(A/N: Alright! Here I am with another new story idea. I recently got back into the Inuyasha fandom because of one of my favorite Bleach/Inuyasha crossovers. I rewatched the anime, and it…did not age well. It was mediocre at best. I do enjoy the premise and there's nothing wrong with a 'turn your brain off', straightforward plot, but some characters I do find really annoying. That said- I read some fanfictions- and I do enjoy the twist- no matter how slight or small- they make to the overall plot. So I'm trying my hands at it, and seeing where it goes. This would also be my first time writing in first person POV. Anyway, enjoy this new story. I don't own Inuyasha or any other anime that might be referenced in this story.)
Mirai Fukumoto
The air was damp, humid, and slightly stuffy. There were dozens upon dozens of books scattered across the brown, antique desk in neat piles. There were even countless more books on the shelves in the back of the large room. The books were strangely in a fairly peak condition, but- at the same time- being somewhat worn out. It emphasized that the books were repeatedly read countless times- some more than others- and were kept as neat and pristine as possible. They were obviously well taken care of.
The room was filled with old-fashioned and modern tools and devices. Each of these devices had its own unique history and purpose. But that's a story for another time.
I hardly paid attention to the heavy atmosphere of the basement. I have already been down here several times, so it does not bother me. In an odd twist, I found a morbid sense of comfort in this kinda tense, quiet atmosphere. It made it easier to concentrate.
The jewel in front of my very eyes was beautiful. The small flame from the candle on the right brilliantly illuminated the turquoise gem. The gem was placed upon a piece of parchment paper with a black-painted, intricate design of circle on it.
"Remember, Mirai, the Fukumoto family magic are the most proficient in Jewel Magic. It is our speciality and a closely guarded secret of the family," a tall man next to me explained in a deep- but necessarily gruff- tone. He wore a fancy red suit. "Jewel Magic is the transference of one's mana into gemstones. Normally- once a spell is cast- the mana needed to cast the spell automatically disperses once outside the body. However- storing the mana inside jewels prisons the flow of the mana. In other words, the stored mana inside a jewel- once released- would- theoretically- result in a bigger and more powerful version of the spell. I say "theoretically" because storing mana in jewels requires a very delicate touch and perfect control."
The man stepped up next to me as I stood on top of a tall stool. He placed a diligent hand over the turquoise gem. I felt the hairs at the back of my neck prick as I felt the heat of the man's mana flow seamlessly into the jewel. I watched in absolute awe as his mana swirled around the jewel beautifully danced around. It elegantly shrunk and expanded, twisted and turned- being guided by the effortlessly movement of the man's refined hands and fingertips.
"Your mind should always be calm, cleared, and focused," the man spoke in a smooth, firm, serious tone befitting a stern teacher. The mana fluttering around the gem were like graceful ocean waves being the alluring gravity of the moon, which were the red suited man's adroit and poised hands.
I couldn't keep my green eyes away from the fantastic display before me. I stared and stared with the childlike wonder and amazement of a young child gazing at the colorful and dazzling lights of a Christmas tree. The gem started to tremble and shake violently.
"Never lose control, else the mana would rebound back to you. Too much power in the wrong form would endanger you and those around you."
I observed in awestruck fascination as the turquoise jewel shifted and twisted, reshaping itself to a jeweled statute of a miniature pegasus.
"Always remember that magic is neither good nor bad. Magic is merely the means of doing something mundane through supernatural methods." I listened to the man's lecture with rapt attention. He clasped his hands behind his back.
The man took his hand away from the now winged horse shaped gem. "Strive to constantly be observant, vigilant, and cool-headed. A Fukumoto would never let their emotions dictate their actions. We face trials and obstacles with logical thinking and rational decisions. As the daughter of the prestigious Fukumoto family, Mirai, you should compose and conduct yourself in a manner that is prim, proper, powerful, and elegant."
That's right.
I am Mirai Fukumoto. The tenth generation and 9-year-old daughter of the powerful, noble, and prestigious Fukumoto family. For generations, the Fukumoto family has been a family of mages that specializes in Jewel Magic. I am heiress of the Fukumoto family- therefore- I would eventually hold the future of the proud and noble Fukumoto family in my hands. Meaning I have to behave and carry myself in a manner befitting the Fukumoto heiress.
Prim, proper, powerful, and elegant.
I watched the man gingerly pick up another turquoise gem and place it on the Magic Circle, replacing the pegasus he recently crafted with his mana alone. "Now you try, Mirai," he instructed me, taking two or three steps to give me room. "Let's start with the basics, and simply transfer and store your mana in the jewel before you."
The man dressed in a lavished and fancy suit- instructed me on my very first lesson of our family's Jewel Magic was my father, Chimon Fukumoto. My father was the ninth generation heir and current head of the family. My father was a serious and sophisticated man who always presented himself in a refined and dignified manner. He was a tall and slender man with dark brown hair and green eyes- which I have inherited- except my eyes were a few shades brighter than my father's.
My father was a typical mage in his early 40s. A confident, cultivated, traditional man who prides himself in his craft. He would continuously tell me that a mage must pursue their goals and ambitions with ruthless pragmatism. The one and only objective of a mage born of a mage family was to improve our brand of magic, and make sure it lives on through future generations- no matter what. That's why self-preservation was our number one priority. We are not simply living for ourselves, but for the future generations who would eventually inherit and carry on our family's magical craft. It would be unforgivable for us to die before we could pass on the secret arts of our magic to the next successor. My father strictly believed in pursuing one's goal no matter what- even if it meant making a few sacrifices.
My mother- Sonia Fukumoto- who wasn't here with us right now as I began my first lessons as a mage- was a beautiful, intelligent, and kind woman. She was incredibly affluent in three different languages- Japanese, English, and French. She's also particularly skillful in healing magic. Her marriage to my father was an arranged one. I did not think much of it back then because- to my 9-year old eyes- seemed to love each other and get along fairly well.
