"Good luck."
Wait! A TEST?! No you have got to be kidding me. We were all imprisoned in a yokai palace and for what? I still don't exactly know… Could it really be just for a test? That seems a little unbelievable. One of the only perks living in the past is that I don't need to worry about taking tests. Oh well I have an advantage being from the modern era where women are equal to men and receive the same education and are given the same education expectations.
Q1. State your full name.
Q2. Who gave you your name and why?
Q3. Do you understand Hanakotoba/ Language of flowers?
Q4. Name your favorite flower and why? Kagome picks Wasurenagusa or forget me nots.
Q5. Draw your favorite flower.
Is this a personality quiz? Trying not to move my head I glanced around and was surprised how serious everyone one. Their ink brushes looked like a visual morse code. Quick rapid movements then it froze for a while and this was repeated often. Everyone's eyes were so intense I wouldn't be that surprised if all their papers caught on fire.
"Hey no peeking, eyes on your own paper. This is your only warning." I glanced at my shoulder and saw a tiny male flea furiously jumped up and down as he screamed.
"Sorry I just can't believe this is for real."
"For real? Huh never heard that phrase before." He said with a confused expression on his face as he scratched his furry chin. As if a switch had been flipped he began to jump and scream furiously "No talking! If you do not obey and complete the test exactly as you were instructed I can promise you those children will become a yokai feast!"
I had to restrain myself from threatening him back and actually work on the test. I began with question one and smiled at it's stupid simplicity. I paused as my brush nearly touched the page Wait I can I put Kagome? Better safe than sorry I'll just use the name Chiwa Miyazawa again.
Q1. State your full name.
Chiwa Miyazawa
~Okay now to tackle question two.~
Q2. Who gave you your name and why?
~Shit. Am I really being graded on this?! How do they even grade for this? If you have a bad name do you fail? I just have to answer them honestly… Well I've already lied so better continue the lie at least for question two.~
My mother named me Chiwa in hopes my abilities would bring the village peace in the future. Chi means thousand and wa means peace.
Q3. Do you understand Hanakotoba?
No
Q4. Name your favorite flower and why?
~I don't know. Never thought about it really. Afterall with my life I honestly don't have time to stop and smell the flowers or even look at them. I guess I'll just have to bullshit my way through this damn test.~ Wasurenagusa are my favorite flowers. I find their blue color unrivaled by the clearest sky or even the bluest ocean.
Q6. What is your favorite color? Why?
White, It's simple and pure, like snow or silk.
Q7. Which do you prefer adventure of stability? Why?
Stability, adventure is risky and tiring.
Q8. Which do you value higher, Family or village/clan.
Family.
Q9. Do you loathe all yokai? Explain.
No. Like mortals some are good and some are evil. One should not be judged on what they are instead of who they are.
Q10. If you were faced with a problem would you do what you feel is morally correct or what others tell you is morally correct? Do not explain.
~WHAT?! This is the only one they don't want me to explain? This is a somewhat serious question! The rest are stupid. Like my name and why, my favorite flower or color and why. This one actually derese a why! Ugh whatever I'll just follow along!~
I would honor my own heart.
~You want to be stupid! Well I'll just put a vague answer! Take that!~
Q11. Should the average woman be educated? Explain.
Yes. Sometimes a woman can see or understand subjects a man can not.
Q12. Do you enjoy embroidery?
Never attempted to embroider.
Q13. Do you enjoy formal occasions?
Depends on the reason behind the occasion. I do enjoy celebrations, meeting people and dressing nice, once in a while.
Q14. Do you enjoy the beach?
Only during a nice summer day.
Q15. Do dream of a strange man you cannot remember?
~This question feels oddly specific. How could they know? I haven't told anybody. I wonder if everyone has this question. I'm sure a lot of people don't recognize everyone in their dreams after all it's been said that it's your subconscious so you don't always remember. I'm almost done, I'll think about it later. I'm sure it's not that important.~
Sometimes.
Q16. Which is your favorite direction and why?
East because the sunrises are beautiful.
Q17. Which season do you prefer? Explain.
Winter, if I'm cold I can always build a fire or wear more layers. There are only so many things you can do to cool off in Summer. I don't like how much it rains in the spring and I like fall, but not as much as winter.
Q18. Would you enjoy wearing high quality clothing or perfer modest clothing? Explain.
I enjoy high quality clothing if I have access to it, if not I will not complain and will wear something modest.
Q19. Which animal is the most dangerous?
Humans.
Q20. Do you have a birthmark? Describe.
~Well that is oddly personal, maybe even a bit perverted. Just gotta finish this test!~
Yes. In the middle of my chest.
Q1. You are treating a sick expecting mother, none of your treatments have worked. There is a nearby yokai who has the ability to cure her illness. To cure the woman's illness her child's soul must be promised to the yokai. Do you make the promise or let the sick mother fight the illness on her own strength with no guarantee she will live?
