"This is what ye give me to work with? Ne, this will pose a challenge alright." The old woman's wrinkled and tanned fingers pulled at the ends of the child's raven waved hair. "Well, I have dealt with much worse on shorter notice.. Tis nothing for this old maiden."
"Kikyo!"
"Hai, Kaede-sama?" An elegant woman walked into the bathing house, her hands tucked deeply into her sleeves as she bowed lowly. "You called for this young priestess?"
"Take this child to the hot spring and scrub every inch of her body until she turns red. Inform Hitomi of her hair troubles."
"Hai, Lady Kaede." Bowing once more, the woman left as quietly as she came. "Come." This time, however, the nervous child followed behind her quickly.
"We will begin soaking your body and then rubbing you as clean and pure as possible. As I wash your body, Lady Hitomi will begin with your hair, child. Do not fret, though. You will be as beautiful as a kami when we are finished here."
The sound of her monotone voice seemed to both relax the child and make her even more anxious.
"H-Hai..."
I grasped the ends of my kimono sleeves as I twirled slowly in front of the full body length mirror. It was an elegant yet simple design. Black with a pale purple and pink flower pattern on it, the obi was a sky blue shade and was tied snugly around my waist.
My hair, oh how beautiful it had looked. Split into two twin braids, beginning at the top of my head, meeting at the nape and wrapping around to create an elaborate bun just above my neck.
The only thing holding my hair in place was the fragile heirloom that had been passed down within the family. An emerald green clip with plastic flowers hanging from the ends.
The hair piece made a jingling sound with each movement I made.
My make up made me look much older than I was. As though I was in my twenty instead of only being fifteen.
My already pale face was painted a ghostly white, my lips stained red. My eyes held charcoal burned onto my eyelids to enhance my already defined and pronounced features.
My eyebrows were plucked to form the perfect yet subtle arch and curve.
I looked...
"Beautiful."
My oceanic blue eyes moved quickly to stared into the hazel brown eyes of Lady Kikyo through the mirror.
"You look absolutely beautiful, child. You shall do fine."
"H-Hai..."
"You will honor your family by finding many suitors, of that, I am sure."
My eyes stared down at my feet as if the meaning of life had been written in kanji down there.
"Hai..."
"Higurashi, you're late!" The old man growled loudly enough for the block to hear.
The hatred in his voice caused the child to flinch visibly and tears to spring to her eyes. "G-Gomenasai..."
"Follow me." Not wanting to be yelled at once more in public, she did as told. The only hint of her movement was the ringing of the flowers in her hair.
"Now," the man sat down. His raven hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and his ghostly white eyes stared at her as though searching her soul. "A woman can bring her family great honor in but one way. You must present yourself to many men and if you are lucky, they will wish to court you. If they all deny you, however, your family falls upon the dishonored."
The newly elegant child could do nothing but nod her head curtly
"The first rule of matchmaking is to speak only when spoken to. The second is to be as obedient as a dog. Always remain calm and work fast paced. Bare many children to your suitor once married. Follow these rules and you will bring honor to your family."
Never make eye contact with a man. She thought to herself as her blue eyes stared at her legs intensely. Her pale hands were tugged within her sleeves.
"We all must serve this country, child." The man's voice softened a bit this time. "I know this may seem unfair but..."
He thought over his words carefully. "Men protect the country by bearing arms. Women need to protect this country by bearing sons. Strong sons."
"Kameko!" A tanned woman slid open the rice paper screen. She was still seated on her folded legs when she touched her head and hands to the floor before him.
"Take this child to the meeting hall. She is to find a suitor this evening."
"Hai, as you wish...Follow me please, Higurashi-sama..." Her soft spoken voice relaxed said child considerably.
"Like a lotus blossom..." My head snapped up to stare at the woman before me, Kameko. "E-Excuse me?"
"Your aura."
"My aura?
"Hai...Tis like a lotus blossom. Your reiki is soft and pale. Tis...comforting."
"R-Really?"
"Hai..."
Before allowing me to walk into the room, Kameko stopped me and reached into her sleeves. "For you." She whispered. Placing an apple in my hands she spoke once more. "Serenity."
"Balance." A sparkling oceanic blue pendant was placed over my head and rested just below my collar bones.
"Beauty." The last word to leave her mouth was whispered softly as she tied faded brown beads around my dainty wrist. "You must proudly show off each of these...I wish you luck, may the kamis guide you in the right path."
Ancestors, hear me now...I wish not to make a fool of myself and to dishonor my family.
Oceanic blue eyes scanned her surroundings as the owner of the pair stepped into the meeting hall.
This is the scariest moment of my life. I have dreaded this moment far worse than I have ever dreaded my own death. Kami of destiny, please guide me in the right way and help me find the perfect suitor to honor my family.
And for what, young child?