But now that I think back on it, a part of me began to believe my father married my mother because he needed a successor to take over the family's magic craft, and my mother had… special genes- so she was considered a perfect candidate to be my father's wife and bear him an heir. I wondered if they even loved each other back, yet they do seem to genuinely love each other now. Perhaps- at some point during their marriage- they grew extremely fond of each other.
That's mainly it. The Fukumoto family consists of just the three of us. My father- Chimon- my mother- Sonia- and me- the daughter and heiress of the family- Mirai. Generally, most mage families are small like this because there could only be one successor in a family at a time. Only one child could fully inherit the full extent of their family's magic- nurtured, cultivated, and constantly improved through the generations. One of the reasons- and perhaps the most important ones- was to prevent a crisis of successorship and infighting over family magic inheritance. There is a reason why only one member of the family would be the successor of all their family's magic.
But that's an explanation for another time.
My home was a large Western-style mansion in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo. Being the current head of the Fukumoto family, my father was the Wisteria Proprietor of Tokyo- meaning we were in charge of the magical activities that go on here. No other mages or mage families were allowed to set foot in or leave Tokyo without my father's say so. At the time- I didn't exactly know how the process worked- and mages were granted permission. It would be easier to think of the entirety of Tokyo, Japan being the Fukumoto family's territory.
Our family was not the only Wisteria Proprietors in the world. They were a handful of other noble and/or powerful mage families who were in charge of their own regions around the world as well. I heard the Zephias family was the Wisteria Proprietor of Strasbourg, France.
The Fukumoto family were not the only mage family in Tokyo, Japan. There were a couple of other families too. We were the only ones in the Shinagawa section of Tokyo. There was a mage family living in one of the neighboring cities whose bloodline was on the decline.
Once again- I'm getting ahead of myself.
I felt my forehead beginning to become drenched in sweat. I concentrated on pouring my mana into the turquoise gem just as my father had shown me. I could feel my Magic Circuits heat up as my mana flowed through them. I focused solely on letting my mana gently flow into the gem.
My eyes were tightly closed to help with my concentration, so I couldn't exactly tell how the gem was reacting. However, I could hear the gem rattle violently, and felt vicious sparks of mana flying everywhere.
This only caused my anxiety to rise. I wanted to impress my father, so I was hoping to get it perfect on my first try. I was already messing up, and my uneasiness at screwing up a relatively basic task was growing.
My father's perpetual silence was nerve-wracking. With eyes closed and back towards him, I could not tell what he was thinking as he watched my struggle. I was his daughter- the next heiress- so- for that reason and reason only- I could not afford to fail at this.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Maybe someone up in heaven heard my mental plea, and decided to annul my appeal.
I heard the jewel crack and break apart. I flinched, biting back a cry of pain as I felt my palms harshly burn from the rebound. I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was the jewel cracked into many pieces. I quivered my lips, feeling my eyes burn at my failure. But I dare not cry. I was the Fukumoto heiress.
I gaze up at my father dejectedly, waiting for him to sternly scold me for my failure. My father's expression was as stoic as ever. I could not tell whether he was disappointed with my failure or fully expecting it.
Silently- he placed his hand over the broken pieces- channeled his mana through him. I instantly watched in marveling delight, my eyes sparkling with breathtaking wonderment as I witnessed the broken jewel reforming itself as if it was never broken in the first place.
"A mage must deal with their emotions in a calm and controlled way." I listened to my father's lecture on my mistake with great intent. "They must never let their emotions rule them."
My father's eyes met mine, and I couldn't look away from the intensity of his gaze. "Mirai, you let your anxiety and doubts get the better of you. That is unacceptable."
My face deflated as he continued to firmly scold me. I could feel hot tears burning at the corner of my eyes, but held them back. If I cried, that would make my father even more disappointed in me.
"As a member of the Fukumoto family, you must possess a relentlessly strong mental fortitude, unwavering composure, and unflappable elegance. You are the Fukumoto heiress. The next head of the family. You must never show weakness. Your will and resolve must be as strong as iron."
He clasped his hand behind his back- turning around- so I was facing his back. He took confident, powerful steps towards the back of the room, probably searching for something on one of the shelves.
"Remember, to be self-assured, authoritative, and unyielding in both presence and mind… That is what it means to be the successor of the Fukumoto family."
These were one of the first lessons my father taught when I began my magic training. Lessons I have taken to heart.
Briiing. Briiing.
I cracked my eyes up, feeling disgruntled at my annoying alarm clock. I groggily reached my hand over to my light blue vanity, and angrily slammed my hand down on the godforsaken white, rounded alarm clock- ceasing its constant yelling.
My arm fell limply at my sound. I was too tired to get up. However, I had no choice. I had school today.
With much reluctance, I sluggishly crawled myself out of bed.
I had a large and luxurious light blue and white bed. The cotton rich bed sheets were a pure white color. The light blue, plush blanket was warm and soft to the touch. Feathery, fluffy, light blue pillows were spread out against the white headframe. Finally, light blue curtains with white fringes hung overhead.
Truly, it was one of those extremely fancy beds a person would see at any rich person's house.
I couldn't stop the loud yawn that escaped my lips, and stretched my tired limbs. I can't believe I dreamed about a memory that happened eight years ago.
"Geez, sometimes I hate mornings," I muttered to myself irritably.
I was up pretty late last night, sorting through the last of my father's will. After deciphering the code to the safe, all I found was a small, white and yellow bag with a red string attached to it. I don't know what it's used for, but I could feel the strange presence of mana encircling the item- meaning the bag was magical in nature. I made a mental note to figure out what the bag was used for later. By that time, it was already 2 a.m. I only had a few hours to sleep before school because I had to wake up by 6:30 in the morning. I'd examine and test the Magical Artifact another time.
