The Gift part deux

[MrsRevanOnasi]

Disclaimer I do not own Inuyasha or Jade Empire only the story and character Jian belong to me.

A/N Please stroke my ego and review.

It wasn?t quite dawn when Jian reached close shore. Her stomach was clenched tightly in apprehension as the ports men paddled her towards the beach. The two hadn?t talked much during the ride it was pretty much awkward silence the entire time. Usually she could start up a conversation with anyone however the man seemed very surly and pissed that he had to paddle across the water in the dead of night for just one passenger. Jian was very easily bored anyway, so 4 hours of nothingness had caused her to play out all sorts of unpleasant scenarios in her head. It was a quick decision to come here, after all, and she really didn't know what she was going to be doing when she arrived.
After many grotesque scenes had worked out in her head she forced her self to concentrate on something else. Her mind began to wonder as she looked about the small craft for the umpteenth time. There were just two people and two packages on board. She had packed light because being a monk she had to live with material sacrifice. Only one of the two parcels on boat was hers. The other was a rather large box she believed to be payment for her new sensei?s services. She wondered what could possibly be in it,
?Weapons, silver, books, couldn?t be an animal no air holes, it couldn?t be food we barely have enough to feed the shrine??
A sharp wind brought her out of her thoughts, she pulled her blanket closer and was surprised to see that they had touched land and the ports men was tying the vessel to the dock. Jian jolted up shaking her mind back into focus.
? I take it this is the place, right?? she asked.
?Of course it is girl now hurry up and get out,? he replied in less of an angry tone but more of a frightened one.
?oook,? she said with a puzzled look on her face. She grabbed her bag, dropped the blanket and clambered on the dock with surprising grace for someone who hadn?t moved in four hours. The ports men then began to struggle to unload the box, it looked pretty heavy and the man was pretty old so Jian asked politely,
?Um, do you need some help with that??
?The day I need a little girl to help me will be the day when I need you to carry my casket, now move the hell out of my way, wench.?
?Just trying to be nice you asshole no need to get snippy!? she snorted with disgust and under her breath.
She got off the dock and on to the beach where she enjoyed watching the old man struggle with the box until finally he pushed it onto beach. He was panting heavily sweat dripping off his brow but the rest of his body was still and his eyes turned to her. Or at least that?s what she thought until she heard some sort of commotion behind her. She turned to it, the sun was rising properly now, and saw a team of horses and a two men coming towards them. When they reached her the taller of the two bowed curtly,
?Spirit monk?
?Well not quite s..?
?Naraku wishes to see you, now?
?Ok sure which one of??
?Follow? with that he turned around and started to walk back up the path towards what the suns ray finally showed to be a castle perched upon the surrounding cliff.
?Ho? was the only word that left her dumbstruck mouth as she saw the immensity of the palace and it took her a few seconds to register the tall man was not gong to wait for her as she ran to catch up to him.
By time Jian reached the palace gates she was wondering what was with the people here. Was it that it was early or did everyone just seem to have a permanent bad mood. Because for the second time today her journey was made in awkward silence.
?At least this time I have something to look at? she mused. The palace was truly a wonder to behold. It was gigantic castle surrounded by beautiful gardens. The gardens were filled with flowers of every color and smelled like heaven. Every step up the mountain side was carved of white marble as were the walls surrounding the palace. This reminded her greatly of Dirge, her monastery. It too was placed upon a mountain, much greater then this one granted, but the resemblance was still startling. She look down the other side of the hill to see something Dirge did not have a town of peasants in settled in a valley just at the foot of the hill.
The morning sun had risen and the commoners woke from their peaceful slumber. The early day hustle commenced as children ran to get water from the river and maids emptied chamber pots. Jian did not have time to dwell on this little town though. The palace gates opened swiftly and she followed her guide inside. Her stomach was all a flutter as they got closer to her new master. It was nervousness, excitement, and anxiety all rolled into one, she could hardly breathe. ?Maybe that was from all the running up the side of a freaking mountain how the hell is this guy going so fast?? she thought bitterly. She was no slouch but this guy was expecting much from a girl who sat in a boat all night, spirit monk or not.
Finally they reached what she supposed was the throne room, much to her relief.
?Stay here until called in, spirit monk,? was all the man said before he once again whisked off.
?Wow a whole sentence don?t I feel special,? she groaned lightly while messaging her aching legs. Her breath was still rapid and her brow was all sweaty. She tried her breathing exercise and made an effort to calm her twanging heart.
Everything needed to be back under control when she met him she wished to make a good impression after all. She stood at the bottom of a few stairs that lead to a grand doorway. The minutes ticked away at slow pace, she hated waiting. Her nervousness speed up time but her excitement slowed it back down. At long last a small woman opened the door, bowed slightly to Jian and uttered softly that she could enter. Her legs turned to jelly.
?Stop being an idiot my god its your new master not some sexed crazed lunatic eventually you have to get over your uneasiness.?
?But what if it is some sexed crazed lunatic what if I break some weird Japanese rule or something?? ?Shut up you stupid brain? she growled quietly as Jian marched up the steps and towards her new master.
?Inhale and exhale. Inhale??

