Doll face

Sometimes…when life gives you lemons find some oranges and kick the lemons away. That was one of the stupid and pointless things that my mother used to say. But she was right. Sometimes…you can't just take what life gives you, you need to find another way, build another rode. Choose another path. And I learned my own way…about how not to accept fate if you don't like it and change it. When I was little, I used to whine a lot…my mother was frustrated and shouted at me for it. I would always end up crying but you know what? I knew ever since I was little…that I deserved everything my mother gave me…and she would never yell at me for any stupid reason. I grew up that way. I prepare to pass that line on to all my kids…if I ever have any. My mother is not here today, so I use her old sayings and tape them to the walls of my room…I look at them every night when I go to sleep so they are imprinted in my mind…never left me since. Because ever since my mother died…I knew she was preparing me, ever since I was little. Preparing me to not rely on others and think more about you. Selfishness is a bad trait…only when you use it at the wrong time.

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"Madame! All the wine has been stored and ready for use." Kohaku informed as Kagura regained her composure from the little yelling she had. "Good…now I want you to go to Hakudoku's and help lift some bags of grain and rice…we need them to make sake and of course all the girls want sake…" she said sweat dropping. "Oh well then…go!"

With a nod, Kohaku ran down the stairs and out the door towards the market. Hakudoku was the central shop of a plantation out of town at the country side. The plants get harvested and get sent to the store for selling.

The store was right past the market and well…the market had lots of people. Normal townsfolk all dwelled there some selling to make money and some buying to get a plate of decent food on the table. As Kohaku made his way through the crowd…thoughts of the past returned to him as he stared at all the people he…supposedly recognized from the old days.

When he was just a year or two younger, he was just one of those beggar boys on the street. But as you know…how can he survive on generosity when he could steal?

His dad was a great blacksmith in Kyoto but soon he was slaughtered by people wanting this strange and old sword from his shop. As the blood dripped onto the floor and the murderers left, Kohaku came out from under the bed obviously shocked. His eyes turned to the sword hanging on the wall and was threatened to ruin it…but those memories of his father treasuring it and cleaning it everyday haunted him and he couldn't. Instead, he grabbed it and ran with the few coins he had.

As a child, he was not going to survive out there and was quickly robbed leaving himself with the sword. He has kept it in his days of begging but one night…when he made the mistake of stealing from Madame Rose's shop, she found him.

Her exact words were "You should not steal from someone…but be proud that someone is willing to steal something from you…"

Kohaku never really knew what that meant…until he found the pride in capturing beggars stealing from the wine cellar. He realized, stealing was not something to be proud of…but having someone steal something from you…that was of much value, made you feel better. Because what they were trying to steal might've been the wine that you strained to carry from across town. And that kind of made it worth it.

Ever since, Kohaku developed a very strong bond with Rose never leaving her side being a very loyal person. And Rose was nice...Kohaku had deep respect for her.

As he looked at the beggars, he took some of the few coins he had for himself and offered it to a mother and child because he knew how hard it was for them to just get a scrap of meat…not to mention the child was still indeed a child…and how could Kohaku let him suffer like he did? But the world was filled with unfortunate events…too much for him to actually handle.

As he made his way back pushing a wagon full of rice and grain, he saw a carriage go through the market. It was a little box fit for a person lifted on two long sticks that were carried by four people and three people leading the way on horses. Kohaku tried to move…but the old wagons were hard to move for him and the carriage had to stop.

He was nervous as the man in the middle looked down at him with his cold golden eyes and tried to explain but another male beat him to it. "Move it you little brat…before we call people to beat you…"

Kohaku glared at his threat and once again tried to speak but another voice was heard…coming from the carriage.

"Nii san…you said you wouldn't hurt anyone in front of me…"

The male who threatened the boy looked insulted at the girl's comment but kept his mouth shut crossing his arms. Kohaku was stunned at the voice…a cheerful volume, a sweet sound and how come people listened to her? He could tell that the males were older than she was judging by the voices…who was she? Before he could stare more at the shadowy image of the carriage, the middle male stepped down from his horse and went over to Kohaku pushing the wagon away.

"Don't block the way…" he said coolly before getting back on the horse and left.

Kohaku looked back at the carriage slowly disappearing through the crowds a light blush forming on his cheeks as he remembered that voice. Soon, he shook his head and started to push again afraid that Madame would punish him from being late.

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Madame Rose was still currently working and occupying herself with all the girl's needs. Not like she wanted to. The girls needed to go shopping for the great event…kimonos and make up were all needed and well, Madame Rose couldn't deny them when they had to look presentable. Then came the supplies. Lanterns, fire crackers and dancers were needed not to mention food and refreshments. Those all had to be paid for and well…Money management was all her job. She sighed as she went through the money records in her book a calculus by her side.

Her fingers moved up and down through the keys and wrote down information with a paintbrush like object.

She recently went to a fortune teller around town and he said it wouldn't rain that day…she hoped it would be true. It would be truly depressing if they had to cancel the party.

"Souta!" she suddenly yelled.

Another young boy walked in piles of papers in his hands. "What do you need Madame Rose?"

She sighed rubbing her temples. "Where is the list…?"

"Which list?"

"The member list boy! Hand it to me!" Souta was used to that. Being a person under Rose was always okay…unless she starts yelling signaling that she was frustrated and stressed. So, Souta quickly handed her a list and wanted to leave but remembered something. "There is another group of people that will be attending…they are under the list as Rin Taisho, Sesshomaru Taisho, Inuyasha Taisho and Koga Taisho." With that, he quickly left not wanting to get another yelling.

Kagura nodded examining the list as her eyes fell on Sesshomaru Taisho and Rin Taisho. "Ah…what a nice visit…humph…let's see who these people are next time…" she said slightly amused. In reality, she did now who they were…she did know where they wanted to go…and she also knew that the girls were going to be pretty excited about it. This was going to be quite enjoyable…let's just all hope the group can make it on time…people who are late would have to suffer consequences…but these punishments were actually what the people came for…and everyone took it like a man. For the beauty of her girls were too important for some light punishment.

Well here you go…my second chapter of the wonderful Virgin Mary. You might have noticed that I added some fluff for Kohaku. As for whom the girl was…you will eventually find out…and some of you obviously have. Now, this one was longer than the first chapter so appreciate my hard work and review got it? Well…until next time I guess.