Chapter 3
With the Oni finally gone, the three nopperabou came in and led her to another room, again decorated in rose hues, with dark wood accents and olive-gold floors. In the center lay a soft, inviting futon meant for two. Kagome's cheeks blazed red-hot with anger and shame. To think that Oni had the audacity to entertain the thought that they would be sharing a bed after kidnapping her and announcing her his bride.
Alone once more, Kagome slumped to the futon, mentally and physically exhausted. She wanted nothing more than to sleep, but her mind was too busy. Opening the sliding window screen, she sat staring at the glowing ships that sailed across the night sky.
It was beautiful.
As Kagome sat staring at the glowing ships that sailed across the night sky, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. The ships were unlike anything she had ever seen, with their sleek designs and bright colors illuminating the darkness. She couldn't even begin to fathom how they stayed afloat in the air.
But as beautiful as they were, Kagome couldn't fully appreciate them in her current situation. She was still trapped in this strange world, kidnapped by an oni and now supposedly his bride. It was all too surreal.
With a sigh, Kagome leaned against the soft futon and closed her eyes. She needed to rest, both physically and mentally. Dwelling on her situation would only drive her crazy.
Soon enough, she drifted off into a deep sleep.
When she woke up, it was with a sudden jolt of alertness. Her heart raced as she took in the foreign darkness. It took a moment to calm herself and focus on the strange aura approaching her room.
Pushing open the shoji doors, Kagome came face to face with a kitsune. In the darkness of the hall stood what appeared to be a young silver kitsune, but by the large number of bushy silver tails, Kagome doubted that the kitsune was as young as he appeared. A blue flame hovered above his head.
"And who might you be?" Kagome asked.
He gave a nervous laugh, holding up the tray of inari. "I'm currently the young master for Tenjinya: Ginji. I didn't mean to wake you, but I thought you might be hungry; please don't tell Lord Oodanna."
Kagome eyed him and then the food. She hadn't eaten since breakfast.
"It's not poisoned, I promise."
Her stomach answered for her, growling loudly. With glowing cheeks, Kagome opened the door wider. "Why don't you join me, Master Ginji?"
He bowed his head as he entered, setting the trey upon the low table.
Kagome gave a pleased hum as she bit into the inari sushi. It was simple, with a moderate sweetness from the sushi rice that complimented the sweet fried tofu. "I'm guessing you were the kitsune I saw in the council room?" Kagome asked after a bite.
"Yes," He smiled. "I would expect nothing less from Lord Shiro's granddaughter."
"Is this your preferred form?" Kagome asked, eyeing his child-like appearance. Her heart clenched. Despite looking nothing like Shippo, a pang sounded in her heart. His very presence filled her with longing for her friend.
"Isn't this cuter?" He asked, tilting his head to the side. "I thought if I appeared as myself, I might startle you, Lady Kagome," A mischievous glint gleamed in his eyes, his youki rising in smoky tendrils. "Or would you prefer me as a woman?" With a loud puff of smoke, the kitsune transformed from its small, child-like form into a stunning vixen dressed in an elegant white and winter blue kimono. Ginji looked like the most beautiful geisha ever to exist. Their long hair was of the purest white, and her fur shone in the light, giving her an ethereal and mysterious glow. "Is this more to your liking, Lady Kagome?" his voice was now a soft melody of dulcet tones.
Kagome chuckled lightly, trying to hide the blush that bloomed across her cheeks. "You have truly mastered your transformations, Master Ginji."
With another puff of smoke, Ginji transformed again, this time into what was most likely his usual form. He looked like an older version of the child he had first appeared to her as. His silver locks shone with a white radiance. Perched atop his head were two large fox ears, their snowy hue matching the nine long tails that swayed gracefully behind him. He exuded a charming youthfulness that softened his handsomeness. His eyes were a gentle winter blue that shone kindly.
"Thank you, Lady Kagome."
"Can you tell me why everyone was wearing a mask?" Kagome mumbled between bits; it was odd. Her grandfathers had spoken of the odd customs of the Hidden realm, but she couldn't recall why they wore masks, only that they did.
