Title: Shadows Against a Shoji Screen
Series: Inuyasha
Genre: romance/action/adventure/drama
Chapter: 21
Chapter's major characters: Sesshoumaru/Kagome
Chapter's supporting characters: Kaede/Hiroyoshi
AN: The long awaited (was it really long awaited? Ah, oh well, I don't know, nor do I care. If I say it is long awaited, then by golly it is!) Obon festival! This plans to be a very…uhm…well, it's a very dramatic and keystone chapter for the story. It has a lot of revelations and some new information comes into the loop! Also, there is…well, stuff happens between two people, but hey, I shan't go too far. Anyways, I might use a few Japanese terms and stuff but I shall be sure to define them at the end of the chapter. I hope you guys like this chapter!
Questionnaire: So, how is Kikyou holding up in this story? Are we liking her? (even those of us who hate her, myself included) Is she being decent or her usual bitchy self?
Now, on with the show!
Shadows Against a Shoji Screen
Chapter 21: A Crown of Lanterns
Picking up a slim volume of literature, Sesshoumaru browsed through the pages of collected haiku until he found a page that looked particularly interesting. The first line had particularly caught his eye; and so reclining he began to read:
Because there was a seed
A pine has grown even here
On these barren rocks;
If we really love our love
What can keep us from meeting?
Scanning the page once again he was disappointed to find the poet had remained anonymous.
Placing the book back on his bookshelf, Sesshoumaru realized it had been a great deal time indeed since he had read haiku. In the past he would have made a concentrated effort to read at least one verse in the morning and contemplate the words for the remainder of the day. Often these contemplations would spurn inspiration as far as his own work was concerned. A smile hinted on his lips and turning towards a bookshelf full of scrolls and bound books, Sesshoumaru withdrew a thick journal filled with his calligraphic writing from his past.
Flipping through the pages, he found a passage that (as he recalled) taken him a month to compose. It had been difficult to find the precise word to encompass his feeling, and reading it even now he was relieved that he had taken the time with the poem. Yet, the fact remained that the poem was written in his youth and was full of those sentimentalities…
The flowers withered
Their color faded away,
While meaninglessly
I spent my days in the world
And the long rains were falling
That had been a particularly dark period of his life, consumed by the grief and anger of his father's death, intensified by the injustice that his hanyou half-brother had gained the more powerful of the two famed swords.
Yet now, Sesshoumaru found the game of cat and mouse growing old. He was the cat who would grant death to the mouse who wished to feel no drawn out pain.
Pushing the thoughts away from his mind, Sesshoumaru took the book towards his desk and laid it out on its polished surface. For the first time in several years he had a yearning inside him to write another haiku. Perhaps one day he would publish them, but this would be after his death of course. A youkai writing poetry? Signs of weakness indeed…
Grinding his ink stone and adding some water so that the ink produced an liquid onyx color, he placed the bamboo brush against the rest and averted his eyes to the porch behind him. The screens had been thrown open so that the glory of the summer day could be fully appreciated. The latest storm was swiftly leaving the region, yet the white clouds still floated gracefully through the sky giving the world a pleasant look.
It was now sunset and the layers of white and gray were highlighted with a rich golden color with hints of a deep scarlet. Beyond the clouds were the mountains to the left and right, folding over one another in a relaxed and almost Zen-like fashion.
Lifting the bamboo brush, Sesshoumaru dipped it into the ink.
*
Looking in the mirror, Kagome smiled and turned towards Fujiko who had helped her prepare for the festival. It was strange; she thought idly to herself as she nervously fingered the light cotton sleeves: for the first time in many months she was excited. Perhaps it was because she was leaving the compounds, but also, there were deeper reasons.
Since her youth, Kagome had always considered everyone equal, although this was against the way of her society. She had been born affluent and with wealth came obligation to the people—this responsibility created visible ranks. Ranks that Kagome had never accepted.
As a child, she would play with the peasants, learn how to cook with hearty vegetables from the servants, the correct way to plant rice-seedlings from the farmers, the way to defend yourself if any leering gentleman came your way (from the nearby school of self-defense)—practical things that the courts did not think highly of. The women of noble houses were expected to sing, have witty conversations, be beautiful, and obey their husband. Of course, Kagome had tried; but for some reason she was a nail sticking up in the floorboard. Time after time she had been told, "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down."
