.
From the diary of Miss Higurashi Rin
Date: fifth day of the first month of summer. Year XXXX
.
I woke up from a nightmare into a beautiful daydream. I have no idea how I got to this room, for the last thing I remember is riding behind Master Jaken through the forest, that no longer was this scary, dark place. And I woke just a few minutes ago in the most lovely and comfortable chamber ever. It is even prettier than Kagome's bedchamber at Higurashi Estate.
The room is spacious and divided into two areas by screens painted with colorful peacocks. The screens hide the big, comfy futon with soft white sheets. On the other side is the sitting area, with a low table made from polished golden wood and pillows thrown on the tatami mats that cover the whole floor. There are shelves for storage of clothing and other objects hidden behind sliding doors in the walls that are otherwise made from stone. A window from the ceiling to the floor emits the gray light of the cloudy morning and is a true marvel - it's made from big panels of glass of perfect clarity set in a wooden frame and it can be opened to enter a wide balcony. I wish there was no rain outside, so I could go out and investigate. There are white curtains of delicate fabric framing the window.
And there are flowers in a vase on the table: a bunch of orchids of pale pink petals; they smell so divine.
A maid came to my room a minute ago and brought for me a clean set of clothing. She informed me that she will be back in a short while with a water basin and a towel to refresh myself, but I will be perfectly free to use a bath house later, after breakfast. I would like to bathe first, but I guess the inhabitants of the house want to meet us and eat, so it would be rude to keep them much longer. I wonder where Kagome is and if her room is as nice as mine.
When I remember how dreadful the night was I shiver. It was so scary and so terrible to see Roku fall in the darkness. I feel so sorry for the poor boy; he was always so nice and kind, so attentive to our needs and he never complained. I will miss him and want to remember him as he was at the Higurashi Estate, smiling and eager to please, not as when he fell that night in the forest, trying to lead Kagome and me away from the terrible danger.
Oh, if not for Kagome's hand and urging, I would have sunk to my knees next to him and been killed, or worse. But Kagome, my dear friend and cousin, led me through the dark tangles of the forest with the iron will of our family, with fate guiding our steps away from the horrors on the road, and towards the splendid encounter in the depths of the moonlit woods.
This is the way of life: bad things weave with good. I will forever remember that it was Kagome, my sweet Kagome, who led me to stand before the most fascinating man.
He sat on a tall horse, its neck arched in a most admirable way, holding up a well-formed head and with a long mane tumbling down almost to its knees. I had enough time to notice that the harness was of blue tinted leather and was well-crafted before I lost all my interest with what else the glen held, what we were fleeing from, what Kagome was doing and saying next to me.
For a second that was like an eternity all I was able to do was to look at the man on the pale horse. His clothing was of fine silk, pristine white and embroidered with a flower pattern on the front. His right shoulder was burdened by a fluffy tail of fur that draped down his back and reached to his booted feet in the stirrups of the saddle. He was tall and willowy, but there was no doubt in my heart that there was strength in that man: his posture spoke of self-confidence and power that was controlled by adamant will. In the moonlight he seemed to shine as if he was made of the eerie nightly light. His hair was smoothed behind his ears and had a color that made the white of his kimono and fur appear dull and gray. Hilts of two swords stuck out from his obi.
And his eyes - gods of the land, his eyes when he looked at me! - I will never forget the eyes of the noble lord. They were golden like honey, stern and unyielding. One could read from the cool and narrow look of them that he was a calculating, fierce man of intelligence and nobility.
His voice was like a thick nectar, soothing and conveying the serious nature of the man who appeared more like a god of the moonlit forest than a mortal. His face betrayed nothing of his secrets and mysteries, and I felt an urge to find a way to learn how to read his moods and coax a smile to glitter in those secretive eyes, to curl up the corners of his mouth.
