A/N: I know this chapter is late, but I've been really busy lately. I might actually get a job soon. (All the places I applied to before didn't like me for some reason, so I stopped applying), but it's at a Borders, so it's not so bad, I guess. There's a lot of manga I would buy with that employee discount. :D
In addition to that, I am entering the Writer's Digest manuscript contest this year with an original story I am working on, and because of that, it might take first priority for a while. That's okay, though. I'm not at the point where I have no time to write a chapter a week, but as it gets down to crunch time for the contest, I dunno...
And it doesn't help that I still have 3 video games I got for Christmas I have to go beat, too.
Oh, and the character that is introduced in this chapter will have a bit bigger role in the story than I have ever given him before. It's not too big of a role, but it's certainly bigger than past stories. I dunno, but I think he's adorable sometimes, so I was glad to be able to use him a bit in this story. Poor guy, subjected to the misery and pain of my pen more than he's used to. Mwa ha ha ha ha. :D
As daylight came to Kingston, the fires from the storehouse on the Black Wolf Plantation slowly smoldered into ashes. All that remained of the storehouse was some charred wood,among the crystallized mess that had been the sacks of sugar waiting for shipment.
But even though luck had been on there side and there had not been any wind to spread the fire onward, the loss of the storehouse was a grave omen hanging. Several of the slaves who had been born in their native land and still clung fast to their superstitions spent the day in hushed tones, afraid the fire might be work of angry spirits, ready to lash out in rage at any moment.
Of course, only Kagome knew that the fire had been the work of a man, and not a vengeful spirit. She hadn't expected that pirate to actually come through with her plan, but now that he did, she was glad for it. Walking on to the site the next morning, she stood next to Kouga as he surveyed the damage, giving a grave sigh as he was told exactly how many sacks of sugar had been lost.
"Damn it!" Kouga muttered, turning away from one of his overseers, the number hitting him heavily. "Why did this have to happen now? Our entire shipment that was set to go to Charleston was lost!"
Kagome vaguely remembered him talking about that large shipment that was due in Charleston on the next week, and for a moment, wondered if she had made a grave mistake in getting this favor from that notorious pirate. "Was that all we had for this season?" she asked, mildly concerned.
Shaking his head, her fiancé answered, "No, we have more storehouses that are also partially filled," he pointed towards other buildings of similar shape in the distance. "But this was the only one with the shipment that was ready; marked and ready to sail on the tide."
So, that pirate must have seen the other storehouses, and somehow guessed this one, closest to the entrance to the plantation, would be the one carrying the sugar ready to go. Kagome smiled to herself. Perhaps she wasn't foolish in her choice of that pirate.
"So, what will happen now, Kouga? If what burned was the shipment to Charleston, then what are you going to do about it?"
"I can't very well send a new shipment late and expect it to go unnoticed," Kouga told her, thinking absently on how to solve this difficult problem. "I suppose I'll have to go to Charleston and explain why they'll have to wait a bit for the next shipment, and hope they don't start buying from other planters in the future because of this."
"It sounds like it will be difficult."
"It is," Kouga said at once, knowing how naive she was when it concerned business affairs. "Keeping good relations with the buyers is essential to making a living in this business. I might have to cut the cost by a penny or two a sack just to keep them happy."
Kagome said nothing, but personally thought that Kouga's idea wasn't really much of a help. Her father used to tell her that shipments of sugar were in especially high demand, and if a planter failed to ship on time, their buyers would look elsewhere. Still, she knew even the loss of one trading partner wasn't going to destroy him; he certainly had dozens more that sent enough pounds into his account.
"All the same," Kouga began with a small sigh. "I'm afraid I have to apologize, Kagome."
Now she was curious. "Apologize? For what?"
"With all this financial buisness," he gestured to the empty storeroom, "Our wedding will have to be set back in date for at least another month."
At last! On the inside, she was smiling, and this is what she had hoped for. The wedding pushed back even more, a little more time for herself, to decide what to do about this matrimonial mess she had gotten herself into. Not long after she met Kouga she knew that she could never find true happiness and love with him; but with a little more time, perhaps she might figure out a way to be a little more comfortable in the future.
And, a little more time before the day finally arrived also gave her enough time to back out, if need be.
Putting on a upset face, Kagome said for his benefit, "I am sorry to hear it…but, if it is what is best for the plantation, then I can endure it, Kouga."
Smiling softly, he replied, taking her hand, "That's good to hear. I'm glad you're understanding about this, Kagome."
She gave a small nod, and then slid her hand out of his. Folding her arms and looking away, she asked, "When will you leave for Charleston?"
"Tomorrow," he answered at once. "Unfortunately. I'll have to let them know about this problem as soon as I can."
"And how long will you be away?" Though her words were that of a woman who would spend all her hours waiting, pining for his return, inside, she was calculating how much time she would have to herself instead.
Looking up towards the sky, he replied, "I don't know. As long as I need to, I suppose."
"I suppose." Though I suppose two weeks would be the very least… she thought to herself, hoping that two weeks without Kouga would be enough time to clear her head and focus her thoughts on how she could live as this man's wife without acting behind all her words.
