Disclaimer: You know; I own nothing... except a crap-load of school assignments.
The Moon and the Sun
By Firefrost
I've edited this chappie. Most of it's the same, but there are new parts. Enjoy! ^_^
If there is any confusion about the Japanese words in this story, at the end of each chapter, there will be a list of those words and their translations that were used in the chapter. They will be listed in the chronological order they appear in in the chapter. If there are any I've missed, please let me know. Ja ne! ^_^
One other thing; this is not a Kikyo-bashing fic; I may pair her with Sesshi, depending on the reviewers input. I, personally, dislike her (I'm a die-hard Inu/Kag fan), but I've altered her in this fic. I'll be focusing mostly on Kagome, though.
P.S. R&R pweaze! ^__________^
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1: Toranjitto Youkai (Transit to Demons)
The hideous, heavy slapping of flesh bounced from wall to wall in the large room. The high-pitched cry of a young woman answered soon after. A pair of feet treading fast across the grass mats, and the gentle voice of a maiden broke the stillness.
"Please, Otou-san*, calm yourself..."
"Calm myself?! How can you say that, Kikyo? You know as well as I that there is no time to waste—!"
"Indeed, I do, my osama*," Kikyo replied soothingly. "But, I also know that losing one's temper will come to no good, either."
Bishamon, King of the East Lands, stared down at his two daughters apathetically. Though they were born three years apart, they looked very similar, with extravagant, long, black tresses, and big blue-gray eyes; it was amazing how differently he felt about them.
Kikyo was the elder hime*: the heir to the Eastern Throne. She was lovely beyond any words Bishamon could conjure into his aging mind. She was fair, docile, elegant, and graceful – a nymph among humans, yet something within her was eternally sad. She was the moon to him: mysterious, mournful, beautiful, and full of pale warmth.
Then, there was Kagome. How she disappointed him so... She had no such exhilarating mystery to her. Her grace was lessened when seen beside her sister's. Her eyes shone not with peaceful calmness, but burned with hot fire – a raging tempest of life. Little taste had Kagome for princess-like things; court bored her, sitting still annoyed her, staying silent due to her gender appalled her. Kagome was the wild sun.
The fact that their mother had died a year ago did not aid the osama's relationship with his youngest daughter. Now that the kisaki* was gone, there was no one else to blame save Kagome for 'not being a boy – a proper heir.' Surely Kikyo was not at fault; she could do no wrong in his eyes.
Kagome looked up at her king. "Why did you hit me, Otou-san?"
"You stepped passed your station again. You MUST learn to not outspeak like that, Kagome," he replied cooly.
Kagome forced herself to concede; she could never win against him... He was a cold stone to her, without caring or joy. No matter what she did, his heart would not creep open for her. Nothing was enough to win his love.
'Only enough love for Kikyo...,' Kagome thought, frowning dejectedly.
"Otou-san," Kikyo said, placing a hand upon the parchment on the floor, "what is it that has you so distraught?"
"The Western Lord will not accept the truce." He replied solemnly, sitting down and pausing before her continued. "Our men grow weak every day; we cannot withstand the demons with human men alone! This is a futile venture that may cost my people their lives... I am at a loss as to a solution."
"Otou-san, why is it that the West continues to feud with us? We have done nothing to them."
"Nothing as of late," the king replied. "Yet, it is an old battle. There was once a time when the East and West were allies. The great Inu Taiyoukai that governed the West – the present lord's father – was once a friend to my twice great grandfather. That is, until treasures were stolen from each land by the other, without explanation. The East lost its prized pendant – the symbol of the osama that he was always to wear. The West was attacked in its capital, where women were killed. The Western Kisaki was... ravaged. The West seeks revenge for her lost honour."
"I didn't know that," Kikyo replied.
Kagome smiled a little. She loved her elder sister dearly, of course, and looked to her for advice on most things. However, it was nice to know that Kagome knew SOMETHING better than Kikyo. Unlike her sister, Kagome spent many hours of her time in the palace's library, where she would read of the history of her father's lands, and of the myths and legends of ages long past. How she reveled in the silent tranquility of the room! Kikyo was definitely more knowledgeable in politics, and better loved by the people, being the Crown Hime and the osama's favourite, but she was also a very social person. At times, Kagome wondered how long it would take for her sister to go insane in a room all by herself.