A wave of emotion raked through her body she felt alone truly and completely. It was as if a nothingness surrounded her fragile body, cutting her off from feeling the outside world. It was a numbness but to feel so numb pained her. She wanted to cry out but had not one breath in her. And as quickly as it came it was over sweet air filled her lungs and only a slight dizziness remained. She shook her head vigorously and filled her self with steely determination.
Jian marched up the steps with confidence she never knew to have. The large entrance doors were open she strode in ready to face anything that life through at her. Her eyes darted about the room to quickly take in her surroundings. A few servants milled about the room carrying an odd bit of parchment or dinnerware. They paid no heed to her except a slight head bow as they whirled about. Her eyes then focused on man sitting quietly at table near the back of the room. He must have been the master of the house of that she was sure but he gave her no attention.
?Oh god what the hell is with this people don?t they have manners or common courtesy here?? her temper flailed and her muscle shook in anger.
?Excuse me,? she said in an harsh overtone to the closest servant, ?Yeah you where might Master Naraku be? I was told to speak with him in here.?
?Master Naraku is waiting for you over there,? the servant point to the man sitting at the table .
?Thank you.? She walked towards the table with less confidence and more anger in her step this time. She stopped when she reached the end of the table and watched her new master sip tea while looking at a few papers at the other end. She cleared her throat and lowered her head.
? Master Naraku?
He made no sudden movements; he just gentle set down his cup and slowly looked up at her. He had hard eyes the kind that when he looks at someone he really isn?t looking at the person but straight into their soul. Jian tensed up his eyes were judging her. She didn?t know how long she stood there with him gazing upon her but it felt like eternity.
?Spirit monk, I am glad you arrived safely. I trust the journey was not arduous??
?No it? it was fine , thanks,? she said lamely her temper boiling down. His words were kind and Jian found it hard to be angry at a person if they were being nice to her or didn?t directly try to be mean.
?Good well I hope you have a pleasant stay here, it seems you will be with us for a long while.?
? Yes and I am eager to help and receive my training master.?
?Training??
?Yes that?s why ?that?s why I?m here I not a full spirit monk and I came here to learn your ways at help you with mine? that?s what my old master told me. You do know I?m not a spirit monk right my training was never completed.?
?No I knew you were young but I was under the impression you were able to handle yourself.?
?Well I can handle myself what do you mean? I may not have been fully trained but still know what I am doing. (insert sarcastic sigh) I have been taught by the best martial artists in the Jade Empire. I have studied under the brightest scholars of the age. I can handle myself. I came here to learn of Japans demons and learn new techniques. I thought this was a way of sharing information to?to help one another. I don?t need a babysitter I need a teacher.? She said all this in one and gulped down air as insultedly as she could when she was finished.
?My stays at this palace are brief and infrequent. I have much business to attend to and little time to teach,? he rose emphasizing his words with slight anger and with great care, ?You, child, do not understand the dangers of the world you are in now, demons are much more common and dangerous here then in China. Your faith in your abilities maybe invalid.?
?Apparently I was lead here under false pretenses but I do wish to stay after all fully trained or not I am sure I can be an asset.?
?I must think on this. But before you decide you want to stay I must tell you that only in these palace walls can I insure your safety. So I ask that you never leave them until I feel you are prepared.?
?I understand.?
?Well then I shall inform you of my decision later. For now I will have someone show you to your room.?
?Thank you, Master Naraku,? and with that a the small woman that let her inside was standing beside her beckoning Jian to follow.
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She had already bathed an taken a short nap as the noon sun started falling to dusk. Many hours of daylight were left she realized as she paced about her room.
?Again I am alone, great! Why did I ask to stay here? Yeah this palace is really dangerous I might die of boredom any second now.? She flopped on to the floor and started meditating to calm herself and tap into her chi.
?Mine as well do something useful,? she mused. But her mind did not cooperate with this logic and wondered until she gave up trying to concentrate and stared out her bedroom window.
?That?s it he said not to leave the palace I can certainly leave my room,? she stated decidedly. She got off her bum and walked out.