Once a upon a time, there was a young woman named Kisa who lived with her wicked stepmother and her mysterious not-so-wicked stepsisters. Kisa had been born of noble blood to Lord Inuyasha and Lady Kagome. Kikyo was jealous of of her sister, Lady Kagome's beauty so she hired the witch, Tsubaki to curse Kagome so she would die after Kisa was born. Tsubaki then bewitched the widowed lord so he would marry Kikyo. He was murdered before Kisa reached thirteen. Therefore Kikyo forced Kisa to work as a servant to her and her daughters, Kagura and Kanna.
Kagura was the oldest. Her eyes were a dark scarlet and bordered with black and purple. She wore the finest clothing. Her long black hair was in a bun tied back by two feathers. Kanna, the youngest, wore fine clothing too, her eyes were blank and blue. Her hair was long and white. Both of them smelt of the most divine oils and perfumes in the village market, both daughters were spoilt rotten by their mother. Unlike Kikyo, they pitied their unfortunate, fair-minded cousin and knew very well of Kisa's desire to find true love. They had grown to love the orphaned girl as their own sister.
Kisa was the most beautiful girl in the village. Her long ebony hair was tied back in a plait by blue ribbons, her hair would look like a black ocean whenever she let it down. Her blue eyes were more lively than Kanna's. Her rags were blue and yellow, yet the colours defined her lithe frame. She would always greet you with a pearl white smile that could leave any young man breathless. She was fair-skinned and polite. She was so sweet and so humble, no one guessed she was the orphaned daughter of a Lord and Lady. Her voice sounded like a tinkling bell, especially when she sang.
Every day the stepsisters would hear Kisa singing softly as she worked, for Kikyo never minded that, just as long as she got the job done. The house would be tidy, the food would be dulcet and nothing would be out of place. Then when the day was done, they would see Kisa sit among the cinders and weep. When they left, the mice would flock around Kisa to comfort her. They were her friends; Myoga, Shippo and Kirara. They often helped as much as they could, and when Kisa sang, Shippo and Kirara would waltz and Myoga -who was very very fat- would mime another dance.
One day when Kisa served breakfast to her step-family, the bell rang. She skipped downstairs and opened the door, smiling to see the palace footman, Kohaku. He was a fresh-faced brunette boy- no older than 16 like Kisa was- with brown eyes. His uniform was white. "Good Morning" Kisa greeted him, doing a curtsey. Kohaku handed four invitations to her.
"My master is hosting a ball and would like every maiden to attend. Good day" he replied, bowing and walking away. Kisa slipped her invitation in her apron pocket and went to hand the others to everyone else. She hurried into the kitchen and read hers.
Dear all maidens in the land,
You have been summoned to the palace for a ball this Friday evening. You will have the honour to dress in your finest and gather at the palace where my first-borne son, Prince Hakudoshi shall choose a bride for himself. My youngest, Prince Akane will also be attending. Hopefully all guests will arrive by 10pm sharp. Until then,
King Naraku,
Kisa blinked. She had never met Prince Hakudoshi but she knew he was a charming, handsome young man. She put the paper back in her apron. "Alas, a prince will never love a lowly servant such as myself. If only I was as beautiful as Kagura-ane or as graceful as Kanna-imouto, I would've had a chance" she sighed. As she worked, she found that she was yearning for someone she had never met. Even when she had to make beautiful ball gowns for her stepmother and her stepsisters, she thought about the Prince. The stepsisters secretly wanted her to make another for herself.
Meanwhile, all was not well at the palace. Prince Hakudoshi paced his chambers in his finest. He was indeed a very handsome prince, with lilac hair that was long enough to tie back. His violet eyes were dark with disappointment. The footman, Kohaku was also his best friend. Prince Akane sighed at his older brother. The two princes looked so much alike, the Queen fell ill after Akane was born and soon died. "Do not ruin the clothes Father had tailored for the ball, big brother. You must look your best when you select a bride" he advised.
Prince Hakudoshi frowned. I hate balls more than anything, especially when I have to meet women I will never want to marry in a million years.
"Hakudoshi, there is one thing. You can pretend to be a footman and see the village. See the women before Friday" Kohaku suggested, he was the only person who could call Prince Hakudoshi by name. Prince Hakudoshi smiled, deciding to do just that.
Kisa wandered through the market, collecting herbs, ingredients and spices. The market was lively, unaware of the disguised prince Hakudoshi. He saw Kisa give one of the apples in her basket to a sickly child. "Thank you, miss" the child said. Kisa smiled.
"You're welcome, Souta. Take care and don't forget to rest in your secret place until you heal" she replied. Prince Hakudoshi sighed when he saw this. She was beautiful, with lithe limbs and a kindness no one can describe. She always seemed to be taking care of others. If only I knew her name.
"Good morrow, Kisa. You are shining today as always, Your stepmother can not hold a candle to such loveliness" a priest complimented. Now that he mentioned it, she's also very radiant.
"Good morning, Father Miroku." Kisa greeted, blushing at the compliment. Prince Hakudoshi noticed how everyone at the market treated Kisa kindly and complimented her. Well, one good turn deserves another he thought. Kisa waved off the compliments then turned to crash into Prince Hakudoshi. "Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry" she apologised. The young prince blushed.
"No, it was my fault" he reassured her. Kisa smiled.
"M-my name is Kisa" she introduced herself.
"I am Haku" the young prince lied, using the nickname his mother used to call him by. Kisa looked him up and down, nervously tugging at her messy plait.
"I've never seen you around before. You must be one of the lucky few who work at the Palace" she guessed by the footman's uniform Prince Hakudoshi had borrowed from Kohaku.
"Yes" he lied. He took in Kisa's appearance, now that he could see her clearly. Her rags were a dull blue and yellow. Her feet were bare. Her eyes were a omniscient blue. Her cheeks were naturally tinted a faint pink. Her lips looked delicate and were pale. Unlike many women, Kisa did not apply anything on her bare face. But that made her seem more beautiful. Her fingers were calloused from labour, that bothered the prince. "Tell me who made you a servant, fair one" he requested.
Kisa did not answer the bitter question. "I must depart, kind Haku. My stepmother is waiting. Farewell" she replied, leaving. Prince Hakudoshi blinked.
"Hopefully I will seen you soon" he muttered before returning to the Palace.
To Be Continued.