'Kikyo is a lady,' Kagome thought. 'She lives for silk and diplomacy and elegant decoration. She lives to pamper the truth with fluff to make it seem more civilized. I can't really blame her, though; that's what a future Queen should be like.'
Kagome silently thanked the gods that she was the younger daughter. She may not have as many admirers as Kikyo, or as much praise from their father, or even the title of Crown Hime, but not having those things made her able to be free. With all the country's focus and pressure on Kikyo, Kagome was left to entertain her own fancies, for the most part.
Sometimes Kagome felt sorry for Kikyo, until she saw how much Kikyo enjoyed the attention.
Something in Kikyo's mind snapped, and she remembered what her father had said bothered him. "Send a peace offering – something to break even."
Kagome and Bishamon looked at her in confusion.
"What?" their father asked.
"Send the West an offering," Kikyo repeated.
"And what could compare to the honour of a kisaki?" Bishamon asked, unconvinced.
Kagome looked up. "We could send them items from the treasury..."
"Stupid girl!" Bishamon snapped. "There is no material thing that would interest the Lord in payment! You speak idiocy... again!"
Kagome shuddered. Stupid girl. Idiocy. Her heart throbbed with pain, and she had to fight to hold in her gasp for ragged breath. He didn't despise her that much, did he? She really wasn't that bad, was she?
"Well," Kikyo replied, "Perhaps a person of nobility?"
"Who?!" the king asked, exasperated, but humouring his sweet daughter. "No one would be willing!"
Kagome thought a moment. "I... I will go..."
Kikyo gasped in absolute horror. Bishamon thought a moment.
"Royalty for royalty, eh?" he mumbled.
"Otou-san, iie*!" Kikyo whispered gently. "I would miss her too much!"
"There is no other way, Kikyo. Kagome, go pack your things. Only the very special ones – don't overdo it! I will arrange a convoy to leave in the morning."
"Otou-san, wait! I must ask you—!"
"Now, Kagome!"
Kagome's gaze dropped to the matts at her feet. She would always obey her otou-san, she vowed, no matter how deeply his disgust with her hurt. She would be a good daughter, and obey. With her eyes downcast, she padded away, leaving her only remaining family behind...
*****
The morning was still dark and cool when Kagome awoke to the sound of knocking at her door. She sat up and looked out one of the windows; the sun had just barely begun to rise.
Her head ached and had actually been the primary cause of her awakening. The room was spinning for a moment, before she willed her eyes to focus on the painting on the wall across from her.
She knew that painting well...
Inside the golden frame sat a happy family. The mother seated on an elegantly decorated chair, with a black-haired, blue-eyed eight-year-old in her lap. Another child, with the same features, stood nearby. She owned a cool, piercing expression in her eyes that seemed to bore through you any which way you looked at the painting. Then, there was the two girls' father. He stood proudly behind the mother's chair, looking as though he were bubbling over with pride and joy.
'An expression I've not seen Otou-san use since,' Kagome thought. She remembered when that portrait had been called. Seven years ago, before her father despised her... before her mother had...
She shook her head, making herself dizzy all over again. She called out meekly. "Come in."
The door slid open and a maid in a light gray yukata* stepped in, her upper face covered by a white wooden kamen*. She had rich long black hair tied up into a loop, and pretty blue-gray eyes; a typical human female.
"Forgive my awakening you, my lady, but the osama says the convoy is ready."
"Who are you?" Kagome asked suspiciously.
"I am Aneko. Her Highness, Kikyo-hime, asked me to accompany you, and serve you as I may in the West. There are few humans there, and she thought you would be lonely amid demons."
"I thank you for your loyalty, Aneko," Kagome forced a smile, and stood. She handed her black, leather-tanned sack of belongings to the servant, "but I do not ask you to follow me into danger. The West may well be my grave."
"I would rather die at my lady's side with honour, then turn tail and run to safety," Aneko replied firmly, her eyes set with determination.
