Truth be told, Haru felt a spark of excitement. This felt like the start of a ghost or fox spirit story; straight out of old myths. Any man would feel a little thrill. He wouldn't let her trick him, but playing along for now seemed fine.
"Hey, are you okay?" Tsuda, unlike Haru, had no experience and fell right into it. He hurried over, truly worried about her injury.
Haru stepped closer to the woman, calm at first, but when he saw her face, his heart jumped.
She looked sixteen or seventeen, her face delicate and bare of makeup, tears streaking her cheeks and her eyes red, making her look pitiful.
For a moment, Haru almost faltered, thinking, 'Maybe she's not lying; she doesn't look like a fake.'
Then he noticed her kimono; too fancy for a commoner, and no noble would be alone here. Doubt crept in.
He nearly fell for it… Haru felt a chill. His "idiot hair" didn't twitch, meaning no illusions or charms, just her natural helplessness had almost caught him.
That was scarier than any illusion. Haru decided to stay sharp, avoiding her gaze for too long.
The woman spoke softly, her voice gentle and sweet. "My family was once well-known, but we lost everything and had to seek help from relatives. We stopped at a temple ahead…" She covered her face, sobbing. "But demons live here. My family disappeared one by one, probably taken by them. Now I'm alone… I was so hungry, I came out for food and twisted my ankle…"
Her sadness was heavy, making anyone want to hold her close and comfort her.
Most men would have caved, but Haru stayed cautious, and Tsuda was too young to be swayed.
Tsuda asked, "How bad is your injury? Can we help?"
"I can't walk alone. If you could help me back to the temple, I'd be so grateful!" She looked at Tsuda with teary eyes.
Tsuda, unused to such a gaze, turned red and stumbled over his words.
Haru watched quietly. Her acting was weak, her story full of gaps, but he didn't call her out yet.
Her injury looked real; her swollen ankle, the cold sweat and the shaky voice. She'd actually hurt herself to fool them… Haru wasn't sure if he should admire her effort or pity her stubbornness.
"Of course, it's an honor to help a lady." Haru smiled, taking her hand.
Her skin was smooth and cool, almost too perfect.
But Haru's heart skipped: ' No pulse, then if she is not a demon, then… a ghost?'
Carefully lifting her, he asked politely, "I'm Haru, and this is Tsuda… Miss, what's your name?"
She blushed, shy from his touch. "I have no family name… just Kiyoko."
"Kiyoko… a nice name." Haru smiled, but his eyes narrowed. She'd claimed to be from a noble family, yet had no surname; another lie.
Why trick them? That puzzled Haru. If she were a spirit who killed people, then her acting wouldn't be too clumsy, and she wouldn't be timid. Plus, she didn't smell of blood nor did he sense any malice; his "idiot hair" stayed still.
'I'll see what you're up to,' Haru thought.
He turned to Tsuda. "It's getting late, and moving at night is dangerous. Let's rest at the temple and go on tomorrow. We can help her and rest too. What do you say?"
Tsuda, worried about Shion but seeing the logic, nodded.
Haru helped Kiyoko along the rough path, their bodies brushing now and then.
Her scent filled his nose, warming his head, and he could feel her heat through their clothes…
Both Kiyoko and Haru felt the strain, their hearts pounding, minds blank and their bodies growing warm.
Luckily, the temple wasn't far, and they soon arrived.
Seeing it, Haru let out a quiet breath.
Whew
Wait, two sighs?
He glanced at Kiyoko, who had sighed too.
They both laughed softly, Kiyoko's blush growing, while Haru snapped back; 'Almost got me again!'
He eased away from her slightly.
Kiyoko didn't notice, guiding them to a guest room. She sat by the tea table, her legs tucked aside due to her injury.
"How's your ankle? I know a bit about sprains. Should I check it?" Haru offered.
Kiyoko's blush deepened, her mind racing. "That… That wouldn't be right. A man and woman shouldn't be so close. Earlier it was urgent, but now it's not ok. What's more…..I-I'd have to take off my shoes and socks…"
She looked down, then spoke bravely. "Thank you both for helping me back. I have little to give, but let me make tea. Please wait for a moment; it'll be ready soon."
She lit charcoal, set out the tea tools; pot, tray, cups, leaves, water, and extras and started brewing.
Haru only knew plain tea, but he'd heard sencha was tricky, especially with added flavors.