When I fully stood up on my legs, my long, pink sleeping gown draped all the down to my ankles. I groggily rubbed the side of my head, my dark brown hair following in long tresses behind- reaching down to my hips.
I could not stay here forever- even though it's only been a minute or two. I needed to get ready for school.
I headed towards my huge, white closet, and opened it. I instantly saw my school uniform hanging above, and grabbed it without a second thought.
Afterwards, I stepped out of my bedroom- silently closing the door behind- and headed down the hall towards the bathroom. Since I was the only one living here in the Fukumoto mansion, it was impressively large yet- at the same time- unbearably empty. I have gotten used to the still, quiet, lonely atmosphere of this huge mansion. To the point that it doesn't bother me anymore. It was still rather… bothersome nonetheless.
Because I lived alone- many of the rooms were left alone and unattended for many years- and that's what bothered me. The wasted space gets on my nerves, but I don't dwell on it much. It is what it is.
The bathroom was two doors away from my room- on the adjacent side of the hall- and entered it.
The entire room was relatively big. The walls of the bathroom were a pearly white color, and the tiled floor was the same color. The sink was where anyone would expect- on the north side of the room, several steps away from the door. The sink's counter was a flawlessly pure white. The faucet and the rims of the counter were shiny gold in color. The large mirror on the wall was spotless, and had a golden frame with a floral embroidery design.
The counter was filled with the usual bathroom accessories. My toothbrush inside a golden-yellow cup that matched the same color as the faucet and the mirror's frame. A half-empty bottle of toothpaste. And some lotion and makeup. Basically, what a person would expect in any girl's bathroom. There was a vertical long, light oak brown colored wall cabinet with a golden knob next to the mirror. The cabinets under the sink were the same color.
On the floor were fluffy blue bathroom rugs with a light brown on nature-like style design on them in front of the counter, near the shower area and bathtub, and in front of the toilet. The toilet was rather simple in design. It was a normal, sparkling white toilet- nothing extravagant about it. The toilet paper rack filled with a roll of toilet paper was on the left of it- hooked on the side of the counter cabinet.
On the far right of the room was where the disconnected bathtub and shower was. The porcelain white bathtub was basically tacked to the floor. In other words- a person could walk a few steps- and practically fall inside the tub, if they weren't paying attention to where they were going. Adjacent to the bathtub was the shower area. The metal pole with the long shower head extended by a cord was attached to the wall. Next to it was a white shower shelf nailed to the wall. The shower area was hidden behind a see-through sliding door that had black frames around it.
Separating the bathtub and shower from the rest of the bathroom was the long, white shower curtain. The curtain had a golden-yellow intricate design. I was not much of an art enthusiast, but even I am amazed at the delicate texture and artwork of the design. It appeared to be autumn leaves fluttering in the cool autumn breeze with a nice, comfy-feeling pile on the bottom. Although, I don't really bother to close or ever use the curtains because I'm the only one living in this mansion. There was a metal towel rack with a white towel next to the bathtub, and both the trash bin and an empty, clothing blue bin were below it- a few inches to the left. Lastly- directly next to the towel rack- was a blue, woven, three-section, medium-length wall shelf.
I placed my school uniform on one of the empty shelves, and quickly brushed my teeth. I undressed out of my sleeping gown, and neatly folded it and put it on another empty shelf. I grabbed my lavender-scented shampoo and conditioner and my liquid bottle of soap, and started towards the shower area.
There was really no particular reason for which one I chose- the bath or the shower. Mainly- I choose the shower- if I'm looking for a quick clean because I'm in a rush to go somewhere. I do take my time to thoroughly cleanse myself. I am not one of those neanderthals who get in the shower, get wet, and immediately get out. I do like to be and feel clean. I am the Fukumoto heiress. I must be exceptionally presentable at all times!
I am a prim, proper, powerful, and elegant mage.
But there's no denying that I also really enjoy a nice and relaxing hot bath every now and then. Hot baths are a huge stress reliever. It just feels really nice to take a soothing, hot soak, and completely forget about the outside world. Even if it's only for several moments. At that time, I am not Mirai- the cool, reserved, ideal, perfect, straight-A honor student- or Mirai- the prim, proper, powerful, elegant mage. I am just Mirai.
Some of my preferences may seem weird to some people. I don't really care though.
I turned off the shower and stepped out. Grabbing the white towel hanging over the rack, I wrapped it around myself. Ah~! I feel totally awake and refreshed now.
It was not long afterwards that I was dressed and ready for school. My school uniform consisted of white, button up top, a navy blue blazer, a navy plaid bow tie at the base of the collar of the white shirt, a navy plaid skirt, black tights, and a pair of brown loafers.
It was unfortunate that I could not wear my favorite pair of earrings. The earrings were blue with gold trimmings. It had a small loop with a floral shaped design base and a teardrop hanging down. The only reason I don't wear it at my school was because it was against the school's regulations. But I tend to wear it everywhere else.
My hair was done up in a very elegant style of two looping pigtails that were kept in place by small, green ribbons at the back of my head with dark brown tresses of hair reaching all the way down to my waist. I had strands of hair braided on both sides of my head leading to my pigtails. My bangs perfectly framed my heart-shaped face with the left side of my bangs clipped back by an expensive-looking blue double flower, rhinestone hairclip that my mother left me. It was the only memento I had of her. It was only things I had that I could remember her by- besides my memories.
My father left a few things for me as well. However, they are a bunch of Magical Artifacts that I can't exactly take with me outside the house.
The minute I came downstairs- once I had by black school bag packed and everything- I checked the time on the grandfather clock. It was a little bit past 7:10. The only saving grace I had was- since I wasn't in any clubs- I didn't have to come to school at 7 a.m. each day. So… I had some time to cook a small breakfast before I left.
