Ganlu Shrine - 1 month ago
With one final bow, she stood up from a kneeling position and placed upright the chinese incense stick on the large brass incense urn. Concentrating on the steady sound of the wooden drum she brought her palms together once again as she whispered a prayer.
"I cannot achieve prominence in affairs of the state as men can, but I will not underestimate myself. If I were to marry someone, I must marry the best man life can offer me. From a true conjugal bond, in which only death will separate us. Bless me Bodhisattva. Hide me from notice, so that I can be spared from entering the harem."
After muttering her prayer, she can only look on the Golden Statue of the enlightened one, and stood up. Her two handmaidens standing outside of the temple receiving her.
"Eiko-nee, the Bodhisattva in this shrine is said to be effective." Fuyumi, the girl on her left, with both of their arms looped to each other said.
"What are you saying? Buddha is Buddha. It's the same in every shrine!" Atsuko rebutted.
"I have no care whether the effectivity of any buddha in other shrines, as long as my prayers are heard." Eiko giggled as she pulled her handmaidens, who she had grown to love as own sisters out of the shrine.
"Your wish will surely come true, miss! Buddha had never denied your every wish." Atsuko said.
"Eiko-nee, girls in the Choosing all pray to be selected, only our Eiko-nee wants the opposite. Bodhisattva might really grant your wish."
"Shhh. If you say a wish out loud, it won't come true." Eiko replied.
As they neared the stairs on the way out of the shrine, they bowed to the monk guarding the gates and went down. A man with brown hair, stopped walking as he saw Eiko.
"Oh, even Doctor Hojo is visiting the Bodhisattva?" Fuyumi inquired.
"He is a bit strange, don't you think? It is known that an Imperial Doctor cannot accept patients outside the Imperial Family without consent, but he comes to the Kikume Residence at least twice a month." Atsuko discussed.
"You two talk to much. Maybe I should ask Doctor Hojo for a prescription that will fix the two of you." Eiko reprimanded as the two girls giggled."
Hojo resumed walking as he stopped to greet Eiko.
"Sister Eiko." Hojo bowed and Eiko curtsied.
"Brother Hojo."
"I went to your manor earlier to check on your family's health. Auntie said you came here to offer incense."
"Ah yes. Prayers and walks are nice ways to relax." Eiko smiled at Hojo.
"Sister Hojo, you do not have to hide it from me. I know you've been worried about the final Choosing."
"I do what I possibly can, the rest, I can only leave to fate."
"But you don't believe in fate."
"But I do believe in love happening at the most unexpected of time."
"Eiko..when my father was alive, he would often say, that a heart full of love is as pure as a vase of jade."
Hojo showed the hand that he was hiding behind him. In that hand, he held a small vase of pure jade, and shakingly shown it to Eiko. He wanted to hide. He just shown his childhood friend and the love of his life, his family's most prized possession. But he swallowed his bashfulness as he stared straight at her beautifully shaped almond deep earthy brown eyes. Even with its darkness, Hojo can see his reflection at it stared back at him with long lashes and dark softly arched brows.
"H-He asked that I give this vase to my..my future wife. This has been my wish as well. If you accept it, you don't have to attend the auditions anymore."
Eiko smiled sadly and directed her eyes to the ground. "In Emperor Yuuro's time, it was decreed that girls who qualify to be selected for the harem, cannot marry first, without being eliminated from the Choosing. Brother Hojo wants to save me, but it is not necessary to offer a family heirloom that has such great value and sentiment. I cannot accept this."
"Sister Eiko, even though I'm just a doctor, who does not have an exceptional salary, I promise I will do everything in my power to ensure that you have a happy and secure life. I will cherish and protect you, prioritizing you above else" Hojo begged as he raised the vase a little higher. Everything Eiko wanted, he can offer, but the person himself, Eiko had seen as nothing more than a brother.
Hojo continued, "In all honesty, the reason why I visit every 15 days to your residence to examine your family's health and have the opportunity to take a glimpse of you. That was more than enough for me."
"By confessing all this..Brother Hojo, you will ruin the sibling-like affection we have always shared. I do not have any brothers, so I treated you as my real one." Eiko still avoided his eyes.
Hojo let his head fall down and frowned. "I may have startled you. But I truly hope you can avoid the Choosing. Not because of how I feel about you, but because..the young mistresses, in the palace-"
"Please do not concern yourself over it." Eiko smiled calmly at Hojo, wanting him to stop.
"You know my father was framed before because of conflicts within the harem. If a mere imperial doctor was involved, how much more you. If you are selected-" Hojo now has both his eyebrows furrowed and knit together as he imagined Eiko getting selected.
"I understand everything you're trying to say. But if I do not go to the Choosing, it will mean dishonor for my family. Since my family has no sons, I should atleast be a filial daughter." Eiko now stared at Hojo with a firm resolve.
Higurashi Residence - 1 day before the Final Choosing
Kagome stared at her reflection smiling, as the servants behind her gaped and gave encouraging nods. She was fixed up by the servants in their manor to get ready for the Final Choosing.
"So pretty." A young maiden whispered to her friend behind Kagome.
Kagome's mother wanted to cry as she looked at her daughter from behind. "Walk a few steps, let me look at you."
Kagome stood carefully, her back straight and looked at her mother straight, while the servants backed away, giving her space.
"Very nice. Our young mistress walks elegantly. An old servant commented.
"The emperor would approve of a more willowy waist." Another middle-aged servant added.
"Speak a little, Kagome."
Kagome kneeled and lowered her head. "Higurashi Kagome, paying respects to the Emperor, his majesty and your imperial highness, the Empress Dowager. May all fortunes and good health come to you."