Kouga saw how his fiancée looked so upset at the prospect of him going away, and a soft smile came to his face. She loves me enough that she dreads this moment…poor thing. "Perhaps…to ease the separation, you might come with me to Charleston."
Eyes opened wide, Kagome snapped her head back to look at Kouga. "Come with you…to Charleston?" Damn! Did I overdo it? "B-but…that is impossible! You have business to attend, and…"
"You could join me in a week, after the business is concluded," Kouga spoke, as he planned it all out. "Then we could tour Charleston together, as a pre-wedding tour. How does that sound?"
Kagome's heart sunk further and further in her chest, fearing her plan would now backfire upon her. "Kouga that sounds…wonderful and all, but I know you have no reservations as paying for passage on any old merchant ship to pass Kingston by to get to Charleston, but I do not trust those rough sailors! I can't travel on just any ship to dock in the harbor, you should know that!" It may sound haughty, but if it works…
But Kouga's smile that she dreaded so much never faded from his face. "But, you're in luck, Kagome!" he said, taking her hand again to her displeasure. "I just heard that a passenger ship is leaving next week with the intention of stopping at many ports in the colonies, including Charleston! I could pay for your passage on that, so you don't have to worry about rough sailors at all!"
Using her last resort, Kagome complained, "But…what if we are attacked! You never know what haunts the seas, especially after that dreadful pirate came to Kingston and then escaped—!" She thought for sure Kouga's intent on sheltering her from the world would kick in and decide it was best to keep her locked up on the plantation to keep her safe.
But alas, it was not to be. "Don't worry, Kagome," Kouga grinned. "I wouldn't leave you unprotected. I hear several soldiers are booking passage as well. You'll be safe surrounded by them—No pirate trying to keep his head would attack a ship full of soldiers, would he?"
Knowing at last she had been defeated, Kagome gave a sad sigh, "Yes, I suppose that is true." How did I land myself in this mess? Is it all because of that deal I made with the pirate?
But…her eyes glanced back to the burning ruin of the storehouse. At least I have a little more time as a single woman before I am dragged to the altar.
Leaning against the stern of the steady ship, watching the waves lapping gently below, Kagome thought after remembering that day, And that is how I ended up here.
Lilac gown twirling around her in the wind, Kagome stood on the deck of the passenger ship Marianne, alone at last. But in this moment, a moment to be grateful for, she wasn't just alone—she was alone on this beautiful sea.
Her eyes glimpsed far in the distance as the last of Jamaica disappeared upon the horizon. No more was she confined to land; her soul allowed to fly free, the sea as its only master. Closing her eyes, Kagome reached up and removed her hat, allowing the wind to fly through the soft black tendrils. She wished she could reach up and free all her wealth of hair, allowing it all to be brushed with the loving sea air, but, alas, that wouldn't be proper at all with all these people on the ship to see her, wouldn't it?
Still…she could see the bright blue waves below, as they took her on another journey. How could she have forgotten this feeling? This feeling of being so free…the feeling of nearly being one with the sea…wanting nothing more to remain here, letting the wind take her to new and exciting places.
And while she leaned against the wooden rail of the ship, the Union Jack flapping proudly beside her, Kagome was content at last.
But content and alone she would not be for much longer. "Miss…Miss Kagome?"
Kagome was snapped out of her own little private world, shocked to hear someone call her with such an intimate tone. Someone…knows my name? Turning, she saw a man dressed in the red coat of a military uniform, standing tall, with blondish sort of hair and light eyes. He didn't look familiar at all.
"Do I know you?" she asked, curious. I didn't recognize any of the names on this ship, so who…?
Smiling sadly to himself, the man walked closer, speaking softly, "I figured you had forgotten, Miss Kagome. It's been such a long time." When she said nothing, he added, "There was a boy who used to live next door, who used to play silly games of adventures on the high sea, back when the closest we were to the waves was on the docks of Portsmouth…"
All of a sudden, a small boy's face flashed in her mind. "H-Houjou?" Now, it dawned upon her, that the little boy she knew for a few years back when everything in her life had been perfect, had grown up. "But…you went away that time…"
"My parents thought I would do well in the Royal Navy, so they signed me on as a ship's boy when I was ten," Houjou explained. "I've been abroad ever since then, making a decent living in His Majesty's Service."
Smiling slightly at old memories, Kagome remembered, "We used to imagine we were fierce captains on the sea, battling bloody pirates," she spoke with a laugh. "Kikyou used to scold me for it, too."
"It seems like it was ages ago," Houjou said, glancing away for a moment with a soft smile. "But…I'm glad you do remember me."
"Yes…" And here, she had thought there was no one on this ship she knew! At least there was someone she could talk to now, even if she hadn't seen this man in nearly eight years. "So…" she leaned slightly back against the ship's rail, asking, "You said your parents sent you off to the Navy, did they? I suppose it worked out well?"
Houjou nodded. "I rose through the ranks, and now I am a lieutenant. I'm on leave right now, though…I intent to go back to the service after the month is up."
