Living in the Moment

[Birdie]

Once her body and mind had calmed, and she completely relaxed, it did not take long for sleep to claim her body. She would have liked to watch him at her doorway for a while longer. She struggled to keep her eyes open, but failed her battle. The night passed on. As the full moon set, he features began to change. Her hair changed from black into soft silver and the antenna grew from her head. As the change took place she awoke in time to push away her covers and reposition the dress she wore.

The regrowth of her wings was always the most painful of the experience. They had to rework their way out of her back. It was not like when she touched water and the wings would disappear. The connective tissues would have to regrow and in the end her back would be left a slightly bloody mess. She weathered this in near silence, doubled over, clutching herself tightly.

When the ordeal was finally over the sun was just beginning to peak its head over the horizon. Her door still opened she smiled at it. With him came the music of the world flowing through her. No longer was she in that terrifying place of silence. Her head was filled with things.

She got up and gathered up the clothes she had left on the floor last night. Once satisfied that her room was properly tidied she decided to go to the baths in order to clean away her change back to normal.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Sesshoumaru stayed with her through the night as she requested. He refused to leave her side as the hours passed by and he was left with his own thoughts for company. Time passed slowly, but soon the first signs of change was taking place. He insantly straightened, determined to see the change that he had missed before. Sesshoumaru's breath caught, watching the transformation. It was nothing like the change he went through into his true form.

Brigantia's scent was the most important change. He could smell each shift in her scent and now he could see the hanyou that had come home with him that day. Satisfied, he didn't need to stay even though she was still changing. He slipped away as she awoke, leaving too quickly to close the door behind him.

Sesshoumaru retreated into his room, taking the time to change his clothes for the day. For the rest of the morning he wandered his estate, too deep in thought to pay attention to anything.

[Birdie]

She made it to the baths with out mishap and managed to clean herself up. Once satisfied she dressed for the day before heading out to find out what her chores would be (only of course after her customary morning dance). She had not seen Fumiko in quite a while and wondered where the panda had gotten off too. In the end it did not matter much. She enjoyed the other chores she had just as much as she liked to sing and dance.

Where was Makoto? She began to search for her friend, asking around. While doing so she was sent on errand after errand. Deliver these sheet there, take those buckets over yonder, bring the basket of fruits to the kitchen... In the end she was no close to finding her. In the end she went back to her garden to do her original job, weeding and tending to the plants.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

The western fortress was finally able to relax and be at ease. Gossip no longer buzzed about like flies, but instead passed slowly like a greeting between friends. Even Fumiko's return was lightly spoken of. Maybe it had to do with how she returned. There was no scene, no yelling, no punishment. Sesshoumaru should have been furious.

Instead, she presented herself in a wrinkled kimono before her lord in his study. As subdued as she was, and as distracted as he was; her return was accepted without thought. So odd was it that some believed that their lord favored the geisha. With everything that had happened involving Fumiko, Sesshoumaru should of had her killed. Fumiko knew better than to think that, however.

So it wasn't Makoto, but Fumiko that stepped into the vegetable garden later in the day. Demure, and quiet, she circled around Brigantia. "Did anything happen while I was gone?" she tried to play cool, but emotions bottled up.

[Birdie]

Brignaita felt the presence of the panda before she cast a shadow over the butterfly's stooped form. Looking up at the woman she smiled brightly. Lifting a dirt encrusted hand, she shielded her eyes from the sun. "Good morning, Fumiko-sensei!" Her voice was chipper to match the gorgeous happiness of the daylight.

Rolling back on her heels, she paused to consider the woman's question. Had anything happened? She felt like a lot of things happened and yet nothing at once. Brigantia could feel the mixture of emotions which lay discordantly beneath Fumiko's unusually calm guise. "The other lords have left. I have learned a few things from Makoto regarding dance... I am not sure if you are searching for any particular events you should like me to tell you about. I do not feel that a lot of things had happened in your absence." Looking back down at the vegetables she was carefully tending, she remembered that night how she had changed into her human form. She also remembered the things which had happened between herself and her master. A furious blush came to her face and she busied herself with the care of the foods.

Standing abruptly she made her way down the rows, pausing only to bend down to weed, or investigate a failing plant. What could Fumiko possibly be interested in knowing?