I decided to fix myself a plate of biscuits and rolled egg omelet along with a nice, hot cup of oolong tea to down it all. I entered my kitchen with its colors consisting mostly of royal blue, white, and gold as far as the eye could see. I pried open my clean, white refrigerator, and checked the inside- making sure I had the ingredients for the omelet and biscuit. Smiling to myself- feeling quite pleased- I grabbed the ingredients and kitchen utensils I'm going to use to cook them with, and got to work.
I am not as good a cook as my mother. At least, I don't think so. But I am fairly good at it. Although- while I highly doubt my cooking would be any good as my late mother's- I am getting by. I am learning and improving bit by bit.
I checked one of the top cabinets- the one where I kept my boxes of exotic tea. I have all assortments and different brands of tea. If there's one thing I absolutely love in this world, it's tea. I have a whole collection of exotic teas from all over the world. My favorite kinds of tea are the sweet, fruity kind. Other tea connoisseurs may consider my taste buds to be crude and unrefined. They might scoff or sneer at my choice of preferred tea. They would opt for the more "sophisticated taste" of slightly bitter, rich-flavored tea.
But I could never fathom the enjoyment of noxiously pungent flavors. If a person says I have infantile taste buds for my penchant of sweet-tasting teas, then I'll say they have the taste buds of an utterly dull old man for their fondness of bitter ones.
Honestly, I would join the tea club at my school. Sadly- due to my bust life as a mage and head of the Fukumoto family- I could not engage in mundane activities. Not with ordinary non-mages. I keep a respectable distance away from regular humans, so they won't become curious and pry into my private life.
Enjoying my breakfast in the antique-looking dining room, I glanced around my house. I don't want to go into too much detail of the decor- otherwise- we'd be here forever. And wasn't anything particularly special, besides being impressively huge and extravagant. But that was the decision of my predecessors. The walls, floors, furniture, etc. were various shades of blue, white, and gold with some other colors like purple, red, and black mixed in here and there. Nothing but European-style mansion as far as the eyes can see.
I finished my breakfast and packed the plates up in the kitchen's sink. I'd clean them later. It was already past 7:30. If I leave any later, I'd be late.
Grabbing my school bag, I left my house- locking the door behind. I muttered a French chant underneath my breath, activating the barrier around my house.
The Fukumoto mansion was layered with numerous barriers around the vicinity. The magical barriers surrounding the mansion were all decades and decades of security measures constructed by the Fukumoto family throughout the generations. They each have their own unique function. It would be easier to think of them as various security alarms. One such alarm prevents regular, non-mages from going near my house. It's a hypnosis- a subtle mental suggestion telling them to stay away.
One major rule amongst mages was that magic must be kept in secret and hidden from the outside world at all times. At any cost. That's the number one rule in the Magic Society. No witnesses. Period. It's the one rule I take great effort not to break, which is why I am always extra careful when I practice my mage or act as the Fukumoto heiress.
I hate the rule. Really. But it is necessary. So… I can't really complain. I just try really hard not to get ordinary people involved in my mess, or there'll be lethal consequences if they do.
The public must never know the existence of magic or the supernatural in general. No expectations.
I took a moment or two to study and admire the beautiful, luscious garden surrounding my house. "Hmm, perhaps I should call the gardener sometime," I mumbled quietly to myself, noting how a few of the hedges were overgrowning around the black fences. I made a mental note of it for later. Right now… I had school.
The weather was quite nice today. I warm, gentle Spring breeze. The sky was clear with a few clouds in sight. The morning sun shone brilliantly in the sky. The temperature was nice and pleasantly warm today. The birds were already singing their morning songs.
As expected, there were quite a few people up and about this morning- which isn't exactly surprising. They were either adults going to work, or kids and young teens- like me- making their way to school. Some of them wore the same uniform as me.
I crossed the Kamome Bridge, taking a moment to admire the large, beautiful lake below as I strolled by. There were several students- wearing the same uniform as me- going in the same direction as I am.
I turned left at the intersection up ahead. I didn't interact with any of the students heading to the same school as me. Although- I could feel a few nervous, shy glances in my direction- none of my schoolmates approached me either. I was used to the stares. It was no secret that I had many admirers- both boys and a few girls. I was the cool, reserved honor student of my school after all. I was smart, athletic, and super popular.
I am not toting my own horn. Just stating facts from overhearing students' gossip about me. Frankly, I never cared for my popularity. I just presented myself as a self-effacing and impersonal yet graceful and sophisticated girl while I was at school to prevent people from getting close to and knowing the "real" me. If that equates to students and teachers looking at me with respect and admiration, then so be it.
I could hear the bustling of the city coming to life. Cars flew by down the streets. Stores, cafes, and bakeries were open. I could smell the wafting through the air via the open door. There was a bakery I would often stop by sometimes because I take great delight in their strawberry tarts.
I was able to make it to school in time. I am lucky my school was only a 20 min walk from my house. So- thankfully- I was not late.
The school I got to was Shiroihana Academy. There was no particular reason why I got to this school- other than convenience sake. It was no different than any other normal high school.
Silently- I made my way past the school's gate- gracefully walked towards the front door of the school in even, confident strides. When I entered the halls, students were talking amongst their friends or already heading to their classes. There was less than 5 mins until the first bell rang. Morning club meetings should have ended by now.
Without breaking stride, I headed up the stairs to the 3rd floor. I don't really have any close that I could call a "friend". I had acquaintances, but no friends. So, there was no point in stopping for idle chit-chat.
My homeroom was class 3-B, and I headed in the direction the class was. The class was already half-full by the time I entered it. Students were gathered in small groups at random desks, talking among themselves. Wordlessly- I plopped down on my seat by the window- waiting for class to start. It wasn't long before the first bell rang.
"Ms. Fukumoto? Would…? Would you like to have lunch with us today?"
