196 5.85 Unexpected Kiss And The Start Of The Wonder 8's Adventure.

"How did the little expedition go? Are you guys hungry?" Kikyo asked when we returned back from the northern gate and headed to the meal area within my compound.

"Hahaha... Inuyasha did it successfully when at first he saw the demonic aura in front of Shippo while he was wielding the Akai Hane. But through his naked eyes, he won't be able to see it but could only feel demonic aura or threat. However, when Shippo ran away, the Akai Hane just became like a normal blade, no matter how much yoki energy was transferred into it."

"Himura drew his Kodachi when I mentioned about what if I happen to meet someone who aims a sacred arrow at me. I think it gave Himura an idea and when he withdrew his Kodachi, he asked me to withdrew mine too."

"His Kodachi was flared with flames first, while the moment I took mine out and faced him, it took similar properties like a mirror image. I only inserted my Sangon Tesso once into the Kodachi and able to spew out multiple attacks on a target Himura asked me to hit...! "

"Yeah... And I thought earlier that Inuyasha is going to kill me when his Akai Hane suddenly burst into flames right before me. The memories were like Hiten when he used the Lightning Bolt Attack and Manten that uses a kind of flames or attack directly from his mouth...! Huuaaaaa..... "

I patted Shippo's head on remembering how his father had died in the hands of Thunder Brothers. It was cruel and injustice as Shippo's father, even as a fox demon, is still anon-combatant youkai.

"Well, it seems that Inuyasha has now a weapon in his hands that makes him equal. He doesn't even need to go so bear to actually tear that youkai apart. But I wonder how come the Kodachi was made to be wielded only to a kind and gentle-hearted person?"

Sango asked about the characteristics of the Kodachi that I had forged. I explained to him that this is to remind him that his Kodachi would be used to protect humans and thus making him more humane and filled with compassion.

Unlike others, who could easily wield their weapons for destruction, Inuyasha is only able to wield his Kodachi for protection. It is similar to mine, I am not able to hurt another human or animal except for that youkai.

A seller was pushing his wares and seeing them interested in the food he was selling, I called him over and he was selling Senbei, a prawn flavoured crackers. I ordered a few portions and paid and shared it with everyone.

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Hiko-sama was sitting with his jar of yumeshu under his arm and does not wish to partake with the supper but when a seller came by selling yakiniku, he asked for several rounds to be shared with others.

"Sensei, is there a matter that you need to talk to me? You seemed rather forlorn. Don't worry, we are just heading to Tochigi Prefecture to these two villages and then we would be back again."

"Nah... I'm not worried, kid. Nothing of that sort at all. It's just that you had been around for these past 3 months and then you took off like a little bird who had just had the ability to fly, leaving its nest and returns to it occasionally. Heh... Little bird, go with your friends and never forget who you are and where you come from."

I knew Hiko-sama was rather sad at seeing me leave with my new found friends and thought that I would have forgotten what I had done for him as well as turning this sleepy village into a bustling little town soon.

I can feel his sadness and even though he tries to hide it with his permanently frowned look on his face, his body language shows it all.

"Here, kid...! Have a cup of yumeshu."

I reached for the cup and we both cheered "Kanpai...!" much to the surprise of Kohaku that I could drink yumeshu at a young age.

+-==The next following morning==-+

Since I had packed my gear much earlier and also had stowed away 35 gold and 50 silver coins for our journey ahead, the rest of the team were busy readying themselves too as they would be heading out the next following morning.

Izumi who heard me going away decided to spend the morning with me instead, rather than extending her rest so she would be fully refreshed to start he shift later on in the afternoon.

"Senpai, how many days would you be gone? Would you be back here after your expedition? I heard that you would be joining them to exterminate the youkai that hadbeen terrorising the town folks which affected their livelihood."

"Yes, Izumi... I won't be gone for a long period of time. I still have to return here and help up to boost the economy and make sure that everything runs smoothly. The journey would

take about 2 days from tomorrow to reach that District and we would have enough food to travel on these 2 days."