He spoke in few words when Kagome addressed him, and as he turned his gaze towards her, I remembered how to breathe and speak again. With a boldness and frankness that some always chastised me for, I told him that it was his duty to deal with the bandits. Instead of scolding me, a mere orphan from a lesser branch of the Higurashi clan, he answered me in the most cordial fashion. I smiled in relief and bowed my head in silence. I watched Kagome talk with the lord and the one he called his younger brother, and even as I felt the gorgeous eyes of the lord on me, I no longer felt so constricted by their mysterious gaze.
It was such a relief to see that, albeit he spoke brashly and his tone betrayed a temperamental man, the younger brother of the lord shared with him not only his peculiar coloring, but also his sense of honor. He offered to provide us with a safe place and I felt so relieved that I wanted to dance, but my body was too tired for such foolishness. Soon after that was settled, the lord left us, heading into the woods alone. I was helped onto the back of a horse by one of the escorts of the lord, Kagome being already in front of the younger aristocrat. I noticed with some amusement that they both looked pretty fond of their circumstances and I lamented for a short period of time that I was not so blessed as to be the lord's riding companion.
I remember the road through the forest rather hazily. It felt much safer and
actually pleasant to travel with that party, the fright of before washing off of me like the dust from a long, tiring road. I let my eyelids drop and leaned my head on the shoulder of the man in front of me, and I do not know how I fell asleep and got to my chamber.
But luckily, there will be answers to those questions soon, for I hear Kagome knocking on the door and asking if she can get in. And the maid is there as well, so I will be able to make myself presentable in case that we were to meet the lord today.
I most certainly wish to see him again.
.
From the diary of Princess Higurashi Kagome of Musashi
Date: fifth day of the first month of summer. Year XXXX. Afternoon
.
He is so infuriating! I had to retire to my room before I grabbed fistfuls of that white mane of his and tugged at it!
This morning I woke up sore and with heavy limbs. A maid provided me with a basin and a pitcher of water, along with a towel. With that I managed to wash myself somewhat, enough to go to the dining room for breakfast. I made my bed, smoothing the blanket over the futon, while the maid protested me doing so and drew a lovely screen painted with wisteria flowers and little birds to obscure this part of the room from the rest of it.
I was given a fresh kimono - a lovely pink one with yellow flowers scattered on the sleeves. Dressed, I cast an eye around the room, finding it even more welcoming and cozy than it had appeared in the night. The sitting area faced a doorway paned with glass that opened onto a balcony with a stone banister. A few blue and green sitting pillows were stacked on top of each other next to a lacquered low table, with all the things I had hidden in the sleeves of my old garment. There was not much of my possessions: a fan, a pouch of fragrant flowers, a shrink of coins, a handkerchief. That was all that the daughter of the Higurashi family had to her name at this moment, I thought as I stored the fan and the sweet-smelling pouch in my sleeves.
Thus prepared, I went to Rin and when she was ready as well, she, too, was provided with a fresh kimono, a blue one with a pattern of pink swirls.
The maid was quiet, but answered our questions politely, albeit in short words. She was the same girl who had held the lantern in the yard last night, I realized. In the gray morning light, I could see that she was a lovely girl not much older than we, with a slender body and grace of motion. She introduced herself as Hinata. She led us down the corridor and to the lower floor, where she guided us to the dining room.
It was a fairly large room, furnished in Chinese fashion, with a tall table and chairs, and paintings of summer flowers and birds hanging on the pristine white walls. The table was set for breakfast for four, and both our benefactors were already seated.
They looked even more striking than they had been at night. I bowed politely and caught Rin staring at the older of the two men, who had only a cup of tea in front of himself.
"Be seated and eat," he gestured with his hand to the two waiting places. Covered bowls were arranged in front of each chair, containing rice and miso soup, boiled eggs, and green tea. When I glanced at Lord Inuyasha, I saw that he was already halfway through his own food.
"Are we late?" I asked and sat down in the chair opposite the younger lord. Rin sat next to me and glanced sideways to where Lord Sesshomaru sat at the head of the table. It was made of oak, and six people could sit around it comfortably, so I guessed that this was a private family chamber. I shifted on my chair, unused to sitting in such a fashion.