A girl with short, black hair and brown eyes had approached my desk, carrying a bento box in hand. Her cheeks were flushed a very light shade of pink out of timid nervousness.
The girl's name was Sakura Hamada. She was the manager of the school's tennis team, if I recall. I don't know too much about her. Sakura was a shy, polite girl with a strong sense of responsibility.
"Sorry, Hamada. I didn't bring my lunch today. I was planning on eating in the cafeteria today." I respectfully declined her offer.
"Oh…" She deflates in disappointment. Then her expression morphed into one of surprised wonder. "I didn't know you ate in the cafeteria, Ms. Fukumoto."
I smiled at her innocent astonishment. "It's not everyday. I think the school is serving curry today, so I figured I should grab that to eat. I quite enjoy it."
Sakura's brown eyes seemed to sparkle with curiosity. "Curry? That's a Western cuisine!" She smiled. One that was littered with venerated admiration. "That's really unexpected, Ms. Fukumoto."
I tilted my head curiously. "What's unexpecting about it?"
She fiddled with her fingers nervously, eyes glancing downwards. "Well… I didn't think you were the type to enjoy Western food. You always seem so elegant and refined. I would think a person like you would enjoy traditional Japanese cuisines." She waved one hand in a placating manner as if she feared I would be angered by her comment. "Uh, no offense."
I simply smiled. An elegant smile of a proper lady. Hands gently clasped forward, head neatly cocked slightly, and everything. "None taken. While I do quite enjoy Japanese food, I also like Western and Italian meals as well, Hamada."
"Oh! I really get going." I clap my hands together, apologetically. "Sorry. Maybe next time."
Politely bowing my head slightly- I left the classroom- aiming to head for the cafeteria before they ran out of curry. I faintly heard Hamada wishing me to enjoy my lunch break, but didn't bother to offer her a response. I was too far away for her to hear me at this point. And shouting across the hall would be undignified of me.
Luckily, I was able to make it in time. I was seated at a lonesome table, quietly enjoying a plate of curry. I also had side dishes of bean sprout salad, wonton soup, and a can of milk tea.
I was thankful that I could enjoy a quiet lunch in peace. Most of the time, I bring my own lunch and head to the roof of the school to eat. I usually prefer a solitary lunch with only my thoughts to keep me company. Nobody dares to come to me- not because they were frightened of me- but because they were frightened of what others would do, if they dared to come near and be overtly friendly with me. I don't know how it happened, but I became what a person may call an "off-limits, forbidden fruit" to nearly the entire student body of the school. It was some sorta unspoken rule to never ask me out. People still do though. Secretly and privately, of course. However- I never thought to do something about it- for I never cared.
At this rate, I am just going through the motions at school. There was nothing of noteworthy importance happening in or around the school. And since today was a Friday that meant I was free tomorrow. Well, "free" as in "no school" because it would be Saturday tomorrow.
There was a place I wanted to check out during the weekend. I needed to take a bus to the Ito district of Tokyo. There's a mysterious well on the outskirts of the town. The well possesses the essence of having a potent spiritual constitution. It was centuries ago when her family discovered that the area surrounding the well sits on top of a spiritual leyline. And since the location of the well is in Tokyo in general, it falls under the Fukumoto family's jurisdiction to oversee it and keep it in check. Basically watching over the area to make sure nothing… supernatural happened. There was a barrier placed around the general surroundings to keep non-mages from entering. But that was about it.
My ancestors had tried constructing a stronger magical barrier, but that had resulted in a horrible rebound. For some inexplicable reason, the strong, natural spiritual nodes of the environment reacted poorly to the outside interference of magic. I would often go to check the area, and reinforce the barrier every 5 - 6 months or so as part of my duty as the Fukumoto heiress.
The reason I'm going to check out the well is because it's been acting up lately. I am not sure why, but I have been sensing something strange and ominous lately. It's… hard to put it in words… Something was telling her- some sorta sixth sense was warning that something dangerous and foreboding was penetrating the atmosphere, and it had something to do with the well.
I don't know why I felt this way. Nothing had happened for centuries. I could merely be paranoid. I… just got a sense that something was wrong. I can't tell what nor could I explain it. The uneasy feeling in my gut would not, and has been getting unsettlingly sharper as the months went by.
I've been checking on the barrier more often simply to calm my nerves. But- no matter how many times I went to reassure myself that nothing was wrong- the perturbing feeling would never go away. It's nearly the same way birds sense a storm hours before it happens by feeling the change in the wind. I was almost getting that exact sensation.
Lunch was over and the rest of the school day went by pretty uneventfully.
As I was climbing down the stairs- school bag in hand- I was busy pondering what to do about the well tomorrow. Since the well was in Ito- the next town over- I have to take a bus ride over there. I could walk there- however- it would take over an hour and a half to reach there by foot. It's more convincing to take a 20 minute bus ride. Buses aren't free- of course- but… I have more money than I don't know what to do with. So it wasn't a big deal.
Oof!
Without my noticing, I accidentally bumped into someone. I had managed to catch myself by planting my hand on the railing. But the person I bumped into wasn't so lucky.
The girl I bumped into had unnatural green hair that reached just below her shoulder blades and matching surreal green eyes. She wore a red bow at the back of her head. I instantly recognized the girl. She was Miki Kisaragi. A first year, meaning she was two grades below me.
I saw her occasionally at times. Kisaragi was a very introverted girl to say the least. She was shy and timid and rarely talked to people. The girl didn't exactly carry the picture of being "the happiest person in the world". She tended to keep her head down, and stay out of the way most of the time. She hated confrontations and avoided conflict whenever possible.
She rarely expressed herself, and her gloominess didn't really click well with a lot of students in the school. Her odd hair color didn't help matters either. With all the brunettes in the school, she stuck out like a sore thumb.
