Worry no more, this will be the last chapter in which the characters are referred to by their Chinese names.

Chapter 5:

The Bird in the Cage

"Xiao-Niao!" Mama called down from the upstairs loft. "Go fetch some water for your sister."

"Yes, Mama." She answered, carrying the breakfast dishes to the wash basin. She dried her hands on her skirt, scurrying out the door, snatching up the bucket hanging from the fence-post as she made her way to the pump. She filled just enough for her sister to use for her feet before delivering it up to the loft where Mama and Ching-Lan waited on the bench beneath the window. She placed down the bucket at her sister's feet and quickly left the room before the pair could ask for anything else.

She returned outside, every unnecessary run in with her sister leaving her in need of fresh air. She skimmed her fingertips along the fence that lined their garden as she circled their house, wandering aimlessly with no particular destination in mind. After some time, she found herself at the small pond just south of their home. She knelt at the shore, her arms crossed over her knees as she studied the water, her reflection greeting her with a sullen expression.

She sighed as she lost herself in thought staring into the murky waters. Being angry at her sister was taking all her energy these days. She made every effort she could to never be in the same room if she could help it and it was honestly exhausting. How had things come to be this way, she wondered. She and her elder sister had always been close as children, sharing very few arguments. They shared a special kinship, she'd thought. They were both daughters in a world where only sons were welcomed. She held on to so many childish fantasies that she and her sister would be close forever, even after they'd married. She knew her sister was capable of selfishness and pride, she'd seen it a few times, but she too had flaws and she never resented Ching-Lan for any shortcomings. She felt like she'd lost her best friend...

She blinked as a wave of ripples erased the image in her mind, drawing her out of her bout of self-pity. Bringing a hand to her face she felt the wetness on her cheek, wondering to herself when she had started to cry. She sniffed, wiping away any trace of them on her sleeve as she rose to her feet, the sun hanging low in the sky above.

"Wake up!" Mama crowed, panic in her voice as she shook at her youngest daughter. The girl peered up at her mother through one sleepy eye, her hair tousled from sleep. Xiao-Niao glanced out the window, whining in protest as she took in the blue and orange sky; the sun had barely began to rise.

"Get up quickly!" Mama hissed, yanking Xiao-Niao out of the bed, Shaozu grunting in his sleep as his arms fell away from his sister's waist as she was forced to a stand. She groaned tiredly, wiping the sleep from her eyes as she sleepily shuffled after her mother. She was surprised to find Madam Fong sitting at their table next to her aunt in the dim light of their kitchen, sipping tea anxiously.

"What's going on?" Xiao-Niao yawned.

"Something has happened. They're coming to collect your sister sooner than expected. A messenger was sent two days ago but he claim he got lost on his way and only just arrived an hour ago." Mama explained nervously. "We don't have much time. Go help your sister, tell her to hurry."

Xiao-Niao's brows creased in annoyance, lazily ascending the stairs. She wondered to herself why the sudden arrival, they weren't expected for another week at least. Ching-Lan's shadowed silhouette greeted her from behind a paper screen as she entered the loft.

"Mama?" She called out.

"It's me." Xiao-Niao answered dryly, leaning against the wall, her sister's shadow pausing behind the screen. "Mama says to hurry."

"Oh." She replied coolly. "Bring me my clothes."

"Which outfit do you want?" Xiao-Niao asked with a roll of her eyes, rustling through her sister's dowry chest.

"The black one with the-"

"Golden butterfly?" Xiao-Niao finished for her, her voice bitter. She knew the one. She'd made it after all, before their falling out.

"Yes..." Her sister answered quietly. She ground her teeth together as she shuffled through the various dresses until she found the coal black dress with a field of orchids and golden butterfly. She draped the dress ove rher arm and waited beside the screen, waiting impatiently for her elder sister to finish. After a few minutes, the screen folded back, Ching-Lan staring blankly back at her with tired eyes. She lifted her arms over her heads, Xiao-Niao pulling it down over her head, smoothing it out across her sister's tall and lean frame. Ching-Lan fastened the golden frogs that spanned from her breast to her neck herself, glancing out the window, her neck craned as she searched the roads.