Kagome pulled on and adjusted the freshly pressed gold and silver kimono Aneko handed her. She quickly tied the obi* into a bow at her waist, and slid on her yellow sandals. It took a little longer for Kagome – with Aneko's help – to gather her waist long hair, and tie it loosely at the mid back with a strip of patterned gold silk.
"Your hair is so beautiful, Princess...!"
How strange, Kagome thought, that she didn't feel at all beautiful. She felt like the ugliest beast upon the face of the Earth. So ugly, that her beloved father was sending her away because of his repulsion for her.
"Not so pretty as my sister's," Kagome replied, smoothing out her tresses affectionately; she may have been a haughty girl, but she was STILL a girl who loved her hair. It was one of the only things she had to make her feel good about herself. That and it was a way of showing status: the longer the hair, the more noble and beautiful the individual was.
"I think it rivals hers nicely," Aneko smiled. "Come, Kagome-hime. The convoy awaits." Aneko gently urged Kagome out of the room and down the beautifully muralled halls.
"Tell me," Kagome asked as they entered the courtyard where her transport waited; ten strong men, muscles bulging from their work in the fields, stood around her litter, prepared to push and pull the heavy weight at any moment the hime was ready to depart.
Kagome sighed when she saw the transport. It was gorgeous. The symbol of the Sippou marked the sides: a radiating sun with a star inside. Flower engravings slithered up and around the edges of the gold frame. The shimmering silk curtains flowed gently in the morning breeze, which Kagome seemed not to feel. She felt clammy and hot from her nervousness.
Behind her litter, was a smaller, plain wooden one. It held only the decoration of a simple Sakura blossom on each side, and the curtains were thick white cotton. Men not so heavily built stood around that litter.
'Aneko's carriage,' Kagome thought, then looked back to her own. Though she was impressed by the beauty of it – greater than the litter she normally traveled in when going out - but was eternally sad at the sight of it. It was an incredible sight! Too bad it wasn't for her...
All this for the first impression of the Western Lord.
Never would she even dream that her father would bestow on her such a wondrous parting gift; he did not love her. However, had it been Kikyo leaving...
She hit the side of her head angrily with her palm. 'Do not think that, Kagome! If you do, you'll start to hate your own sister! It's not her fault!' Wishing greatly for a distraction, Kagome turned her attention to Aneko, who stood quietly beside her. "Why do you wear that kamen?"
Aneko looked awkwardly at the ground. "I'd rather not talk about it, Princess... It's.. personal..."
Kagome nodded silently, and spotted her father a few meters away. She approached him as Aneko towed Kagome's sack into the hime's litter. The hime and osama exchanged a long gaze.
"You came...!" Kagome whispered, feeling almost giddy in her joy.
"Kikyo asked me to."
Kagome's heart dropped like it had been chained to an anchor. She shuddered, and looked anywhere but him.
"Where is she?" Kagome asked. "Where is my sister?"
"Still sleeping. She said she wouldn't have the heart to come herself and say goodbye to you, so she asked me."
"Oh... Would you have come without her asking?" There was a short silence, and Kagome shook her head, remembering what she had wanted to ask her father the night before. "Otou-san?" He looked at her. "Dear Otou-san, I want you to know that I love you, and that I do this deed for the sake of that love..." Kagome was urged into the litter, but paused the men from moving as she looked out at him. "Please, please... If ever there was a time you could say it, tell me now. Through this deed, have I earned your love yet?"
Her escorts began to pull the litter along slowly.
"Otou-san? Otou-san, answer! Have I?!" Kagome cried, reaching for him with her arm outstretched.
He looked up at her with cool, crisp eyes. "Iie."
Kagome's arm went limp and dropped to her side as she stared through the translucent curtain. She felt the hard blow of her father's mental fist slam into her breast and shatter what lay there into oh so many minuscule pieces. She could not contain the sobs that rammed through the lump in her throat, and she let the tears fall down her porcelain face, leaving streaks that looked like cracks.
The men began pulling her litter along faster, and Kagome began to scream and cry hard as the figure of her father began to shrink.
"Otou-san?! Otou-san?!! Otou-san, LOVE ME!!! PLEASE, PLEASE LOVE ME!!!!!"
