Hey guys! I'm glad you guys like this story. This chapter is taking place at the same time that the last one did! Just to let you know, also, that this story takes place in the late 1300s in Japan. And another thing, I have no idea when stoves were invented. I haven't been able to find that out on the internet yet. But let's just pretend that they were just invented! ; P! I don't own Inuyasha. Enjoy!

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Focus On REAL Life

Chapter Two: Getting Outside

By: Candy2323

The birds chirped outside as sunlight streamed into the small room through the cloth covered window. A small figure rested and relaxed on the small haystacks, covered in thin sheets. The room was bare, with only three small haystacks that served as beds, two of which were full the other empty. The floor was made of dirt and the walls, a dingy stone. The sounds of light breathing were tranquil and peaceful. Everything was nice and quiet for the moment, and I repeat for the moment.

"WAKE UP YOU TWO, TIME FOR BREAKFAST," called a young boy as he strolled into the room and shook the occupants of the bed. "Mom, says it's time to get up."

"Go away twerp," said a girl under the sheets.

"Come on Kagome, you gotta get up."

"I said GET LOST Souta!"

"Fine," Souta said running out of the room, crying "Mom, Kagome won't get out of bed."

"Kagome, get out of bed, and you too Shippo," Mom said walking into the room and shaking the figures on the beds.

"I'm getting up," Kagome said shooing her mother away with her hand. Kagome sat up on her bed and stretched looking out the small window. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, not a cloud in sight. A perfect day for exploring the village grounds, again.

"Morning Kagome," said a small boy with cute fox ears and a fox tail. He rubbed his eyes and climbed off the bed, heading out of the room toward the small kitchen.

"Morning Shippo," Kagome said to the boys retreating back. Shippo was a good friend of Souta's, who was orphaned when the castle was attacked by the Gromen Armies, four years ago. Ever since then, Kagome's parents adopted him and he's been one of the family.

Standing up and stretching one last time, Kagome headed out of her room and toward the kitchen table where her mother was serving Shippo and Souta warm porridge.

"Come get it while it's hot, Kagome," her mother said. Sitting down, Kagome watched her mother. Ever since the invention of the stove, life has just been easier. Cooking food never really took too long, anymore. Instead of slaving over a hot fire in the fireplace, one could place wood under the black metal, open the lid, slide the food in, shut the lid, and wait for it to cook! And the best part of all, no smoke in the house (unless the food is burning) thanks to the tall black pipe that led the smoke outside! For Kagome's family, that was a miracle in itself since her father was the town baker.

Picking the bowl of mush placed in front of her, Kagome's mind wondered. She was just about the turn 17, the ceremonial time when she was to look for a husband. Her father never mentioned this, yet the past week, her mother had been giving subtle hints every chance she got. Being the oldest of the family sucked! Paying with her gruel a little more, Kagome abruptly got up and handed her mother the untouched food.

"Thanks mother, but I've got to meet Sango in a couple of minutes." With that, she ran back to her room, dressed, and prepared to leave the house. Grabbing a large sack, Kagome thrust several knives, compasses, and flint bars into it. Making sure she had all of her necessary items for exploring, Kagome wrapped the sack up with a small piece of wire, and headed toward the door.

"Kagome, wait," her mother called.

"Yeah mom."

"Be home early. Your father and I have some very important things to talk to you about. Plus your sewing lesson will begin today."

"What time do you want me to be home mother?"

"Around noon or so, dear."

"Alright mom. Bye," Kagome said kissing her mom' s cheek. She then turned to leave, only to be blocked by two small boys.

"Kagome, you weren't gonna leave without saying good-bye were you," Shippo asked, looking at her with sad eyes.

"Of course not Shippo. Bye you two, be good. Try to stay out of trouble." She gave them both hugs, then headed outside.

Walking out of house, Kagome was met by a young girl, slightly older than herself, with long hair, bright brown eyes, and an unusually larger boomerang on her back.

"Hey Sango."

"Hey Kagome, come see what I've found!"

"What?"

"Follow me," Sango said grabbing Kagome's arm and pulling her away from the village to the castle wall.

The castle wall was hundreds of years old, and covered with vines and flowers. It was Sango and Kagome's favorite place to explore. Being so old and worn, there were several cracks leading to the outside. Although Kagome and Sango had yet to find one big enough to fit through, they had found one large enough to cut on to where maybe one day it would be large enough to get to the outside world.

