Chapter 20

Age Before Beauty

"And, of course, I was right about that kappa trying to poison the well. Did Kaede listen to me then? No. But, I did one ceremony and the yokai was banished! Never even tried to face me before running for its life."

Ueda Hojo ground his teeth as he forced himself to smile and nod through the third story Higurashi felt he had to repeat. The old man had been going non-stop all evening and it was taking everything Ueda had not to stuff the old fool's mouth full of rice just to shut him up.

However, the village elder had a plan; a plan that required Higurashi's cooperation. If that meant he had to bite his tongue through an evening or two, it was worth the irritation. If he could just get a word in!

"And, let's not forget the whole rice-field episode—"

"Yes, you have been extremely helpful for the village," Ueda quickly interrupted before the delusional monk could regale him with another botched up exorcism.

Kami! Every single time this fool tried to step in, disaster always followed.

"But, I have called you here to discuss another matter," Ueda continued at a more sedate tone.

Higurashi nodded in agreement as he leaned back on his mat, looking all too pleased with himself. But, that just meant the arrogant fool was ripe for the picking.

"I want to speak with you about the future—"

"Of the village, of course," Higurashi interrupted, startling Ueda as he continued with a decisive slam of his wrinkled fist on the table. "I assure you, I'm as strong as I ever was."

Ueda blinked as he sputtered. "What?"

"And, don't you worry," Higurashi continued as he clapped Ueda on the back. "I'll get rid of the infestation that's come to our village. I might have failed this time but tomorrow, I have a stronger ceremony I can do to banish the yokai once and for all. I'll take care of everything."

"No!" Ueda shouted in horror. Kami help them if Higurashi tried an exorcism on the ookami. He'd get the whole village killed!

"Ha! I don't fear them," Higurashi brushed off. "Once I finished, there won't be a yokai for miles about. I mean, why else would you call me here."

"I called you here to talk about your granddaughter," Ueda ground out, the last of his patience fraying.

The flabbergasted look on the would-be monk's face was so satisfying, it was almost worth the hours of drivel he filled Ueda's ear with. However, the village elder wasn't about to lose the opportunity.

"Kagome? What does she have to do with this?"

"I've considered her as a possible bride for my son, Hojo, for some time," Ueda lied through his teeth. "Her leaving had been a setback to those plans but a necessity. Her returning, however, changes things."

Higurashi seemed to be completely stupefied as he stared in stunned silence at the cup set before him. "Kagome…..a bride?"

"It would be a great honor for her," Ueda pressed with a pleased smirk. "Hojo is stable and growing more ready to lead every day. He'll be the village head one day and Kagome's future would be secured."

"My grand-daughter hasn't even been back for a day," Higurashi informed as if that should explain everything.

Ueda resisted the urge to scoff.

"We are men, Higurashi," he countered. "Let's be practical about this. Kagome has been gone for years. She would have been married long before this had she stayed. With the possible threat of Naraku coming back, we need to ensure her safety and care for the future."

"And, Hojo has told her this?" Higurashi asked pointedly.

Ueda snorted as he shook his head. "Not that I know of. But, I wouldn't put it past him. No, I brought this to you first, being head of your family."

"Good," Higurashi stated, pulling himself together. "I'll need to bring this offer to Hina. She'll want to hear it."

That…. was unexpected. "Do you ask your daughter's permission in all things?"

Immediately, the old man's eyes flared defensively. "And, what do you mean by that, Ueda?"

"Just if Hina is the true head of the Higurashi family, I should have probably invited her instead," Ueda taunted, lifting his own cup. "I don't believe in wasting time."

"Now, you listen to me, Ueda," Higurashi snapped as he glared across the table. "Hina has been without her child for years. I'm not about to rip her only daughter out of her arms again as soon as she has returned. If you can't accept that, then you can stuff your offer exactly where it belongs."

"Don't get sentimental," Ueda countered with a hard tone. "We are talking about the survival of the village here."