He did not answer her, and turned away, returning to the inside of the palace.
*****
"What's got you so perky, Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha asked dully.
The Western Lord looked at his brother absently, though his eyes betrayed his interest. "We are to expect an Eastern convoy to arrive tomorrow evening."
"So?" the hanyou snorted indignantly.
"So, little brother, we can see what the ningen king has to say."
"Like it'll be important! Probably just a peace offering since we've got his troops nailed!" Inuyasha scoffed.
Sesshoumaru bit his tongue in thought. What would the East send? No doubt, it WOULD be an offering, but what would it be? The ningen knew full well the West desired no material item in the East's treasury. What did that leave then?
*****
Kagome opened her eyes and stared out through the curtains again. Sunlight was starting to wane on the fourth day of their journey, and she had done nothing but sleep and eat when told to. She, herself, had no appetite; her father had parched her of something far worse than water... Something she knew was irreplaceable: the loving bond between a father and a daughter. She felt betrayed and alone, yet she still loved him.
What else could she do but love him? He who gave her life.
Her voice was crackling from the dryness when she spoke for the first time since their tragic departure. "Where are we now?"
One of the men pushing the litter along smiled a toothy grin at her through his perspiration. His brown eyes shone with both admiration and adoration from beneath his straggly black fringes. "Not far now, Kagome-hime. See, just up there... the gates of the Western Palace."
Kagome looked where he had gestured, and indeed saw gates. Deep, dark, wooden gates with carvings. The closer they got, the more frightened Kagome became. She had reached a point of near-panic when the gates opened and, to her, seemed like a giant maw engulfing her into its greedy gut. She felt trapped, and lost in the maw, and felt faint, and she passed out.
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Translations:
Otou-san* - father
Osama* - king
Hime* - princess
Kisaki* - queen
Iie* - no
Yukata* - light-weight, summer kimono
Kamen* - mask
Obi* - a kimono's tie-sash
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If you wanna see the Sippou symbol used for Kagome's family emblem, go here:
http: //www .asgy .co .jp /anglais /classify /patterns /patterns3 .html #sippou
It's at the very top.
Ja ne! ^_^
The Moon and the Sun
By Firefrost
I've edited this chappie. Most of it's the same, but there are new parts. Enjoy! ^_^
If there is any confusion about the Japanese words in this story, at the end of each chapter, there will be a list of those words and their translations that were used in the chapter. They will be listed in the chronological order they appear in in the chapter. If there are any I've missed, please let me know. Ja ne! ^_^
One other thing; this is not a Kikyo-bashing fic; I may pair her with Sesshi, depending on the reviewers input. I, personally, dislike her (I'm a die-hard Inu/Kag fan), but I've altered her in this fic. I'll be focusing mostly on Kagome, though.
P.S. R&R pweaze! ^__________^
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1: Toranjitto Youkai (Transit to Demons)
The hideous, heavy slapping of flesh bounced from wall to wall in the large room. The high-pitched cry of a young woman answered soon after. A pair of feet treading fast across the grass mats, and the gentle voice of a maiden broke the stillness.
"Please, Otou-san*, calm yourself..."
"Calm myself?! How can you say that, Kikyo? You know as well as I that there is no time to waste—!"
"Indeed, I do, my osama*," Kikyo replied soothingly. "But, I also know that losing one's temper will come to no good, either."
Bishamon, King of the East Lands, stared down at his two daughters apathetically. Though they were born three years apart, they looked very similar, with extravagant, long, black tresses, and big blue-gray eyes; it was amazing how differently he felt about them.
Kikyo was the elder hime*: the heir to the Eastern Throne. She was lovely beyond any words Bishamon could conjure into his aging mind. She was fair, docile, elegant, and graceful – a nymph among humans, yet something within her was eternally sad. She was the moon to him: mysterious, mournful, beautiful, and full of pale warmth.
Then, there was Kagome. How she disappointed him so... She had no such exhilarating mystery to her. Her grace was lessened when seen beside her sister's. Her eyes shone not with peaceful calmness, but burned with hot fire – a raging tempest of life. Little taste had Kagome for princess-like things; court bored her, sitting still annoyed her, staying silent due to her gender appalled her. Kagome was the wild sun.
