Miko observed her now calm and serene environment. It was peaceful, and she was at the center of the realm created by just her mind. Just as she was wondering how she could even access it when she was so weak, a loud voice thundered around her.
"Leave," it echoed. Before Miko could do anything, she was cast out of the space against her will and returned back to reality. Her body shook violently awake as she flashed open her hot pink eyes. She panted heavily, wondering if what she experienced was really a dream. If felt so real. She steadied her breathing, and looked over to Tashi who was now eyeing her.
"Bad dream?" He asked. Miko nodded and before she could react further, Tashi pulled her into his arms and his embrace.
"You'll be fine now. Sweet dreams and continue sleeping," He smiled. Miko nodded and drifted off to a peaceful sleep once more.
The next morning, Miko and Tashi awoke to the morning sunlight flooding into the room through the crystal clear windows, and the merry chirping of birds singing from the outside. Miko's faced immediately turned to a bright shade red, brighter than her ears and tail, although hidden by her transformation skill from Tashi's eyes. She realised how her face was inches away from his, and she was touching his broad chest while he was holding her close to him.
"Morning," He whispered, which only made Miko blush more. They quickly got up and get ready, and soon hit the road after breakfast. The air today was crisp and cool, great for being outdoors. They headed back in the direction of the village where they came from, making sure to admire the scenery on their way.
They made their way out of the town gates and began on the lone, less crowded path to the east village they came from. Here, there was no one tending to the nature, so the grass grew to be as tall as their knees and sand crumpled under the pressure of their shoes. After walking awhile, there was a long river in the distance. The path was right along side it, and they followed the river until the night where they arrived at a small scale village. They looked for an inn, which was actually a small hut. They spent the night there and continued on foot back for two days.
At the end of the second day, both of them had made their way back to the west village. Miko decided to spend just one last day with Tashi before she returned to the forest. While she was weak, she was still a beast and did not want to drag stronger cultivators to Tashi while she was staying with him for fear of his safety. Much worse, if her brother found out, Miru would literally skin him alive and boil him to death.
Miko sat at the edge of the lake in the village, with pink lotus lanterns blending perfectly with the authentic, native, white lotuses here. The moon was shining brightly from the clouds, not bothering to mask its brilliance tonight. It was reflected by the crystal clear pond waters, which rippled every now and then from the wind. Miko was in her half human form, where she required less magic to disguise herself. Her single pink tail swayed with the wind to the wooden plank dock. Her tails twitched occassionally in relaxation, which she has not felt since she woke up in the forest after the deal with Yama. Fireflies danced above the surface of the lake, their lights flickering colours of orange and yellow. With how bright they were, the lanterns were almost unnesccessary.
Miko heard footsteps approaching from behind and immediately transformed to her full human disguise again.
"What are you doing here?" Tashi asked as he sat down next to her, dipping his feet into the cool lake waters as well. Miko looked at him and said, "Couldn't sleep. I'm leaving tommorrow. Honestly... I don't want to go. I want to stay, but its important I must leave." Miko continued gazing at the moon, as if it could solve all her problems.
"Do you really have to go?" Tashi asked. Miko nodded. She could not risk putting both of them in danger.
"Fine then... But theres something I must tell you." Tashi said, looking downwards.
"Which is?" Miko asked.
"I like you."