~WHAT! Now they are actually giving us questions that are this hard?! Again how are they going to grade this!?~
It would be a hard call but I would ask the mother or her family which she would prefer. If she wanted to live I would make the deal with the yokai. If she did not want to make the deal I would help her anyway I could, even if that meant just making her comfortable or cooking her a nice meal.
Q2. part 1. A strong yokai you can not defeat is killing everyone looking for a beautiful bride. He has found one in the village he deems acceptable, your sister. To save your sister and village, you must wed the yokai. Would you let the yokai wed you or your sister? Explain.
Q2. (Sister wedded) The yokai and your sister have both died, but they have left behind a hanyou child. Do you raise the child or kill the child?
Q2, part 2. (You wedded) The yokai whom you have wedded has blessed you with his growing heir. Do you carry the child to full term or do you commit seppuku?
I would not kill the child. It is a part of me and does not deserve to die for being part yokai. If I did not feel I was able to love it I would try and if I could not grow to love it, I would find someone who could. Whether that meant a relative of my husband or a servant.
Q3. A mortal man has his eyes on you. He has asked for your hand several times before and you have denied each offer. Yet he continues and this time has attempted to make you his by force. What do you do?
Escape and forget the ordinal
Give him a warning
Kill him
~I wouldn't forget it! But i wouldn't kill the guy either. So I guess give him a warning… Trust me after that warning he would not even dare to try again!~ I circled B and glanced up real quick, I was in shock to see I was the only one left. Turning my attention back to the test I began to shake reading the last questions as quick as I could.
Q4. Can a child from the union of a mortal and yokai be a full yokai or hanyou, explain.
There would only ever be a hanyou. A child is half of the father and half of the mother if one of them is a yokai and the other a mortal that means the child would be half of each which is known as a hanyou.
~That like priestess 101, actually like science 101! What a pointless question!~
Q5. List the differences and similarities between a mortal and yokai.
Similarities: Everything Inside.
Differences: Everything outside.
I looked over at the flea on my shoulder and noticed he had drifted to sleep. I shrugged my shoulders attempting to wake him. I watched as he simple tossed and turned. Growing impatient I tapped him and as I did he jumped up screaming "I'm awake! I'm awake! Such a rude girl! Tapping a flea! You could have squashed me with those slow giant hands of yours!"
SLOW GIANT HANDS! Oh i'll show him how slow and giant they are!
"Oh you are done I see. Finally. You were the slowest one. One to many hits on the head by yokai perhaps? If your fighting abilities are as slow as your writing I don't doubt it. Nevertheless you are permitted to leave, please go across the hall and rest for the next test. Chiwa Miyazawa."
The next test?
Gathering myself I managed to stand after nearly falling over Oh I have not sat like that for that long in a long time. My legs are killing me. I couldn't help but stare at the large table in the back of the class. Papers covered it's wooden face completely as busy fleas bounced around muttering things I could not fully hear. Taking a few steps in the direction of the table I heard a familiar voice "Hey! No peeking! Leave at once!" I glared down at the rude flea who had done nothing but yell at me since I sat down and walked to the door which we had all entered. Across the room was another door. Opening it I was surprised. The room appears the identical twin of the one I had just left. But instead of a test on our desks, there was a very large bento and three clay glazed cups. There one only one empty desk in the room, Guess that one is mine? I walked over and noticed everyone had gone back to their groups and were talking about the previous test, the strange questions and answers they had given. My seat was sandwiched on the left of Midoriko, on the right of Hitomiko and behind Tsukiyomi. The loner section it seems, since one of them are talking.
"Does anyone understand what just happened back there?"
Silence was all I recieved again. No not this time! I will get answers! "I asked you ladies a question and expect an answer. It's rude to ignore someone."
Tsukuyomi set her chopsticks down and turned to face me "It's not that we are rude. We have nothing to say because none of us know what is going on. We just know we are here so our villages remain safe. The Great Lord's wrath is something no one should tempt and something no priestess can subdue. You may not know the story behind the three villages but it is said that three very strong priestesses once stood against the Great Lord but now all three have disappeared as have there villages not a trace has been found. That was one thousand years ago. We will not suffer the same fate. Nor should you desire to follow their example, so just do as you are told and eat."
I glared at her and decided I would enjoy a conversation and get some other answers while I ate. Looking down at the brightly colored bento I grabbed my chopsticks and quickly plucked a piece of fukusa sushi omelette from the finely decorated box.
"Tsukiyomi tell me are you in love?"
"No. I have never allowed myself that or even though about indulging in such a distasteful activity."
"What about Hoshiyomi."
"Who?" She said with a genuine expression that shattered my heart.