"Nah," the younger lord shrugged and deftly caught an egg with his chopsticks. "He doesn't eat breakfast and I have work to do."
"Oh, I see." I reached for my own chopsticks and dug into the rice after saying my thanks for the food. My appetite was hindered by the events from the previous night, but I felt that it would be rude not to partake in at least some of the meal. Rin quietly focused on her tea.
"Do you find the food subpar?"
I flinched at that question, spoken in an emotionless voice. I glanced up and saw that the lord was looking at Rin, who lifted her eyes from the cup she had been staring into.
"I'm sorry, my lord," she said meekly, her usually cheerful voice lacking joy. "During the attack my friend was killed…" She trailed off.
"Hm," the lord gave a curt nod and turned his eyes towards me. "You seem not very hungry, either. Introduce yourself."
I paused for a moment, surprised by that sudden demand. It was true that we were still strangers, but formal introductions should follow a protocol that didn't include sitting at breakfast. The young lord cut in before I could answer.
"Here, we'll start. This is the illustrious daimyo of the Western Province, Lord Sesshomaru of the Shiroinu clan. And I'm his better brother, Inuyasha," he smirked when the lord glared at him.
"Cease being foolish." The older man looked as if he was tempted to throw his tea cup at his brother's head, but was too refined to do so. It made me relax a bit and even made Rin smile a little, to see the siblings' easy banter. How many times had Rin witnessed such exchanges between Souta and me?
"I am Princess Kagome of Higurashi and this is my cousin, Rin," I said and lowered my head in a polite manner. "My family is greatly indebted to you for your hospitality and protection given to us."
"You forgot that it is this one's brother who has taken it upon himself to answer your plea, princess." The lord took a sip of his tea and his younger brother snorted. "This one was requested to deal away with the bandits." His golden eyes shifted to look at Rin. "They are no more."
My cousin lowered her head. For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the steady noise of the rain falling outside. I felt a chill coming from the opened window and cupped my hands around my tea cup to warm them. It was a relief to know that the bandits wouldn't attack more travelers, but I felt sorry for the poor men who had been tasked with escorting Rin and me to our destination. Their families were going to get a certain sum of coins or rice as a consolation, but it didn't feel like it would be fair to those who had loved them.
"You shall remain in the castle," the lord declared, and put his cup down. "This one shall send a messenger to your family with word. You are allowed to write to your kin. The weather is not favoring travel of women such as yourselves for the time being, so this one suggests you prolong your stay here until the heavens change their face. Then, you shall be free to go back home, or onward to wherever you were headed, and a proper escort shall be arranged."
"Oh." I rose from my chair and bowed to the lord, for it was a generous offer, even if spoken in a most cool manner. "Thank you."
Rin jumped up with her usual grace and bowed as well, her gaze never leaving the lord's pale face.
The Higurashi family was certainly an old one, but we lacked great wealth and our political power was past its prime. When my father died years ago, my mother retired to the estate of our ancestors and restored its beauty, managing it with all the skill she had and neglecting most of her old social connections. It was hoped that while Rin and I were at Princess Tsuyu's we could find suitable suitors, for there were no men of our class living nearby of whom we would be fond. Now, as I peered at the young lord in red, who observed me with a small smirk, I fancied that maybe finding a prospective suitor wouldn't take quite such a long journey.
"This one shall request one thing in return." I was drawn back to reality and straightened my back, staring up at the lord, who rose from his seat and focused his eyes yet again on Rin. "That Miss Rin sing when she feels so inclined at a later date." I heard Rin gasp and caught a glimpse of a reddened cheek before she reached up and covered her face with her sleeve. "This one shall leave you in the care of his brother."
"Oi!" The red-clad man jumped to his feet. "I have work to do!"
