It was the third day in Feudal Japan, the day after InuYasha's sudden question about Kagome. The morning had been calm and peaceful. Due to the heavy rain outside we had been invited to the headman's house for a meal and a drink – along with the rest of the villagers.
To be honest, I was expecting a large, extravagant home, decorated with beautiful paintings and luscious gardens, but it held none of that. Yes, the headman's home was larger and more spacious that all the other villagers', but it look all the same.
Inside I could only spot wooden walls, wooden floors and little to speak of luxury. I had become curious as to why it was so quaint and simple, and so I had asked the headman.
The headman, who was an old, skinny but polite man, had become startled at my bold question before he laughed it away and told me he had no use of such luxury. His village was not prestigious or rich, but it was beautiful and his people were happy. He needed no more.
I had to admit that I became rather impressed by the headman's words. I liked him right away.
We were asked to take our seat and were brought a simple meal of cooked rice and roasted fish. Despite the lack of spices, I found the meal appealing. I could have eaten more, I am sure, but as I gazed over the room full of villagers I took a notice that most villagers were skinny – just as the headman.
I blinked. Did they lack food?
Children ate their meal hurriedly so they could play with their friends and the adults enjoyed a cup of sake, all having smiles on their sun-kissed faces.
I blinked again. Perhaps they did lack food, but they certainly did not lack happiness. It warmed my heart. Or perhaps it was the sake?
I laughed, placing my bowl of rice on the tiny, tiny table in front of me. The action turned the headman's attention to me.
"Thank you, kind sir, for the meal," I smiled.
"You are very welcome, Miss Moore," he said, returning my smile. "I hope you liked it. We've had trouble with our hunts as of late. A powerful demon has been returning to our humble village for some time now. He scares away all the animals."
"A demon?" I cocked my head to the side. "As in, a demon attack?"
"Oh, no," he laughed. "He returns for the small child, Rin. He is her protector – I assume. He brings her gifts."
Both my eyebrows shot up into my hairline. A demon protecting a human was rare, and not to mention interesting.
"I see," I simply said. "Well, perhaps you could make a sort of agreement with this demon to not come as often. If he scares away your prey your people will suffer from it, correct? If the demon stays away long enough for the animals to return it'll help the village." I shrugged. "That's what I'd do in your situation at least. While the human body can survive on fish and rice, it needs a wider board of sustenance to properly nourish it."
He gravely nodded, but kept a small smile.
"Do I amuse you, sir?"
He laughed.
"Yes, my child, you do."
I cocked my head to the side once more. "How so?"
"You are a woman."
I felt my eyes narrow on their own and I felt my body heat up. "Excuse me?"
I heard Kagome cough violently beside me. Apparently rice got stuck in her throat. I patted her back, trying to ease her. I turned my attention back to the headmaster.
Suddenly I did not like this man so much as I thought. I watched as the man too a sip of his sake and a devious thought came into my mind.
"I have upset you," he stated and looked into my narrowed eyes. "I apologize."
"Indeed, you have upset me, sir," I smiled sweetly. "And to avoid repetition, I will end our conversation for now." The older man nodded his head and it was then I turned my attention to Kagome.
Her wide eyes stared at me as I grinned.
"This little gathering is becoming old fast," I said. "How about a drinking game?"