[Lord Sesshomaru]

The blush did not go unnoticed. Raising a brow, a scowl formed on her beautiful face. Walking back to the western fortress gave her a lot of time to think. About her life, about her lord, and about the insignificant hanyou that bothered him so. "Of course, you wouldn't think it would affect you if something did occur." She brought her sleeve to her mouth and looked across the long rows of plants. "Being favored by Lord Sesshoumaru gives so many privilages." She was thoughtful for a moment, before her eyes narrowed.

"Don't get too comfortable in his presence. Sooner or later, he'll lose interest." Fumiko paused for a moment, her attention placed on the plump raccoon dog entering their side of the pavilion. Their eyes met, and the panda could see Makoto's suspicious stare.

"Just like me, and Rin." The panda muttered before turning away.

The name that many feared to speak of didn't go unnoticed by Makoto. But she stayed quiet as Fumiko walked passed and left them for her words to sink in. For a moment, Makoto didn't say anything, slightly hesitant to ask about it.

[Birdie]

Her brows furrowed as she listened. She did not understand the anger which came from the panda. It was not something new to her as Fumiko was often upset about something in her presence. But her words struck a cord in Brignatia's heart. She straightened, watching the other woman. Perhaps she was concerned that she would have her heart broken. But she knew better. To Sesshomaru she could be no more than a debtor whose payment she had to collect.

Smiling, she inclined her head toward Fumiko. "I thank you for your kind warning." And then the other woman was gone. Chewing on her lower lip, Brigantia began to wonder who Rin could be. And surely the lord had not lost interest in Fumiko. She was always interesting, full of emotions and the great doer. But Rin... she had not met this person.

Slowly she turned her eyes upon Makoto. "Good morning. I was searching for you earlier, and now it seems I have found you!" She would not let Fumiko's words of warning phase her.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Makoto tried to smile, but it was hard when she was so disturbed. She frowned, looking back towards the entrance of the vegetable garden. "I heard, that's why I came over as soon as I could." Biting her lower lip, she couldn't take it anymore. A clawed finger reached up to scratched at her furred muzzle and her frown deepened. Eyes narrowing, she tried to seem calm when looking back at Brigantia. "What....exactly did she say about Rin?"

Makoto had to know. She was such a taboo subject. If Fumiko ended up saying something bad...would she have to be ready for an outraged demon lord?

[Birdie]

"She said nothing much really. Just that our Lord would get bored of me as he had Fumiko-sensei and this person called Rin." She brushed her fingers through her hair to move it away from her face. Dirt smudged her silvery locks. "It does not matter to me. Were it important I would be told I am sure." While she was curious, as was natural, it did not directly pertain to her. "I will wash up and come to help you with the other chores. Give me one moment please."

She walked toward the well and pulled up some water from its depths. She carefully washed the dirt from her hands and from beneath her nails. All the while he mind ran rampant, imagining all sorts of stories regarding this Rin person. She took most of her stories from information given in prayers she had once heard. Her lack of life knowledge did not allow her to get very far in her stories.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Makoto winced, not sure what Fumiko was trying to do. But bringing up Rin in such a way wouldn't be good. Still, she wouldn't leave it like that. She followed Brigantia as she washed her hands. "You will never find out then. No one dares speak of her. Not since Lord Sesshoumaru forced her to leave." Passed the fruit trees, in between the leaves she could see the over grown garden Rin left behind. Sesshoumaru refused to allow anyone else to tend to it. To her it was ugly and destructive. Cramped and full of weeds, she had tried to get her lord to let her tend to it. Just a little bit. It bothered her to see the flowers Rin so favored to be hidden behind tall weeds. But Sesshoumaru ignored Makoto, and refused.

[Birdie]

Forced her to leave? This caught Brigantia's attention and she turned her eyes up toward Makoto, her face questioning. The tanuki's gaze had wandered off elsewhere and Brigantia followed her line of sight. She saw the garden, though unappealing to the eyes, in the butterfly's mind it was the most appealing place. Its music was wild and unkempt. It sung of love lost but of life which continued on even after. The place was sorrowful and joyous all at once.

She brought her attention back to Makoto. "I suppose I never will then. While I am curious about a person who seemed so important and yet was forced away, it is certainly not my place to ask. I will simply have to piece information I hear together and form the story. It is kind of exciting, a true mystery!" A grand smile appeared on her lips as she dried off her hands on her dress. "What chores are there to do today?" It was obvious the subject of Rin distressed her friend and so she hoped to turn her mind away from it.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Makoto shrugged, so ready to answer any of Brigantia's questions. Normally she wasn't into gossip but being the one with all the information felt nice once in a while. But if Brigantia didn't care to pry, then she wouldn't just start blabbing her mouth. "Things are pretty slow now that the Lord's are gone." she muttered, thinking on the list. Now that Fumiko was back she should be teaching Brigantia, but after that little incident...she sighed, not wanting to really think about it.

