The Middle Ground
Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, he'd keep his dog ears when human.
Prologue: An Introduction
This story does not take place in the universe we know.
How could it? Could a world with the technological advances we have today fit with a world that has the social systems of Feudal Japan? Could the world today be condensed into two countries, only one which is ruled by humans? Could the world today even begin to comprehend the idea of demons, known as youkai, let alone contain a territory completely controlled by them?
We'll never know, of course, but one can always speculate.
For this reason, this story exists in an alternate universe. This universe may have existed at some point, and it may have not. Perhaps it still exists. Unless we have found a portal to such a world (the Bermuda Triangle, perhaps?), there will not be any visits between the worlds any time soon.
Enough of comparisons; the background of such a unique land is required.
It is believed that once, many years ago, youkai and humans lived in peace together. There was a sort of tribal society containing both species, who each had their own duties to perform within the community. Co-existing in harmony, the peace lasted many years.
That is, until three of the great youkai arose in an attempt to overthrow the humans, and take control of the land.
These three – known as Kijin, Megumi, and Inutaisho – were known as the founders of the modern society by both humans and youkai.
They created a new world. While Kijin, a dragon youkai wished for total control over the humans, as youkai were obviously superior in power, Megumi, a neko youkai, desired to continue a semblance of peace over the world and refused to allow domination of an entire race. Inutaisho, an inu youkai, recognized that the youkai, however physically strong, were outnumbered by the humans. He, too, agreed with Megumi on the topic of humans.
Thus, two separate kingdoms were created: The Youkai Kingdom, of the South-West lands, and the Human Kingdom, of the North-East lands.
The revolt resulted in few casualties thanks to the outlined future for humans, and for a few centuries, peace reigned once more. The empires, though separate, did not break their contact, and communicated often through trades.
And then… the wars began.
Little is known about how the first war began. Some believe that it was Kijin's revolt against the humans, as he showed open dislike towards the weaker race. Others say it was Inutaisho's temper, or the fault of a more prejudiced human emperor. Some even believe it was a complete misunderstanding during one of the negotiations, or blackmail was involved, or a particularly mad human or youkai became a murderer of the other species (which had been unheard of until the war).
No matter the reason, the wars began. Humans and youkai alike developed a fierce hate for each other, and these wars claimed the lives of many each year.
And so we come to the present day: the year 2005 of Japan, 450 years since the beginning of the wars.
Inutaisho rules the Youkai Empire, as Kijin was killed in the wars in the year 1780 and Megumi dislikes war of any kind. Higurashi Kamemaru rules the human empire, along with his wife Michiko. The two rulers dislike each other greatly, and with the technological advances war has become more deadly than anyone would ever have believed to be possible.
Kamemaru-sama's daughter, Kagome, is fifteen, and of the appropriate age of marriage in both the youkai and human empires. Michiko-sama has noted that a close noble friend of hers, Izayoi-sama, has a son of the same age as Kagome-hime. What mothers wouldn't like their children to be married to the child of a close friend?
Even though no one has actually seen Izayoi-sama's son… The fact that his existence is recognized seems to be enough for most people.
Oddly enough, the noblewoman never married, which is considered odd in such a society. Most believe her husband died soon after the wedding – though rumors have been spread.
Today is June 11, 2005. A new war began twelve days ago, initiated by Higurashi-sama after a group of youkai raiders massacred a party of human naturalists on their monthly walk. Kagome is anxious about the upcoming marriage, though thankfully she does not have to be married until late August, after her fiancé's birthday (though hers is in a few weeks). Wishing to play a larger part in the actions of her country, she has devised a plan to run away.
Of course, Michiko-sama has other plans. The next day, she is to meet with Izayoi-sama, though her son will not be present. With her plans carefully laid out, Kagome hopes to find some time to escape before the war ends and she is married to a boy she has never met!
Thus begins our tale…
A/N: I'm so tired of the stories that have demons and humans against each other. It's always Inuyasha is a prince of the demons, Kagome a princess of the humans, they fight, fall in love… and, well, you understand the rest. I had this idea while ranting about how most Inuyasha fanfiction seems to bring out his demon side. In my stories, his human side is equally, if not more predominant. After all, he's half human, he grew up among humans, lives among them… Wouldn't he be used to such a life?
So there's a little twist on this story from the typical ones. I'm still wondering if I should have a Sess/Kik or Sess/Kagura pairing as a minor pairing… No Sess/Rin!
Hoping to have more inspiration soon! Tomorrow, perhaps?