Pride and Prejudice

(Sango a prideful headstrong young woman is only one of the five daughters in the Higurashi household that is being forced to find a husband by their querulous mother. As that is, at a ball Sango happens to come across Mr. Inuyasha Taisho, a rich and arrogant noble man whom she immediately dislikes at first appearance. Unfortunately for her Mr. Taisho is the perfect candidate to be a proper and well suitable husband.)

Disclaimer: I own neither Inuyasha nor Pride and Prejudice.

Chapter Four

"You met who?" Sango's astonished whisper although quiet was emphatically loud in the room that the two eldest Higurashi sisters shared.

"Miroku- the man's a strange sort- he complimented me on my music." Kagome modulated her voice lower so perhaps Sango would get a hint although no one could hear the two girls late night gossip especially when their room was on the farthest end of the wing.

"He complemented your music," Sango asked in a mock disbelieving tone, "he must be insane." A soft chuckle escaped her lips.

"No," Kagome reprimanded her older sister, "It's just… well it seemed as if he appeared out of thin air." She turned toward her sister. "I couldn't feel his presence until he was in range of the Goshinboku."

"So?" The less spiritually aware sister inquired.

In a delicate manner the younger sister told Sango that although she was not as adept with her spiritual powers did not exclude the fact that her ability to sense the auras of people was proficient.

"He probably has hidden his aura."

"Perhaps…" Kagome trailed off becoming lost into her own thoughts.

Sango let her wander off; Kagome will tell her what was wrong on her own time she was sure. Kagome had a proclivity for gossiping and couldn't keep a secret for long unless that secret concerned her own affairs and or feelings. And yet even then it was hard for her to shut her mouth…

"Just don't tell Mom about Miroku." Kagome rolled over to snuff out her candle light. "I don't need her pestering me about him."

Sango merely raised her eyebrow at the suggestion. Although she truly loved the woman whom birthed her there was no way she would go to her mother talking about anyone's love affairs. That was just asking for trouble and inevitable embarrassment. Father is right on one thing Mother really has a kind heart but her habit for meddling was wide known in this region of Japan.

Sango turned over her forgotten novel in favour of her wandering thoughts. All she thinks about is marrying us off to the highest bidder. Which was understandable, the house and land could only be inherited by a male and the Higurashi household was only blessed (or maybe cursed?) with five young healthy daughters. If Mrs. Higurashi was successful in marrying off every one of her daughters then her worries would end, they wouldn't have to depend on their cousin Kuranoske-the closest male relative- kindness if it so happens that he inherits the house, they would (hopefully) be financially secure and they would have a family of their own instead of becoming some dreadful old maid.

Sango understood this. And yet it was all unfair. Sango didn't want to be sold to some man to become some sort of housewife and child bearer living in a sequestrated household. How come she couldn't inherit the house and the land as the eldest child?… She wasn't a boy. A male. In a patriarch society, a female had no recognizable position besides in the household. This, her land and her house, the house that welcomed her when she entered this world, the land where she scavenged and played with her sisters in the high grass, fighting for the chance to ride on Kirara…

And all of it could be gone. Hanging on their Father's precarious health the Higurashi Sisters can easily become the peasants that toil on their Lord's land.

()()()

Next week…

"Ouch! That hurt." Ruka cried indignantly however her cries landed on uncaring ears.

"If you stopped moving," Marika tugged on Ruka's raven locks. "It wouldn't hurt at all."

Donning a piteous expression Ruka turned toward Marika. "Dear sister how can I be still when you plan to tear my hair off my head."

"Don't be so tender headed."

"Anyway Kinu" Ruka turned her back on Marika. "I was told…" Dark eyes glazed over as Ruka tried to recall what she was going to previously mention. "Damn it, Marika now you made me forget- Ow!"

Tugging harder, Marika jerked the brush downwards causing additional pain to her already tender headed and foul mouthed younger sister. "A lady shouldn't curse."

Ruka mouthed the words in a mocking fashion for only Kinu to see and that in turn had Kinu giggling her silly little head off, her glossy curls bounced when the light chuckles escaped her mouth.

"Are you girls ready?" Lord Higurashi leaned against the doorway to his youngest daughters' room. They were supposed to leave before the sun set, to attend the festival that Lady Lucas organized for the welcoming of Lord Miyatsu. Apparently the whole settlement of Netherfield was attending and the whole populations of females were primping themselves up in hopes of catching the attention of the wealthy, young lord.

"No."

"Almost." The two answers were blurted out instantaneously.

"Well," a sigh could be heard escaping from the middle aged man, "Just be ready for when the carriage arrives." He promptly left leaving the girls to prepare themselves.

"Ah, now I remember I heard that Lord Miyatsu was to bring twelve ladies and seven gentlemen with him to attend the festival." Ruka continued with her previous conservation.