"You shall do it after this one returns." The lord spared no more words and strode out of the chamber, as if unaware of the surprise on my face, the rosy blush on Rin's face, and the frown of his brother's brow.
Thus, we were left in the company of the young master of the castle. He glared after his brother, obviously annoyed, but then shrugged and turned to face us again.
"I guess I'll show you where you can go and where you should stay clear from," he said. "It's an old place and not all parts are fit for pretty ladies."
Then, as if realizing what he had said, he turned away from us and stomped towards the door. I exchanged glances with Rin, who had her old mischievous sparkle in her eye. Her cheeks were still flushed from when the daimyo had voiced his request for her, and she looked most lovely as she reached out to take my hand and start after the young lord.
"Of course, Lord Inuyasha!" she chirped. "And, in return, maybe I should mention that Princess Kagome is most skilled with shamisen."
"Rin!" I gasped, mortified at her words. The man glanced back at us, his golden eyes shadowed by his long bangs.
"No shamisen here in the castle. We have biwa and koto, though, if you care to try to play 'em."
"Oh, well, we can see about that later…" I managed. I was quite adept with shamisen, yes, but the biwa was not my strong suit, and I've never played koto. And I really hoped to impress Lord Inuyasha with something, since it was clear that Rin's sweet voice was well on its way to endear her to his older brother.
The household was truly great. The main keep rose three stories above the courtyard and was built from white stone. It was connected by roofed passages with other buildings of the compound, but Lord Inuyasha forbade us from leaving the keep. He led us around the floor where the dining room was, showing us where to find the library, the tea room, and his brother's study. He then showed us the way down to the basement, where, to our amazement, we found a grotto with a natural hot spring.
It was the most amazing part of this place. Rin and I wasted a long time marveling at the pool of bubbling water, illuminated by light from a lamp reflected by crystals of quartz embedded in the walls.
While the castle seemed cool and desolate, eerily silent in the dreary rain, there, in the grotto, it was warm and beautiful.
Rin went some way away from me, following the water to where it disappeared through a small gate in the wall, peering into the pool to see the pattern of sand and colorful rocks on the bottom of it. Lord Inuyasha stood next to me and wrinkled his nose.
"Something stinks," he muttered and looked at me. I gasped with indignation at that remark. "I could smell it at the table, too."
"What…?" I started, annoyed at his crude words. Had he no tact? I didn't stink, even if I hadn't had a bath this morning. How dare he speak such words?
Before I could berate him for his words, he grabbed my sleeve and to my shock, slid his hand into it, only to retrieve a pouch from it.
"Ha," he snorted and tossed the pouch far into the water before I could grab it away from his hand. It fell with a splash near the exit gate of the pool and was gone in a blink of an eye. "Better now."
"This was mine!" I objected, mourning the loss of my little trinket. I had spent a few hours last month sewing the pouch myself and filling it with flowers I had picked.
"You don't need that stink bomb," he shrugged. I glared at him and turned around. "What? Don't tell me you're fond of that stench-filled monstrosity!"
"I'm going back to my room," I announced, balling my fists in my sleeves and walking towards the door and the staircase that would lead me back upstairs. Rin called after me, but I dared not to stay and explain myself, else I could say something very not lady-like to the moron who insulted my creation and tossed it away without my say-so.
.
From the diary of Miss Higurashi Rin
Date: fifth day of the first month of summer. Year XXXX. Afternoon
.
Gods of the land and heaven, thank you for your mercy! Roku is alive and I will most certainly offer a special prayer at the family shrine as soon as I am back at Higurashi Estate.
When Kagome left me and Lord Inuyasha, the lord seemed unhappy and confused - I bet he somehow irked our sweet Kagome, and I hope he will correct his mistake soon. He seemed not interested in continuing his role as the guide and I released him from that task, telling him that I wanted to rest and thanking him for his patience with us.
Then, when I was back in my room, I caught a glimpse of Lord Sesshomaru as he rode back into the courtyard, not bothered in the slightest by the downpour and the wet state of his robes. When he dismounted, I noticed that he looked up, as if knowing that I was watching him, so I quickly drew away from the window.
