So the last time I posted something on this website was a suuuper long time ago and the entire publishing system has changed…. So I apologize for the lack of any kind of disclaimer or intro -_-'….
Any way… I already had the first chapter written up when I posted the Prologue yesterday which is pretty much the only reason why this is going up so quickly.
NOW THAT MY RANT IS OVER!
HI! How you guys been? Missed me? ;) Probably not, because OMG I was awful about updating anything. But real talk guys: I left because of some nasty comments that were left on one of my stories. I understand wanting to critique grammar or point out obviously misspelled words. What I don't understand is someone telling a 15 year old girl that her story was complete shit and that the apple didn't fall from the sucky tree (referring to Tokyo Mew Mew, an anime which I hold near and dear to my heart).
So, now I return, 22 and strong willed. All I ask is we keep it nice. If you don't like my writing, don't read my story!
Wow that turned into another rant…
Well, on a positive note, here's Chapter One!~
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA (BELONGS TO RUMIKO TAKAHASHI)
I ALSO LAY NO CLAIM TO BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (BELONGS TO THE DISNEY CORPORATION)
Enjoy the show! J
Chapter One: Enter Kagome
Kagome stretched and sighed as she walked the path to the village from the small shrine she tended to with her grandfather. Nothing beat the smell of fresh mountain air first thing in the morning. She swung the basket in her hand carefully so as not to spill its contents.
She inhaled deeply as a new scent tickled her nose. 'Except, perhaps, the smell of fresh steamed mochi!' she mused as she came upon the first of many small shops that signaled the beginnings of the little village.
"Good morning mister Ueno!" Kagome greeted the old mochi maker with a bright smile before eying the day's assortment of freshly made mochis.
"Why hello there, Kagome!"
Her eyes fell upon a batch of soft, pink mochis. She gasped at the color. "Mister Ueno! However did you manage to achieve such a lovely shade of pink?"
He tutted his tongue. "Dear girl, you know very well how!" He chuckled. "Using the boiled water of the very flower you suggested."
Kagome laughed aloud, covering her open mouth with her free hand. "Well I am quite delighted to know that my reading hobby has proven useful in aiding you, at least. That book on wild herbs and flora I borrowed from mister Endo's shop was simply fascinating!"
Ueno looked at her strangely before shaking his head and sighing. "I can honestly say I will never understand why that grandfather of yours thought it wise to teach you to read. But never mind, for it has indeed aided me greatly. Make sure to find me more flowers for different colors next time you go foraging." He placed a neatly folded cloth package in her basket before shooing her on her way.
Kagome never could quite grasp what everyone's stigma was about her being able to read. Written word brought her such great joy: it was a way for her to escape the banality of her life as a shrine maiden.
She picked up a corner of the cloth and saw the pale pink mochis inside. She smiled to herself and thought she should share them with Grandfather when she was done in town. She waved thanks to the man as she continued further into the village-proper.
Kagome enjoyed listening to the sound of the small village waking to start the day: the store setting out their wares and goods, the families eating breakfast. She began to hear her name being mumbled in hushed tones and tried her best to avoid the judging eyes. Though every once in a while she would catch snippets of conversations regarding 'that crazy old man who thinks he has spiritual powers.'
Kagome sighed to hear the villagers speak of Grandfather in such a harsh way. After all, he was the only family she'd had for the past fifteen years: when she was six years old, her parents were slaughtered by a group of human bandits and she barely escaped to Grandfather's side. Sure, Grandfather was eccentric at times (always), but he was also the most caring person in the world.
Before Kagome knew it, she was at the entrance to Endo's book store. She gently lifted the hanging door and glanced around the shop.
"Mister Endo?"
THUD.
She looked just in time to see a large pile of books shudder and flop to one side revealing a small elderly man with thick glasses. "Kagome, my dear!"
Kagome hurried to his side and helped him to his feet. "Mister Endo, what were you doing covered in books?"
"Oh don't you fret on my account." He dusted himself off and stretched his back. "I just fell asleep while reading."
Again?
Kagome stifled a chuckle and pulled a book from her basket. "Well, I've come to return the book I borrowed."
Mister Endo accepted the book with a shocked look on his face. "But you just got this yesterday." He scratched his head, gauging the thickness of the book and trying to figure just how fast she could read.
"Well, I could barely put it down. Have you gotten anything new?" She stepped carefully over the pile of books from which Endo had emerged and began scanning the ones lined on the shelves along the back wall.
He laughed. "Not since yesterday."