I heard a rumor one time that the principal made a pretty deal about it- thinking it was dyed or whatever- which I thought was silly. And I had caught a couple bullies picking on her for her "different color hairstyle". And let's just say… They wouldn't dare show their faces at the school again. I mean, really. What pathetic low lifes gang up on a person in order to flaunt their arrogant misplaced sense of superiority?
She has been getting better lately though.
At least… That's what I hear. I don't know the exact details, and I don't care enough to pry. I have… a certain policy of not sticking my nose into other people's business. I am not that naive or good-natured.
…
I stared at her dumbly. My mind drew a blank on what to say as I stood there awkwardly.
Eventually, I held my hand out to her. "Here, let me help you." It was only the polite and proper thing to do.
She gazed at me in utter surprise. She probably just now noticed I was there.
Several awkward seconds passed- and I was about to take my hand away, thinking she didn't want my help- until she gingerly grasped it.
Her eyes flashed with sheer gratitude and happiness beneath an underlying layer of stunned disbelief. "Uh, thank you," she spoke quietly as I easily hauled up onto her feet in one fluid motion. "Sorry I ran into you, Ms. Fukumoto."
I shook my head. "No, it's my fault, Kisaragi. I should have watched where I was going."
…
A brief silence flooded by the two of us. Kisaragi wasn't much of a conversationalist, and I tended to talk to people either when they came to me first or when necessary. However- and this might be somewhat out of character of me- but I couldn't exactly leave her. Kisaragi looked like she was heading somewhere, if she was going up the stairs. The least I could do was escort her. For bumping into her… and everything…
I had noticed the stack of papers in her hands. She must be heading to one of the teachers' offices on the upper floor. I couldn't exactly see what was on the papers, so it was hard to deduce which one.
"Are you heading up to one of the teachers' offices?" I asked her point blank, not beating around the bush.
Kisaragi nodded her head shyly, offering me a joyful yet diffident smile. "I was heading over to Mrs. Inaba's office. She said that there were a few mistakes on the math test."
I smiled. "Mrs. Inaba can be a bit of a scatterbrain at times," I said light-heartedly. "Let me walk you there."
She was caught by surprise by my offer, judging by how her mouth gaped open. Holding the papers tightly to her chest, she attempted to wave her hand bashfully. "Oh, no. That's okay, Ms. Fukumoto. There's no need for you to go out of your way to help me. I'm sure you are quite busy."
Kisaragi was starting to ramble sheepishly.
"It's not out of my way at all," I told her gently. "I was not really doing much anyway, so I can make some time."
It was not necessarily a lie. I was not doing much once I got home. After doing my weekend homework, I was planning to pack a small bag for my trip to Ito tomorrow. I needed to sort through my stockpile of usable magical jewels- of course- and determine which ones to take with me.
"Okay." A tiny smile spread across her lips. Kisaragi was radiating with happiness. I was kinda confused as to why, but I didn't question it.
Or rather, I tried not to think too much about it.
The scene was nothing more than an upperclassmen lending her underclassmen a hand. So I stomp those pestering, fluttering feelings in my chest out.
There was no need for me to feel nervous and awkward, I mentally scolded myself. I simply found her shyness endearing. That was all.
It's not good for a mage to get attached.
My father taught me that.
I should never let my emotions control my actions. I knew what he meant. Emotions weren't necessarily a bad thing. All intelligent, sentient beings have them. Being intelligent nearly equates to being self-aware of one's emotions.
However, it was extremely vital for a person- especially for a mage- to know when and where to act on their emotions. They should meticulously examine the situation, and pick the most rational solution while also being aware of the emotional responses of the people around them- appealing to the nature of humans. After all, people would find a person acting as a cold robot all the time unsettling.
There should be some sorta counterbalance between emotion and logic.
Emotions should be carefully analyzed, understood, and controlled to prevent rash and impulsive decisions. A person should not necessarily dismiss emotions as useless sentimentality. They merely should not let their emotions dictate all their actions. It could lead to short-sighted actions that may have negative consequences later down the line.
I- for one- have never been the type to be ruled by my emotions. And I'm not starting now.
So… I steeled myself, squash the nagging feeling away- composing myself.
I politely smiled at Kisaragi. I slightly tilted my head backwards in a gesture. "Let's go."
Quietly, I led Kisaragi up the stairs.
My mind wandered to what to do about the well tomorrow rather than the task at hand. It's been so weird lately.
"Well- whatever it is- it's probably nothing," I mumbled to myself under my breath.
Little did I realize at the moment… I was wrong.
So, so wrong.
(A/N: That's the end of the first chapter! Hoped you enjoyed it.
The next chapter is when the plot officially starts. This chapter is just establishing Mirai and her life before the plot kicks it. So you guys can see and maybe sympathize with the old life she may have to protect and/or sacrifice once shit starts going down. Though I wasn't really expecting the first chapter to be this long. Maybe went a bit overboard with background details and such, perhaps? Been reading way too much visual novels lately, and their slow, drown-out prologues. Sorry for that.
I had put a lot of thought into my OC. And this is what I came up with. Yes, Mirai is a mage. So, she won't start the series as a weak damsel in distress. She knows how to fight and hold her own. I honestly got really tired of 'sit' commands. But I do know Inuyasha deserves sometimes, especially in the beginning. But I wanted to have an OC put him in his place without resorting to using it. Inuyasha would still have the Beads of Subjugation- of course- but it won't be used as frequently though. I just got tired of [as a couple of fanfic reviewers nicely put it] raging bitches in Inuyasha stories. There's a difference between standing up to Inuyasha and telling him off, and being a raging bitch! I prefer the former, thank you.
