Inurella

Chapter 1: Mission Impossible

Our story officially begins with Mrs. Higurashi making preparations to snatch herself up a new husband. She went out on a mission to get a makeover to impress the fellas at the upcoming ball being held at the Musasha Palace.

She went to the local barber got herself a new haircut, and sewed herself a gown from the fabric she had been keeping in her home in a very large chest in the attic. The fabric was priceless, it was her great grandmothers.

It was embroidered with diamonds, and the thread was made out of silk-gold. The dress was light gold in color with diamond embroidery in a beautiful swirling pattern on the corset. The gown itself was made of a gold chiffon mesh that was light and flowy and cascaded all the way down to her delicate feet. After all her hard work, she came out radiant. She was already a beauty, but she wanted to tastefully update her appearance to appeal to the men these days. Her hair was long sleek and shiny, but tonight she was wearing it up in a beautiful silver butterfly pin her mother gave her.

Tonight was the biggest ball of the year. Hundreds of people were going to be there, very important people. People from all over the country, Princes, Princesses, Kings, Queens, Knights, Lady's in waiting, . Thanks to her previous profession and her relationship with the King and Queen, their family was deeply respected by everyone in the palace. So it was very easy for her to get invited to the ball.

Mrs. Higurashi came fashionably late, as was part of her plan. She elegantly stepped into the room. Everyone had already been seated, so naturally all eyes were on her. She sashayed down the stairs into the ballroom with grace and her head held high, keeping her composer.

She smiled politely and batted her eyes, as she still knew how to charm the men off their feet. She could hear whispers of jealous women with their glares staring her down as she worked the floor. Men stopped what they were doing and stared, they forgot who they were with and unconsciously slowly following Mrs. Higurashi with their eyes.

The women were outraged; they grabbed their men back from their longing gaze and slapped them with their purses. The men snapped out of it and realized they were in big trouble. However they couldn't forget the lovely image of Mrs. Higurashi out of their heads.

Many men came forward to ask the Mrs. Higurashi to dance or to see her outside the ball. None of them seemed right for her or her daughter. Half of them were married! Finally she made her way outside on the balcony to get some fresh air. She sat down on the bench and fanned herself, as it was quite a warm evening. Her plan was to make a spectacular arrival, which she managed to pull off. She looked up at the stars and sighed.

"Oh husband, please forgive me for making a spectacle of myself, but I feel this is the only way to find a wealthy man to take care of our family, even if it isn't out of love. At least Kagome will live well and be taken care of."

Just then a shooting star flew across the sky, she smiled and took that as a sign that her husband was watching and agreed with her plan.

She silently prayed to herself. "Please lord, send me a good, generous, father figure for Kagome and …Also it wouldn't hurt if he was wealthy too". She added quickly with a smile.

Just then a man with long cascading black hair and dark purple eyes came in through the doors in somewhat of a hurry, looking back to make sure no one was following. He took a deep breath and sighed.

He looked around for a place to sit and relax, not being one who preferred the company of others.

Then he noticed her.

Mrs. Higurashi was leaning against the balcony wall; she was sparkling in the moonlight and was radiating loveliness.

The man inhaled and took a deep breath and walked towards her nonchalantly trying to keep his cool. Knowing men probably threw themselves at her all the time.

"Good evening" the man said.

Mrs. Higurashi looked up at the tall dark and handsome man. She smiled sweetly and said "Good evening to you too, lovely night tonight isn't it?"

The man gently grabbed her hand and kissed it "Yes quite, but not as lovely as you".

Mrs. Higurashi looked at him up and down and smiled. "I can tell you use that on all the ladies"

The man looked taken aback but smiled "Only the most beautiful that comes across my path" he said with a charming smile.

"There you go again!" Mrs. Higurashi said laughing.

The man gave a hearty laugh and nodded "You got me, I just can't help myself seeing such a beautiful woman."

Mrs. Higurashi gave him a coy smile.

The man stiffened his posture "I really do it mean it, you are stunning under the moonlight"

She gave him a sincere smile "You aren't so bad yourself sir"

"Thank you my lady, but please call me Naraku" he insisted.

"Very well…Naraku" she bowed politely.

"Might I ask you name your miss?" Naraku asked curiously.