"And do you like it?" she asked, just a bit jealous. Many wealthy sons of Britain were sent off in His Majesty's Royal Navy, and if she had been a boy, she had no doubt she would have gone as well. It didn't matter how dangerous she had heard it was; she felt that even being in the rigid service of the navy was a lot better than being stuck on land, the wife of a foolish planter.
Shrugging, Houjou replied, "It is good enough. I am able to eat and make a living while traveling the world, so it is not so bad."
Somehow, his words made her a little sad inside. I see…so, he does not truly love the sea…he only travels because he must, not because he wants to… She could never really understand this feeling, of being able to live life without the sea first in one's heart. But, she supposed, others that questioned her were never able to understand her feelings either.
"For us, the see is the only way we are able to live, Kagome," her father had told her once. "But so many others do not understand. Some can sail the sea all their lives, and never truly have a passion for the adventure and wonders that can be found, while others spend their poor lives on land, and waste away, unable to achieve full happiness without the soft waves calling to them."
Thinking of her father always saddened her, but Houjou's words cut her from her thoughts, "And so, what has happened to you, Miss Kagome? I did not expect to find you on this side of the world."
That is right…he doesn't know…she remembered. I had better tell him quickly, before he gets any ideas… "Well, I suppose…you know my father died at sea years ago, when I was still a child." Her eyes turned away, remembering the pain that she still felt every day without her inspiring father in her life. "That meant that I would have to be sent away to be married someday so Mama wouldn't have to strain herself to keep taking care of me."
Houjou's eyes instantly looked all the sadder as he heard the news. There was a slight awkward pause between them and quietly he asked, "And so…you are…"
"Engaged," Kagome explained at once. "To Kouga Wulfe. He is a wealthy planter in Kingston, but now he is on business in Charleston, which is why I am here. We are going on a pre-wedding tour, apparently."
There was more silence from Houjou, before he asked, worried, "And so…this man…does he take care of you properly?"
"Oh, yes," she told him. "If properly means that I am well looked after." With another sigh, she admitted, "But…this arrangement was only made to ensure my stability in wealth, and not stability in happiness."
Houjou continued to say nothing, only listen as Kagome continued, "While Kouga is a kind man…he is not the sort of man I imagined marrying…I do not think I can be happy as his wife."
"It is…regrettable that you have to be put through this, Miss Kagome, after what happened to your father…But, it is the way of the world, isn't it? In order to make sure your family stays where they are, you have to be sent off to this Kouga." After a small pause, he added, "We are all confined to our position that way."
"Yes, we are," she agreed sadly, her eyes downward. "I suppose…perhaps, there might be a way that I could be happy as the meek wife of Kouga, but…I do doubt it."
The wind came around them again, as if feeling sad for both of their separate misfortunes. After another moment, Kagome turned to him, her old friend from days long gone, "Houjou…I'm glad to have seen you again," she said with a small smile. "It helped put my heart at ease after a long time of anxiousness."
"I am glad to have met you as well," he told her, returning her smile. "It has been nice, seeing you and the woman you have become, Miss Kagome."
Nodding, she told him, "Perhaps we shall meet again someday."
"Perhaps we shall," he agreed. "I look forward to it." With that, he gave her a gallant grin, and took his leave. This left Kagome alone again, only herself and the neverending sea once more.
Her small smile she had held for her old friend faded, as she looked back down to the waters. I know many women back home who would have certainly fallen for Houjou on sight, she thought to herself. He has grown up from a clumsy boy to a handsome and dashing officer, that is for sure, but…
She felt the sea air upon her face, closing her eyes and becoming one with it once more. He still does not understand…
As she let herself be taken by the waves, her heart swelling at this feeling she loved, she thought, I don't think anyone does…
Go…go now!
Inuyasha, run!
Inuyasha!
Captain Inuyasha awoke with a start, dripping sweat, and panting slightly as the dream slowly faded in his mind. His heart was still pounding as the hanyou slammed a fist on the headboard of the bed in his cabin, amber eyes glaring angrily in the dark.
As soon as his heart reached its normal pace, he got up from the bed in his large cabin, pushing open the doors to the upper decks.
The moon was a pure white as its shine was reflected in the water. All was silent on the sea as Inuyasha stepped out, in nothing but an untied shirt and breeches, his bare feet walking across wood that had been stained with blood so many times. Looking up at the moon shining above, one of the fiercest pirate captains on the sea asked himself, How long?
"Captain?" a voice came from behind. Inuyasha turned, his silver hair reflecting the white light off of the moon above.
It was only Miroku. "What do you want?" he asked gruffly, a deep glare upon his face.
"I was wondering why you are up so late," his first mate spoke, still in his day clothes as he had the night watch. "But…" Violet eyes saw his captain gripping the small leather bag that held the shard. "I can guess why."
Inuyasha was silent for a moment, thinking on his first mate's words. He hadn't known this man for that many years, but somehow, Miroku could always tell what troubled the captain even when he hid it from everyone else.
"Hey," the captain turned, his eyes as cold as ice, all feeling from moments before lost. "I'm in the mood for a raid sometime soon, what about you?"