"Then I'll just take…" Her hand stopped on one book and pulled it of the shelf. "This one!"
Endo looked at the book in Kagome's hand. "That one? But you've read it twice!"
Kagome turned to him with a huge smile on her face. "Well it's my favorite! Far off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, a prince in disguise!"
"Well if you like it that much, why don't you keep it?" He smiled fondly at the young woman.
"Oh, no, I couldn't possibly-" She attempted to push the book back into mister Endo's hands.
"No, I insist."
"Well thank you. Thank you very much!" Kagome waved her thanks and left the store. She excitedly opened her new book and began devouring the words as she walked through town to sit beside the well in the center. She sat peacefully for a while, picking out the best scenes. She let out a happy sigh, finally finding her favorite: the one where the heroine meets the disguised prince. She held the pages to her chest, hoping to absorb the words into her being and somehow bring the events to life.
A chorus of shrieks echoed around her. Confused, she looked up to see Naraku.
"Oh, good morning, Naraku." She smiled at him cordially.
"Right, 'good'." He plucked the book from her hands. "How can you read this? There aren't even any pictures." He flipped haphazardly through the book.
"Naraku, please give me my book back." She held out her hand. He sighed before dropping it into her hands.
"Honestly, Kagome, when will you stop making me wait and marry me?" His already dark eyes seemed to darken even more.
Kagome sighed and rose from the ground, dusting the dirt from her yukata. "Oh, I don't know, perhaps once you learn how to treat me as something other than a piece of meat?"
"Kagome, be reasonable." Naraku followed her through the market as she bought fresh vegetables and fish. "I dare you to find a more eligible bachelor than I."
Kagome couldn't argue his reasoning… he was literally the only bachelor in town. But he did have his merits: he was handsome with long wavy black hair and a well chiseled face, well-liked by all the townspeople, and he protected the village from demonic attacks so he was physically capable.
"What man could possibly be more capable of handling you?" He winked at her!
"And what precisely makes you think I need handling?" Kagome felt as he was comparing her to some wild horse he'd found in the forest that still needed taming. "You're still treating me like a piece of meat."
"Well, aren't you the feisty one." There it was again: that darkness taking over his eyes. It unnerved her. "Don't you think we're made for each other? Me; the dashing young defender of the town. And you; the beautiful young shrine maiden with the most intense spiritual power for miles?" He sighed contentedly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Talk about a power couple."
"So, what you're saying is: you want my powers." She shrugged out of his grasp.
"Of course not, I did say you were beautiful, did I not?"
"And you think I'm pretty. Wow, great marriage strategy." She stopped and turned to look at him. "I'm sorry but I have no intention to marry anyone right now, let alone you." Kagome turned back around and made her way home.
.: with Naraku:.
Naraku watched Kagome's back as it disappeared into the crowd of villagers.
"Kagura."
A young woman appeared by his side. "Yes, Master."
Naraku's eyes gleamed with joy. "Make the preparations we spoke of earlier. We must motivate the young shrine maiden to hasten to my arms."
Naraku heard the whisperings of a group of nearby village women. He could feel them gazing at him longingly. He smirked at their noises.
"I don't see what he finds so attractive about that odd girl." One of the girls, Yuka, turned to look at her two friends before continuing. "She's just so strange. What girl our age can read that well? And those weird powers she has?"
One of her friends nodded, crossing her arms across her chest. "And who does she think she is denying our perfect Naraku? The nerve." That one was Eri.
The third friend had her hands cupping her face, gazing dreamily at him. "He's just so dreamy." And last but not least, Ayumi.
He found it so ironic that these villagers never once noticed that Naraku had drifted into town exactly one day before Kagome and her grandfather had taken up residence in the shrine. They merely saw it as coincidence.
Naraku smirked at the girl's giggles as he passed them, ever the dashing protector. 'Little do they know the plans I have in store for this village and its inhabitants. They're so easily agreeable when faced with a handsome visage.'
The three women batted their eyelashes at him as if further cementing his thoughts.
"Now away with you Kagura, you have much work to do." He waved his hand at his beautiful minion. She bowed her head and disappeared.
.:With Kagome:.
Kagome arrived at the shrine quickly with her hurried pace, anxious as she was to put distance between herself and Naraku. There was a bonfire burning in the center of the pavilion around which Grandfather was dancing and chanting a mantra.
"Grandfather, I'm back."
"Ah, Kagome, quick; come assist me in this cleansing." He waved her over enthusiastically. Kagome shook her head and set down her basket before joining him. "How was the village?"