"I am going to miss you, Senpai. I wish I could spend more time with you and keep you company. I errr..... *ahem* never mind, let the thoughts be in my mind and await for your safe return."

"*ahem*, you could let me know if you wish to right now. I had done the packing and the only thing to pack is some raw food and maybe a small pot and a kettle to boil some hot tea along the way."

"You had done so much for us and this little town. We really appreciate what you had done for us since the first time we made our acquaintance. I will always cherish the moments that I had with you and Hiko-sama."

"Eeehhh... I won't be gone too long, you know. I would be at least gone for a week and then I'd be back here again. Don't worry, I never forget where I come from, I always think about the humble beginnings."

"Alright then Senpai, don't forget to come and see me before you go ok. You would be going in the morning I suppose? Drop by here before you you leave..."

With that, she turned and left while I smiled at her. She threw her hair back and looked beyond her shoulder at me and waved her dainty little hands. Ah... A girl whom we had saved from ill-treatment just because if her past. And she and her group had matured quickly and bore more responsibilities as Plant Managers.

Fei and little Kaede came to me afterwards showing a bundle of cloth that they carried. They opened it up and showed all kind of plants and roots which I had never seen before and told me that these plants were good for this and these herbs are good for that.

"Senpai, would you think it would be a good idea if we could manufacture this and mass-produce them in the production line? I mean, we can open up one auxiliary production line so that these common herbs would be able to produce certain pills that we can store and distribute to those who need them?"

"There is a drugstore here in the trading district that also serves as a dispensary. We have not seen a physician here except for little Kaede and Miko-sama that had the knowledge of all these herbs and medicine. Do you think she could have her own shop or something like that, to begin with?"

"Well, we can take a look at how it is first. What kind of equipment do you need?"

"We need the basic items like an old saucepan, small enough to fit inside a larger saucepan (for makeshift double boiler purposes). We also are needing wooden spoons as metals would likely impair it is being properties in the recipes."

"There are glassware like the pinaatsubata kind but slightly darker in colour, so the light from the sun would not penetrate through so much and lessen its potentials when stored. It is just like the bottles for the Kaori Kyandoru but with a closed cover."

"We also need a mortar and pestle to blend it into paste or powder. However, if there's a small version like the blender used for Kurin or Feroa Kurina would be better. The smaller it is the faster the herbs and root could be blended."

"We also need several measuring cups and spoons like the Bath Perfume that you used to measure every litre of water, in proportion to the Essense. I think that should be all, Sensei."

I took down the requirements that they need into my sketchpad and then I asked them what they would be making. They gave me a list of the names of the leaves, roots and herbs that they had to find while foraging the fields nearby.

They explained that their herbs, when dried, can be used as a tea, while others when grounded, could also be used in other cosmetic products like face powder and also lip balm like Kikyo was wearing. The lip balm is incorrectly termed because its rogue and had been given by Inuyasha from the belongings of his late mother.

If the powder was to be mixed with a high level of alcohol content, it could be used as a tincture for small cuts and wounds and also be used as a disinfectant. This can be bottled and distributed to the residents as part of an addition to their medical box at home.

"Sounds interesting, alright girls... Please do compile a list for me, these plants, leaves and roots. Categorise them their name their uses and their mode of application."

"Also note for me what precautions they need to follow. Once you have the list compiled, I would then assign a small line, preferably those who are experienced in herbal medicine to help little Kaede here."

"Wait for us to return back here, yes? Be careful when you venture through the outskirts of this little town, bring Eko along with you two in case you need to enter further inside the forest or something."

I advised them and they soon packed their stuff in the cloth bundle and went back. They decided to dry them out first in the sun before making them into powder. The process is quite long but as powder form, it's easier to ingest.

