The Man Behind the Mask

by sweetdesire842

Part Three in a series about Sesshomaru and his mate Naomi. This time, Naomi is teaching myths and legends of the Western lands during the Feudal Era class. During the class one female student is convinced no one could ever love the cold and heartless Western Lord. Can Naomi prove to this student that everything isn't always as it seems? Last edited 10/17/2016

1. Chapter 1

The Man Behind the Mask (A Sesshomaru love story)

Disclaimer: I don't ownInuYasha or its characters

Chapter 1

Naomi entered her classroom at the local University she taught myth and legends or the Western lands. She convinced the dean that no University would want to be lacking in her class if they wanted a well-rounded education of the history of Japan and the Feudal Era. She set up her desk and wrote her name Professor Tashio on the chalkboard. She gathered the class syllabus and put it on her desk while she waited for her students to arrive. Once the classroom was full she passed out the syllabus to each row before returning to the front of the class.

She pointed to the blackboard saying, "My name is Professor Tashio you will address me as such throughout the class. I will be teaching you about the myths and legends of the Western lands during the Feudal Era. Now forget any rumors you heard we will be going over the information in the textbook. Everything in the textbook is well documented and researchable. This class involves two field trips the first to the Higurashi Shrine where we will see the village and God tree on the property. The second will be to the Western lands castle and museum that has a section for the myths and legends of the West. There will be a paper due for your midterm exam I want to see if you can find a documented myth that I don't cover in class. Your final shall be a standard test with multiple choice and essay portions. Are there any questions so far?"

When no one said anything she continued saying, "We will spend this week going over the Feudal Era life of the average human and the life of Lords or Ladies. This will help build a better understanding of how some of these myths or legends may have come into existence. Now does anyone have any idea what kinds of jobs were held by villagers during the Feudal Era?"

One student got up saying, "I am Sakurada, Rei the jobs for commoners of the time period for men was a servant, farmer, blacksmith, innkeeper, tavern owner, geisha house owner, monk, demon slayer, and bandit. If you were referring to the women they could be a wife, servant, midwife, village miko, seamstress, and geisha."

Naomi smiled replying, "Very good Mr. Sakurada you're correct does anyone here know how you acquired one of these positions?" When no one responded she added, "Usually you were born into it, your father taught you the skill he knew which he learned from his parents. The only way out of becoming a farmer if your father was a farmer was to be taken on as an apprentice. Being an apprentice was really hard work but your mentor provided you with a roof over your head, food, and clothing. In return, you learned his craft and if he had no male children you often took over for him when he became too old."

She pulled down a Feudal Era map saying, "As you can see the distance between villages were great. So travel wasn't advised due to the danger of traveling and the risk of being attacked by bandits. If you escaped the bandits you still had the weather to deal with and the mythical demons to deal with. Only with luck do you make it to the next village and not always do they have room or need for your skill they may let you stay for a few days but ultimately they will ask you to move on quickly. So staying in your own village was overall better than trying to make it in another village."

A young woman stood up saying, "I'm Ibuka, Misa what if there was no need for the skill you knew? Like if I was a seamstress and there were plenty available so there wasn't enough work."

Naomi turned replying, "Well Miss Ibuka you would have to be creative and take a husband to ensure you are well provided for. Perhaps you could focus on making blankets or quilts for all seasons. There are decorative elements you could add to your work that would make it unique and stand out from everyone else's. Perhaps you know how to knit as well and can make things for babies and for warmth like a scarf or hat. If there really wasn't a need than you would likely have to take a husband and rely on him for support. You would be able to save funds by having the luxury of being able to make both yours and his clothes. If you didn't want to do that you could always hope to be taken on as an apprentice but women didn't have very many options to choose from. Now in Thursday's class, I will have a few people here to talk with you about their Feudal Era job and all that it entailed. Don't forget to read and do your homework class dismissed."

Naomi watched as the students piled out of the classroom. Once they were all gone she took out her cell phone and dialed Sango when Sango answered she asked, "You and Miroku are ready to show up for my class Thursday dressed as you would in the Feudal Era?"

Sango replied, "Yeah Miroku and I are ready we had replicas made from the originals as they are in the museum these days. Also, I have a carrier for Kilala I want to bring her too I'd like to see how many of your students figure out that they were in the presence of walking legends. Miroku has promised to keep his afflicted hand away from the female students no promises for you or me, though."

Naomi laughed saying, "Fair enough but remind him that if his hand touches me he can be the one to explain that to my mate. I personally don't want to be the one explaining that to him and I doubt Miroku will want to either. Feel free to bring Kilala I love her just bring anything she needs the class isn't long but I want her somewhat comfortable."