~Their Salvation~

~Chapter 6~

Hana felt something soft nuzzled up to her face. She slowly opened her eyes only to hiss in pain closing them again. Whatever was nuzzled up to her moved and licked her cheek before letting out a tiny call. Hana tried to push herself up but only could prop herself on her arms before she felt like she was going to fall again.

"Kirara?" She heard a girl call making the small creature let out another tiny call. Hana then heard a gasp before she felt someone grab her making her jump and try to pull away.

"Shh shh, it's ok, I'm not going to hurt you." The girl said in a sweet tone before getting a better grip on Hana so she didn't drop her.

"What happened to you?" She asked looking Hana over for wounds. Hana tried to open her eyes again, she was thankful the girl was blocking the sun so it didn't hurt as bad but god was it painful. The girl gasped before moving Hana's hair out of the way to look at her eyes.

"Shit, it's ok, close your eyes so they don't hurt." Hana listened reluctantly, after all, she didn't know this stranger.

"Kaito get over here!" The girl called. Soon someone ran over kneeling beside them.

"Is she hurt?" A boy's voice asked.

"Her eyes, that flash we saw from the village must have hurt them. Kirara found her here." The tiny creature mewed as a confirmation.

"I'll carry her, Aia, you go ahead to tell Lady Eiko that we're bringing back a wounded." The girl handed Hana over to the boy before getting up.

"Kirara, stay with Kaito just in case he needs help on the way back!" With that, Aia ran off. Kaito picked up Hana and started walking while Kiara followed beside them. Hana brought a shaky hand to her eyes not daring to touch them, but she was scared as to why this was happening.

"Be careful, don't want to damage them more than they already are." Kaito spoke softly. Hana dropped her hand on her chest, she felt embarrassed since she wasn't used to being carried but at the same time, she felt oddly safe now someone was there with her in her hurt state. After a long walk, Hana could hear more people making her nervous.

"Kaito, Lady Eiko said to bring her here!" Hana heard Aia call. Kaito walked over then into the hut where an older woman sat with a futon ready for Hana along with some herbs and a pale of water. Kaito gently laid Hana down.

"So Kirara found her by the flash yes?" Eiko asked as she wet a cloth in the pale.

"Yeah, that might have been what caused her injury to her eyes." Aia said softly.

"Will she be able to see properly again?" Kaito asked.

"If she rests them, I can restore her vision as long as it's not completely lost already." Hana slowly shook her head no.

"Good, now sit still." Eiko said laying some herbs in the wet cloth, then over Hana's eyes.

"Let it soak, it will help ease the pain." Eiko spoke softly.

"Thank goodness." Aia said with a soft sigh.

"Was Inuyasha still there?" Eiko asked feeling Hana's forehead making sure she didn't have a fever. Kirara made a soft noise shaking her head no.

"This isn't good, not at all." Eiko said with a shaky voice.

"Her odd clothing, she isn't from here is she?" Kaito suddenly spoke up, then a smack could be heard in the hut.

"Ow!" Kaito said rubbing his head.

"Don't call her clothing odd you moron!" Aia snapped.

"Kaito has a point." Eiko pointed out.

"Can you tell us your name dear?" Eiko asked. Hana took in a shaky breath parting her lips.

"H-Hana." Her voice was weak.

"My name is Eiko, the priestess of this village." Eiko said with a smile though Hana couldn't see it.

"I'm Aia! I help run things here in the village." Aia chirped.

"Name's Kaito, the monk of the village." Kaito said with a gentle smile. The small creature gently put her paw on Hana's hand purring.

"Ah, that's Kirara, she's kinda the guardian of the village.~" Aia said before petting Kirara.

"She's been in our family for hundreds of years now." Kaito explained. The door was suddenly opened as panting could be heard.

"Kaida?" Eiko asked as a tiny thud was heard. A little girl with fox paws for feet and a fox tail had to jump on the handle and push the door open due to her being so small.

"Papa... said... whew." She took in a deep breath.

"Papa said Inuyasha is gone!" The little girl said nervously.

"We know, Aia and Kirara found this girl by the tree, her eyes were injured by the flash we all saw." Kaida frowned before jumping on the door to close it, jumped down, then she walked over to Hana.

"Will she be ok?" Kaida asked Eiko.

"She just needs rest Kaida. Now can you do me a favor and get your father?" Eiko asked sweetly.

"Yes ma'am!~" Kaida chirped saluting Eiko, then running to the door, jumping up to open it, jumping down, jumping up to close it behind her, then she ran off to get her father.

"I hope Shippō will be able to help. What if Inuyasha tries to attack again?" Aia asks.

"Then, we seal him away again. We're going to have to send for Sesshomaru." She muttered sorrowfully. There was a knock on the door gaining everyone's attention.

"It's open!" Eiko called. The door opened as a young man with fox paws for feet and a fox tail walked in, Kaida sitting on his shoulder.

"Got papa!~" She said proudly.

"Thank you dear." The man closed the door behind him before walking over getting on his knees.

"So you're aware of Inuyasha being gone?" He asked softly while Kaida jumped off his shoulder to pet Kirara.

"Yes, I fear the worst is going to come." Eiko muttered softly.

"Shippō, there must be a way to stop him without sealing him away right?" Aia asked looking up at him. Shippō closed his eyes letting out a soft breath.

"I am unsure." He spoke softly before looking down at Hana.

"She was found by the tree?"

"Yes, she was." Shippō tensed staying silent for a good while before closing his eyes.

"History's repeating itself." He whispered softly.