"And, what does Kagome marrying your boy have to do with that?" Higurashi bit out, nostril's flaring.

"It reminds her what is important," Ueda announced, causing the fire to drain out of the old man like steam.

"What is…important?"

"Look around you," Ueda pressed. "Does our village look like it could stop a yokai invasion? Whether from Naraku or the wolves your grand-daughter brought to our door, we are still at their mercy.
'I don't wish to believe she'd purposefully bring danger here but, Kagome has been gone a long time. It's obvious she has forgotten our village's ways."

"Like what?" Higurashi challenged.

"Like avoiding yokai at all cost," Ueda snarled. "Open your eyes, Higurashi! She lived amongst them for years; keeps them in her close company. And, now, she has purposefully provoked Naraku by returning here with the Jewel back in this world. It's the ultimate act of recklessness and we will pay the price.
'My boy will keep her grounded."

"You mean keep her in check," Higurashi bristled, glaring openly across the table.

"However you want to phrase it," Ueda answered, lifting his head in a lofty challenge.

He was perfectly willing to remind the old fool of his exact place in the village. Kaede barely tolerated him because Kagome had truly been powerful. And, the rest of the village rolled their eyes and giggled at his antics but Ueda wasn't willing to turn a blind eye to this foolishness. Higurashi needed to remember what was best for the village. However, it seemed the old man was more fool than he thought.

Nostril's flaring like an angry ox, Higurashi leapt to his feet. "This isn't a proposal," he snapped, furious. "This is an ambush! You just want to tap into the Higurashi bloodline. You want to claim the power that flows in our veins for your own."

Ueda threw his head back in a malicious laugh. "Power? How deluded are you? You have no more spiritual power than my own son does. I'm doing you a favor, giving your ridiculous family the chance to raise themselves in our village and you dare insult me by thinking I want something that doesn't even exist."

"You can take your favor, and your proposal, and shove them where the rest of your ideas belong, Ueda!" Higurashi shouted as he made for the house flap. "My grand-daughter is the Shikon miko and can have her pick of any man she wants."

"After wallowing with the ookami, we'll see how big that selection gets," Ueda called back before Higurashi left without a backward glance.

But, he wasn't getting away that easy. Leaping to his feet, Ueda ripped away the woven flap from the door, glaring at Higurashi's furious back stomping away.

"You're a fool, Higurashi!" he shouted after. "A complete and utter fool and you're the only one who doesn't see it. One of these days you'll come crawling back and you'll get exactly what you deserve."

"Father!"

Hojo's stupefied face raced towards Ueda, causing the village head to release his grip on the door flap.

"Have you lost your mind?" Hojo asked, staring in horrified confusion.

Ueda snorted derisively. "I must have to agree to try this match," he roared. "The Higurashi's are a blight on us all. Take my advice, Hojo. Look elsewhere."

With that, Ueda stomped back into his home, without a backwards glance towards his son's stunned face.

SSS

Shipo released the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding as he slumped in his shadowed hiding place. That had been too close for comfort.

Thankfully, the Higurashi patriarch was more stubborn than foolish. Otherwise, Shipo had no idea how Koga was going to react to something like this. Ookami were merciless in battle and if an alpha thought his mate was going to be taken from him….. Shipo shuddered to think of his vengeance on this village.

Kagome's grandpa had saved them all and never even knew it. Well, at least that was—

The young male, Hojo, walked slowly towards the surrounding trees, head hung heavily in obvious defeat.

Shipo couldn't help the twinge of pity for the male. He hadn't meant to be trouble and there was something noticeably pure about him that was rare in humans. But, one male's victory was another's defeat.

Shipo supposed Hojo should be grateful for the quiet loss but the little kit felt like it was probably best not to leave him alone. Humans had a tendency to get into trouble when they lost.

Scampering quietly in the tall grass, Shipo followed Hojo's slumped back into the surrounding forest. It was quiet enough and the moon was even out. So, it seemed as if the male was seeking refuge in the trees' calm. Probably to piece his broken hope back together.