"Busy as usual." She began copying his motions, dancing around the perimeter of the massive bonfire. "I got a new book."
"That's nice dear."
"Grandfather… do you think I'm odd?" Kagome frowned as she continued her motions.
"You? Odd? Never!" Grandfather waved around a talisman. "Why don't you settle down, start a family? There's that one fellow in town… oh, what's his name…"
"Naraku?"
Grandfather did a little jump. "Naraku, yes! What about him? He seems nice."
"If by nice, you mean conceited and rude and obnoxious and… " Kagome closed her eyes and attempted to calm herself. "Oh, Grandfather, he's not the one for me."
They ended up standing beside each other. He picked up a small bowl of white powder and presented it to her. "Quickly, child, grab a handful of these cleansing salts and cast them into the flames."
Kagome did as he said, holding the handful of salts in her fist a moment to bless them with her own spiritual energy. She threw the salts into the flames and watched as the entire bonfire turned the soft purple of purification.
"You did it!" Kagome was astonished: this was the first time Grandfather had successfully created something that even her own strong powers could make effective.
Grandfather picked her up and spun her around. "I knew it! I've finally done it!"
Kagome giggled as he set her down.
"It's settled then." He wrapped the bowl up in a cloth he'd pulled from his haori. "I must report my findings to the priest's association immediately! Prepare the horse while I pack my things, dear girl."
Kagome nodded and went to the stables to saddle up Buyo, their horse, and hitch him up to their small wagon. By the time she was finished and leading Buyo out of the stables, Grandfather was exiting the house with a huge sack stuffed with his belongings. Kagome bit back a giggle as she watched a few things slip out of the sack. He hefted the sack into the back of the wagon and climbed up to the seat.
Kagome picked her basket up from where she had set it. She reached inside and pulled out a mochi from the package before handing Grandfather the package. "Here, for the road."
He thanked her and accepted the package, tucking it beside himself on the seat. "I'll be off then!" He grabbed the reins and snapped them, starting Buyo off to a gallop down the path. "Wish me luck!"
"Good luck!" Kagome waved him off before heading into the house herself. Since she had the house to herself she decided to sit by the hearth and read her new book.
.:Outside the Shrine:.
Naraku stood outside the shrine, smiling, as he watched the old man disappear down the road. "How fortuitous." He chuckled to himself. "Kagura."
The woman appeared before him. "Yes master."
"How go the preparations?"
Kagura smirked as she rose from her kneeling position. "Complete, of course." She gestured to the gathering of villagers arranged for a wedding ceremony.
"Good." He clapped his hands together, taking in the sight. "Now all we require is the bride." Naraku made his way to the house and rapped his knuckle on the door.
.:In the House:.
Kagome sensed his presence even before she heard his approaching footsteps. She flinched in anticipation when she heard the knock and tried to stay as still as possible. 'Maybe if I ignore him, he'll just leave.'
Knock. Knock.
"Kagome, I know you're in there, I saw you going in."
Kagome sighed. "Just a moment, please." She put her book down and took her sweet time answering the door. She opened the door.
"How can I help you, Naraku?" Kagome faltered when she realized that he was wearing an elaborate set of wedding kimonos.
"You can help me by marrying me." Naraku pushed past Kagome and walked around the small hut.
Not this again. Kagome sighed and closed the door. "If I do decide to marry you, and that is a big if, what exactly would I even get out of it?"
She watched as he leaned against the far wall. "Well, children, for sure. I would require at least ten. All boys, of course." Kagome glared at him. "Okay fine, one girl but that's it. You'd live under my constant protection from demons and humans alike. You'd also have the honor of calling this remarkable specimen your husband."
Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could anyone be so deluded as to think that this was the offer of a life time like Naraku made it out to be? Could anything he just said really be referred to as a benefit of marrying him? "Naraku, I don't even know you. Why on earth would I marry someone I don't even know? I'm sorry, but I'll have to pass." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Now, please leave."
Naraku scowled and approached her menacingly. "You will regret this day, woman." He opened the door and turned towards her. "The day you turned down the hand me: Naraku."
"Well, maybe you should find someone more deserving of your love, because clearly I don't." She watched his scowling face disappear behind her door and listened closely as his footsteps receded into the distance. "Why, the nerve! As if I would meekly submit to a life of domesticity when there is so much in this world that I need to explore."
.:Outside the Shrine:.
Naraku smirked as he walked towards the villagers. "My apologies, good friends, but it appears the ceremony shall be postponed: the bride says she still has several preparations to make on her end." He smiled a handsome smile and waved as the villagers made their ways back home. When the last of them was out of earshot, Naraku summoned his minion.