Mrs. Higurashi smiled and opened her mouth to say her name and…

Mrs. Higurashi and Naraku dated for quite some time, introducing him to Kagome and introducing his two daughters to them. The youngest was named Kagura, she was quite beautiful but very shy, quiet, but kind-hearted. Because of this Kikyo took advantage of Kagura's kind nature. The eldest Kikyo was indeed beautiful, but her heart was cold and bitter. Not many people who came across Kikyo's path left with a good impression of her.

Mrs. Higurashi was quite excited about having sisters for Kagome. She couldn't wait for them to live together and become a family.

Kagome was very suspicious and reserved about the whole thing. She didn't want to spoil her mother's happiness since her mother's health had been so poor. So she kept quiet and went along with the whole thing.

Time went on, seasons passed, years passed and Mrs. Higurashi's health was deteriorating quickly. Kagome spent most of her time taking care of her mother while Naraku and his daughters were out going to parties or social gatherings.

At least when Naraku and the girls returned Kagura was the only one who came to see how she was doing and helped Kagome give her medication and to make she Mrs. Higurashi was comfortable.

Kagome quite liked Kagura, but kept it to herself for now. If Kikyo knew she was getting more attention than her, she would have a fit.

There in Mrs. Higurashi's bedroom, Kagome and Kagura sat and watched over her and tended to her every need.

Mrs. Higurashi tossed and turned in her sleep and sweating profusely.

Kagura looked at Mrs. Higurashi and sighed "She's getting worse Kagome".

Kagome looked down at her Mother with great sadness and touched her Mothers face. "I know, and I can't do anything about it, I feel so helpless."

Kagura placed a hand on Kagome's shoulder "Whatever I can do, please tell me."

Kagome smiled at her "You're too kind Kagura, but I'm afraid no matter what we do, she will pass soon. Could you please ask your father and Kikyo to come in and say their goodbyes?"

Kagura's eyes got big and said "I can ask them, but ..."

Kagome rolled her eyes and clenched her fist "Tell them if they don't get here now, they will never be able to say good bye to her, and this is the last time they will see her alive. If they ever loved my mother, they will get over themselves and get in here!"

Kagura gulped "You're right Kagome; I will go and fetch them right away"

After a few minutes Kagome could here yelling, slamming, banging and crashing, and did she hear something dragging across the floor?

After a while Kagura came through the door with Naraku stumbling over himself. He straightened up and tried to compose himself. Naraku had many fears and one of them was germs. He held a cloth over his nose and mouth to keep the germs out.

Naraku cleared his throat. "What is it Kagome, I am quite busy at the moment". He muffled.

Kagome glared at her stepdad "You know very well why I asked you here. My mother, your wife for 10 years is seriously ill and may not make the night. Not once have you visited her or cared for her. Not once have you said a kind word since you found out she was dying. How dare you treat my mother this way!" she said with tears in her eyes.

Naraku was taken aback. He looked down at his shoes and felt the guilt wash over him like a damn that had just burst.

Naraku clenched his fists. "Kagome...I, I'm so sorry, I truly love your mother. I've been incredibly selfish and neglectful. It just got easier and easier to pretend your mother wasn't here. I don't know how to deal with this sort of thing."

With tears in her eyes, Kagome ran into Naraku's arms. In all of the years they had been a family not once did Kagome embrace her stepdad.

Naraku was taken aback, he wasn't used to people touching him nor did he like it when they did so, but Kagome was his step daughter and her mother was dying. He very gently placed a hand on Kagome's head and patted it. Not knowing what else to do or how to comfort her.

Kagome looked around the room. "Where's Kikyo?"

Kagura gulped. "She said she's not coming, I tried to drag her out of her room, but she just screamed and had a tantrum.

Kagome turned red from anger, but then heard her mother cough.

She began to cough and wheeze. Kagome spun around to tend to her mother.

"Oh mama, is there anything I can do?" Kagome asked sadly.

"Water...please my little one" she said softly.

Kagome rushed out of the room to fetch her some water.

Mrs. Higurashi looked to Kagura and smiled and placed her hand on her cheek. "My sweet Kagura, don't cry. You've been very kind to me and Kagome and I thank you for that. I think of you as a daughter, my beautiful sweet little girl. You and Kagome will be together from now on. Take care of each other."

Kagura gulped and tried to hold back tears "Yes mama, we will."

Mrs. Higurashi whispered to Kagura and Kagome "Would you mind leaving me with your father, I have a few words for him".

Kagura patted her new mama's hand and smiled "Ok we will be right out the door if you need us."