Standing for a moment as she thought, an idea struck her. Grinning madly, she gestured at Brigantia to follow. "Let's make a celebratory dish! A nice meal for Lord Sesshoumaru and ourselves!"

The idea excited her. Food in general excited her. She lead the hanyou into the main pavilion. The kitchen was rather empty with only the main fox chef there. He looked at them curiously before Makoto explained. "Let's make Udon!"

The fox was quick to agree and they got to work. Brigantia was lead along. The fox expertly made the dough using salt, water, and flour. He passed the rubber dough to the two females and as they kneaded he prepared the seasonings and topping. His knife was fast and precise. Mushrooms were sliced thinly, before onions fell to his blade.

Makoto was enjoying the kneading process, showing Brigantia how to fold the dough into itself before it was a perfect consistancy. "This is one of Lord Sesshoumaru's favorite meals but don't spread that one around!" It was such a simple and messy dish it wouldn't seem like a powerful demon lord to enjoy. Something more like a rare delicacy should be expected.

Working on crushing up some herbs, the fox chef watched the two girl's in his kitchen. Makoto lead Brigantia on rolling out the dough thinly with a rolling pin. "Would you want to try cutting them into noodles or have Shibuya do it for us?" Makoto gestured at the fox demon with her bowling pin which in turn he gave them a wave with his large and rather intimidating chef knife.

[Birdie]

Cooking! The idea excited her. She enjoyed the process, something always coming from an odd smattering of nothings. Brigantia exclaimed her agreement with this idea. It would be a calm new thing to do after what seemed to be an eternity of arduous new things. She followed Makoto to the kitchens with a skip in her step.

They reached the kitchen and cheerfully greeted the fox chef. Makoto blurted out her desire which was echoed in Brigantia's eager face. Before she knew it she was thrust into a whirlwind of noodle making and the scent of freshly cut produce. She followed Makoto's instructions, finding the kneading to be rather therapeutic in nature. She was thoroughly enjoying her self, laughing and learning and getting covered in the flour. It dusted her face and hair, but she was happy.

She considered the options given to her. Brigantia was unsure of her ability to cut, but at the same time it would be a new experiance. She weighed the decision, and her face became solemn as if she were considering a life or death situation. Finally she began, "I think..." And then she paused. Her eyes turned toward a far corner of the room, taking on a glazed look. Her heart fluttered madly and her face flushed. In the distance she could feel the life music of a few of her old companions from the temple. It was fleeting. As soon as she had felt it, it had gone. Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to what was at hand. "I think I should like to cut it." She smiled brightly, as if nothing strange had happened.

She accepted a knife from Shibuya, and with his direction began to cut the noodles. Her brows furrowed in concentration and she stuck her tongue out of her mouth slightly. The knife slipped slightly as she heard their music again. She turned toward it, letting the knife fall onto the table. Glancing at Makoto and Shibuya she said, "I am sorry... but I must..." With that she drifted from the room without making her customary bow.

She hardly paid mind to see if anyone followed. Her heart was racing, leaping with hope. She ran through the halls and out into the fields. Her chest hurt and she was breathless, but she would make it to them. As she grew closer the feeling of them grew stronger.

[Birdie]

Breathlessly she entered the woods. Leaning heavily against a tree she gasped for air. She had grown stronger living as a maid in that house, but it seemed her body was not ready for such an escapade. Bunching her hands into a fist, she prepared herself to continue through to where she felt those signs of life. Slowly she moved through the trees. Her tired limbs protested but she paid them no heed. Thorns and brambles snatched at her clothing and her pace slowed. She had to be careful not to tear her wings.

The pace at which she moved was agonizing. The sooner she got to them the better. She had to remind herself to be patient. It would not be long before she reached them. And then, before she knew it, Brigantia could see through the trees into a small clearing. A fire was lit and the scent of cooking meat drifted into her nose. It made her feel sick. Around the fire sat three women and one man. One woman was bandaged on the left portion of her face. There were other healed burns visible on her body and on the others. She recognized each face despite of this. She lifted her fingers to her lips as tears spilled down her face.

