trust me on this. There are things that are beyond your comprehension."

"why do you not try to explain, then?"

Reika sighed, "You have a way of putting me in a bind, once again." Kaede sniffed, rubbing her nose with the back of her sleeve. "Look, you will have to trust me. Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"You really trust me?"

"Yes, reika, I trust you."

"Good. Now, we must continue our journey. A man needs our help and we have lost time."

"I'm sorry, Reika."

Reika smiled. "It is alright. You only wanted to know. Unfortunately, you chose the wrong time to ask but you did not know."

Kaede nodded.

"I am glad."

The rest of the trip was silent. Despite being forgiven, Kaede did not dare speak. Reika, herself, had sunk into the depths of her own thoughts. The child would not have understood. She also thought what harm would it do to teach the child how to read the scrolls? Perhaps, there would be no harm. It would benefit her as a miko in training. She was clever and very open-minded. Her mind was like a sponge. Reika recognized it as a fact that mikos are forever scholars, constantly learning about this world and the next. They were always studying about every wonder, big and small. Eventually, she reasoned, she would have to learn of these things if she were to be the best miko.

Kaede was special. Her spirit was strong and her faith was stronger. Reika sensed a strong spirituality emanating from this little girl. She had great promise. The healer could see that. Her sister Kikyo had been a very powerful miko but due to her lack of control to bridal her passions, she found death in the end. Kaede would have to be stronger than Kikyo. Trouble times waited up ahead. Kaede would have to be strong, indeed.