"He had green hair and three purples stripes decorating his face." I said a bit sad, I thought they were in deep love. How could she not remember him? He was wonderful before he got that evil sword.
"Oh! Yes I remember I just did not know that was his name. I fought him many years ago. It took several days and nights, but I was finally able to purify him. He was actually one of the strongest yokai I've defeated. I remember our battle fondly." Hitomiko said with a frightening happy tone as she went back to eating her meal. Looking at her meal I noticed it had the exact same contents of mine.
Looking at my bento I just stared as I did my hands began to tremble, causing my chopsticks to fall. Okay… Wow… Um, So not everything is the same here. Dead people are alive, not only that they are alive… but they are in the wrong era! Inuyasha doesn't have ears and has a powerful aura that screams, full yokai. The lovers I know are enemies. This can't be the world I know… I must be in a different world, but… but how?! I understand going back in time, that is nothing new. But going back in time in a different world?! I need to get home and move far away from the family shrine! But before I do… I need to make sure Daichi and China are safe.
"Chiwa are you okay?" Tsukiyomi sweetly asked. "Chiwa?" She repeated once more.
I faked a smile and nodded "Yes, I'm fine. I just haven't seen food this good in a long time and can't decide what to eat."
"Oh. Well you should enjoy it." Tsukiyomi said before going back to her own meal.
My shaking hand reached for a cup picking one up I noticed its strong revolting aroma, Saki. Reaching for another I noticed it was clear without and smell, Water. Reaching for the last one I noticed it was red bringing it slowly to my lips took a tiny testing sip, cherry juice. Tsukiyomi was right I need to eat, eat and build up my strength. Because I have no idea what is going to happen next. My eyes scanned the contents, grilled melon, a variety of rice balls, vegetable fried rice, seasoned chicken with sauce, dumplings.
Dumplings! I quickly shoved all five in my mouth, one after another after another. Then a few pieces of melon and a rice ball. I quickly picked up all the chicken dipping it in the side sauce, before eating it. Though I am freaking out, it's true what I had said earlier. I haven't had food this good in a while. Oh green beans! Grilled rice balls! Zucchini and Onions! Bean sprouts! Veggie Kinpira! It didn't take me long to make those disappear. After that I decided I had enough and put my chopsticks back on the tiny piece of wood. Almost instantly I was brought two desserts. A small plate with three different colored mochi stacked very nicely and three sticks of dango. I soon devoured both. With that I felt tired.
Looking around I noticed everyone else seemed to have eaten their fill and as well. They all looked very drowsy with blissful expression, though their pride tried to hide it… I could tell. They all felt the exact same way I do. A loud clap caused a loud echo throughout the entire room and everyone's attention jerk to the western wall. A woman whose face I could not see, but whose voice I knew loudly and proudly exclaimed "The second test is over!"
Wait that was a test?! We just ate food? How is that a test? Why can't I see her… my vision… it's blurry. My limbs feel heavy and my head is feeling cloudy. What is this?
A loud thump soon followed her announcement. Jerking my head to the left I was able to see a figure fall much like a tree in the forest. Who is that? She's not moving...
"Sister Kikyo?!" A girl loudly screamed before she too fell. One by one the blurry figures before me fell just as the first two had. I slowly glanced from one side of the room to the other Blurry lump after lump wearing red and white. Am I drunk? No… I had juice. So… what is-
Midoriko quickly jumped to her feet "You poisoned us?!"
I jumped to my feet as well and yelled loudly pointing to the figure who was enshrouded by a dark cloth "I knew that food was tooo good?!" The feeling in my feet disappeared and I began to fall Uh oh… I managed to fall right on top of Midoriko who was screaming rather angrily "I know you're screaming but I can't hear you." My eyes drew heavy and I was greeted overtaken by darkness.
I stood inside the darkness looking around I began to feel scared. A bright light appeared above my head looking up I saw the moon. It's light consuming me bringing me out of the cold suffocating darkness. I heard a voice that was not my own, but seemed to come from me anyway "I must find a way back! I made a promise!" The light blinded me for a moment before dissolving and showing a image of my mother and father. My mother had beautiful long hair and was hugging a man that looked just like my mother. They were smiling and jumping up and down as they cheered loudly! In my mother's hand was a positive pregnancy test.
"Perfect!" A different voice screamed. This voice was low and dark, something about it made my skin crawl. Another voice that sounded familiar quickly followed in protest"No! Never! Don't! No!"
The voice that came from me quickly screamed "No!" A small blue light left my body and raced towards the sweet image as a red light did the same. Just like that the image before me shattered and the darkness surrounded me once more before it quickly grew even brighter than the sun, as if someone had flipped a switch.
"Kagome," a man and woman's voice warmly whispered.
AN: So we are still just at the beginning of our story I plan to have a lot more coming. Stay tuned and I know this may have been a more boring chapter but It's at least a little interesting right?