"Kagura, I think it is time we arrange for a little accident to happen to Kagome's dear old grandfather." His handsome smiled grew wicked.
The woman smirked and bowed. "Of course, I have just the right accident in mind."
.:With Grandfather:.
Grandfather creaked down the road in his little buggy, whistling a jaunty tune, when Buyo drew to a sudden halt at a fork in the road.
"Let's see here…" Grandfather pulled out his map and studied it warily, tracing the trails with his fingertips. He glanced back up at the two paths: to the left, a brightly lit road with the happy sounds of birds; to the right, a dark road with an ominously thick fog. He consulted his map again and discovered that the bright path was thrice as long as the foggy one, seeming to circle around a large building which he couldn't make out due to the fading in the area. He debated awhile, glancing back and forth between the map and the two paths before him.
There was a sudden gust of wind which seemed to drag him in the direction of the dark path.
"Well, there's no denying a sign like that!" Grandfather chuckled and steered Buyo down the dark path. Buyo hesitated at the entrance. "Don't worry, Buyo old boy, I'll protect you from any danger with my immense spiritual powers!"
Buyo whinnied before finally starting forward onto the path.
They were almost halfway through the path without too much occurring: the occasional bat shooting across grandfather's field of vision, the hooting of an owl. They were coming upon the weathered gates of a westerner's castle when they heard the baying of a pack of wolves.
"It's okay Buyo, they won't bother us." Grandfather patted the horse's rear, reassuringly.
Buyo shook his great mane.
That's when they saw the glowing yellow eyes staring at them through the tree cover.
"Easy, Buyo, steady."
Three wolves leapt from the trees, and honed in on Buyo. Buyo reared and Grandfather was thrown from his buggy. Grandfather lay sprawled face first on the ground. He looked up just in time to see Buyo being chased back the way they'd come by the three wolves. He sighed and got up, dusting the dirt from his robes.
There was a low growl from behind and, deeming it safer to not turn around and see the wolf that was about to attack, Grandfather headed straight for the gates to the castle. He was barely inside when the wolf crashed against the gate he was closing. Grandfather recoiled in shock, almost landing on the ground again.
"Phew, that was a close one." He turned to the castle. "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to see if anyone's home." He chuckled before starting up the stairs that lead to the main door. He was huffing by the time he reached the ornate double doors and had to take a second to regain his breath. Placing a hand to his heart, he steeled himself before pushing one of the doors open.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" There was no answer. Grandfather entered the hall and looked around: there really wasn't anyone here.
The door creaked closed behind him of its own volition, causing him to jump.
There was the sound of a man's chuckle followed by the sound of a female shushing.
"I can hear you!" Grandfather walked further into the hall. "Please, I don't mean any harm, I was just attacked by wolves and my horse has run off. I really need someplace to spend the night."
There were two figures standing in the shadows.
"-if you want to incur the master's wrath-" The female voice was stern.
"Please, what wrath-" The male voice was light hearted.
"You know very well-"
Grandfather approached the figures while they argued amongst themselves.
"Oh, hush, he's practically a puppy-"
"Who's a puppy?" grandfather peered over the shoulders of the two people, trying to gauge what they were talking about.
They both jumped.
"Oh, goodness!" Grandfather jumped back; shocked by their shock.
"Wonderful job, Miroku! The master explicitly stated that we are never to reveal ourselves to outsiders and what do you do?" The female had her arms crossed over chest while she glared at the man she had referred to as Miroku.
"Relax, Sango, it's not like he can actually do anything about it and besides, the old man just needs a place to stay the night, he'll leave first thing in the morning." Miroku patted Sango on the shoulder before turning to Grandfather, who was still staring at them in shock. "Old man, come, let us get you something warm to eat." Miroku placed his hands on grandfather's shoulders and began pushing him gently in the direction of the kitchens.
Sango sighed and shook her head before following.
Grandfather's eyes shot around as he took in the grand interior of the castle, which was barely visible underneath the cobwebs and dust. The young monk led him into a sitting room where a fire was roaring in an ornate, gilded fireplace.
"Why don't you rest here while Sango and I whip you up something warm to eat?" Miroku gestured to a high backed lounge chair. Grandfather hesitated before sitting in it, he couldn't deny that he was freezing and the chair was the most comfortable thing to have ever graced his back-side.
"Have we guests?"
