xOx
I would never forget that humiliating day when we were paraded in front of our enemies like cattle. How I loathed getting dressed, having my finest kimono draped on my body as I was ushered to the palace, and forced to wait for them to arrive! Though I could not say a word (for Father was hovering around us the entire day) I seethed, cursing all that came within my sight.
We arrived at the palace a few mere minutes before the Kimura clan. Kikyou was crying, Sango was frowning, and Rin was silent, but I, I was furious. My fingers itched for an object I could throw at the wall, and my ears ached for the crash. As I held Kikyou in my arms and stroked her hair, I stared hard at our father. He was pacing nervously, catching my gaze every now and then. My heart was heavy and my eyes narrow, but I would never hate him. I could never hate him.
The next few events were a blur—I vaguely remember being escorted into the dining area, where the youkai were waiting. Kikyou was shown, then Sango, followed by Rin. Father's voice cracked as I felt the room close around me. I remember a man's voice referring me to that cursed name, the "Blue Lark." My head spun as I stood waiting to be introduced, but something within me burned, and when the Emperor's voice broke through my thoughts my eyes shot up in a hazy glare, meeting the eyes of the enemy for the first time.
They were magnificent creatures, to say the least. The three Kimura men had long, cascading silver hair that shone in the dim light, with golden eyes that shone like suns. If it weren't for my anger I would've gawked, amazed, even shy. But it was that man's voice, that bastard that threw all thoughts of humility out the window.
I assumed he—Inuyasha, was his name?—was the youngest. Where his father and brother's eyes were complete masks, his irises flashed with fire, emotion—he had life in him. It was then that I remembered that he was a hanyou, half human. His voice spurned me, his eyes challenged me, his youki demanded me—and I hated him. I hated the way he watched me, the way he studied me, the way his soul seemed to call out to me.
To make matters worse, my sisters and I were being forced to spend time with these golden-eyed mercenaries. It had surprised me at first to hear the Kimura sons ask for such a request, and for a moment I thought that perhaps they searched more than a pretty face. But as I pondered the possibility, all became dark—even in the best circumstances, all they wanted was a quiet, submissive wife.
I am neither.
xOx
"They're late."
The four Higurashi sisters stood in the Emperor's garden, waiting. After their first meeting with the Kimura clan the day before, the old royal had complied to the sons' request to spend 'quality time' with the women. Now, dressed in their second best, the women had the eager task of being idle while waiting for the tardy men.
"Maybe they're with the Emperor," Rin suggested, crouched down as she drew in the dirt with a stick.
"Perhaps," Kikyou murmured. "Rin, stand up. You'll get dirty."
"They can stay where they are," Sango muttered darkly. "Right Kagome? Kagome?"
The three turned to see their sister gazing into the pond, her eyes heavily lidded as she watched the coy fish. She had been silent for the better part of the day, brooding. She threw crumbs at the fish, oblivious that her sister was calling her.
"Kagome?"
The third time was a charm. Snapping out of her reverie, she met her sisters' eyes with her own confused look. "Hai?"
"Is something wrong, Kagome? You haven't been yourself lately."
Kagome winced, breaking off another piece of bread as she threw it to hungry, gaping mouths. "I've just been thinking, I guess."
"About?"
Sighing irritably, she bit out, "Everything and anything. Father. The Emperor. Our futures. Those men that two of us are to call our husbands."
The other three fell silent at her words. According to their father, the Kimura sons were to choose their brides by the end of this week. It would be a hasty decision, but the youkai King wanted the transfer of power to be quick.
Kagome felt a slight pang of guilt as she watched her sisters' fall into the same dark mood she was in. It wasn't their fault that she was in such an inconsolable mood. She hadn't gotten a wink of sleep the night before, and the dark circles around her eyes were hidden beneath careful concealing paste. To her sisters, she looked completely fine. Taking a deep breath, she mentally reprimanded herself.. She would try again.
"While we're on the subject," she began grudgingly, "what do you think of the Kimura sons?"
The youngest spoke up. "I think they're gorgeous."
Kikyou, with the most modesty out of the four, blushed at her response. "They are quite handsome."
"Did you see the color of their eyes? It was like molten gold!"
"Come, Sango, you must have thought at least one of them attractive."
"The generals were quite handsome as well," Sango admitted quietly, averting her eyes. She felt the stares of her sisters, followed by tinkling laughter. "But they're still strangers," she added hastily, turning to hide her blush.
"I quite agree with you," Kikyou smiled, "the generals were by far two of the most handsome men I have ever set my eyes on. If it weren't for our predicaments…" she trailed off, and touched her sister's shoulder.