Soon after, Kagome came to my room and declared that she was ready to take advantage of the hot spring. Hinata, the maid who was tasked with caring for us, provided towels and soaps for our use and came down with us.
It was most relaxing and refreshing to take a bath and soak our bodies in the wonderfully hot water. It stung where we had been scratched and bruised, but Hinata assured Kagome and me that there is little possibility of permanent marks on our skin. She is such a dear, even if she tries to act quiet and efficient. I tried to ask her what kind of songs Lord Sesshomaru likes, but she said that he does not fancy music.
It makes me wonder: why had he requested me to sing, then? I mean… I was praised once or twice on my singing, but I never expected him, a stranger, to ask for such a performance from me. Maybe I should ask him about it later.
Anyway, we were back upstairs, dressed in fresh clothing and enjoying some tea in the tea room, when Hinata informed us of the return of Lord Inuyasha. Kagome pouted at that, but I was curious, since during all the day, we didn't see more of the lords. The maid went down to the courtyard to see what the commotion was about and came back bearing the news that he had gone and brought the carriage from the road, all with our luggage and with the bodies of our escort.
And, to my amazement, with Roku, who is still alive. He is now resting under the watchful eye of the castle healer. The healer says that he has been unconscious and has lost much of his blood, but he will get back to full health. The arrow that I thought had killed him had passed close to his vital organs, but he was lucky. I'm so relieved! I can't wait to see him when he feels better, and I must thank Lord Sesshomaru for his immense kindness and hospitality. He and his brother are most good to us, even if it is plain that they are not accustomed to having ladies around.
I should focus now on compiling a letter to Lady Higurashi, so she knows I am well and looking out for Kagome. And I have to think about a pretty song to sing for the lord.
.
From the diary of Princess Higurashi Kagome of Musashi
Date: fifth day of the first month of summer. Year XXXX. Late night
.
I lost any will to be angry at Lord Inuyasha long before he came back drenched with cold rainwater and bringing Roku and our carriage to us.
Bless him, that kind man, who went himself into the forest in such terrible weather to make sure that no wild animals preyed on our fallen escort and that no strangers took our belongings.
And when I saw the look of utter joy on Rin's face when she heard that Roku was alive! Oh, that smile lit up the whole gloomy and stern-looking tea room! I think that, were Lord Inuyasha there at that moment, I would have hugged him right there.
I woke up from slumber just now and since I couldn't fall asleep again, I thought that updating my diary would aid in making me drowsy.
I do not know what woke me; the sound of rain, an eternal constant today, was so soothing and the great keep seemed to be utterly silent and empty. Beyond the steady light of my candle it feels like darkness lay over the whole household.
There seemed to be a vague tension in the air, as if something was lying in wait. The longer I sat here, the more I felt as if an uncanny presence loomed over the cold stone walls and stalked through the corridors. The castle was in no way desolate or in disrepair, but I felt as if it was an ancient ruin from a time long gone. It most certainly was old and had to know many secrets.
Ah, a noise outside my doorway just nearly made me overturn my candle! I steadied it before it went out, but some of the wax fell on my hand. Blinking away tears of pain, I looked towards the door, half-expecting to hear Rin asking permission to enter, but what I saw made me gasp in shock and forget my burned hand.
There, obscured by the paper panels of the door, was a light. It was not a candle, for it was pale blue in color, even through the paper, and it flicked and danced like a butterfly over a field of flowers, lifting up to the ceiling, falling low and drawing wild swirls in the air as it passed.
I stared at it as it went and disappeared behind the wall. Then, clear and ethereal in the silence of the night, I heard a child's sweet laughter, made otherworldly by the mere fact that I had not seen any children in the keep before.
I dared not to open my door and peer into the corridor to look for this ghostly light, nor to go seek refuge and company within Rin's rooms.