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Sokai Kara Kaimei: Hope out of Darkness	By : Strawberries Category: InuYasha > General Views: 2413 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.
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chapter 3 New home:
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"What be ye doing there, child?"
Liana looked up to see an older woman in red and white priestess robes.
Instinctively, she hugged her baby closer. This was a priestess; she could kill
her child with a touch of her finger. "I am a traveler. Do not worry. I am leaving."
Liana stood up and took a step forward only to fall on one knee with a gasp.
Her ankle throbbed painfully.
The older woman's tone was curious. "Child, ye be in no shape to travel."
Glancing up, Liana scrambled backwards in fear, away from the miko's outstretched
hand. "Please, don't hurt my baby!"
As the ancient miko straightened, she asked, "Why would I want to hurt thy baby?"
Liana clicked her tongue. "As you can see, Priestess, my baby is a hanyou.
You, of all people, would have no qualms over purifying my half-demon baby from
this world."
The older woman shook her head slowly. "A priestess I be, child, but not a dark
one. I do not kill innocence."
Liana blinked up at the old woman. Taking a chance, she related her current
predicament. "I am in need of a place to live. Do you have a room or small
hut to spare in exchange for work? I am skilled in cooking and cleaning as well
as mending and fishing."
Her aged brow raised a tad. "Are you now?" Dark brown eyes studied her as the
miko rubbed her chin. "I have been looking for a servant and apprentice. You
have the inner glow about ye." The lines on her face crinkled in a smile.
"My name be Eyomi. You can live with me, you and your baby. In exchange, you
will be my apprentice and help me in my work."
Liana rose up on her knees and bowed her head. "Thank you, Eyomi-sama.
I am very grateful for your generosity."
Eyomi reached into a leather pouch at her left side then pulled out a small green
package while removing a leather strap from her right shoulder. At the end of the
strap was a large water gourd. Weathered hands held the items out to her.
"Here are some herbs for thy wounds. Take them with some water."
Carefully, Liana laid Maru on the ground before accepting the
medicine. "Thank you, Eyomi-s You You are very kind."
Eyomi's smile fell somewhat as she pointed down the path in the direction of the
village Liana had just run from. "I have business with the village elder.
Wait here and I will be back shortly."
Liana nodded. "Yes, Eyomi-sama."
Eyomi headed down the path.
After opening the package wrapped with leaves, Liana poured the herbs
into her mouth. She grimaced at the bitter taste and quickly drank some
water from the gourd. The water was cand and fresh; it felt good going
down her dry throat.
Leaning against the same tree as before, Liana wakened Maru for his feeding.
He ate well then fell asleep. A moment later, she closed her eyes to wait.
---------------------------------------------------
Time passed. Slow footfalls crunching on dry leaves roused Liana from
her doze. She opened her eyes to see Eyomi walking back down the path.

When the elder woman stopped, her hard wrinkles softened into a smile.
"Are ye ready to travel now, child? The herbs I gave ye should have helped
with the pain."
Nodding, Liana stood with little Maru snug in her embrace. "Yes, Eyomi-sama,
my ankle feels much better now. I am fit to travel."
Eyomi gave a nod as she continued down the path.
"Aye, tis good, we have a half day's travel ahead of us."
Liana followed the aged miko. "My name is Liana."
The older woman did not look back. "Aye, greetings, Liana."
Feeling a little anxious, Liana glanced at the miko. "Where are we going,
Eyomi-sama?"
"To my home. I live in a small village to the northeast."
Sighing away her nervousness, Liana trailed closely behind the priestess.
It would serve no purpose to worry about how the village people would react to her
presence at the moment. If Eyomi's village did not accept her, she would deal
with that problem when it came. Right now she had hope, and that hwas was
enough to ease her wearied mind and body.
-------------------------------------
Throughout midday and afternoon, they traveled along the path, sometimes crossing
long rope bridges, sometimes stopping to rest. By sundown, Liana could see smoke
lines in the distance above the treetops. Soon, they came upon a dusty curve
in the path.
Eyomi stopped and raised her hand. A pinkish light flashed in front of the
priestess. "I have opened the barrier for ye child. Being hanyou, he cannot cross
without my permission. The doorway will close once we pass through."
The miko continued down the path.
Eyeing the air where the pink light had been, Liana stepped forward and walked
through the invisible doorway.
They traveled onward, along the path darkly shaded by the large trees of the forest.
Before evening set in, they entered a village riserised of many wooden huts.
Each hut was well built with a sturdy foundation and slanted roofs, which were
anchored with large rocks.
Liana glanced around. This village was bigger than the last and the homes were
better made. Late fall flowers bloomed near several doorsteps, their delicate
petals bowing to the faint breeze. Somewhere in the distance, water gurgled along
with the tinkle of children's laughter. It all seemed so peaceful, so much so that
she felt her heart lighten a little. Maybe...they would accept her and Maru
here.

Liana trailed in behind the priestess through the cluster of quiet homes,
the gentle rush of water becoming louder the farther they walked. The end of
the village was in sight and she looked beyond the last hut to see a vast
openness. Fields of crops and flats of rice beds stretched far into the
distance. The large expanse sloped slightly downhill, ending at what appeared
to be a small bordering river.
Eyomi stepped up to a well-built wooden hut and entered. Liana, taking
one last glance at the peaceful surroundings, pushed the reed mat aside and
entered as well.
The first thing Liana noticed was the warm wooden floor and the earthy smell
of herbs. Dark green, dried plants hung from the ceiling and walls. A small
iron stove sat near the door, under an open window. The heat from it warmed
her ankles. To the side was a doorway, probably a bedchamber.
Eyomi motioned for her to sit on a futon in the corner of the room.
Liana walked to the low stuffed mattress and sat down.
Maru squirmed in her arms and she tried to shush him by placing the tip of
her finger to his lips. Little hands grasped her wrist as he tried to
suck on her fingertip.
"What be the hanyou's name, child?" The woman asked while picking up a
medium sized iron pot from the floor.
a sma smiled faintly while gently rocking back and forth. "His name is Aki
Maru Lian. I named him after his father and I."
Still holding the iron pot, the miko studied the baby in her arms for a moment.
"He has the ears of a dog. He be a half dog demon then?"
With a nod, Liana replied. "Yes."
Eyomi walked to the stove and placed the pot on its flat surface then filled
it with water from a large gourd she had picked up from the floor. "Dog demon,
eh? There be a clan of youkyoukai to the southwest of here. The Westernlands.
Would ye be a mate to one of them?"
Frowning, Liana gazed at the fidgeting infant in her arms. "No...I am no inu
youkai's mate....my baby's father is dead."
The older woman finished filling the pot with vegetables then walked over
and sat on the other small futon across from hers. Her ancient brown
eyes smiled sagely as she gazed softly for several moments. "That be not
true, child."
Deep inside, Liana felt the heaviness tug at her heart.
She met the miko's wise gaze with the sadness of truth. "He is
dead, Eyomi-sama."
Her gray brows furrowed slightly before she gave a slow nod in understanding.
"I see."
Liana looked down at Maru before slowly switching her gaze to
the open window above the stove. "Will the village
accept us, Eyomi-sama?"

The older woman's tone softened. "Aye, child, I do believe most will. We have
no love for dangerous youkai here, but the village folk welcome all human,
hanyou, and youkai who bear us no ill will and are docile in nature."

Liana smiled, sighed, and closed her eyes. "Thank you, Eyomi-sama."
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Sokai Kara Kaimei: Hope out of Darkness