Kagome just figured that if she was to get hammered down sooner or later, she might as well enjoy her life for what it was.
This was why she so particularly wished to go to the festival. She wished to dance; she wished to be one of the common folk (if only for a temporary amount of time). She was in a place where she would not be recognized; she was in a place where she could brush freedom with her fingertips.
Fujiko was now adding a dangly ornament to her hair. It was pretty enough to seize the eye, yet not so catching as to demonstrate that she was more prosperous than the fellow villagers.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Kagome continued to smile. The yukata was a particularly fine design. It was a deep navy blue with bright pastel pink and orange zinnias in full bloom splashing randomly across the fabric. The obi was a golden color laced with hints of scarlet that set off the deep color of the fabric very well. Fujiko was now tying the obi into an intricate bow as Kagome held her attire in place. Really, putting on anything was a two person job.
As she waited patiently, Kagome let her mind wander. It had been three days ago that she had spoken to Sesshoumaru about the festival. She hoped very much that he would go with her—after all, he spent everyday locked inside his study hunched over his maps. Or, if it was not his maps he concentrated on for the day it was practicing his swordsmanship. Yet, it was his company that she desired more than anything! If deluding herself that the motives behind his actions were so that he could attend to his overbearing responsibilities, then she would do anything. However, she had dictate to herself, Sesshoumaru was a youkai who decidedly hated humans…yet, she was human…so…
"Kagome-sama, I'm finished!" Fujiko announced, clapping her hands in excitement.
Turning to face her, Kagome questioned, "How do I look? Will people stare at me?"
Fujiko laughed, and admitted, "Oh, yes, they will look all right, Kagome-sama! But only because you are so beautiful! It was a good thing that Lord Sesshoumaru decided that one of the servants will accompany you, or else you will be surrounded by men all night and be unable to dance at all!"
Blinking, and furrowing her eyebrows together, Kagome questioned seriously, "So, Lord Sesshoumaru will not be coming?"
Fujiko blinked, and chuckled, "Did you expect him to? Lord Sesshoumaru hardly ever leaves this mountain top, and when he does it certainly isn't to partake in the local village festivals!"
A sinking feeling suddenly enveloped Kagome and her cheeks turned scarlet. How foolish she had been to actually expect Sesshoumaru to go to the festival…what had she been thinking? Of course he wouldn't go! He was their noble, not some sort of wandering mistral.
"Perhaps…," Kagome began thickly, swallowing, "I should not go to the festival."
Fujiko leaned forward and felt her forehead with her cool and smooth hand, "Do you feel well, mistress?"
"Yes, fine." Kagome sighed, brushing her hand away and walking unsteadily to the veranda. She felt so foolish and disappointed…
"Mistress," Fujiko began quietly, stepping towards her hunched frame, "Did you expect the lord to accompany you?"
The pain increased ten-fold. Obviously, she had been the only one under that impression.
Leaning against the pillar, Fujiko continued, "Yes, I can see that you did. But Kagome-sama, you do not know what tomorrow will bring. Who knows, perhaps tomorrow you will be with your husband again—,"
Kagome's heart tightened as she spoke the words. Her husband…
"And perhaps you will never get to dance at Obon again, at least, not with the peasants. If you do not take opportunities when they present themselves to you, then your life will be one of regrets. You are too young to have such regrets, Kagome-sama." Fujiko continued smoothly, and then, adding with a flash of a grin, "And too beautiful."
Shakily, Kagome looked at Fujiko and nodded. Yes, she was right. Whether or not Sesshoumaru went was of no matter, she would have an enjoyable time, she would dance with the commoners an experience and enjoy life for the time being. Yes, everything to her was temporary, like the blossoms of spring.
"Yes. Thank you, Fujiko." Kagome nodded, bowing deeply.
"You should hurry, Kagome-sama," Fujiko warned, handing her the props needed for the dances. (They consisted of a set of kachi-kachi, a rounded fan, a folding fan and a piece of cotton cloth) Placing the kachi-kachi and cloth into her drawstring bag, Kagome bowed once again and announced, "I will tell Sesshoumaru-sama of my departure, and then I shall go."