Grandfather turned his head at the new voice. A woman about his age was standing in the doorway, pushing a trolley with tea and small finger sandwiches. She was a kindly looking woman with an eye patch over her right eye.
"Kaede! Perfect timing, please serve this nice old man some tea while I go fetch something delicious from the kitchens." Miroku disappeared out the door, dragging an extremely protesting Sango along with him. Kaede smiled and shook her head.
"It is a pleasure to meet thee, might I interest ye in a cup of green tea?" Grandfather was stunned at the old woman's antiquated way of speaking but nodded none the less.
Kaede smiled at him kindly. "All right, Shippo, time to test your skills."
A small red headed fox demon appeared from behind Kaede and glanced up at grandfather warily. Grandfather gave the small boy a reassuring smile even though he had no clue what was going on. Shippo's face lit up with a huge grin and he jumped from behind Kaede. With the careful clumsiness of a child, he poured hot water into a tea cup and sprinkled in some matcha powder. He grabbed the tea whisk and began mixing vigorously.
Grandfather bawked. "Child if you whisk it so vigorously the cup is sure to-"
There was a small cracking noise.
Shippo sat there, shocked, holding the tea whisk in one hand and the chipped cup in the other.
"Granny Kaede, the cup broooooooke!" The child bawled, rubbing at his eyes.
Grandfather picked up the cup and inspected it while Kaede consoled the child. He took a sip of the tea and smiled. "What a wonderfully mixed cup of tea."
The child sniffled as he pulled away from Kaede. "You really think so?" There was snot running from Shippo's nose. "You really think so, Grandpa?"
Grandfather smiled to be referred to so, it reminded him of when he first took Kagome in. "I do."
Shippo smiled once again. "Did you hear that, granny? My tea was great!"
There was a sudden, cold, gust of wind.
Grandfather glanced between the two servants faces, trying to figure out what was going on, when he heard a low growl right beside his head. For a moment, he thought the wolves had somehow made it into the castle. He slowly turned around to see a young man of Kagome's age with splendid silver hair and glowing golden eyes, a scowl marring his soft features. His eyes traveled up the young man's head where two white dog ears sat.
"Why is there some old man sitting in my chair?" The man spoke in the same tone he growled, low and dangerous.
"Master InuYasha, we can explain!" Miroku and Sango suddenly reentered the room, pushing trolleys full of food. InuYasha rounded on them.
"What explanation could you possibly have for feeding him my food?"
Grandfather reached up and tweaked one of the white dog ears. "They're so soft."
InuYasha froze.
"Have you no common sense, old man?" InuYasha roared before slapping Grandfather's hand away. "How dare you even think to touch me?"
"I'm so sorry; I don't know what came over me." Grandfather starred at his hand. "Are you some kind of dog demon?"
InuYasha growled again. "You dare to enter my castle, sit in my chair, eat my food, and ask me questions?" Grandfather yelped as he was grabbed by the front of his haori and dragged from the chair.
"Master, please have mercy, he just happened to stumble across the castle after he was attacked by wolves, he means no harm." Sango pleaded as she and Miroku followed InuYasha.
Grandfather held onto the man's arm as it was his only leverage.
"Mercy?" InuYasha scoffed and continued dragging him down a long corridor and into a dark, dank dungeon below the castle. "I am showing him mercy." He sneered at the old man before tossing him into a cell and slamming the door shut. "I could have thrown him back to the wolves." He dusted his hands together and disappeared down the hall, his servants following.
"What on earth just happened?"
.:With Kagome:.
Kagome hummed to herself as she swept the grounds of the shrine. Fall was finally here and there was delightful chill to the air. She found herself hoping Grandfather had packed some heavier clothing before he left.
There was the sound of crunching leaves and wheels turning over earth.
Kagome's eyes shot up to see Buyo charging up the path at full speed. "Buyo!" She was excited, Grandfather was home.
Buyo drew closer and Kagome realized that the buggy was rider less. She dropped her broom and ran to meet Buyo, grabbing his reins and patting his muzzle to sooth him. "Buyo, what happened?
Where is Grandfather?" She looked the horse and buggy over trying to find any clues as to what happened. 'Bite marks? And wolves, at that.'
"Oh Grandfather, please be okay!" Kagome unhitched the buggy from Buyo and climbed onto his back. "Let's go find him." She kicked into his sides swiftly and they were off down the path, following the trail Buyo had left on his return.