The fact that their mother had died a year ago did not aid the osama's relationship with his youngest daughter. Now that the kisaki* was gone, there was no one else to blame save Kagome for 'not being a boy – a proper heir.' Surely Kikyo was not at fault; she could do no wrong in his eyes.
Kagome looked up at her king. "Why did you hit me, Otou-san?"
"You stepped passed your station again. You MUST learn to not outspeak like that, Kagome," he replied cooly.
Kagome forced herself to concede; she could never win against him... He was a cold stone to her, without caring or joy. No matter what she did, his heart would not creep open for her. Nothing was enough to win his love.
'Only enough love for Kikyo...,' Kagome thought, frowning dejectedly.
"Otou-san," Kikyo said, placing a hand upon the parchment on the floor, "what is it that has you so distraught?"
"The Western Lord will not accept the truce." He replied solemnly, sitting down and pausing before her continued. "Our men grow weak every day; we cannot withstand the demons with human men alone! This is a futile venture that may cost my people their lives... I am at a loss as to a solution."
"Otou-san, why is it that the West continues to feud with us? We have done nothing to them."
"Nothing as of late," the king replied. "Yet, it is an old battle. There was once a time when the East and West were allies. The great Inu Taiyoukai that governed the West – the present lord's father – was once a friend to my twice great grandfather. That is, until treasures were stolen from each land by the other, without explanation. The East lost its prized pendant – the symbol of the osama that he was always to wear. The West was attacked in its capital, where women were killed. The Western Kisaki was... ravaged. The West seeks revenge for her lost honour."
"I didn't know that," Kikyo replied.
Kagome smiled a little. She loved her elder sister dearly, of course, and looked to her for advice on most things. However, it was nice to know that Kagome knew SOMETHING better than Kikyo. Unlike her sister, Kagome spent many hours of her time in the palace's library, where she would read of the history of her father's lands, and of the myths and legends of ages long past. How she reveled in the silent tranquility of the room! Kikyo was definitely more knowledgeable in politics, and better loved by the people, being the Crown Hime and the osama's favourite, but she was also a very social person. At times, Kagome wondered how long it would take for her sister to go insane in a room all by herself.
'Kikyo is a lady,' Kagome thought. 'She lives for silk and diplomacy and elegant decoration. She lives to pamper the truth with fluff to make it seem more civilized. I can't really blame her, though; that's what a future Queen should be like.'
Kagome silently thanked the gods that she was the younger daughter. She may not have as many admirers as Kikyo, or as much praise from their father, or even the title of Crown Hime, but not having those things made her able to be free. With all the country's focus and pressure on Kikyo, Kagome was left to entertain her own fancies, for the most part.
Sometimes Kagome felt sorry for Kikyo, until she saw how much Kikyo enjoyed the attention.
Something in Kikyo's mind snapped, and she remembered what her father had said bothered him. "Send a peace offering – something to break even."
Kagome and Bishamon looked at her in confusion.
"What?" their father asked.
"Send the West an offering," Kikyo repeated.
"And what could compare to the honour of a kisaki?" Bishamon asked, unconvinced.
Kagome looked up. "We could send them items from the treasury..."
"Stupid girl!" Bishamon snapped. "There is no material thing that would interest the Lord in payment! You speak idiocy... again!"
Kagome shuddered. Stupid girl. Idiocy. Her heart throbbed with pain, and she had to fight to hold in her gasp for ragged breath. He didn't despise her that much, did he? She really wasn't that bad, was she?
"Well," Kikyo replied, "Perhaps a person of nobility?"
"Who?!" the king asked, exasperated, but humouring his sweet daughter. "No one would be willing!"
Kagome thought a moment. "I... I will go..."
Kikyo gasped in absolute horror. Bishamon thought a moment.
"Royalty for royalty, eh?" he mumbled.
"Otou-san, iie*!" Kikyo whispered gently. "I would miss her too much!"
"There is no other way, Kikyo. Kagome, go pack your things. Only the very special ones – don't overdo it! I will arrange a convoy to leave in the morning."
"Otou-san, wait! I must ask you—!"
"Now, Kagome!"
