Sakura Blossoms fell softly, fluttering down like pink snowflakes. A cool fall wind blew bringing a reminder that winter was coming. A young girl with long midnight black hair flowing down her back, soft saffron blue eyes, and fair pale skin. Sat beneath the tree's branches leaning comfortably against its trunk. She sighed as she watched the petals dance on their way to the ground.
"Kagome," A crude woman's voice yelled, "Where are you? You ungrateful brat."
The young girl, Kagome, stood frightened. She did not come to the voice nor did she run away. The woman's face looked as though it would always be in a scowl. Her beautiful brown eyes and long straight black hair were not enough to counter act the bitterness etched into her face.
"There you are."
The woman grabbed Kagome's arm in a painful grip and pulled her out from the safety of the Sakura tree. "Wait till the Mistress here's about this."
Kagome kept her eyes downcasted, as she was dragged along. The pair approached a grand looking building, about three stories high with a paved stone trail leading to the front door. Kagome glanced at the dark cherry wood doors as they entered the house.
The main staircase was directly in front of them when they entered. The woman dragged Kagome up the stairs two flights, and then pulled her along to the last door at the edge of the main hallway. She then knocked three times on the door smiling deviously at the younger girl.
A soft but stern voice answered saying, "Enter."
The woman pushed Kagome down to the floor at the feet of an old woman. Whose eyes looked wise but kind. Her face was lined with old age. But, she stood straight and with pride.
"Kikyou, it looks as if you have found young Kagome." The old woman said smiling down at Kagome.
Kikyou scowled, "You will not be soft on her today, Kaede. She was not doing her chores like you instructed her to do. Now punish her."
Kaede waved Kikyou off and turned her attention down to Kagome, "Kagome, child, did you finish your chores before ye went outside?"
Kagome meekly nodded, "Yes Kaede-sama."
"I see, Kagome go sit on my bed and I will deal with Kikyou okay." Kagome once again nodded and listened to Kaede's request.
Kaede's face turned stern, "Kikyou you seem to be forgetting your place. I am the mistress of this house, and unless you plan on leaving soon. You obey my rules, you are not allowed to touch Kagome in any way from this day forward. Until you earn the right to be near her."
"But…" Kikyou was cut off by Kaede's glare.
"No, buts about it. Go now to your room and you are not to have any supper tonight."
Kikyou just stood there for a couple seconds before complying, she bowed to Kaede and when the older woman's back was turned sent a hateful glare at Kagome. After she had left Kaede came and sat beside Kagome.
"Now Kagome, before you go out you need to tell me where you are going. Alright?"
"Yes Kaede-sama."
Kaede laughed, "Kagome you need not use the honorific. You may call me Auntie Kaede. Remember you are the heir to this Teahouse. It's your responsibility to make sure it lasts for future generations."
"But, why can't my sister Kikyou be the heir? And why does she hate me so much?"
"That is a long story Kagome," Kaede sighed seeing the eager look on her young heir's face, "When Kikyou was about the same age as you when you came here, she was chosen out of many girls to become my heir. She was beautiful, graceful, and kind."
Kagome closed her eyes picturing her sister smiling and hugging her tightly.
"Kikyou was brought here after my request to your mother." Kaede smiled fondly remembering Kikyou when she arrived, "Kikyou was raised as you have been Kagome, and when she was old enough she began to work."
"Kagome?"
"Yes, Auntie Kaede?"
"Do you know what our job is here? What you are being trained to do?"
Kagome shook her head wondering for the first time what it was.
Kaede took a deep breath, "We give men pleasure. We make them happy with dancing and other forms of relaxation for them." Kaede did not go into further detail about it.
"Oh like cook for them?"
"Kind of like cooking," Kaede smiled at the innocence Kagome possessed. That was something Kikyou never truly had, "Well Kikyou fell in love with one of these men."
"Is that bad?" Kagome asked.
Kaede nodded, "Yes, you see we are supposed to please them. Not love them." Kaede then continued, "He's name was Inuyasha, and she chose to leave her titles and give up everything to be with him."
Kagome was shocked. How could her sister do that all for one man?
"But why does she hate me?" Kagome asked meekly.
Kaede stood and walked so she was standing in front of a window, "Because, by falling in love with this man. She shamed your family, forcing your parents to give the Teahouse you. By doing this your parents had repaid their debt and ridded themselves of their shame."
Kagome was confused, "How did that make her hate me?"
Kaede sighed, "Inuyasha left Kikyou, for another more attractive woman. Kikyou came back and demanded to be renamed the heir. But, Kagome you were here and when I laid eyes on your face and saw your temperament I knew you were the one. So, I told your sister she was too late, that I had already chosen an heir."
Kaede rested her hand on Kagome's head, "She demanded to know who it was and I told her."
Kagome stared down at the floor, "She hates me because she's supposed to be the heir not me."
"Yes child, but she will eventually grow up. Do not worry I doubt anyone can hate you long." Kaede said trying to comfort the younger girl, "Well Kagome I do believe you have dance lessons. Hurry before your sensei gets mad." Kaede tried to hurry Kagome out the door.
"Kaede when will I be able to dance for men?"
Kaede smiled, "You are only 9, Kagome, when you are 15 that is when you shall begin. But, do wish to grow up so fast, enjoy your time while ye can."
Kagome then hurried off to dance lessons all this new information buzzing around in her head.
AN: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA...
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