"What do you think, Kagome?" She felt her tense under her fingertips.
"My opinion doesn't matter," she waved nonchalantly, turning to her sisters with as much solemnity and control she could muster. She knew her response would only dampen the mood once more. "I still refuse to marry, handsome or not."
Kikyou gazed at her thoughtfully, a smile tugging on the corners of her mouth. "The youngest son was looking quite interested in you, Kagome. Even you cannot ignore the stares of such a beautiful creature."
Kagome spoke no words, but the sudden flash in her eyes and her tight-lipped stare told her sisters that she in fact noticed the young prince, much to her dismay. And yet, as she recalled his penetrating stare as they left the day before, her heart, for some reason, skipped a beat. Sometimes, it was confusing to be a woman.
Sango opened her mouth to speak on her behalf when a flash of white entered the corner of her eye. Turning her head she conspicuously nudged her sisters, who also turned and watched the Kimura men approach them.
Unlike the day before when they donned traveling garb, the four men that walked towards them were more regally dressed. They obviously wore what suited their personality, for Kagome eyed them warily, without introduction, and read each one like a book.
The eldest Kimura son, Sesshoumaru, was clad in an elegant white kimono that made him reminiscent of his father. Armor wrapped around his lithe body, his hair cascaded down his back, unlike the day before, where it was tied loosely with a ribbon. Even from far away he had an air of grace about him, with twin swords strapped to his waist and his regal stride.
Followed by Sesshoumaru was his general and advisor, Sato Onigumo. He was the complete opposite in appearance of his lord—black waves of hair fell around his body as his dark, sorrel eyes darted back and forth. He wore a dark kimono of simple pattern, no armor, and his weapon consisted of a smaller sword than the prince. Although devilishly handsome, the look in his eye suggested something dark, and sinister in him, befitting of a general.
Next came Tomoe Miroku, chaperone number two and advisor to the younger prince. To much of the sisters' surprise, Miroku, unlike Onigumo, wore the clothing of an itinerant monk. He carried a staff that jingled pleasantly, and his sparkling violet eyes and charming smile indicated that he, in fact, was quiet popular with the ladies. His lips moved as he glanced every now and then at the hanyou next to him, quirking amusedly.
Inuyasha. Kagome felt her eyebrows rise as she eyed the prince in such unique garb. Unlike Sesshoumaru who wore clothing befitting of a royal, his red haori and hamaka made him look more like a samurai. With pointed ears peeking out of his tousled, silver hair, his piercing eyes showed human emotion—frustration and boredom.
"Konnichiwa," Sesshoumaru's cold voice sounded unusually pleasant to his companion's ears as he approached the ladies. He and the others bowed respectfully, which the women returned.
The three eldest Higurashi sisters were at a loss for words, but Rin smiled at the greeting. "Hello." Kikyou breathed a sigh of relief, blessing the child for her innocence.
"I trust we find you ladies in good health today?" General Tomoe prodded after a few moments of awkward silence, his violet eyes twinkling. For reasons unknown to the women, he earned a hard glare from Sesshoumaru and a sharp jab to the side by Inuyasha.
"Yes, we are, thank you," Sango frowned.
The elder general, who had not spoken in the time they had known him, finally gestured to a grove of tree stumps that served as seats in the Emperor's garden. "Might we sit in the shade and get better acquainted?"
Kagome didn't fail to see the blush that overcame her eldest sister's cheeks as he spoke in a smooth, seductive baritone voice. Torn between happiness for her sister and dismay that Kikyou might actually consent to this humiliation, she remained silent, instead following her sisters to the cool grass where the men waited.
"Perhaps it would break the ice if you would each tell us something about yourselves," the eldest prince spoke after they were all seated. The women glanced uneasily at each other, but once again it was Rin who quickly complied with his request.
"My name is Rin," she chirped happily, flashing them a brilliant smile and earning a raised eyebrow from General Sato.
"Is she always this…outspoken?"
"Ah, forgive her," Sango blurted, grabbing her youngest sister's hand and giving it a hard, firm squeeze. "Rin is naive. She means no disrespect."
"On the contrary," Sesshoumaru drawled, slightly amused, "I find it quite…intriguing." He ignored the strange looks he received from his younger brother. "Continue."
Rin, now aware of her brazen approach, bit her lip and glanced at her sisters. Sango's worried look remained, and Kikyou seemed as lost as she, but it was Kagome who, although somewhat averse, inclined her head. Smiling, her sunny personality shone through once again.
