The Path of a Miko by Red

Finding

Chapter One: The Finding

The first time he saw her he was attempting to still his inner beast's cry to flee. She was so small, her eyes glittered like bright sapphires in fire light because of fright and tears. She was not more than five or so in human years. Her mewled cry of 'Mama' reached his ears as he neared her.

 The sting of purfication still strong in the air around her, ashes of many lower youkai lay around her feet and on her inky locks, greyed now, by the detritus.

 “Who are you?” He asked not daring to get too near the little miko, whose power still radiated from her. She practically glowed, it rolled off her in waves. Dangerous waves. He knew only the foolish would approach

She was a beautiful child. Large cerulean doe eyes and rich dark locks promised her a good match when she reached of age.

 The girl had felt his approach, she had awaited his arrival, tears falling freely. She stared up into eyes of gold.

His eyes had a kindly tint, despite his race. Her fingers curled into her kimono sleeve as he knelt on the grass before her. Something in his gold eyes, perhaps the kindness, made her reply.

 “Kagome.” She said quietly.

 “Kagome, where is your mama?” He asked gently as her reiki recoiled back into her.

 “Papa took her.” She snuffed, tears still leaking from her eyes. “Papa hates me.”

 That was strange. Mikos were highly prized amoung humans, even after the human/youkai war. They were worth more than their weight in gold. Even youkai prized them. One such as this one, beautiful and very obiviously powerful, would have brought honor to her parents.

 “Where did they go?” She had walked closer, trying to get a better look at him. He was in full armed royal regilia.

 "I don't know. Papa said he would kill Mama if I followed.” She sobbed.

 His heart softened as he made a quick decision. “Well then, stop your crying. You are welcome to come with me.”

 She looked up at him. “But you are youkai. You will eat me. Mama said so.”

 He chuckled. “That is true of some youkai, but I have not eaten you as of yet. Nor will I.”

 She was no longer crying. “Truely?” She inquired. Her limpid gaze watched him as if she were assessing his trustworthiness.

 “Truely.” he aswered. He stood, holding out a hand which she took carefully, wordlessly. She knew instintively he was to be trusted. 

 He smiled down at the human child. She was worthy to join his household he decided.

Her sorrow was not gone from her eyes and he doubted the acceptence and warmth of a stranger would make it go away, but perhaps with time she could forget the pain of abandonment and rejoice in her new family. She was the warmth his family needed.

 “What is your name, youkai?” She asked as he lifted her up into his arms. Her fingers brushed his silvery snow touched hair by accident, only upon discovering the softness, did she lean into it.

 “You may call me Taisho-sama.” He answered and she smiled.

 That is how the house of Inu-no-Taisho, dog youkai, Lord of The West aquired a full human miko as a resident.

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“Mate, what have you brought back to us?” Inu-no-Taisho caught the look his mate was giving Kagome as he sat her down in the courtyard of his palace. He had only just arrived and Kagome had stared in amazed wonder at his grand home.

Sesshoumaru stood beside his mother, also staring down at her. Little Inuyasha clung to his elder half brother's pant leg. Kagome looked back with curiousity but no fear.

Inu-no-Taisho had taken the long route home, giving her time to acclimate to him as well as give her instrution of her new home.

 “This, my family, is Kagome.”

 “First a hanyou, now a human. Not another misbegotten offspring then, since she is full human.” His mate's sharp glance directed at Inuyasha, who did not notice. However Sesshoumaru did, his eyes narrowed a bit in his mother's direction. They held differing opinons of the hanyou Taisho had sired with a human princess, who had lived many moons ago.

Inuyasha let go of Sesshoumaru's pant leg and stumbled forward to the girl. She squealed at the sight of his fuzzy ears. He flattened then. A response that made Inu-no-Taisho smile. Sesshoumaru's eyes shown with amusement as he steadied the hanyou.

 “No, Sumimoko. I have been loyal since then. I found her, abandoned.” Kagome gave a silent questioning look to Inu-no-Taisho, which he nodded.

His days with her, he had learned her silent questions as well as her outspoken ones. She was an open, honest, and entirely too trusting child. He had to protect her, for those qualities were rare in the days after the war.

 “Will we be opening a orphanage then?” She inquired, a tang still in her voice but it had soften. Sumimoko had always wanted a daughter.

Her eyes on Kagome, who pounced on Inuyasha, reaching for his ears. He let out a growl as he escaped her questing hands.

 “She is a special human.” He answered. Kagome pouted as Inuyasha hid behid Sesshoumaru.

 “A miko?” His mate gasped. Sesshoumaru drew away from the pouting girl, not afraid, guarded.

Mikos were what boogymen were to human children to youkai children. Kagome did not like his sudden defensive stance, tears formed in her eyes. Inuyasha peered at her again, this time trying to get around his brother to her.

 “Of ample power, her level is near mine.” he asserted. Sumimoko's eyes widen as a new interest 

“ She will not harm you.” His last statement directed towards Sesshoumaru.

 “I won't hurt you. I promised Taisho-sama.” she cried out before Sesshoumaru could reply to his father or relax his guard. Sesshoumaru let go of the squriming hanyou,trusting his father's judgement as well as his own senses. The girl was small and human, but something was off about her scent. She was no threat to them, her scent had spoken of her distress when they had pulled away from her.

While her scent was pure as all miko and monk's scents were, it lack something he couldn't place, something all humans had. Something neither of his parents noticed. 

"Let's get inside, it has been a long, tough journey." Taisho stated as he scooped Inuyasha from the floor.

Sumimoko stared at her mate's back before looking down at their new ward. The great lady was sorely tempted to pick the child up as her mate had done to Inuyasha. Her eyes drift to her son whose eyes were also on the little girl. Kagome was returning his gaze.

"Kagome." Sumimoko said. Her attention snapped to Sumimoko. "Take my hand. We must follow Milord's orders."

"Yes. Lady youkai, Taisho- sama did not tell me what to call you." She replied. Her eyes held an inqusitive look. 

"I am Sumimoko and that is my son, Sesshoumaru. You may call me Sumimoko-sama."

A.N.: Thank you for reading. Please review and let me know what you think!