Ginji tilted their head in thought, pausing for a moment before explaining. "It's custom for the employees to hide their faces on certain occasions, like in that executive board meeting."
Kagome nodded. 'So that was a board meeting.' She sighed, "Was the meeting about me? About that Oni taking me as his bride?" Kagome spat, venom dripping from her voice.
"It wasn't entirely about that," Ginji spoke softly, but Kagome didn't believe him. He quickly redirected the conversation back to her original question. "Wearing a mask goes beyond concealing our faces; it masks our responses and feelings during delicate or precarious situations. It can also serve as a means of intimidation. For us youkai, suspicion and uncertainty are crucial for survival."
Kagome nodded, immediately thinking of Sesshomaru. He, like other stronger daiyoukai Kagome had encountered, didn't wear a physical mask but a metaphorical, emotionless mask of indifference. And that was far more frightening, in her opinion.
"The Oni," Kagome mussed. "What's he like?"
"Master Oodanna?" Ginji perked up excitedly. "He's brilliant! Cool-headed and cruel, but still open-minded. The staff adores him. He is truly an amazing person. Master Oodanna is an Oni among Oni; he is the god of Oni and ruler of one of the Hachiyou sections!" Ginji was brimming with pride. Kagome wasn't going to point out his contradicting description as Ginji seemed to be the Oni's biggest supporter.
Kagome's brow furrowed. "Hachiyou?"
"Yes! In the center of Kakuriyo is a sacred place enshrined by the King of Youkai. There are eight surrounding districts. Hachiyou is the title for the overseer of one of the eight regions. Master Oodanna oversees the Northeast region." He was glowing, showering the Oni in praise before finishing. "In short, Master Oodanna is a great and important youkai!"
Kagome continued nibbling on the inari, bored. Her lack of enthusiasm made Ginji wilt. "If he is the Hachiyou of the Northeast, does that mean Tenjinya is also located in the Northeast?"
This perked Ginji back up. "Yes, our district is called Kimon. Because of all the traveling between the realms, many youkai stay at the inn, bringing prosperity to Tenjiya." Kagome nodded, encouraging the kitsune to continue. "Tenjinya is not a heredity organization, so all the official positions are picked based on qualifications. Master Oodanna and I are not very different in age. Master Oodanna is the "boss." I'm known as the young master or second in command. Tsuchigumo, the front desk chief, is known as the "head clerk," Hitosume is the "Hostess" with Yuki-onna as the "young hostess." The position of "head hostess" is currently empty as it is reserved for Master Oodanna's wife."
"And that will remain empty," Kagome mumbled under her breath. "That, "Tsuchigumo," is he always so hot-headed?" She Remembered how the youkai had nearly attacked her.
"I'm so sorry about that," Ginji bowed his head. "The head clerk is a very capable person, but he's still fairly young, so he still has a bit of a short temper. Like everyone at Tenjinya, he adores Oodanna-sama; maybe that is why he doesn't want to acknowledge the master's pending marriage to you, Shiro's granddaughter."
Kagome gave a huff of a laugh. "For every person who admired Grandpa, there seems to be a dozen who hate him."
Finishing the last of her inari, Kagome leaned back with a content sigh, but her mind was buzzing. Pondering her next move as she looked at her hands, she said, "Master Ginji, can I ask you a more personal question?"
"Sure." He smiled.
"Do you," She swallowed thickly, taking a moment to gather her courage. This could easily come back to bite her. "Do you know of a silver inu youkai by the name Sesshomaru? Or a silver inu hanyou Inuyasha? Their father would have been the Inu No Taisho." She asked the last one slowly and unsure, "Or a red fox named Shippo?"
Kagome worried her lower lip. She was taking a chance, placing so much trust in the silver fox, but there was still Kouga. As much as Kagome was reluctant to reach out to the ookami to avoid any possible drama, she knew he would come running if she asked for help.