"My name is Rin, milord," she began again, though conscious of whom she was addressing. "I…I…" She paused, as if contemplating a serious matter of life. Furrowing her eyebrows, she gazed at the eldest youkai prince. "Forgive me, milord, but what would you like to know about me?"
The younger general chuckled in amusement as the corners of Sesshoumaru's mouth began to twitch. This child did test his patience…and yet he wasn't angry. It confused and interested him at the same time. "Perhaps, what you like and don't like."
"Oh." Rin scrunched in nose in thought. "Well, I can't write haikus very well, and reading bores me, but I love animals." Her face brightened as she remembered her favorite mare. "Especially horses. I can stay in the stalls all day long. Father says I'm getting too old to dawdle around the animals, and he tells me that I should learn how to pour tea like Kikyou, but I don't think seventeen is old, do you?"
Kikyou nearly fell over in horror as Sango gripped her seat, afraid that Rin's mindless chatter would cost them their heads. "Rin-chan—"
"No."
The eldest snapped their heads to Sesshoumaru, who had smile that seemed foreign and out of place on his face. "Kimura-sama?"
"No, I don't think seventeen is old," Sesshoumaru agreed, leaning back with a strange twinkle in his eyes. "In fact, I disagree with the marrying age of this country."
Rin, pleased that she had his attention, prodded the conversation further. "At what age do women in your territories marry?"
Sesshoumaru frowned. "You mean you do know not know?"
Sango, interested, intervened. "Certainly it is before twenty, milord, for birthing for women become tricky as we become older."
The men glanced at each other with slight uneasiness. Did these women know nothing of youkai and their customs? Even Miroku and Onigumo, who were humans themselves, felt uncomfortable under the women's waiting stares.
"Is something wrong, milords?" Kikyou ventured, growing worried. She began to rethink her sisters' words, trying to remember if they had offended them in anyway, but came up with nothing. She glanced at Kagome, who too was looking confused.
"No," Sesshoumaru answered slowly, "no, nothing is wrong." Turning back to Rin, he pinned her to her seat with one of the golden stares that all the Kimura men possessed. "Answer me honestly, Rin. How old do I look?"
The youngest Higurashi sister bit her lip as she fiddled the hem of her sleeve. She stared at the eldest prince, taking in the majestic magenta marks he carried, and the usually cold, golden eyes that looked at her with such intensity that it made her shiver in the shade. Glancing at his hands, which too bore his marks, she took a deep breath. "Five and twenty, milord? Perhaps a year or two in error?"
Sesshoumaru nodded, and the suspicions of the men were confirmed. Miroku took one look at the situation and took matters into his own hands, directing himself to the youngest sister, since she appeared to be the most honest. "Tell me, Rin, what do you know of youkai?"
"Well…" Rin fidgeted nervously, glancing at her sisters for support.
"Forgive us, milord," Kikyou gently interceded, but nonetheless apprehensive. "Rin has not been taught the culture of youkai."
"I see," Miroku nodded. "And the rest of you?"
Sango and Kikyou looked at each other nervously, and failed to see Rin glance at Kagome and brighten. "Milord, Kagome-chan is an avid reader. Perhaps she knows."
The two elder sisters froze, paling as the men averted their attention to Kagome, who had remained silent during the entire ordeal. Rin didn't realize what she had done, for she was smiling as if everything in the world had gone right at that moment.
"Is it true?" Miroku turned, eager to exchange words with the Blue Lark of Japan. Inuyasha, who was sitting at his side, leaned forward, interested to know what she had to say.
Kagome had been content in remaining invisible, and was surprised to have her name mentioned so abruptly. Seeing Kikyou and Sango's perplexed expressions, she gazed at the men coolly, determined to keep her composure for their sakes, if for no one else. "I may know a little," she answered, her voice neutral.
"Would you care to enlighten us then?" Inuyasha drawled, breaking his silence as well. Kagome noticeably stiffened at the sound of his voice, but refused to crack. Instead she settled her azure eyes on his. "I would be delighted."
Inuyasha didn't miss the dangerous undertone in her voice as he once again was the victim of her sharp scrutiny. Her blue eyes seemed to look into his very soul, reading each thought. Knowing that all eyes were now set on them, he tore his gaze away with a small "keh."
"Kagome?"
"I probably know no more than the common woman living in the city," she began abruptly, Kikyou's voice reminding her that the young general awaited an answer. "I know only of their tendencies towards humans, which in my opinion is biased on our behalf, but little of the culture itself."