"Whose there!" The man stood from his sitting position, holding a spear in his hand. He pointed it toward Brigantia's position. She moved slowly and carefully from her hiding spot, hands raised. The man's spear lowered in shock. Their surprise was all visible on their faces. Suddenly the women all fluttered forth, making sounds of joy as none were able to speak. A light cloth was thrown over her head.

"Why are you without veil," one of the women asked. She was tall and thin and whispy. She had been one of Brigantia's primary care givers. She had always been a sharp woman.

"Who cares, who cares!" cried the heavily burned one. "We thought you had died! But you live!" The four women together cried and clung to each other. Once the women had calmed themselves, the man stepped forward and bowed low to Brigantia.

"With your life we can rebuild our order. I am relieved to see you well, my lady." It had been such a long time since anyone had referred to her with any sort of title. She blushed and as she was unused to it.

"Oh no please don't... I am just... I have a debt to repay. I fear I can not do as you desire." It felt nice to be under a veil again, to have to protection from prying eyes. Beneath this cloth no one could see her discomfort. "But, I am so happy to see that you have survived."

"There are others," said the thin, sharp woman. "They have begun to rebuild the temple. We were set out to search for you, as we never did find your body. And Yuu could feel your presence." She gestured toward the bandaged woman. "Will you not come with us, really? Is this debt so important? How is it that you owe a debt?"

Brigantia slowly shook her head. It overjoyed her to know that many of her family before had survived. She did not even care now that they had lied to her. But... "I can feel it, the discordance of the music of the world. I will not be able to rest easy until the world is in harmony again. My master saved my life. I can not leave until I have completely repaid his kindness."

They exchanged solemn looks. "Then, let us help you repay the debt. Surely he would not mind more hands," the third woman spoke, she was smaller than the tall thin woman and less burned than Yuu had been. A look crossed Brigantia's face. People simply did not understand the music of the universe as she did.

"The debt can not be repaid that way. It must be I alone. And I do not think my master would like me to bring you to him. He is not human even." She could remember her last venture with staff, and blushed deeply. Put in her place and mollified, she would not make the same mistake. Especially with humans. "No... I think it would be best for you to return to the temple." She slowly shook her head. "And I must return to my duties."

"No!" the man would have none of it. "We will wait here for you until your debt has been repaid. We will not abandon you." He reached out and took her hands in his. He was very tall and well muscled. His hair was long and dark. His eyes were equally dark, as the vast night sky. He brushed his lips on the back of her hands. "My lady, we will not lose you again." He looked up at her, his eyes ernest.

"I... No, please go back. I must return now..." She could feel herself blushing furiously. Quickly she took her hands from the man's. Brigantia did not want to leave them, but she felt a presence grow closer. None must find out her dear family.

"We will wait, my lady." She could say nothing more. She turned from them and ran back toward the manor.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Madoka didn't realize something was truly wrong until Brigantia was out the doorway. The excitement of Udon had distracted her completely. But once she caught on, she left Shibuya to prepare the rest of the meal. Madoka called for her friend, following the hanyou until she reached the boundary of the western fortress. Of all the time she spent. Born and raised...she had never left the border of the lord's estate. She squirmed uncomfortably, looking out into the distance. Maybe she should just wait here for Brigantia to return...

Madoka stiffened, feeling an aura brush against her senses. She glanced behind her, and met the intense eyes of their Lord. He leaned against the outer wall of the pavilion, eyeing her with suspicion and silent questioning. Gulping down the urge to bow and spill her guts, the tanuki took to running away instead. After Brigantia. Wherever Brigantia went would be better than staying alone with Lord Sesshoumaru.

Trying to be casual about it, she power walked her way into the wilderness. Further and further away from the intimidating aura that followed her progress. She was relieved when she caught up to Brigantia. "Where did you run off to?" she hissed out the question, her heart still pounding as she slowed down, matching Brigantia's steps as they came back. Knowing that they were going back to the western fortress soothed her slightly.

But seeing Sesshoumaru still there, waiting on them. She could barely breathe. She hadn't expected him to be curious enough to wait. Madoka lowered her gaze, not wanting to be questioned. Was it bad they she had left the border. Or that Brigantia had left the border? He didn't seem truly angry, bit his stare was intense. She could only be slightly relieved that not once did he look at her this time. No, he was only concentratin on Brigantia. One single brow rose in a silent question, and Madoka risked a glance at Brigantia, wondering her answer.