"Sango, where are we going?"

"Just follow me! Trust me, you'll love it!"

Sango let go of Kagome's hand and began running quickly along the wall, Kagome in tow.

"Slow down Sango, I can barely keep up." Kagome pushed herself further to try and catch up with Sango, yet had to stop so suddenly as to miss bumping into her when she stopped.

"Look," Sango said pointing to a small crack in the wall.

"Yeah, so what about it?"

"No, I mean LOOK."

"I don't see anything. It's just a crack in the wall." Sango put her hands up on the wall and began pushing.

"What are you doing?"

"Come on, help me."

"Why?"

"Just help me." Rather reluctantly, Kagome put her hand on the wall and began pushing on it as well. The wall slowly began to move opening a secret passageway.

"Whoa."

"Told ya. I found it this morning, and knew I had to tell you about it. Plus, I needed you help to get it open. Come on, let's check it out."

Walking inside the wall, Kagome and Sango saw that this maybe was a way to the outside. They walked for a couple more minutes when they ran into a doorway.

"Whered'ya think it leads," Sango asked.

"Only one way to find out," Kagome said grabbing the door handle. Taking a breath, Kagome opened the door to find… the most beautiful garden she had ever seen. Roses, dandelions, sakuras, (is this really a flower?) tulips, lilies, magnolias, and many more flowers were all in this vicinity. A small stream was flowing through the middle. It looked like heaven on earth!

"Wow! So this is what's beyond the village," Kagome said.

"Yeah! It's so beautiful!"

"Come on," Kagome said grabbing Sango's arm, "Let's go explore!"

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"Where is she," Kagome's mother said pacing back and forth. The sun was starting to set and Kagome still wasn't home.

"I don't know dear. Maybe she's out playing with Sango or something," Kagome's father said while adding more wheat to and already large pile of dough soon to be called supper.

"I told her to come home early!"

"She'll be home soon. Don't worry." At that moment, Kagome stepped inside her house only to be plummeted to the ground as two small boys jumped on top of her.

"Ok, ok. I missed you two. Now can you please GET off me."

"We missed you Kagome," Shippo said.

"I know, but I'm back now."

"So Kagome," her father asked, "What did you and Sango find?"

"Umm, nothing father," Kagome said deciding not to tell her father about the hidden passage. That was her and Sango's secret, no one else's. Their secret way to escape, and only theirs!

"Kagome, I told you to come home early."

"I know mother, I'm sorry. I just lost track of time."

"Well, you father and I have something to talk to you about."

"What is it?"

"You do realize that you're seventeenth birthday will be coming up within the next month."

"Yes mother."

"And you're father and I have found a suitable husband for you. His name is Hojo Futigama. He is a wonderful man who seems fond of you."

"What. Not Hojo, mama. Anybody but Hojo!"

"Where do you know Hojo from?"

"We go to the same doctor, remember mama."

"Yes, Doctor Hukisolo, but what is so wrong with him?"

"He annoying, boring, and weird."

"Kagome that's no way to talk about your future husband!"

"What if I don't wanna marry him."

"You don't have a choice," her mother said, "I'm sorry. But in time you'll learn to love him."

"Mother, I don't want to get married."

"I'm sorry Kagome, but we've already arranged it with his family. He will be a fine husband. And besides, he is the best tailor this village has got."

"He's the ONLY tailor this village's got!"

"Which means he's the best."

"But-."

"No buts Kagome. He can provide a lot of money for you. Much better than this. You can have a large bedroom, and maybe even your own stream to bathe in. Kagome you'll be much better off."

"But mother-,"

"No buts, Kagome. It's already been decided for you. You're just going to have to get used to it."

Sighing in defeat, Kagome headed toward her room, shoulders slumped, hair covering her watering eyes. Life just wasn't fair. If only she could live on the outside, where she wouldn't be forced to marry. If only she could live in that garden that she and Sango had found earlier. Where she could be free.

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Well, what did you guys think? Did you like it? Please R&R! In the next chapter, we see Miroku and learn Sango's problem. And maybe see Inuyasha, again. Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed! Bye!

Love

Candy2323