((I have missed this story more than I care to admit.))<br/><br/>She visibly flinched at his words. They hurt her… only because she was causing herself unnecessary pain. He was right. Why would he not include her? Hadn’t he given his all to her, hadn’t he said those words that made the blood in her veins rush with heat and serenity. Even now thinking about him whispering those words to her made her heart soar. She had longed to hear them for so long.<br/><br/>And yet… here she was trying to self sabotage herself? Looking up at him she could only sigh. Not a sigh of sadness… merely realization. “You are right, I still have a bit to recover from it seems.” Placing a hand on his cheek tenderly she nodded her head. “I do have some loose ends to tie up but I will leave with you… at your command my Lord.” She smiled sweetly as she made sure he heard her every word. “And I will not be so foolish as to not admit that I do so with great happiness.” Moving away from him slowly she did so while making sure to instill confidence in him. “I must go now… I need to talk to the villagers. They should know of my departure.” Leaving silently she walked out of the room and out into the village to say goodbye.<br/><br/>It was her goal to find Sara… she was most important to her after all… the young child reminded her of why she still breathed. If it weren’t for her warm homecomings… Mishiko would have never of made it through her first winter.<br/><br/>“Sara?” She called out as she entered the hut unannounced. Looking around the hanshin hopped to find the young girl she had grown a heart for.<br/>“You’re leaving now aren’t you?” The soft innocent voice sounded behind her.<br/><br/>Turning on her heel Mishiko saw the young girl with tears in her big eyes. Kneeling down Mishiko held out her arms expectantly.<br/>Sara naturally could only hold her ground so long before she ran into them sobbing.<br/><br/>“I found what I was looking for… thank you Sara…” Squeezing her tightly into an embrace she nuzzled her nose into her neck affectionately. “I couldn’t have done it without you.” Doing her best to not shed any tears.<br/><br/>Sara sobbed into her kimono clutching it for dear life. “I’ll miss you…”<br/><br/>“I will never be far… remember that. I will visit again. I promise…”<br/><br/>“You… sniff …promise?”<br/><br/>“Would I tell a lie?” The woman asked carefully.<br/><br/>“Sara seemed to giggle a bit amidst her tears. “No… my Mishi would never!” Pulling away from her she sniffled and wiped her tears with her sleeve. “You look so pretty Mishi… when you look happy.”<br/><br/>Mishiko couldn’t help but smile amidst the sadness she felt. “Thank you … I cannot say that enough…” Words would never be able to express what this young soul had done for her.<br/><br/>“Just visit me before I get married okay!” Sara grinned cutely as she held it together.<br/><br/>She was a strong little girl… Mishiko would give her that. “Would you mind telling the village of my leave? I fear I am not found of long goodbyes.”<br/>Sara nodded expectantly as she ran out of the hut only to leave the demoness alone. With a heavy sigh the female did the best she could to lighten the weight off her chest. She was saying goodbye… but only for now.<br/><br/>‘Till we meet again Sara… ‘<br/>‘The little girl who taught me patience… and so much more….’<br/>-----------------<br/>Walking out of the hut into the village once more she walked among the masses once more as she headed back to her quarters to her Mate. Her new life was waiting for her.<br/><br/>Entering quietly she leaned down and picked up her hilt-less sword wrapped in strips of bandages. Lifting it up elegantly she tucked it away in her obi, just in case. She maybe her Lord’s Lady… but they were far from safe. Perhaps more so… for now… they had only just reunited. No one could have foretold this. However, it was her livelihood to rest on the side of caution.<br/><br/>Turning on her heel she smiled her iconic soft smile, feeling alive and refreshed for the first time in a long time. She would be traveling with him again. Just like they did when they first met. Knowing they would be bound to each other like this… for eternity.<br/>“I’m ready when you are, Chikage.” She turned to look at him longingly with her lavender hues. “I’m ready for the journey ahead…with you.”