Xiao-Niao ran a brush through her sister's long, silky hair fixing it into a plaited style and held it in place with a thread of red wool. When she'd finished she returned downstairs to let her mother know her sister was ready to be brought down. She spotted Shaozu at the table, his eyes watching the door as if he expected the Emperor to stroll in at any moment. Mama brushed past Xiao-Niao as she went to fetch Uncle Li to carry down her sister. She joined her little brother at the table, the pair of them watching the door intently, neither paying much mind to Madam Fong's nervous chattering from across the table. Shaozu gasped as the cloth door moved, immediately pouting as Auntie who had gone to fetch more water for a fresh pot of tea stepped inside.

Uncle Li came down with Ching-Lan draped across his back, easing her down into one of the chairs as Madam Fong who had moved to the door frantically adjusted her own clothing, turning to warn Mama.

"They're coming." She announced before turning her attention back to the road outside.

"Stay inside." Mama instructed them, following the matchmaker outside to greet their guests. Ching-Lan fidgeted nervously with the hem of her dress. Shaozu paid her no mind as he pushed his rice around his bowl, his eyes still lingering on the doorway. Xiao-Niao mused to herself as she ran her finger across one of the teacups Auntie had set out. They'd brought out the good china that Mama kept locked away for special occasions.

Mama slipped back inside, quickly beckoning for them to come outside. Shaozu quickly bolted from his chair in his excitement, brushing past his mother as he ran outside. Ching-Lan heaved a nervous sigh, self-consciously running a hand over her hair as she slowly shuffled out behind her mother, the youngest sister in tow. Somehow she found herself nervous too as her eyes spotted two tall figures at their gate, locked in conversation with Madam Fong. Her eyes combed over his tall, regal frame and sophisticated attire. She unconsciously smoothed her skirt, her self worth shrinking with each step closer to a man of such power and elegance. His long silver hair was pulled tight into a high pony-tail at the top of his head, the end brushing his shoulders. Xiao-Niao gaped in awe, she'd never seen such a strange color before, his hair was like fine strands of silk. His eyes were light, golden rather than brown, like the sun eclipsed by a black moon. His facial features were sharp and attractive, clean shaven with no visible flaw. He was certainly very attractive and young looking for a man of his age. As she admired Emperor Taisho she wondered if his son looked anything like him, but given her current resentment for Ching-Lang, she secretly hoped her sister's new husband was a dog.

"Lord Taisho, this is Mrs. Wu and her daughter." Madam Fong introduced. Both Mama and Ching-Lan bowed respectfully, the Emperor looking the girl up and down, appraising his future daughter-in-law. Xiao-Niao couldn't tell whether he was disappointed or not, his face, while lovely was still and revealed no emotion. Without greeting them he knocked on the carriage door, peering inside.

"Sesshomaru, come out and greet your bride." He said. Xiao-Niao heard her gasp echoed by her sister as Sesshomaru emerged from inside. He was indeed almost an exact copy of his Sire, but with his tall, lean frame and striking beauty he seemed almost ethereal rather than human. He shared the same long, silver mane as his father, the length cascading over his shoulders in a waterfall of pure silk, just reaching the small of his back. He too shared his father's golden eyes, though his gaze was cruel and his handsome face void of any personality. He was truly the most beautiful thing she had ever seen and she hated that she was writhing with jealousy inside as her sister's eyes grew wide with admiration of her soon to be husband, a shy smile on her painted lips. She had to resist the urge to roll her eyes, just days ago her sister was in tears that she had lost out on a future with her 'true love.' She seemed to have forgotten Jian-Heng in seconds.

Sesshomaru's stoic gaze raked over Ching-Lan, drinking her in; from her attractive face, long and slender like a grain of rice, with large brown eyes rimmed with thick lashes and continuing on down her long, slender frame. Ching-Lan was mostly legs, taller than most girls her age. Her body type was traditionally attractive, but Xiao-Niao had often heard that men found pleasure in the plump, soft curves some women had to offer and hoped that her sister's husband was one of those men. Much to her chagrin he continued to look over sister without any noticeable disappointment.

"She will do, I suppose." He remarked dryly, his voice a smooth, sultry tenor. His voice was every bit as perfect as his appearance. Emperor Taisho nodded, beckoning her to enter the carriage. Ching-Lan turned to kiss Mama goodbye, not bothering with any parting words for her siblings as she wobbled forward. Sesshomaru stopped her in her tracks with a hard glare, his golden eyes shifting to her feet.