Kagome's gaze dropped to the matts at her feet. She would always obey her otou-san, she vowed, no matter how deeply his disgust with her hurt. She would be a good daughter, and obey. With her eyes downcast, she padded away, leaving her only remaining family behind...
*****
The morning was still dark and cool when Kagome awoke to the sound of knocking at her door. She sat up and looked out one of the windows; the sun had just barely begun to rise.
Her head ached and had actually been the primary cause of her awakening. The room was spinning for a moment, before she willed her eyes to focus on the painting on the wall across from her.
She knew that painting well...
Inside the golden frame sat a happy family. The mother seated on an elegantly decorated chair, with a black-haired, blue-eyed eight-year-old in her lap. Another child, with the same features, stood nearby. She owned a cool, piercing expression in her eyes that seemed to bore through you any which way you looked at the painting. Then, there was the two girls' father. He stood proudly behind the mother's chair, looking as though he were bubbling over with pride and joy.
'An expression I've not seen Otou-san use since,' Kagome thought. She remembered when that portrait had been called. Seven years ago, before her father despised her... before her mother had...
She shook her head, making herself dizzy all over again. She called out meekly. "Come in."
The door slid open and a maid in a light gray yukata* stepped in, her upper face covered by a white wooden kamen*. She had rich long black hair tied up into a loop, and pretty blue-gray eyes; a typical human female.
"Forgive my awakening you, my lady, but the osama says the convoy is ready."
"Who are you?" Kagome asked suspiciously.
"I am Aneko. Her Highness, Kikyo-hime, asked me to accompany you, and serve you as I may in the West. There are few humans there, and she thought you would be lonely amid demons."
"I thank you for your loyalty, Aneko," Kagome forced a smile, and stood. She handed her black, leather-tanned sack of belongings to the servant, "but I do not ask you to follow me into danger. The West may well be my grave."
"I would rather die at my lady's side with honour, then turn tail and run to safety," Aneko replied firmly, her eyes set with determination.
Kagome pulled on and adjusted the freshly pressed gold and silver kimono Aneko handed her. She quickly tied the obi* into a bow at her waist, and slid on her yellow sandals. It took a little longer for Kagome – with Aneko's help – to gather her waist long hair, and tie it loosely at the mid back with a strip of patterned gold silk.
"Your hair is so beautiful, Princess...!"
How strange, Kagome thought, that she didn't feel at all beautiful. She felt like the ugliest beast upon the face of the Earth. So ugly, that her beloved father was sending her away because of his repulsion for her.
"Not so pretty as my sister's," Kagome replied, smoothing out her tresses affectionately; she may have been a haughty girl, but she was STILL a girl who loved her hair. It was one of the only things she had to make her feel good about herself. That and it was a way of showing status: the longer the hair, the more noble and beautiful the individual was.
"I think it rivals hers nicely," Aneko smiled. "Come, Kagome-hime. The convoy awaits." Aneko gently urged Kagome out of the room and down the beautifully muralled halls.
"Tell me," Kagome asked as they entered the courtyard where her transport waited; ten strong men, muscles bulging from their work in the fields, stood around her litter, prepared to push and pull the heavy weight at any moment the hime was ready to depart.
Kagome sighed when she saw the transport. It was gorgeous. The symbol of the Sippou marked the sides: a radiating sun with a star inside. Flower engravings slithered up and around the edges of the gold frame. The shimmering silk curtains flowed gently in the morning breeze, which Kagome seemed not to feel. She felt clammy and hot from her nervousness.
Behind her litter, was a smaller, plain wooden one. It held only the decoration of a simple Sakura blossom on each side, and the curtains were thick white cotton. Men not so heavily built stood around that litter.
'Aneko's carriage,' Kagome thought, then looked back to her own. Though she was impressed by the beauty of it – greater than the litter she normally traveled in when going out - but was eternally sad at the sight of it. It was an incredible sight! Too bad it wasn't for her...
All this for the first impression of the Western Lord.
Never would she even dream that her father would bestow on her such a wondrous parting gift; he did not love her. However, had it been Kikyo leaving...