They rode for several hours, stopping intermittently to drink water from a nearby brook or to munch on some berries. Finally, they were at the castle gates. "Is this it?" She slid off Buyo's back and approached the gates, pulling on the reins to make Buyo follow. She pushed open the gate and saw one of the mochi's she had given grandfather laying on the ground. "Oh, he must be here! We did it, we found him!" She guided Buyo fully into the courtyard and closed the gates behind her. "You stay here,
Kagome was in awe of the structure before her. She'd seen western houses before in her travels with Grandfather, but those were nothing compared to this: stone block structure, gargoyles on the parapets, a grand staircase leading up to a set of tall wooden double doors with ornate carvings. This was like something she had seen in a book.
Her hand hesitated over the door knob before twisting it and pushing the door open.
"Hello?"
The entrance hall was empty except for a side table and long rug running the length of the hall.
"Is anyone there?" She glanced around, peering into the shadows. She heard the sound of hushed voices and light footsteps on stone floors. "Grandfather, is that you?" She hurried towards the sounds but there was no one there.
She sighed and continued searching. "Hello, I'm looking for my grandfather. He's very old and very lost. Please, I need to find him." She starts up the staircase in the main hall, holding onto the
.:In the Shadows:.
Miroku and Sango stood a little ways away.
"Well, would you look at that: a girl?" Miroku grinned at his compatriot.
"Yes, she is a girl, well done." Sango patted Miroku's shoulder.
"No, don't you get it? Master InuYasha needs to fall in love to break the curse, and for that he needs a…"
"Swift, friendly kick in the rear?"
"No, love, a girl. Specifically, that girl. Doesn't she seem different to you? When have you ever seen a young woman bravely enter a spooky looking castle such as this? I think she might be the one to break the spell."
Sango blushed prettily at his use of her pet name.
"Come; let's lead her on a little chase." He winked at her playfully, before creeping through the shadows.
. : Back with Kagome : .
Kagome silently followed the sounds that were leading her down a long corridor into what looked like a dungeon.
"Hello, is someone there?" That voice was familiar.
"Grandfather!" Kagome rushed to the source of his voice and collapsed in front of his cell, clutching the bars. "Grandfather, what happened? Why are you in this cell?"
"Kagome, it's wonderful to see you! However did you find me?" Grandfather smiled as if being in the cell was no big deal. "Oh, before I forget: there's a beautiful young man here, but boy does he have a temper!" He laughed heartily. "Why, there he is now! Hello, beautiful man!" Grandfather waved up at someone behind Kagome.
"What are you doing here?"
Kagome felt the demonic presence and slowly turned around. She could barely see him in the darkness on the dungeon: the only light source being a small skylight in the stone ceiling. She could sense something else about him when she reached out to him using her spiritual powers: he was definitely a demon, but something was blocking his full powers.
"Who are you?" Kagome squinted into the shadows at the figure that had appeared there.
"I'm the master of this castle."
"Then could you please release my grandfather? I'm not sure what he did wrong to end up in here, but I'm sure he didn't mean any harm, did you Grandfather?" She eyed grandfather, begging him with her eyes to agree.
"What, me? Oh I did everything intentionally. I never do anything halfway, my dear, you know that." Grandfather laughed.
"Grandfather, you aren't helping!"
"Enough!"
Kagome jumped at the voice and turned to look at the shadow again.
"You are both trespassing, but the old man offended me."
"Grandfather!" Kagome rounded on him. "What did you- Never mind. Whatever he did, please just release him, he's old and frail."
"He looks pretty spunky to me." She could hear the smirk in his voice. He wasn't lying: Grandfather was spritely for a man of his age.
"Please, I'll do anything."
The figure scoffed. "There's nothing you can do, little girl, he's my prisoner now." The figure turned to leave.
Kagome huffed to be referred to as a little girl. "Wait!"
The figure stopped.
"Take me instead."
The figured turned towards her. "You would take his place?"
"But this cold stone is great for my circulation!" Grandfather was pouting. Kagome glared at him.
"If I did, would you let him go?"
The figure was silent for a moment, seemingly mulling it over. "Yes, but you have to promise to stay here forever."
"Can I see your face?"
The figure hesitated before stepping into the path of the light streaming through the skylight.
Kagome gasped, Grandfather was right, he was a beautiful man: long silver hair, golden honey eyes, and soft features marred by his deep-set scowl. She finally understood what was going on… he was under a curse. 'Interesting.'
"See, I told you he was beautiful!"
"Grandfather, I have eyes, thank you."
"Well, have you made your decision?" He was getting agitated.
"I agree, I will stay here forever."
"Fine."
Kagome collapsed again, dreading the situation she was in. She was sure it would be hard work.