Shipo was about to shrug off the worry and return to his perch when a dark presence caused his fur to stand on end. What was—

"Hello, dearie…."

The kit crouched down, tail shaking in fear as Hojo snapped wide eyes towards the stooped figure of the old woman approaching slowly.

"Can you help an old woman and spare a little food or water?" she asked in a sickeningly sweet voice, causing the chill the spread across Shipo's back.

This was bad. Really bad!

"I'm…. sorry, mam," Hojo replied in flushed embarrassment. "I don't have either with me. But, I can return to the village and get you both if you'll just wait a moment."

Yes! Shipo wanted to scream. Return to the village. Return to safety!

"That's alright, dearie," the old woman quickly countered as she lifted a withered looking hand. "Perhaps there's something I can do for you instead."

Shipo's shaking started to increase as he saw the beginnings of a trap start to form. Hojo had no idea he was dealing with a monster far worse than he could imagine. But, Shipo couldn't do anything without giving his hiding place away. What was he supposed to do?

"Oh, you don't have to do anything, mam," Hojo replied with a gentle smile. "It's no trouble. I can easily get you a room to sleep in tonight and—"

"You're saying there's nothing you want?" the ogress pressed, large eyes sharpening in sweetened irritation. "Nothing I can help you gain?"

Hojo stared in struggling embarrassment before shaking his head woefully. "Nothing you can help me with, mam," he replied softly.

Unfortunately, the denial was all the approval the heartless crone needed.

"But, there is something," she cackled in relief. "You tell me what it is, dearie, and I will see to it you get it. Name it: wealth, power…..No, a girl."

Shipo gritted his teeth against the hope shiny in Hojo's eyes. He was caught.

"You can do that?" he breathed in astonishment.

The ogress chortled happily. "Ah, that's it, isn't it?" she cheered. "Yes, yes. I know a young man's heart. A pretty thing has caught your eye and you don't know what to do. This, I can help easily."

"How?" Hojo pressed.

"You need a charm," the old woman informed with a pleased grin. "One that will draw the girl's heart towards yours. It's easy enough to make."

"And, it will work?"

"It always has," the ogress replied. "I just need something….pure."

Shipo clutched his little hands over his mouth to keep him from crying out in horror. Now, he saw the witches' scream. She wanted the jewel! And, was going to use Hojo to get it.

"Pure?" Hojo asked, blinked in confusion.

"Yes," the ogress affirmed. "It strengthens the charm. The purer the better."

"I…. I don't think…."

"You're saying there's nothing here?" the crone challenged. "Nothing that could do some good?"

Hojo's brow furrowed in concentration before realization brightened his wide eyes, causing the chill to increase down Shipo's back. He couldn't—

"There is," the ogress cheered. "You bring it to me and I'll take care of the rest."

"You'll really do it?" Hojo asked, wavering.

"Trust me, dearie," the old woman promised. "You will get exactly what you deserve for it."

Conviction shining in Hojo's eyes, the young man nodded with a firm smile.

"I'll bring it tomorrow," he vowed. "Meet me where the road parts further up the trees and I'll give it to you there."

"Excellent," the old woman praised before Hojo turned on his heel and rushed off.

Shipo clenched his fists as he forced his breathing to stay calm. He had to stop Hojo! One way or the other, there was no way he could give this witch the Shikon Jewel.

However, before the kit had a chance to scurry off, a long net dropped on him, trapping him in place. Thrashing angrily, Shipo tried to pry himself free but the twisted links of rope burned against his paws, causing him to cry out in pain.

A cold cackle caused him to cease his struggles to stare up at the pleased wide eyes of the ogress.

"Well, well, well," she smirked. "This is my lucky night. Lucky night, indeed."

The previous chill gripped Shipo's heart in paralyzing fear as the ogress scooped him up and carried him off into the trees. So terrified, the kit didn't even have the chance to scream.

Koga! Help!