Yes, Mirai is also a noble. She's a mage noble. She's a rich girl. An orphaned rich girl. But a rich girl nonetheless. I have honestly never seen a modern-day rich/noble OC get transported into the Feudal Era. A lot of times, OCs are just another typical average teenage girl- no different from Kagome. Or OCs are either Kagome's sister or just plain replace Kagome and take over her life- living in the Higurashi Shrine and all that. I wanted to try something a bit different. I did this to make my OC stand out more.
This would definitely lead to a different dynamic between Mirai, Inuyasha, and the rest of the cast. Being that- technically- Mirai is a noblewoman [well, not counting Inuyasha since most people- in-universe and out universe don't count and/or forget that he is- technically- nobility or person who lost his nobility just for being born the way he is] in a group who are… lower-class than her. In other words, Mirai is going to be pretty busy dealing with school, the Magic Society, and hunting for jewel shards in the Feudal Era. So… Look forward to that! And more! I can tell you guys I am definitely looking forward to the Inuyasha/Mirai interactions! Oh…! Can't wait! One of the reasons it got my interest in writing this story.
Honestly, I'm trying to make an Inuyasha/Mirai relationship vastly different from Inuyasha/Kagome and Inuyasha/Kikyo. I am not going to encourage or discourage the Inuyasha/Kagome vs. Inuyasha/Kikyo debate. You like what you like. I know, Inuyasha/Kagome is… officially… canon. But- to me- Inuyasha/Kagome and Inuyasha/Kikyo are both canon. I was fine with the whole reincarnation thing… [I still think the whole "Kagome is Kikyo's reincarnation" is explained so poorly]... but aren't they fundamentally the same fucking person? I know they are significant people in a sense, but- at the core- they are the same person. It's the whole nature vs nurture thing when it comes to Kagome and Kikyo. Especially, when you learn that Kikyo's wish on the jewel when she died was to live a normal life in her next life, and to be with Inuyasha again. It was the same feeling I got with Naruto. How the story establishes Naruto as a talentless underdog who's trying to become the greatest ninja ever through sheer determination, hard work, and perseverance. But then you learn that he is reincarnation of one god's sons, and he's fucking related to almost every important historical figure in ninja history. That's the same vibe I got with Kagome. Kagome exists and has the life she's living because Kikyo simply wished her to. Does Kagome truly love Inuyasha? Or is Kikyo's lingering feelings for him affecting how Kagome feels for the guy, and she doesn't even know it? The anime never dwells on this kind… existential stuff.
I though I will say Inuyasha/Kagome sometimes annoy me as fuck. I don't… dislike the pairing, but I don't like it either. At first, I used to like the pairing. But when I went back and rewatched the anime, I just found the couple so annoying. Maybe I realized the only reason I liked the pairing because I thought of how funny they were. Like "Hahaha! Look, they were arguing, and she ended up "sitting" him again! Hahaha! Funny, right?" But when I rewatched it, the comedy got old and tiresome real quick. I have many cons and pros about the couple, but I'm not going to bother. I'm sure you guys heard the same stuff plenty of times from hardcore Inuyasha/Kagome lovers and Inuyasha/Kagome haters all the time. But I do agree with one person's neutral perspective on Inuyasha/Kagome is that both Kikyo and Kagome bring out the best in Inuyasha and yet the absolute worst in him in different ways.
The absolute one thing I hate about the Inuyasha/Kagome pairing though is how- whenever they get into an argument- Kagome runs home to sulk and completely refuses to go back unless Inuyasha comes to get her. It's like she constantly, constantly wants to be validated that Inuyasha still cares for her. It is so fucking pathetic. It's sad and pathetic. It's like Kagome centered her entire self-worth on whether Inuyasha truly loves her or not. I can understand if Kagome had a "dark and troubled" past, and Inuyasha was the first friend she made- or something tragic like that. But no! She's lived a normal life, had a normal family and friends, and does normal things before the beginning of the series. There's nothing tragic about Kagome's life at all. Yet, Kagome acts like she can't be complete unless Inuyasha loves her. It's so fucking pitiful. It shows that she's nothing but a sad, pathetic, spoiled brat.
I don't mind if people tell me they love the Inuyasha/Kagome pairing. It's fine. It's cool. I can see why they like it. But when they freaking say that they want a relationship like Inuyasha and Kagome's, I just look at them like they said the stupidest shit ever. They do realize that- in actuality- how toxic the relationship is, don't they? It's great to enjoy it because it's an anime. It's not real. But if it actually were real life, they are a step away from a breakup, a divorce, and/or one or both of them being charged with domestic abuse? People realize that, don't they? I always tell people don't emulate things you see in anime and take it as guidance in what to look for in a relationship in real life! Inuyasha/Kagome is basically 80% fighting, 20% sweetness. Please, people! Please! It's okay to like the pairing. That's fine. But don't use it as a guide in how relationships operate and should work. It's one of the most unrealistic relationships out there, especially coming from an anime that isn't too dark, gritty, and edgy. And I'm not talking Inuyasha being a half-demon and Kagome being a human, and- of course- it's unrealistic. I'm talking about how they both function as a couple. They are extremely dysfunctional. I just can't believe that there are people out there who actually do or think to use Inuyasha/Kagome as guidance. Naruto/Hinata, Minato/Kushina, and Ichigo/Orihime is a more realistic pairing than Inuyasha/Kagome would ever be. One of the important things about relationships- that I think more younger people tend to forget- is compromising. And Inuyasha and Kagome sure as hell don't know how to do that.