As if they needed preparing. He thought with no little arrogance although he too found his youngest daughters to be somewhat trifling Lord Higurashi always (prouded) on the fact that they were educated and taught self defense and were trained as tajiyas (however that field has expired for over some decades) and as an additional asset his daughters were all naturally beautiful and that can be given credit to his wife. Lord Miyatsu would be a fool to try to pass up any one of his daughters. Especially his Sango. Lord Higurashi thought with fondness of his favorite daughter. But although a sly smirk crept up the Lord's face Sango could definitely do better.

()()()

The sun was setting and twilight was just arriving and already the festival was brimming with townsfolk, nearly all the Lords and Ladies were in attendance except for one certain Lord…

"How trifling! H-How rude!" Lady Higurashi fussed, fanning herself in a hurried manner. "How can someone be late in attendance to a festival that was arranged for his honor?" She shook her head. "Rude man he is!"

Ritsuko nodded her agreement with Mrs. Higurashi words and added her own two bit about the whole situation. Most of them complaints.

Lady Misao sat on the side coolly observing her guests, she was a little miffed that Lord Miroku has not arrived yet however she did not allow her annoyance to touch her face instead she acted as the perfect hostess and mingled with her guests when necessary and made sure all the activities for the festival were in place. The banquet of food was set up inside the (mansion) and outside where most of the activities where taking place. The musicians and (entertainers) were already set in place outside entertaining the guests. The elder (male) nobles (secluded) themselves within the mansion entertaining themselves with the talk of politics and war. The children amused themselves with the domesticated dogs that lived on their lands. And the not quite so young but not considered adults were usually dancing or gossiping while most of the females still waited for the arrival of Lord Miroku.

When he should have been here already greeting the townsfolk as in his full acceptance to Netherfield. Lady Misao let his tardiness slide knowing that his travels between Netherfield and his previous home were time consuming but necessary since he was still in the midst of moving his possessions and his previous town was said to be a far way although, the Lady allowed a small frown grace her lips, Lord Miroku never mentioned his previous hometown or the reason for his settling in Nehterfield. For all his charming and amicable appearance, Lord Miroku was a very mysterious character and the same for his cold yet gentle sister, snow over ice, Kikyou was kind enough especially to children although something glinted her eyes that said otherwise and so far the young Lady has yet to mix among the people as if she held herself in higher standards most would mistake for arrogance but Lady Misao thought she glimpsed a wistfulness in the features of Kikyou when they passed other teenage girls in the markets playing and laughing. If Lady Misao was presumptuous she would have assumed that Kikyou's strange wistfulness was something among the jealous nature and the reason she did not mingle with the girls was because she could not.

()()()

"Netherfield is the place I am sure of it."

"Tsk." The young hanyou sucked his teeth. "And how many times have you been sure before?" He crossed his arms over his chest in annoyance.

"Twenty-six." Kikyou stated as she fanned herself, the carriage was becoming quite suffocating after sitting in a cramped position with two idiots after two hours. "I've counted."

Miroku remained unperturbed by the blazing glares sent his way. "I am completely sure." He spread his hands out in a peaceful manner. "Naraku's miasma was concentrated in the surrounding area and besides from what I have heard Netherfield is where the Shikon Tama was originally created."

Kikyou did not comment she only turned to stare out the carriage completely oblivious to the passerby and beautiful scenery. Her ocean-like eyes were pensive as she reminisced; the Shikon Tama was always resonant to her previous simple life as a priestess in her village. At one time she was considered a guardian to the jewel and a justice figure to the passive villagers to uphold the peace but ever since Onigumo appeared…everything from that moment on went downhill.

"…What I don't get is why do I have to go to this stupid party." Kikyou reverted back to the conversation to glance at Inuyasha crossing his arms over his chest ready to go sulk in a corner.

"Etiquette, Inuyasha. We cannot just expect to enter Netherfield without introducing ourselves to its inhabitants."

"Etiquette my ass."

"Just lovely, Inuyasha." Kikyou interjected sarcasm evident in her voice. "Learn to curb your tongue before you grace the nobles with your presence."

Inuyasha only huffed and began his sulking.

Kikyou turned her attention back to the scenery.

And Miroku sat in the carriage unaffected by his companion's sullen moods. Instead he wondered about the plethora of lovely girls attending the festival.

Wow I'm back. I am so sorry for the late update but I have been so distracted.

First I'm already lazy and procrastination is my best friend. I should know I waited for the last day and stayed up to three in the morning to squeeze out six analytical essays for my English AP assignment and I still didn't even finish the book that the essays were based on. I hated it.

Second: I can blame midterms and the worry of reportcards on my lateness. (But I'm so happy I got all A's and one B and it was in gym) I hate basketball. Why can't we do yoga?

Third: SAT. I also hate it. My writing scores are low. I hate writing (at least essays). Why can't there be two math sections?