She never heard Fujiko's reply; although Kagome could guess it would be something along the lines of "have a lovely time". No, she wished to leave the grounds as soon as possible. She wanted to leave while she still had the courage to do so by herself.
Outside it was a fine night just cool enough so as to make an ideal temperature for dancing under the glowing lanterns, yet warm enough so that a coat was not required. The stars were just beginning to twinkle in the twilight and the waxing moon had appeared over the horizon of the great towering mountains above.
The screens of Sesshoumaru's study were alit with the many flames of oil-lamps that cast light to nearly every corner of the room. Kneeling down to the ground, she questioned softly, "May I come in?"
The usual rustle of papers, and then, "Yes, come in Kagome."
Opening the screens she bowed her head and smiled. Perhaps she would stay where she was, in the safety of the hall. She was too unnerved and saddened to go into his private sanctuary. She often disturbed his privacy, and she was unsure if her visits were unwelcome, though as of late their conversations had been improving. Yet, she had a sinking feeling that if she entered the room, she would try to persuade him to come to the festival, something that she was also sure Sesshoumaru would give a firm 'no' to.
Realizing that she had been staring expressionlessly at the tatami mats within his room, she snapped her head up and found that he was looking intently at her with his deep serious eyes. A flush began to crawl up through her body as she looked into his eyes and spoke quietly, "I-I'm leaving."
Sesshoumaru took a moment to reply, as though he had been in some sort of daze as well, "Oh? And where are you leaving to?"
So, he had forgotten…
"The festival," she whispered, well aware that the youkai ears would have picked up the words.
"The festival," Sesshoumaru repeated coolly as though slowly savoring the words. After a brief pause, he replied, "I see. I have arranged for one my servants to accompany you and to make sure," he paused, coughed, and continued, "to make sure you stay safe."
Smiling, Kagome admitted, "That is very kind of you, but hardly worth the effort."
"You are worth every effort, Kagome," Sesshoumaru stated firmly, his eyes once again glaring at her.
She began to flush even more.
"Well, I know that trying to persuade you is useless," Kagome whispered in a hollow voice, "So, I hope you have a pleasant night…"
"What? Persuade me to go?" Sesshoumaru questioned, as though the idea was totally unheard of.
Bowing deeply in his direction, Kagome gave a cheerful smile (a smile that did not reach her eyes) and slid the screen slowly shut. A second later, her footsteps echoed down the hallway towards the main entrance of the mountain fortress.
So…she wished me to go…
Why?
Does she desire my company so badly?
Looking down at the parchment, he was suddenly struck with inspiration for the last line of his poem. Taking his bamboo brush, he finished the verse and read it over once. Yes, it summed up his emotions exactly…
At the sunset hour
The clouds are ranged like banners
And I think of things:
That is what it means to love
One who lives beyond my world
Looking towards the star-studded sky, Sesshoumaru thought dimly to himself, She is beyond my world…
The echoes of music and singing began to reverberate through the canyon. Obon had begun.
*
Chewing on a bit of dango that he had just ordered, Hiroyoshi settled himself on the bench next to his wife who was causally leaning against a pillar with her eyes closed. The music continued to play from the variety of country musicians and singers, and like a multitude of birds and butterflies the people in their multicolored attire danced about the circle in which the center was the musicians. Over the music was the shout of vendors selling a variety of items including fans, clothes, kachi-kachi (incase you did not own a pair), dumplings, stew, a few games for the young children, and jewelry.
Hiroyoshi and Kaede had already participated in a few dances but were still worn out by their long journey that they decided to wait on the benches in hopes that Kagome would come. Their prayers had been answered, for not ten minutes after Obon had started, Kaede pointed to a young and attractive girl who had just entered into the area alit with golden, red, and cream colored lanterns.
"Over there," Kaede whispered, motioning indiscreetly, "That is her."
"Kagome?" Hiroyoshi questioned interestedly as he studied her form, "How do you know?"
Kaede looked at her husband and replied, "I have heard she bears an uncommon resemblance to my deceased sister, Kikyou. Along with that, look how the girl holds herself. There is training and class in that girl, even if she wishes to cast it off."