(Sencha: Green tea made out of whole tea leaves instead of tea powder like matcha.)
But…
He eyed the fully prepared tea set, even with extras, and smirked inside.
'All set up prepared ahead of time. Even the cups are three.'
Now he doubted Kiyoko's intent. If she meant harm, her acting was too naive, hinting at inexperience or isolation. But why target them? They had nothing valuable.
…..
Though it was just tea, the steps were many and slow.
What could've been boring became beautiful with Kiyoko there. She rolled up a sleeve, showing a pale wrist and forearm. Her movements were smooth and calm, washing and setting tools with a quiet grace, like a gentle stream.
Her every move showed refinement, yet carried a subtle pull, tempting one to look deeper and lose themselves.
It wasn't on purpose, just how she was, a natural draw to men.
Haru grew uneasy. Then he thought to warn Tsuda. "Atsu, isn't it stuffy in here? Let's step out for air and look at the stars."
Tsuda blinked, ashamed of his daze, and quickly agreed.
Kiyoko seemed relieved too; being alone with men was hard for her.
Haru and Tsuda walked in the temple's backyard under a bright starry sky, perfect for gazing.
Haru was about to warn Tsuda about Kiyoko when he saw the boy staring at the moon, lost in thought.
"Ahem!" Haru coughed.
Tsuda looked down. "Sorry, I got distracted…"
"It's fine. You seem troubled. What's on your mind?"
"No… the moon made me think of Shion." He looked up. "On new moon nights, Shion changes… she would grow dog ears on her head. I used to help her hide them… Now there's no need; she's gone."
Haru thought, 'Her demon blood is so thin. Inuyasha turned human on new moons, but Shion only showed demon signs then… How many generations apart are they?'
Seeing Tsuda's sadness, Haru softened. "Don't worry. The demons took her alive, so she's useful to them. She's safe for now. We just need to find her fast."
Tsuda sighed, then checked the orb. "It's blinking quick… she's close."
That cheered him up, while Haru wondered, 'Close? The orb, Shion, Yumeko… Kiyoko's odd invite… Is Yumeko here?'
He tensed, not knowing Sesshomaru had crushed Yumeko's group, leaving her alone. He feared a trap, feeling on edge.
'Wait, if they were much stronger, they wouldn't need this setup. They must be weak, maybe scared of me… That's good.'
He thought, 'They think they're hidden, but I know it's a trap… I can use this!'
Smiling, he told Tsuda, "Atsu, stay calm and listen; Kiyoko's a spirit, likely a ghost!"
"Wha—"
"Shh, don't panic… Follow my lead, and we might see Shion tonight."
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kiyoko or Kiyohime focused on the tea, starting to enjoy it, humming a soft tune.
"You're really making tea?" A voice came from the dark as Yumeko stepped out.
Her face was sour. "I said trick them into drinking tea, not serve them plain tea! Where's the poison?"
Kiyohime froze, stammering, "I-I don't have any poison."
"Useless." Yumeko took a cup, hid her mouth with her sleeve, and kissed the rim. A faint black line marked the bottom. She did the same to another cup.
"Listen, pour so they don't see the bottom. As long as it is mixed with tea, they won't be able to smell it."
Kiyohime blinked at the cups, asking shyly, "This poison…"
Yumeko snapped, "Relax, it won't kill them!"
Then, calmer, "Don't worry, I'm just impatient, don't take it to heart. With only thirty percent of my power, even my venom's weak. This will just knock them out."
Kiyohime nodded, eased. "I'll do as you say, sister."
Footsteps neared. Yumeko hid again, and Kiyohime poured the tea, hiding the poison's color.
"You're back from your walk? Good timing, the tea's ready. Please, try it."
Haru and Tsuda traded looks. Tsuda blinked twice, and Haru smiled faintly.
"Haha, it's cold tonight; this tea will warm us up. Thanks, Miss Kiyoko!" Haru ignored tea manners, blew on the cup, and drank it fast.
He'd spilled most of it on his clothes, masking it with big movements.
Tsuda reached for his cup, but Haru spoke.
"Huh? Is this tea?" Haru touched his forehead. "It feels like… wine."
He peeked at Kiyoko or Kiyohime, seeing her nervous yet hopeful look, with no pity or fear. So, the tea wasn't deadly; just a sedative.
Haru swayed, acting sleepy as if he struggled to stay awake, then slumped on the table, "out."
....
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