Mrs. Higurashi then narrowed her eyes towards Naraku "I'm disappointed in you husband. I had wished to see you many times, but they said you were too busy."

Naraku cleared his throat. "I don't know what to say darling." He said nervously through the cloth he still held to his nose and mouth.

Mrs. Higurashi rolled her eyes with what little strength she had left. "You know I'm not contagious right?"

Naraku laughed nervously "Of course Dear." He said as he patted her head much like he did to Kagome's.

Mrs. Higurashi relaxed her body. "You're an idiot Naraku, but I don't have much time to dwell on the past. I have forgiven you for your neglect and childish ways. But if you dare disrespect our daughters in any way, I will haunt you for the rest of your life. And we both know how much you hate ghosts." Mrs. Higurashi giving him a sly smile.

Naraku gulped. "I…I promise to be good to our daughters." Naraku nodded.

A few hours later Mrs. Higurashi took her final breath, she was surrounded by everyone she loved. Except Kikyo who was pouting in her room.

Five years later…

It was an early spring morning and Kagome had been sleeping on her bed of hay and straw. She was now eighteen years old and had grown into a beautiful woman, she…Wait why was she sleeping on a bed of hay and straw?

Ever since her mother died, Kikyo made sure Kagome was treated as a slave and housekeeper. She was forced to sleep in the maids chambers with the rest of the servants.

Naraku had always feared her daughter Kikyo, she was manipulative and scary. Kagura had always been bullied and picked on, but now it was Kagome's turn. She had been jealous of Kagome's brains and beauty as well as her positive attitude no matter what Kikyo put her through. It frustrated her to no end.

Naraku and Kagura tried to reason with Kikyo, but she always threatened or blackmailed them into submission. Kagome on the other hand wasn't scared of her step sister, she was scared of what she would do to her remaining family members if she didn't obey.

Naraku had his own agenda as to why he let this continue on. He liked having Kagome around, and new that if she had it her own way she would move out and he would be stuck with Kikyo. Kagura on the other hand would always stay by her father's side no matter what, he wasn't worried about her leaving.

Both Naraku and Kagura were petrified of Kikyo, and having Kagome there to defend them was a blessing, Naraku didn't want her to ever leave!

Meanwhile…

As Kagome was sleeping, her little animal friends came through the window to wake her up like they do every morning. They all gathered around her silently until a mischievous young Kitsune walked over to her and nudged her to wake up.

Kagome stirred in her sleep, and then went still once again.

"Kagooomee" the little Kitsune said gently.

"Wake up already!" he yelled while smacking her in the head.

The rest of the animals started to chirp and growl for Kagome to wake up.

"Ouch" Kagome whined.

Kagome finally opened her eyes and sat up. She glanced around the room and rolled her eyes and groaned, "Seriously you guys, you really don't need to do this every morning" she said as she flung herself back down on the hay.

The birds chirped happily and flew around the room to gather her peasant clothing. While the bunnies and squirrels were gathering her brush and wash cloth.

"I can get dressed myself" Kagome protested while stretching.

The little birds, squirrels and bunnies where whizzing past her feet and head. She walked over to the window but not without tripping over woodland creatures.

Kagome looked out of the tiny window and peered out at the castle, thinking about how wonderful it would be to live in a castle

Kagome sighed and thought dreamily, "I feel like I should be singing or something…."

Kagome stared out the window for quite some time, lost in the thought of leaving this dreadful place and into a castle where she would live like a princess.

She was then rudely interrupted by the calling of her elder step sister Kikyo.

"Kagome!"

Kagome whipped around from the window and was frantically trying to find her peasant dress. The birds were flying and chirping around her head, Kagome frantically shooed them away with her arms.

"Kagome over here" Shippou yelled over the noise.

She looked over where Shippou was. He was standing in the corner with feathers in his hair and her dress in his tiny hands.

Kagome ran over and sighed with relief "Thanks Shippou" she said as she pulled the dress over her head and patted his head affectionately.

"No problem, I had to wrestle with one of the blue jays to get it, she was going to use it for a nest" Shippou said proudly.

Kagome didn't have time to praise the Kitsune. She had to get upstairs quickly. "Thanks again" she yelled as she shut the door behind her. Kagome ran upstairs to Kikyo's bedroom and opened the doors, bracing herself for the familiar stench she smelled every day.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Keep going it gets a lot better!