Hiroyoshi added thoughtfully, "If only for tonight, however."
"If only for tonight," Kaede repeated as she grabbed one of the dango and plopped it in her mouth, grinning as she chewed it.
Hiroyosh's eyes were still on her, and he questioned matter-a-factly, "So, when do we make our first move?"
"Let her dance a bit," Kaede advised, "Perhaps during the break."
Hiroyoshi nodded and split the remaining dango with his wife. A moment later, he announced, "Well, Obon only comes once a year and I surely intend to dance."
Kaede looked up at him and confirmed, "By all means, dance!"
Hiroyoshi held out his hand and smiled warmly, "With my wife of course."
Taking his hand, Kaede said nothing though good humor and happiness shone through her eyes.
*
Like the glowing of the moon, the lanterns could be seen from miles around. Even from high atop the great mountain where Sesshoumaru resided, the pricks of golden and orange lights danced and shone like stars on earth. The wind from the east was beginning to pick up, but only in gentle breaths causing the flecks of light to bobble in the darkness. Sesshoumaru leaned against the side of his private porch and gazed intently down at the small little village at the base of his mountain. For years, he had watched the Obon festivals come and go; yet of all the times he never had a yearning to attend, never wishing to see what it was all about. Of course, this year so many things were different.
He hardly wanted to dance, or interact with anyone for that matter; but perhaps it was that he wished to see what she found so amusing, why she desired to do such a thing, which to him seemed rather…ridiculous? How was it that this particular part of life drew something from her—he wanted to know what interested her and what called out to her; Sesshoumaru wanted to discover Kagome.
It would be easy enough to go unnoticed, Sesshoumaru supposed. The festival took place on the edge of the mountain with trees growing very near to where the rhythmic and slow dancing took place. He could very comfortably watch from the recesses high above in a pine tree—he could also very easily make sure that Kagome wouldn't get into trouble. She had his servant, yes, but the servant (as servants did) might not prove to be reliable.
Hesitantly, not fearing the height, but pondering upon his own foolish decision, he climbed over the edge and stood on the railing looking down at the steep and rocky mountain slope beneath him. The wind flapped at the layers of his clothing and tore at his hair, its pressure more firm in the higher elevations. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed, and leaning forward, he melted into the night.
*
It was nearly impossible to detect Kagome's presence at the Obon. If she was not dancing, she was surrounded by a crowd of drooling men and adolescent boys. They offered her their hand in marriage, gifts, jewels, silks (all things she knew they could not supply) and even their lives. Of course, she had turned them all down very kindly but had promised that she would be friends with all of them. Although this was not their initial desire, the men hoped that one day their friendship would blossom into love.
It was now half way through the festival and the musicians and singers alike were taking a break while they guzzled down water and sake while chewing on a piece of takoyaki or some other grilled object from one of the vendors.
To Kagome, the vendors seemed very interesting, although she was very sure she was not planning on buying anything (she had taken a bit of money, however, just in case anything interesting should be presented), Kagome wished to see what they were offering.
Excusing herself from the group of gentlemen, she fought her way through the crowds until she arrived at the main street where five tented stalls had sprung up in the middle of the night like a blossoming flower. They were alight with candles and lanterns causing them to glow in the dusk. Stepping out into the cool night, Kagome made her way towards a vendor where the glinting of jewelry caught her eye.
*
From within the arena where the dancing took place, Hiroyoshi's head popped up and he nudged his wife gently. The two had managed to fall asleep after their last dance. They had rested contentedly against one another, using each other for support. Hiroyoshi now awoke quite suddenly and looked hurriedly about the floor. Kagome was decidedly absent. This did not bode well.
"Kaede!" Hiroyoshi insisted, nudging his slumbering wife even more, "Kagome, she has disappeared!"
This awoke his wife in a start as she scanned the area as well for any signs of the beauty. Yet, she was no longer there.
"Where do you think she went?" Kaede whispered seriously.
Hiroyoshi suggested darkly, "Do you think she returned?"
Kaede shook her head, causing her hair to catch the lantern light, "No, not yet. There is only one other place she could be; looking at the vendors."
