Spirits by Priestess Skye

Kirin

Leaving the village had been hard, but leaving Inuyasha had been even harder. They were too closely connected for her to not feel his pain when she had informed him that he couldn't join her on her trek to the mountains. The village needed a protector, and she needed answers that could only be provided by the monks that inhabited there. Everyday more rogue youkai wandered into the village looking for a snack be it crops, cattle or farmers. Every day the tension in the air around them grew thicker, making it difficult to cut through. Sesshoumaru's words haunted her though the night. She wasn't strong enough to defeat what was to come, and she didn't know how to strengthen herself either. She could hear the townspeople whisper around her, both glaring at her and begging her for her protection. Her spiritual powers should be enough some said, while others believed they should seek out another priestess to protect what was theirs.

She didn't blame them. She couldn't blame them when she was so suddenly not confident in herself.

She had stood beneath the Goshinboku once more, her hand, ear and heart pressed against the rough bark of tree, and listened. It thrummed and pulsed beneath her touch, but said nothing more. There was no indication about what path she was to take to success, and no guidance as to her next move. Her only comfort was that despite whatever was to happen, this tree would remain standing for centuries to come.

I don't understand why you can't send Miroku. He's a monk, he can speak to them.

Because, Inuyasha, Miroku has a family to take care of and protect. This village is my family and in order to protect them, I need to do this.

Kagome sighed as she left the tree for one final time. Her faithful yellow backpack was filled with food rations the villagers had offered her upon her departure, as well as a second set of clothing. She knew her traditional garb would gain her entry to many places, as well as leave her untouched by many of the less scrupulous men. There was something about faith and power that while alluring, it was also dangerous. She had been fortunate to have Inuyasha stand by her side all of those years. His simple presence was enough to scare any man off.

She missed him. She had just left and she missed him. It was difficult to remember the last time she had left the village without him. Smiling, it was easy to hear his grumbling as they walked together hand in hand. He had put up such a front every time they needed to travel somewhere, but she could see his enjoyment in his eyes. His almost perfect gold eyes could never hide a thing from her.

Today he didn't even attempt to hide his disappointment from her. "This is right," she told herself. She needed to know she could do this alone. She needed to know that she didn't need to depend on anybody to defend what was hers. The journey up the mountain would be arduous and slow. There were many rogue youkai who lived in the middle of nowhere and refused to live peaceably with humans. She would never mean them harm, unless her predecessors, but she would never let them stand in her way either. She had a goal to complete. She needed information.

Leaving the tree, she adjusted her backpack and made her way through the woods, enjoying the bits of sunlight that streamed through the trees. There were no clouds in sight, causing her to smile. She would hate to make this trip in pouring rain. Years of travelling had built up her stamina and kept her in top physical shape. She didn't have the luxuries of a car here, or even her bike anymore. She had given it to the village children as they were fascinated with it, and she rarely travelled far without Inuyasha.

A rustle in the leaves and bushes next to her stopped her for a moment. Wary, blue eyes turned to the left as she listened.

And felt.

There was something powerful nearby, something unfamiliar. Silently she slipped her backpack from her back and withdrew an arrow from her quiver. She didn't dare notch it yet, unsure if the power was a threat or not, but she would be ready. Frowning, it dawned on her that this is probably one of the reasons why Sesshoumaru believed her be unprepared. Perhaps she was too compassionate as preferred to investigate first and pass judgement later. Really, was that such a bad thing?

This wasn't her world, and she wasn't sure it was ever meant to be her world. But she was here now, of her own volition, and she had the rest of her life to make the best of it. It could be a very short life if this uprising comes to fruition. She didn't even know what the uprising was. Sesshoumaru was being intentionally vague.

Quietly, she pushed passed the dense foliage, brushing leaves and branches aside, and peered through to the clearing. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the creature as it jumped about. Large, golden, with the head of a dragon and the body of a deer, she had never heard of such an animal, even in legend. She remembered to exhale and raised her bow, for all of the good she thought that would do her. The animal was enshrouded in bright flames, the heat of which touched her even from a distance. She was sure even her spiritual powers wouldn't be able to touch it.

"Kirin," a baritone voice murmured, causing her to jump. A clawed hand fell upon her shoulder, steadying her. "You would do well to keep your guard up at all times Miko. I could have slit your throat and you'd be none the wiser."

Kagome felt the blood drain from her face as he spoke those words, knowing he was right. She didn't need a youkai's sense of smell to know when a predator or prey was nearby, she had her own ways of figuring it out, but she couldn't allow one single thing to occupy her entire focus. She was weak.

"You are starting to understand."

"What's a Kirin? I've never heard of them?"

"It is harmless. Somebody great is being born today."

"What do you mean?"

"A leader. As to whether or not this leader is human or youkai, or will aid you in your upcoming battle or work against you, that has yet to be seen. The Kirin is here to provide balance between powers. It is an omen, Miko."

Slowly she placed the arrow back into her quiver, and slid her bow over her shoulder. She would not need this today. She was sure about that much. "What are you doing here, Sesshoumaru?"

He quirked a brow upright and for all of a moment she thought he wouldn't answer her. Sesshoumaru answered to nobody. He gestured to the clearing once more. "When a tiding such as this arrives, somebody should be there to witness it."

She looked once more and it was gone. The grass was green, as if the flame of the animal had never touched it. There was no evidence of it ever being there. She mulled over Sesshoumaru's words. This Kirin could either be a very good thing, or a very bad thing. She wasn't entirely sure. She didn't need anything more working against her at this moment, but she didn't want the added burden of having to protect what was to come as well. Frustrated and irritated with the hand thrown at her by the fates, she turned to demand more answers from her friend. And much like the Kirin, he was gone, having vanished without leaving any trace of his presence behind.