"Interesting." The monk furrowed his eyebrows as he let her words sink in. "So none of you are aware of their age, or their…mating habits?"
The four sisters blinked as his comment earned a hard knock on the head from Inuyasha, while Sesshoumaru looked on as if it was normal behavior. Onigumo gave them a reproving look before turning back to the slightly bewildered ladies. "This is most…unusual," he mused. "We would've thought…Kimura-sama would've thought that you ladies were knowledgeable in our ways."
"Is that a problem?" Kikyou pondered, watching Miroku rub his head disdainfully. "And, your ways? Forgive me milord, but aren't you and Tomoe-san human?"
Inuyasha snorted a reply while Onigumo's lips twitched amusedly. "I am a hanyou, my lady, but Miroku is a true human. You will find our subjects are human and youkai alike. In some instances like Inuyasha-sama and myself, there are hanyou. But regardless of race, we are all equal."
"And what of us? Will we and our subjects be treated as your equals?"
Kagome sat defiantly, her cloak of invisibility gone, with questions that had burned her mind threatening to pour out. These men, she realized, had proven themselves to be honorable and willing to answer her sisters' questions. Now, it was her turn.
"Of course your subjects will be our subjects," Sesshoumaru nodded. "They will be treated the same."
A vague and diplomatic answer, but an answer nonetheless. Kagome expected nothing less from a prince of the Kimura clan. However, she was just beginning.
"And the women? How are women treated in your society?" she pressed on, scooting to the edge of the seat. She felt the reproachful eyes of her sisters on her, but she ignored them. She had questions, and she needed answers. She was tired of being kept quiet in fear of her angering the princes.
'They might as well see me for who I am,' she thought ruefully.
"Women in our society are held with high regard," Miroku answered, shrinking away from Inuyasha's glare, "and I mean it with the greatest respect. I may have a wandering hand," he paused as he heard Sango stifle a groan, "but even I know that without women there are no children, families would fall apart, and we men would forget all thoughts of humility."
Kagome clenched her fists in her lap. "So women are to be chained to the home, spread their legs, and raise the children? Is that what you mean?"
"Kagome!" Kikyou gasped, her eyes growing wide.
"I…uh…no! Of course not!" Miroku waved frantically. "I only meant that—"
"What the lecher means," the younger prince interrupted heatedly, "is that women, in our eyes, are prized. Unlike some, we take care of our wives and daughters."
"Are you implying that our society doesn't?" Kagome stood, her voice rising.
"Well you and your sisters are marrying us, aren't you?" Inuyasha sneered. "What kind of society would barter off their children to complete strangers for the sake of a country? What do your men fight for when their women are being given away? Peace? Peace for who?"
Kagome's eyes flashed dangerously as she took a step towards the hanyou. "Like you are one to talk! You talk of peace, and the protecting women and children, and yet you dare invade our country and the throne, murdering innocent people along the way!"
"You should be thanking us!" Inuyasha growled, baring his teeth. "We're giving your and your sisters what was rightfully yours! The throne!"
"At the expense of what? Our happiness?" Kagome retorted angrily. "Why should we be thanking you? How do you know what we want anyway?" She struggled in Sango's hold, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "I want no throne! I want my freedom!"
"You ungrateful little bitch!"
"Inuyasha! That is enough!" Sesshoumaru roared, standing on his feet and towering over his younger brother. With a single hand he shoved him back on his seat, his temper terrifying.
Sango had pulled a trembling Kagome into her embrace, stroking her head. Kikyou and Rin were also on their feet, though unsure of what to do. With a shaking hand the eldest sister bowed, her voice cracking with fear. "Forgive us, Sesshoumaru-sama. Kagome has not been herself lately."
Sesshoumaru turned and gazed at the women, taking in their terrified states. No doubt they were worrying for their lives, wondering if Kagome had said enough to be killed.
"Please, Sesshoumaru-sama! Forgive her!"
He flinched as the youngest sister threw herself at his feet, her blue kimono staining with dirt. Her eyes were wide and scared, her bottom lip quivering. Glancing at the generals and his simmering brother, he nodded. "It is understandable for her to be in this state of…distress. No apology is needed."
"Things have been complicated, milord," Kikyou tangled her fingers worriedly. "Inuyasha-sama, please do not take into offense anything that Kagome has said. We are grateful for your kindness."
One look into their eyes knew that she was lying. They all had the look of hopelessness around them—none of these women wanted them.
With a glare from Sesshoumaru Inuyasha grudgingly grunted. "I apologize, Lady Kagome. I apologize for my behavior as well."