Hiroyoshi nodded and stood up followed suite by his wife and they hurried through the crowds of Obon out into the night air. Their eyes scanned the crowds warily and full of misgivings—if Kagome had managed to escape from right under their noses…
"Ah! There she is!" Hiroyoshi exclaimed, pointing across the street where a figure was stooped down looking at the jewelry that a vendor had to offer. Frowning ever-so-slightly, Hiroyoshi inquired, "Do you suppose we should go to her now?"
Kaede nodded sternly, "It is either now or never. I have my suspicions that she has been instructed not to linger after the festival has ended; and this will prove troublesome when we plan on 'explaining' things to her."
Hiroyoshi readily agreed, and the two walked calmly across the courtyard, bowing to those who paid the same respect to them. After all, despite their seemingly dark purpose towards Kagome, the two were priests and priestesses in their own right.
*
"Yes, may I help you, pretty lady?" the withered elderly man questioned as Kagome neared his stand and bent over to look at the pieces sparkling in the lantern light.
Glancing up, Kagome smiled slightly and replied, "I am just looking, sir."
The old man nodded, yet his eyes remained on Kagome's figure. It was a look of deep concentration and almost one of deep sorrow. Over time, creases and folds etched in his kind features had given him the appearance that he was always smiling, even when his heart burst with sorrow from the departure of his wife to the next life. He was healthy, however, and still managed every day to return to the rice fields of his son and help in some way around the farm. He knew tricks to the trade, tricks that he had yet to teach his only descendant. However, his son was growing and learning fast, and these days he found himself spending most of his time polishing stones and forming glass pieces of jewelry at which to sell at festivals and local village bazaars.
He often thought of traveling to Edo and working under the great masters of the ornamental artists, but perhaps it was his old age or country upbringing that caused him to stay in the rolling hills of this prefecture. He had grown to love everything about the area, even the cold winter winds that always seemed to find their way inside the house.
Blinking sadly at the girl who knelt before him, he was reminded of his wife in her youth. She had that same sparkle in her eyes, the flicker of things in their natural form; something that was not bent to the desires of man, but allowed to grow in any fashion she wished.
Tracing her gaze, he found that she was gazing intently at two pieces of jewelry. Their design was practically identical, as well as the shape of the stone. However, it was the two completely diverse colors of the stone that gave them the appearance of being two entirely different pieces in design. The first of the two necklaces was made out of a silver link chain; with two circular clasps followed by two dark obsidian beads he had bartered off a traveling gentleman from Hokkaido. The large circular clasp was repeated once again until a stone about the size of one-third of his pinky finger seemed to form out of the silver. Like a soy bean escaping its pod, it seemed as though the stone would slip out of the grasp for its surface was polished so much that it gave the appearance of being wet. And indeed, the color of the stone gave it the allusion like a large drop falling from off a leaf. The color was deep cobalt on the outside yet it steadily grew lighter towards the inside to a beautiful sky blue. This affect of the glass also gave the impression that the necklace was glowing.
The second of the two necklaces was made out of the same material, the silver and obsidian, yet the stone was a deep amber color which flecks of gold dust within its interior making it look like a ray of golden sunlight captured in the glass. Depending which way it was looked at, it would take on either a sunset-like color or that of late afternoon.
The girl looked up, hesitantly, and she smiled pointing towards the two necklaces, "Well, they have gotten the better of me. I can't resist."
The old gentleman smiled nicely, and noticed for the first time the color of her eyes. It was startling how much the blue necklace matched her eyes (no doubt, he thought, the reason she wished to purchase it.)
"Those two are family, you see. I made the chain out of the same reserve of silver and the beads from the same source. I suppose it is right that they are not separated."
Kagome's smile faltered for mysterious reasons, yet soon it regained its usual beauty and she questioned, "How much are they?"
The man smiled again, stroked his chin, and then concluded, "Well, for you, 1,500."
The girl retrieved the coins from her pocket and counted them dubiously while the man began to wrap the blue stone, still eying her with looks of reverence. Although she had a free spirit, her movements were as graceful as that of the noble court. He began to wonder idly if she was not of this earth.
