After All This Time?

Abandoned ~Rin

I didn't know how far I had gotten away from the village, but I needed to find shelter somewhere soon. The rain was pouring harder now than when I left, or I didn't notice how much it was raining until now.

I clicked my heels and had Kuro to keep going onward. He and I were soaked from the rain he grew tired when I had him running at full speed earlier.

"Hang on, Kuro," I spoke to him calmly.

I found a dirt road that leads north, farther away from the village. Maybe I'll find something on the side of the road up ahead I thought. And sure enough, I had found an empty teahouse with enough coverage over the entrance of the door to the side window for Kuro to stand outside while I got myself dry inside.

I jumped off the horse, tied Kuro's reigns to a pole by the window, and I walk inside the empty building. Luckily there was some firewood inside so I could be able to start a fire.

Once I got the fire started, I began undressing to see how wet my kosode got. Not only my kosode, but the hadajuban was soaking wet too. I had no choice but to lay them out close to the fire to hopefully dry.

I sat as close to the fire as I could bear without it scorching my bare skin. As long as no one was around, I wasn't going to be seen all exposed.

I took the saddle and blankets off of Kuro so he could dry off as well. He was relieved to have the extra weight off of him, and that he could now dry off properly.

The rain continued to pour and my clothes were not yet dry. I sat there shivering from the light breeze that was still able to sneak into the house, but it wasn't strong enough to put out the fire. I looked around the storage areas to see if there was any food in the teahouse, but sadly no luck.

I couldn't recall how far I ran, my mind was in such a haze it just felt like we were riding for hours. And I wasn't completely familiar with this area that we ended up in, so I hope I'll be able to find our way back.

I sat there near the firepit and I was beginning to realize that I should have let Kaede have the chance to explain. Why did she make Sesshomaru stay away from me? Did I do something wrong? Kaede mentioned that he wanted to take me that day, so why didn't she let him?

Why didn't she let me decide to go with him?

I wish I knew where you were so I could see you... at least so I could get that one last goodbye.

Tears began to form in my eyes again.

I didn't want there to be a goodbye.

I want to see him.

I want to talk to him.

I want to know the truth from him.

I don't doubt Kaede, but I could tell she was still keeping something from me. That is if I had stayed maybe she would have told me what she was keeping from me.

I sigh deeply and buried my face into my knees.

I'm such an idiot.

I've let my emotions get the better of me these past few days. I've tried to not be like this, but I suppose if you keep suppressed feelings for so long, it will eventually explode all at once into a big mess.

You are such a strong, brave woman. You're a fighter, and you have a big heart. You should never apologize or assume that's a weakness.

I scoffed at myself.

"I don't feel very strong right now, Kohaku."

I wipe the tears from my eyes and check on my clothes. My hadajuban was dry, but my kosode was still a bit damp.

"I'm going to go look for him. I need to know the truth."

""

The rain had finally stopped, but the dark clouds hovered in the sky. My kosode was finally dry and the horse gear was dry as well.

I put the kosode on and the gear back on Kuro, untying his reigns from the pole. I jump on him and I had him trot down the now muddy road back home.

I need to try to talk to Kaede again. What else was she keeping from me?

I felt my stomach gurgling and grumbling, it was getting late and I was growing hungry.

"I hope I can get back to the village before nightfall. Maybe Kaede will cook her stew tonight. She knows that always made me feel better."

I didn't want to return to the village right now, but I was in no way prepared to go out on a long journey to find Lord Sesshomaru. I needed to rest up and gather supplies.

Kuro was getting tired again and needed to rest, and he was needing food as well. I pet his neck while he walked on the road that should hopefully lead back to the village. I was still calming myself down and not be mad at Kaede for what she had said, but I needed to have her explain more.

"And had I not rushed out like I did, I probably would have known by now," I told myself.

Sighing loudly, I realized that I was still a bit childish at times.

I felt embarrassed.

I shouldn't have reacted the way I did, especially to Kaede, she didn't deserve that. Once I get back to the village, I need to apologize to her.

I heard unusual rustling in the treetops above me. I became alert and put my guard up, remaining calm, and started slowly reaching for my dagger I had hidden under my kosode on my left thigh.

I squeezed my heels against Kuro to make him gallop. As soon as he began moving faster, I heard something shoot out of the trees, but I blocked it with my dagger. It clanged against my blade, it was something made out of metal.

I squeezed my heels against Kuro tighter to have him go faster, hoping to get away from what's trying to attack me. As the objects kept getting thrown at me from the trees, I deflect them with my dagger. I noticed one got hooped through the tip of my dagger, it was a shuriken star.

Ninjas?

But why are they attacking me?

"This isn't good. I need to escape quickly." I told myself.

Before I could react, a figure lands on the road in front of us, causing Kuro to stop abruptly. The figure was wearing tapered clothes with light armor on them. Their face was covered except for their eyes.

And then another figure, much bigger than the one in front of me, drops down from the trees as well. Had the same tapered clothes and light armor, the mouth was covered except the eyes, and it had a long stream of hair from the front going to the back of their head with the sides shaved.

When both brought their eyes up, they glowed, signaling that they were yokai.

"Demon ninjas?" I exclaimed, getting worried now.

The one in front of me chuckled menacingly.

"We've been looking for you, rabbit."