Looking up, she watched as shock and surprise played across his face before settling into a soft, nervous smile. "Sadly, I only know of those inu youkai in question. They are in the Northern Domain," he answered sheepishly. As for the fox youkai, sadly, I haven't heard of him."
Though a little disappointed, her heart raced excitedly. "That's fine! Do you think I could send a letter?"
"I can't promise anything," he laughed awkwardly. There's some paper in the drawer; I can send it after I leave."
Kagome rushed to the drawer, finding paper, a fountain pen, and scissors. It took her only a moment to scrawl a few words.
I am at Tenjinya and need your help.
-Kagome Higurashi
Taking the scissors, Kagome cut a small lock of hair and folded the note around it. Next, she took another paper and wrote out a quick talisman, charging it with her reiryoku before folding it around the note. Anyone who opened the letter would receive a shock of her pure spiritual energy.
Lastly, she would have to address it. And she froze. It might smell like her, but it's been five hundred years. They might have forgotten or, worse, throw it away without even reading it should she address it wrong. Did they have titles here? What if the Oni found out she wrote the letter?
"I can address it for you," Ginji offered.
Kagome reluctantly agreed. "Just make sure it says 'Honekui no Ido.'" The mention of the well on her family shrine would be enough without alerting anyone.
Ginji nodded, putting the note in his pocket.
"Thank you."
"Of course."
If this didn't work, Kagome would have to try other ways of tracking them down. Though she was determined to pay back the debt, it was an outstanding sum. And they could help her negotiate with the Oni. She doubted she'd be able to convince the Oni to let her go home, not even for her birthday.
She hoped they weren't too worried.
"Are you alright, Lady Kagome? You're crying?"
Kagome startled, touching her wet cheeks in surprise before a watery, bitter laugh escaped her chest. "My mother must be so worried. She probably hasn't slept a wink. Grandfather would have stayed up praying, and Souta probably snuck out to the well house." She wiped at her face with a bittersweet laugh bubbling up at the irony. "It's my fifteenth birthday all over again."
"What happened?"
She caught his stare. "I was kidnapped by a centipede youkai on my way to school." It wasn't a complete lie. "The only difference is that Oni kidnapped me on my way home, and my birthday is in a few days." She laughed bitterly. "Guess Grandpa Shiro kept his promise to show me the hidden realm for my twentieth."
Ginji looked shocked and sympathetic. "I'm so sorry, Lady Kagome, I had no idea."
"Nothing you could have known." Kagome shrugged. "I doubt you could send word to them, so I'll just have to see about getting a job and worry about getting back home later." She shook her head. "Thank you for the inari. I should try to get some sleep. I have a busy day looking for work tomorrow."
Ginji gave her a sad look. "Good night, Lady Kagome." He grabbed the tray but stopped at the door. A word of advice: don't apply for waitress. As Master Oodanna's bride, I can't guarantee the women would treat you kindly."
Kagome nodded. "Thank you."
~o.O~O.o~
Exiting the room, Ginji paused, catching Oodanna's glowing red eyes. "Master Oodanna." Ginji greeted softly.
Oodanna had been in the hall, silently listening to Ginji and Kagome's conversation. His face held no emotion, but Ginji could see the melancholiness lurking in his eyes.
Oodanna nodded, acknowledging Ginji's greeting. "You worry for her," he stated plainly, his voice betraying a hint of curiosity. Ginji's eyes widened slightly before he composed himself and nodded in response.
"She is a guest under our roof," Ginji replied respectfully. And she seemed to need assistance. I couldn't turn a blind eye to her situation."
Oodanna studied Ginji for a moment before speaking again. "Keep me informed of any developments regarding her." With that, Oodanna turned and walked down the hall.
"What of her family?" Ginji asked before he could stop himself.
Oodanna paused. "I have already informed them of the situation." Then the Oni was moving down the dark hallway, though Ginji doubted he'd be far, seeing how attached he was to the girl if he had been standing guard.
WolfYlady: Here is the next chapter! I hope you enjoyed it. Please be kind and leave a review or comment.
Until next time!