As he reached for the golden necklace, she called, "Do you mind if I wear that one?"
Handing it to her, he watched as she clasped it about her neck.
A few moments later, she was gone, and the old man turned to take a walk down to the nearby hotel to order a bento.
*
Halfway across the courtyard, Kagome paused and looked wide eyed at the two figures who were heading directly towards her. If the two had not been dressed in garments of the Shinto shrine, Kagome would have been frightened. Standing still and watching them approach, she waited until she was absolutely sure who or what their target was. She had not been mistaken in assuming that it was her. Blinking and stepping back, she questioned warily, "Yes?"
The tall and handsome man stepped forward and bowed deeply, his voice soft and subdued. It comforted and eased her nerves temporarily, "It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Kagome-sama. My name is Hiroyoshi." Motioning to his wife, he replied, "And this is my wife, Kaede."
Unsure whether she should run or bow in turn, Kagome chose the second option and introduced herself to these people, although with names, but strangers nonetheless.
"It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time," Kagome bowed deeply as well.
Upon returning to an upright position she found the two strangers faces grave and utterly serious, as though someone had died or…
"Kagome-sama, you have nothing to fear." Kaede insisted in earnest, trying to convey their message.
Hiroyoshi nodded and added, "We mean you no harm, in truth. All that we require is ten minutes of your time."
Although Kagome hardly trusted the two, she figured that these people (whoever they were) had traveled a great distance to find her (as was evident by the state of their shoes) and as such she should at least give them the courtesy of listening to what they had to say.
The drone of the music began again and the second half of Obon was about to begin. It was too bad, Kagome sighed to herself, experiencing a vague feeling that this would take much longer than five minutes.
"Do you mind missing the last half?"
Fingering her yukata nervously, unsure of the moralities of these two, she asked, "May I dance five more dances?"
The two exchanged looks which to Kagome seemed meaningless yet held something between the two. The music floated in the breeze and rustled her hair gently.
"I do not think that is an unreasonable request," Kaede whispered. There were ten dances for each half of the dance which was an hour a piece. So, half an hour would give the three more than enough time to 'talk'.
Smiling, Kagome bowed and questioned, "Is there somewhere you wish to meet me afterwards?"
"The local temple. Do you know where that is?" Hiroyoshi questioned kindly.
"I will ask for directions," Kagome called, hurrying towards the calling light of lanterns. As she neared the crowd once again, the great longing for his company over swept her heart and for a moment a famous haiku flooded into her mind…
When I plucked the notes
After many months of silence,
I yearned for you,
And notes became chords
On which to thread my tears
Heaving a sigh, Kaede wrapped her arms about her husband's waist as they made their way towards the temple, which like the dance grounds was crowned in a wreath of glowing paper lanterns.
***
kachi-kachi: basically, clickers made out of wood or bamboo used in the dances. They are fun to click Wheee!
Takoyaki: I might have mentioned this in past chapters, but yeah, they are octopus balls and not as bad as they sound.
AN: I personally found this chapter rather boring, myself…I mean, the beginning was good I suppose but it went down hill from there. However, the scenes had to be written and there was no avoiding that. I need to make sure all the pieces fit together and the story is complete, so even these boring scenes are needed. Anyways, next chapter, beware of MAJOR action. Okay, not major, but it is interesting and so…waffy…
Btw, what did you think of the haiku's? May I add that none of them are mine. A few are anonymous, others written by people who gave their name. If you really want to know, contact me, k?
*grins broadly*
Okay, so yes, feel free to give me a buzz @
cappiepost@yahoo.com
Feel that isn't enough? Well then, IM me @ kantou matsuri or cappiechan (actually, as of late, I use cappiechan more…)
laa dee da, gosh, summer is over for me, and then I will have the hell of senior year avec colleges, SAT's and the like! *bonk*
2nd questionnaire: so, who thinks this is an S/Kag fic? Who thinks this is an IY/Kag fic? It would be interesting to know…
oh, also, check out my site
I do have a xanga site, btw, with info as well far as fic progressions go and the daily life of me! Wow, how interesting! SN is 'cappie'! who would have guessed!?
Read, review, say 'sayonara natsu!'