"You failed to mention she was crippled." He growled, addressing Madam Fong. Ching-Lang sucked in a sharp breath at his insult, every pair of eyes shifting to her tiny bound feet. Both Mama and Madam Fong looked to him in confusion.

"I assure you the girl is not crippled, My Lord, her feet are the desirable size for any high-class woman with bound feet." Madam Fong assured him, laughing nervously.

"Bound feet?" Both Taisho men questioned. Madam Fong's face fell, worry washing over them she explained the process and the desirable effect of a woman with bound feet. Sesshomaru glowered as his gaze drifted back to Ching-Lan's feet, his nose scrunched in disgust at the very idea.

"The circumstances, albeit unfavorable, must be overlooked. We haven't the time for these trival matters." Emperor Taisho said, fixing his son with an authoritative look that suggested no room for argument.

"Do you intend to arrange for her to be carried around for every hour of the day? It's burdensome. I doubt very seriously she can even move freely within her own home." Sesshomaru argued.

"There isn't time to keep looking for a suitable girl, son, the revolutionaries and Council are breathing down my neck as it is." Emperor Taisho hissed through his teeth. "This union must happen immediately and we've already made the arrangements for the Wu girl. "

"I refuse to marry an invalid." Sesshomaru snapped with finality.

Ching-Lan felt her knees lock under her weight, distressed by his cruel words, she reached out to steady herself, her hand landing on her sister's shoulder. Xiao-Niao narrowed her eyes, shrugging off her hand and inching away from her sister's reach, unintentionally catching the notice of Sesshomaru.

"Your daughter?" He asked, addressing their mother.

"Yes, My Lord." Mama replied nervously. Sesshomaru reached out, his long fingers circling around the girl's wrist as he yanked her forward. She felt his eyes searching her body, blushing in embarrassment knowing he was seeing her short hair, disheveled from sleep, tanned skin and most definitely the pale blue eyes that stared up at him in fear, but as she followed his gaze she noticed his eyes instead were fixed on the bare feet poking out from beneath her skirt.

"I'll take her instead." Sesshomaru announced, releasing the girl's wrist. Ching-Lan cried out in protest, her fists balled tightly at her sides.

"Your arrangement is with the eldest Wu girl." The Emperor sighed at his son's cheek. He could see that Mrs. Wu and her eldest daughter were clearly distressed by his boy's cruelty. He felt a migraine coming on; he'd agreed to this absurd arrangement to create peace, not stir up more trouble.

"Her." Sesshomaru repeated stubbornly. "The arrangement was with the daughter of the Wu family in Xiapu village. It matters not which one."

His father sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he glanced over the tiny girl in question. She didn't even look like she was of marrying age.

"How old is she?" He asked after a moment of quiet contemplation.

"Fifteen." Mama answered. Ching-Lan grit her teeth, feeling betrayed that her mother would even entertain the idea of compromising with the cruel prince who snubbed their union. Xiao-Niao felt a twinge of guilt in her heart for her sister. While she still harbored hard feelings for the way her sister had treated her, she wasn't cruel in her heart, she could only imagine the pain that her sister must feel. The Ching-Lan she'd known had been broken and molded into something unrecognizable. While she admitted there were times her sister had shown signs of jealousy and temper, something dark had burrowed itself inside the older girl since her foot-binding. Some days it was as if nothing of her old self remained inside, and others she was only capable of feeling sadness or anger. What had the world created?

Xiao-Niao felt something on her wrist, casting a glance to her side, finding Shaozu looking to her, his dark eyes brimmed with fresh tears.

"Don't go..." He pleaded. "Tell them to take Ching-Lan...please don't leave me."

The Emperor's eyes flickered between the sisters before he beckoned Xiao-Niao to the carriage.

"Do I have to?" Xiao-Niao asked, her voice trembling with emotion as she looked to her mother.

"Please take Ching-Lan instead, I beg you. She suffered so much pain in anticipation for this union." Mama begged of him.

"Yes, My Lord, please reconsider." Madam Fong added. "I unknowingly misguided this family. I told her mother to prepare her daughter in the traditional way of our people. I am at fault for my ignorance of how different our two worlds really are."