I also heard hardcore Inuyasha/Kagome fans try to explain how similar Inuyasha and Kagome are because they are both desperately seeking a purpose in the world. First off, no. Hell no! I do agree that some aspects of their personalities are somewhat similar, being that they are both impulsive, extremely jealous, short-tempered, bull-headed, immature, and insensitive [Yes, there are moments where even Kagome can be insensitive. It's mostly due to her naive and ignorant view of the world, but she still says some pretty insensitive things] brats. Like 80% of all teenagers. Surprise, surprise. Only difference- Inuyasha outwardly shows while Kagome keeps it on a down low unless irritated or annoyed- which I find not that hard to do. It's not really hard to tick her off. But both of them "desperately seeking a purpose in life" as to why they are so similar? No. Fans are just picking straws at this point. Extremely desperate straws with no substance whatsoever. I can understand Inuyasha. Hell, his whole character arc- being bullied and ostracized by both humans and demons alike, and never being accepted into society- revolves around him seeking his purpose in the world. But Kagome… no. It's just Kagome having an inferiority complex [ironically, the one made-up disease that her grandpa conjures up that is- in a sense- actually true], not her looking for a purpose in life. There's a difference.
I have nothing against Kagome, honestly. I'm more neutral towards her, but I am sure as hell not afraid to call out her flaws when I see them. I'm not a hater or lover. I just look at things from an objective viewpoint. Both Inuyasha and Kagome are immature, short-tempered brats in my opinion. But- at least- Inuyasha has the excuse of his terrible childhood. What's Kagome's excuse? If she flies off the handle at the slightest slight, then clearly she has never been out in the real world. She acts like a spoiled brat finding out for the first time how unfair life is sometimes, and then whining about how unfair it is.
The anime suffers from a lot of double standards that I am trying to avoid. And in no way I am indulging in it in this story. So, I'll let the record know that- for most part- the story is told from Mirai's perspective. Therefore, you guys are seeing the world through Mirai's eyes. All thoughts and opinions in the narrative are Mirai's and Mirai's alone. Unless stated otherwise. You guys know what 1st person POV is, right? I don't have to explain. You guys see what Mirai sees. You guys don't see what Mirai doesn't see. That's the short gist of it. The story would mostly follow Mirai. So- in other words- there might be some scenes that Mirai won't be in. In that case, pretend that the plot of the storyline is mostly the same. Except just replace Kagome with Mirai.
This is my goal for this story. My goal is to make Mirai her own complete character. I want Mirai to want Inuyasha in her life, not to need him. You should never need someone to date you. You should want them to. They are not responsible for your emotional stability and/or your personal happiness. That's why I found Kagome's relationship with Inuyasha so… poor. She always felt like she needed Inuyasha in her life because she's that pathetically desperate.
Of course, the story may follow canon for the most part. But since Mirai is not Kagome and the Higurashi family in general doesn't exist, some things may change. I just got back into Inuyasha fandom, so I'm not trying to be overly ambitious with this story. The one thing I do find annoying about Kagome's character- compared to the rest of the cast, even the supporting characters- is how stale and boring she is. She's like a shoujo protagonist stuck in a shonen series. And not one of those good shoujo protagonists like Yona from Yona of the Dawn or Shirayuki from Snow White with the Red Hair. But those 80s and 90s shoujo protagonists that do nothing but get kidnapped all the time and wait for their love interest to come rescue them. A fucking "damsel in distress" type of shoujo protagonist, who make their entire self revolve around getting their love interest to notice them. I'm trying to avoid that with Mirai at all costs!
Basically- with Kagome- it's a "what you see is what you get" kinda thing. If you like her personality, you would like her. If you don't like her personality, you won't like her. She hardly changes or goes through any character development throughout the entire show. So, if you end up hating her while watching the first season, then you are going to hate her for the rest of the show. If you end up liking her during the first season, you are going to like her throughout the rest of the show. It's that kinda thing. Compared to other characters, Kagome is very, very stale. She doesn't have Inuyasha's character development of going from a villain protagonist to an anti-hero. Or Sesshomaru's character development of learning compassion. Or Kikyo's character development. Or Kagura's. In comparison to the more colorful cast- Kagome is a pretty stale character- and I feel bad for her in that aspect- because it felt like the creator didn't know what to do with her [other than simply making her Kikyo's reincarnation and calling it a day].
Mirai would ultimately have a different dynamic with Inuyasha than he did with Kagome and Kikyo. Admittedly, their relationship would be a bit rocky in the beginning because Inuyasha is an absolute jerk and… Mirai isn't exactly a picture of a perfect saint either. But they would eventually see the value in each other and what they each offer to bring to the table, which would in turn- hopefully- lead to a romantic relationship. That's it in short order. Of course, it's a bit more complex than that, but I don't want to get into too many details about it. You guys are just going to read and follow the story, if you want to see how Inuyasha and Mirai's relationship progresses.
That's it! Like, comment, and review, please! And thanks for reading!
P.S. Anyone got any good Inuyasha/OC fanfics to read? There are so few. And the ones I do find are so fucking terrible! It's so obvious that they are written by edgy teenage girls. And the older ones are even more obviously written by edgy teenage girls who have watched too many Twilight movies. There are one or two that I found that I liked, but the rest… are terrible. I'm looking for good ones! Recommendations?
P.P.S. While rewatching the series, I cringed a lot. Everything is so… outdated. Given off infantile lessons and all that. As mid as the show is now, it still has some pretty nostalgic memories for me though.
P.P.P.S. There is no Kagome in this story. I know stories- while having an OC take over Kagome's role in the plot- still like to have Kagome in the story somehow, someway. In this story- I'll say it one more time- the Higurashi family does not exist. Nothing against Kagome, but… If Mirai is taken over her role… What's the point in having her in the story? Basically characters from the Feudal Era would be- for the most part- the same. Characters from the modern era would mostly be comprised of OCs. Though- besides Mirai- they would be a bunch of minor characters anyway- except for maybe… one or two of them.
P.P.P.P.S. I found someone who 100% completed the Fate/stay night visual novel on YouTube. So… While I am going to resume my Fate/Bleach crossover sometime, I'm watching the videos of the visual novel. Perhaps, I'll give my thoughts on the visual novel once I finish it.)