I was left all alone in the garden as Hiko-sama had gone together with the execom members to follow up with the tasks. These 2 days, Hiko-sama seemed to distance himself away, maybe he doesn't want to reveal his feelings, but even though he tries to hide it, it still is able to show through somehow through his own body language.

"Ahhh... Its been 3 months or so... From the time I was working as a housekeeper, cleaning the execom member's houses, right till I bring Hiko-sama to the Realm of Mind. Producing those Refined Iron plates, and now seems to be automated to make our jobs easier. Starting from scratch, with an empty plot of land, right till we have 6 plots and filled with warehouses and employees." I thought about what we had achieved when Hiko-sama first brought my Kodachi to the Blacksmith to make the sheath for it.

"Sigh... How time flies when we are busy with ourselves and not being able to look back and reflect at what we had achieved so far...." I sighed inwardly and looked at the rows of warehouses that had changed the lives of people around us.

+-==The next morning==-+

We all gathered around in our own group in the garden for any last-minute preparations as Kikyo and Inuyasha, Sango, Kohaku and Kirara, Hoshi-sama and Hachi, Shippo and I were busy going over our checklist and equipment before we embark.

We had distributed the food supplies so that everyone would have a variety of raw foods such as sweet potatoes, corn and yam with us that we could roast of boiling them later for our meals. The 'aunties' had also made us some onigiri and grilled fish that we could eat along the way in addition to the raw vegetables that we carried. The portions would be enough for a 24-hour journey.

Hiko-sama bade us farewell and a safe journey to and fro. I held my hand on his shoulder and reassured him I would be back. "Sure kid, I'm always here in this village when you come back here. I'm always here and I've got nowhere else to go. I'dook after this corporation we'll. Don't worry about me." he smirked and laughed slightly and patted me on my shoulder and led me off with the rest of the team.

I walked with the group and Shippo went over and ride on Hiko-sama's shoulder instead. I stopped at Jiyu Residence when Izumi was at the doorway, watching the group go. "I'd be back soon. Don't worry if take care of myself."

As soon as I said that, Izumi flew down the steps and hugged me tightly. She was nearly the same height as me and I can smell the sweet scent of her hair and skin. I gently brushed her hair off her forehead and planted a kiss. I don't know what to call that action maybe it was just a reflex of having someone so close to me after these months.

I held her chin up to me and she had already closed her eyes and parted her lips ever so slightly and I bent down and placed my lips on hers. The moment it touches her lips, it quivered and I was engaged in a deep kiss, a kiss that only is regarded as a couple and I gently sucked on her upper lips and I heard a moan escapes through her mouth and I held her tight, and I can feel her breasts crushing against my body.

I kissed her hungrily, my tongue entering her mouth as it searches for her wet and slithery tongue, as my hands pulled her back towards me and I felt that our bodies had become one. I finally let her lips go and she slowly fluttered her eyes open. She didn't believe that she could be kissed like this manner by me. She looked down sheepishly and she said softly, "I'm going to miss you, Senpai. Come back safe..."

"I'm going to miss you too, Izumi... I will come back for you and for Sensei too..."

We finally released our embrace and I quickened my steps to follow the team and when I looked back I saw Izumi was at the doorway and touching her lips with her fingers. I know the heartache when I see one, to watch someone that you had feelings for, gone for a period of time, and the sudden emptiness.

Shippo saw what had happened and whispered to Hoshi-sama and was quite embarrassed when he told the latter. Because it was an open daylight show of affection and soon everyone knows about it and Inuyasha is acting the worse when he reenacted the scene by pouting his lips and making smacking sounds with it.

Soon everyone burst out laughing and Hoshi-sama was the one rapping my shoulders saying that this kid is growing up too fast for my age. "You will definitely have 10-20 kids if you get married before being a teenager" he smiled and winked his eye and I smiled back at everyone.

Yup, it was a surprise kiss and the most wonderful one that I had ever had since being in Kitakata Village. No matter if my mate is much older than me, a kiss is still a kiss!