"Her feet are a hindrance. She's of no use to me." Sesshomaru refused, his patience for the entire thing run dry as he grabbed Xiao-Niao by the arm and dragged her towards the carriage.

"You can't marry her." Ching-Lan snarled, grinding her teeth together, her words laced with malice. "She is betrothed to another and I have bled, sweat, cried and suffered more than you will never know for a marriage I did not truly even want."

"Betrothed?" Both the Emperor and Mrs. Wu questioned in confusion.

"Jian-Heng, the son of the village landlord confessed his intentions to ask our father for my sister's hand before his death." She spat coldly.

"From your mother's surprise, I assume the boy has not come forward since your father's passing?" Emperor Taisho asked.

"I asked him to wait..." Xiao-Niao confessed sullenly. Why had she asked him to wait?... "I'd asked him to wait until my sister married. He was her first love...and I selfishly hoped if she found happiness with her husband it wouldn't break her heart."

"My, this is a rather tragic and difficult turn of events..." Emperor Taisho said awkwardly.

"If the boy didn't announce his intentions to the family, then they are empty promises." Sesshomaru huffed. "I am growing tired of this. I desire to go home and you are keeping me unnecessarily. I've stated my offer. The youngest daughter or neither. Unless you wish to explain to the Council why is it we've returned empty handed and war is on our doorstep that is, Father."

"You'd be wise to watch your tone, Sesshomaru. I am still your father and I will remind you of that fact by force if necessary..." His father warned, clearing his throat as addressed Mrs. Wu. "This situation is very unfortunate and I hope you will accept my humble apologies. I am a generous man and I can't have your countrymen accusing of me cruelty for the sufferings of a native daughter."

Sesshomaru growled in protest from his side, his father raising his hand to silence him. "I'll remind you I have two sons, Sesshomaru. I will not tolerate anymore of your temper."

"Mrs. Wu, if you have no objections I will take both of your daughters. Your oldest daughter will be intended for my youngest Inuyasha when he comes of age." He continued, returning his attentions to the mother.

"I have no objections." Mama answered quickly. "You are a kind man, our family will forever be in your debt."

"Yes, yes." Emperor Taisho sighed, waving Xiao-Niao forward as Sesshomaru stepped into the carriage. "I'm afraid we're pressed for time, the wedding must happen immediately. Your daughter will accompany us to the temple and after we will return for the other and their things."

Xiao-Niao reluctantly allowed herself to be ushered inside, Emperor Taisho sliding in behind her. She lowered her head, unwilling to look at either, her small body shrinking into itself as she wedged herself as far into the corner of the carriage as she could manage. She could feel his eyes on her, studying her properly for the first time.

"She's not as pretty as her sister." He stated bluntly, though his tone was not harsh. Merely a statement of observation, but her cheeks flushed in embarrassment nonetheless as she cut her gaze to him for a brief moment. He blinked in surprise, squinting as he leaned forward, reaching out to pinch the girl's chin between his fingers, forcing her to look at him. "My, those eyes...how extraordinary. What was her name again?"

Sesshomaru shrugged, his gaze never leaving the countryside outside his window. He asked again, this time to the girl in question.

"Xiao-Niao." She answered shyly.

"What's it mean?" Sesshomaru asked, somewhat curiously as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Scrawny runt, perhaps?"

"Small bird, I believe." The Emperor corrected with a roll of his eyes.

"Hn. A caged bird." Sesshomaru mused.

"Like the game you used to play when you were little." His father added, cracking a smile at a distant recollection of his once small son playing with the maids. He hummed the tune from memory. "Kagome, Kagome the bird in the cage."

Sesshomaru watched the girl pensively, her own eyes suddenly very interested in the floor. He quirked a brow, almost amused as she fidgeted with her dingy skirt.

"That's your name now." Sesshomaru announced, fixing her with a challenging stare. She slowly drew her eyes to him, brows knitted in confusion.

"W-what?" She asked timidly.

"Kagome." He repeated. "That is what you will be called from now on. Answer to nothing else."

"Ka-go-me..." She mimicked the sounds, testing it on her tongue. Sesshomaru nodded his approval, turning his attention back to his window.