Kagome refused to turn, and Sesshoumaru decided it was time for them to go. The sun had begun to set, and no doubt the Emperor would be waiting for them. The men watched the women leave, Kagome in their embrace, as they headed to their own home. Inuyasha grimaced as he was shoved forward, towards the main building, knowing that unlike the Higurashi daughters, their day was far from over.
xOx
"Have you decided?"
Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, Miroku, and Onigumo sat around the table with the Emperor and Inutaisho, the evening meal over ages ago. Now the men sat amongst each other, most heads bowed, as their decisions would shape their lives and the lives of the Higurashi daughters. They sat in the dim light, a single candle illuminating their discreet meeting.
The princes thought it was too soon for them to choose their brides, but Inutaisho was relentless—he wanted the throne, and he wanted it now. They would have to go on what they learned today to choose their wives.
"Hai, Father."
"Good." Nodding to the Emperor, he raised his brush, a drop of ink dripping onto the awaiting parchment. Glancing towards the generals, he gave them a solemn stare. "And you have discussed your choices?"
Unbeknownst to the Higurashi sisters, the remaining two would be given to the princes' generals. The Emperor had made no objection to this, but by the grim expression he wore Higurashi had no idea of his intentions. Miroku and Onigumo took the task willingly and acceptingly.
"Hai, Kimura-sama."
The Emperor lowered his head as he folded his hands on the table, eyeing the princes and the generals warily. He stared hard at the brush Inutaisho held in his hand.
"Need I remind you," he began quietly, "that whichever daughter you choose, it will not effect the succession of the throne. The four Higurashi sisters have equal claims to the throne as of this moment. When Kimura-sama ascends to the throne, it is to his discretion who he will name heir."
Pleased at their nodding heads, he gazed into the single flame. "You are all fine and honorable men. These women are like my daughters, and I care for them very much. I trust that you will treat them with kindness and respect, for they are not only your wives, but symbols of peace that allow you to rule in harmony."
Inutaisho assented to the Emperor's words. "You will not shame this man by going against your word," he warned, his golden eyes flashing. "Enemies or not, every man present is a man of honor."
With the burden of their futures upon their shoulders, the youkai king scratched a few characters onto the parchment before clearing his throat. "As the eldest, Sesshoumaru will be the first to select his bride.
The elder prince showed no emotion as he uttered one syllable that would shape his life. "Rin."
"The brat?" Inuyasha turned, incredulous and slightly bewildered. "I would think the eldest was—"
"Rin is honest, young, and I will able to mold her," Sesshoumaru returned. "Do not question my choice, little brother, for my reasons are for my own."
"Keh, whatever," Inuyasha snorted, leaning into his chair. He glowered at his brother as he crossed his arms.
"And your choice of bride, Inuyasha?"
The hanyou stared hard at the table, picturing the three ladies at his disposal in his mind. He felt no connection to Sango, who was a little too homely for his tastes. Marrying the eldest would be the best choice for him, seeing as she was the least defiant and would be a proper wife, something his bastard of a brother overlooked.
But would he be happy?
There was always the one who cursed his existence, Kagome. She was brazen, bold, emotional, and audacious. Although she was a beauty, she was far from submissive, and their home would be anything but peaceful.
But the thought of Miroku or Onigumo taking her, the prized Higurashi daughter, for their own made his skin crawl. Besides, the biggest obstacle was over—Sesshoumaru chose her sister. He would use Kagome to his advantage—he already saw that her father and the Emperor favored her. It would only be a matter of time before he was favored above Sesshoumaru.
Closing his eyes, he saw the spitfire known as Kagome, seething, smoldering, screaming his name as she writhed underneath him, moaning…
"Inuyasha?"
His head snapped up, realizing that his father still waited for his answer.
"Inuyasha, who do you choose?"
The hanyou gave a little smirk, drumming his fingertips on the hard wood. She hated him, and that was perfectly fine. He hated her as well, but he needed her.
The line between love and hate was thin.
So was the line between need and want.
"I choose Kagome."
xOx
AN: I'm sorry this update has taken longer that I intended it to be…the holidays have been taking up most of my time. But I hope this chapter has revealed the plot a little more…what is hate and what is love? What is wrong and what is right? Who exactly is the enemy? Ahh…you will just have to wait and find out!
InuGoddess715 and whiterose03, thank you for reviewing! I hope the story is to your liking! And I agree with you, InuGoddess715, I hope more people start reviewing! I'm starting to feel a little lonely over here…
Hope you like the story! Oh, and don't be afraid to review! I'll love you forever!