"Good, very well behaved." The old servant commented again.
"What would you say if the Emperor asks what books you have read?" Kagome's mother asked.
"The book of songs, Mencius, and Kuro-sensei's Economics." Kagome confidently answered.
"wrong." Kagome's mother said disapprovingly.
"Eh?!"
"Shhh! A Consort never shouts."
Kagome's face contorted in irritation.
"His majesty is hosting the choosing for concubines to fill his harem with women, who can give him children. He is not looking for ministers with academic skill, although it's necessary, too much is discouraged. An ignorant woman is a virtuous one."
"Yes..I understand."Kagome clenched her hand into a tight fist.
The Taisho Domain - 1 day before the Final Choosing
Servants worked tirelessly as they scrubbed the floors, swept dust, and wiped the golden throne of the Emperor in a formal receiving area to have it ready for tomorrow. Each maiden will be presented before the Emperor and Empress Dowager outside the doors, not giving the maidens a chance to look at the royalties' face.
Jashu studied the work of the servants as he entered the receiving area.
"Royal attendant Jashu, you are here." Jaken stopped his scrubbing to greet Jashu.
"Hmm. Come here all of you." Jashu motioned the servants to get near him. "1st class Consort Kagura reminded us to clean thoroughly the receiving area, it must be spic and span. We all know how Consort Kagura is, we must watch our heads."
"We understand, Royal Attendant." the servants all said in unison.
Palace of the Virtuous
"Empress, please eat something." A light purple haired handmaiden with shocking blue eyes named Hinata urged, as she looked helplessly at her mistress tired face. On the table were various food, prepared by Inukimi herself. Two servants holding a tray with a jar of water, a bowl and a towel were waiting beside a chair, which was supposed to be the emperor's.
"Let's wait another minute."
"It has been 10 days since his majesty came for an evening meal..I heard Consort Kagura already invited him. You will starve yourself, waiting like this." Hinata reminded calmly. The Empress just stared blankly at nothing.
"The final choosing is in a few days. His majesty will come today."
Emperor's Hall
"Your Majesty shows much favor to Consort Kagura, her brother, the General Naraku and their followers." An Inu Taiyoukai complained to Touga. He was one of Touga's closest friends, back in the war. They trained, fought, and bled together. Daisuke Yurao, one of his commanders. He wore a similar clothing as Touga, all Inu Taiyoukai wear similar armor and clothing. But Daisuke cut his silver hair short, not reaching his shoulders, with thick eyebrows, fierce green eyes, lines brought about by stress can be found under his eyes. He was handsome, but rugged and looked rough. Touga's body muscled and also large, he was taller than Daisuke as well. Touga's sisters had tried to convince him to let them be Daisuke's secondary wives or concubines, but Daisuke refused them all.
"Although that is true, I realize that merit, is easy to earn, and hard to keep. I know you are cautioning me, against those who would exploit me, and take advantage of their high positions to commit wrongdoings" The emperor replied.
"Yes, emperor." Touga nodded.
"I appointed you General, Daisuke, to keep a close eye on Naraku. He bothers me, I don't trust him. The only reason why he is still general is because, he had won many wars in the past, and he is a great asset."
"But we don't need him, Emperor."
"Even though we are youkai, we are still outnumbered. Our species has dwindled in numbers. We couldn't risk a civil war, if Naraku is extinguished. His followers might rebel. And his sister..after Izayoi-"
"I spoke out of turn. Forgive me Emperor, in the end, it's still your choice." Daisuke interrupted and stared proudly at his friend and the only Emperor he will forever swear his loyalty, from below the throne as he kneeled. Touga was the one who saved his mate and pup, even his whole life's service to Touga can't amount to what the emperor had given him, his family, safe and sound.
Touga sighed. "You don't need to be so formal brother, you're embarrassing me. Keep on reporting to me with all honesty, I will not take sides, and punish those who deserved to be punished."
"Yes emperor." Daisuke stood and went out of the hall.
Touga stared blankly at the beads he was holding. He does this when he is worried. He contemplated what Daisuke said about Kagura, when Jashu went inside.
"Your majesty, your tea is cold, let me pour you another cup." Jashu was about to reach for the cup when Touga stopped him.
"Not necessary."
"Your majesty, Attendant Juromaru from Palace of Wind is waiting, it seems Consort Kagura wants to invite you for dinner."
"I will not be going there. I will go see how the Empress is doing."
Palace of Wind
Kagura's face is expressionless, her eyes and mouth downcast, waiting for the emperor to arrive.
Kanna behind her, sensed that her mistress had been waiting for too long.
"Kagura-sama, the dishes had gone gold, I'll reheat them."
"Reheat them, once we've received announcement that the emperor will eat here."
Juromaru walking in, noticed his mistress's sad sodden face, went immediately to her.
"Kagura-sama, his majesty will be having his meal in the Palace of the Virtuous tonight." Juromaru informed quietly.
"Alright." Kagura replied sadly.
"Kagura-sama, don't be angry." Juromaru advised.
Kagura scoffed, her lip darkly curling upward. "Why would I be angry? She is, after all, the empress. His majesty should have a few meals with her." Kagura reached for her chopsticks and began eating.
"Tonight is not the 15th day of the month. Why does he have to be with her?!" Kagura slammed the chopsticks on the table as she tried to control her anger that was seeping out.
Author's note: Hello everyone! I know the story had been progressing slowly at the moment but please bear with me.
I was supposed to make this an Inutaisho/Kagome fanfic but Kagome's personality just didn't fit the heroine I wanted for this story to be. But Kagome has a big part in this story, don't ya worry.