She hit the side of her head angrily with her palm. 'Do not think that, Kagome! If you do, you'll start to hate your own sister! It's not her fault!' Wishing greatly for a distraction, Kagome turned her attention to Aneko, who stood quietly beside her. "Why do you wear that kamen?"
Aneko looked awkwardly at the ground. "I'd rather not talk about it, Princess... It's.. personal..."
Kagome nodded silently, and spotted her father a few meters away. She approached him as Aneko towed Kagome's sack into the hime's litter. The hime and osama exchanged a long gaze.
"You came...!" Kagome whispered, feeling almost giddy in her joy.
"Kikyo asked me to."
Kagome's heart dropped like it had been chained to an anchor. She shuddered, and looked anywhere but him.
"Where is she?" Kagome asked. "Where is my sister?"
"Still sleeping. She said she wouldn't have the heart to come herself and say goodbye to you, so she asked me."
"Oh... Would you have come without her asking?" There was a short silence, and Kagome shook her head, remembering what she had wanted to ask her father the night before. "Otou-san?" He looked at her. "Dear Otou-san, I want you to know that I love you, and that I do this deed for the sake of that love..." Kagome was urged into the litter, but paused the men from moving as she looked out at him. "Please, please... If ever there was a time you could say it, tell me now. Through this deed, have I earned your love yet?"
Her escorts began to pull the litter along slowly.
"Otou-san? Otou-san, answer! Have I?!" Kagome cried, reaching for him with her arm outstretched.
He looked up at her with cool, crisp eyes. "Iie."
Kagome's arm went limp and dropped to her side as she stared through the translucent curtain. She felt the hard blow of her father's mental fist slam into her breast and shatter what lay there into oh so many minuscule pieces. She could not contain the sobs that rammed through the lump in her throat, and she let the tears fall down her porcelain face, leaving streaks that looked like cracks.
The men began pulling her litter along faster, and Kagome began to scream and cry hard as the figure of her father began to shrink.
"Otou-san?! Otou-san?!! Otou-san, LOVE ME!!! PLEASE, PLEASE LOVE ME!!!!!"
He did not answer her, and turned away, returning to the inside of the palace.
*****
"What's got you so perky, Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha asked dully.
The Western Lord looked at his brother absently, though his eyes betrayed his interest. "We are to expect an Eastern convoy to arrive tomorrow evening."
"So?" the hanyou snorted indignantly.
"So, little brother, we can see what the ningen king has to say."
"Like it'll be important! Probably just a peace offering since we've got his troops nailed!" Inuyasha scoffed.
Sesshoumaru bit his tongue in thought. What would the East send? No doubt, it WOULD be an offering, but what would it be? The ningen knew full well the West desired no material item in the East's treasury. What did that leave then?
*****
Kagome opened her eyes and stared out through the curtains again. Sunlight was starting to wane on the fourth day of their journey, and she had done nothing but sleep and eat when told to. She, herself, had no appetite; her father had parched her of something far worse than water... Something she knew was irreplaceable: the loving bond between a father and a daughter. She felt betrayed and alone, yet she still loved him.
What else could she do but love him? He who gave her life.
Her voice was crackling from the dryness when she spoke for the first time since their tragic departure. "Where are we now?"
One of the men pushing the litter along smiled a toothy grin at her through his perspiration. His brown eyes shone with both admiration and adoration from beneath his straggly black fringes. "Not far now, Kagome-hime. See, just up there... the gates of the Western Palace."
Kagome looked where he had gestured, and indeed saw gates. Deep, dark, wooden gates with carvings. The closer they got, the more frightened Kagome became. She had reached a point of near-panic when the gates opened and, to her, seemed like a giant maw engulfing her into its greedy gut. She felt trapped, and lost in the maw, and felt faint, and she passed out.
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Translations:
Otou-san* - father
Osama* - king
Hime* - princess
Kisaki* - queen
Iie* - no
Yukata* - light-weight, summer kimono
Kamen* - mask
Obi* - a kimono's tie-sash
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If you wanna see the Sippou symbol used for Kagome's family emblem, go here:
http: //www .asgy .co .jp /anglais /classify /patterns /patterns3 .html #sippou
It's at the very top.
Ja ne! ^_^