Bride and Prejudice

A/N: Sorry, I do not own InuYasha and Co. Cries (BTW, this story is based on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice").

Tzedakah: Justice (Israelite language).

Chapter One: The Meeting

"Oh, my, that young man must be so rich to afford such a place to live in!" "I agree with you, Mahiro! I mean, kids nowadays just want to live on their own!" There was a great fuss in the little town of Yoharutosa because 3 men were renting the most expensive manor the town could ever afford! The "Wasahari no Rei" manor had been rented out to the most powerful male in the business world; namely Naraku Hatsumara, CEO of Hi-Blaze Systems. He was accompanied by an associate; Sesshoumaru Taisho, the CEO and President of one of the most powerful legal firms, The Tzedakah Association, and his younger brother, InuYasha. Naraku's step-sister, Kikyo, was there as well. All wore serious facial expressions as Sesshoumaru's younger brother was getting married in that little village.

As the three gentlemen stepped inside the mansion of the Higurashi family, Naraku's eyes landed on Kagura, a young woman who was in her twenties. She had ruby-red eyes, and her beauty seemed to be intoxicating. Sesshoumaru, on the other hand, was eying Kagura's associate-a young chocolate-eyed, raven-haired woman, also in her twenties. Kikyo felt jealous because she was eying Sesshoumaru for herself. "These women are uneducated. They do not know what they will be doing. I pity them," she snidely told Sesshoumaru.

They left the balcony of the mansion to practise the tradition of the fan dance which was meant to honour the guests. Unfortunately, they were about to stop when Kaori Barushita, the girls' mother showed up and joined them, followed by Yasuko Barushita; her husband who was quietly trying to calm her down. After that, they all proceeded with the wedding ceremony.

Afterwards, Naraku, Kikyo and Sesshoumaru approached the Barushita family. Mrs. Barushita seemed to be a foolish, yet lovable woman, and Mr. Barushita was the quiet, collected type of man. An odd pairing for a couple, thought Sesshoumaru. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Barushita. This is my sister, Kikyo, and the gentleman over there is my associate, Sesshoumaru Taisho. I am Naraku Hatsumara." "Why, a pleasure to meet all of you," Mr. Barushita replied. "And these are our five lovely daughters: the eldest is Kagura, the second eldest is Shizuka, then there's Sango, then Shiori and last there's Mina," said Mrs. Barushita, with great aplomb. Great, tonight's gonna be a long night- we just had to meet these idiots, Kikyo thought to herself.