August 20th
Three days since they left Kaede's Village, Yuuta and Kagome continued in their destination North, their legs sore from the long trek and their bodies weary from traveling. Since last night, they'd eaten the last of Aiko's food she packed the morning prior to their departure, and while they searched the woods near them for any signs of food, they luckily came across a couple fruit trees and wild mushrooms.
Often during their trek, Shippo fussed, the two having no other choice but to rest, and while Yuuta spent that time checking their surroundings and refilling their containers from streams, Kagome comforted the baby. They were fortunate, bringing Clover along, her milk being the sweetest among the few goats Kaede kept in her village; it was enough to calm the child and soothes his worries.
Since time was of the essence, Kagome and Yuuta only allowed themselves a short time for reprieve, enough to wash up, calm Shippo and relieve themselves before continuing on their path. The journey was tiring, especially for Shippo, who found the incessant bouncing unbearable, his crying almost never-ending.
Kagome sighed, holding her child against her as she ran her hand over his back gently. "It's alright. We'll rest in a little bit honey," She replied, hoping to comfort him, but her efforts were in vain this time.
Yuuta, noticing Kagome's distress, frowned. "Perhaps it would have been best to leave him behind with Aiko."
Kagome nodded. "I think so too. Shippo doesn't like being jostled around so much…"
It was nearing sunset, hours during their travels, and realizing the night would soon fall upon them, Kagome groaned; her legs were killing her, and she was fairly certain there were blisters on her feet. Walking around for three days straight, in straw sandals no less, wasn't exactly comfortable. Kagome could put up with walking around the village in them, and most days running around barefoot, but traveling these long distances hours at a time, it proved a bit too much for the girl. In fact, this was probably the most exercise she'd ever had in her life.
"How much further?" She asked, slowing her pace gradually every minute.
"Within two more days, we should reach our destination," He remarked, and noticing Kagome lagging behind, he stopped, allowing her time to catch up before matching her pace. "Would you like me to carry him?"
Kagome nodded. "Just for a little bit, if you don't mind."
Nodding, he took the child into his arms, Shippo's incessant crying continuing. Without Shippo's weight upon her, he watched as Kagome stretched her arms, a yawn escaping her as she looked around her surroundings. "It'll be dark soon. We should begin searching for a place to make camp."
Another yawn escaped her, but she only nodded. As her eyes rested on the sun setting in the distance, she turned back to Yuuta. "We've been traveling for a while but why haven't we seen any villages or people?"
"There are no other villages near Kaede's," He answered. "It's usually like that, with small villages. Kaede's village lies further away than other provincial villages, especially that of Edo."
"Why is that?"
Well, it was certainly an interesting question, but he wasn't sure how to answer it so easily. "It's always been like that, at least, from my understanding…"
It was no wonder Kaede's village was suffering; she didn't even have neighbors close by to help her people out during their difficult times. Wouldn't it be easier to have neighbors? At least then, there would be others nearby to help. "Have you been to Edo Village?"
Yuuta nodded. "A few times before, I have," He answered, recalling the time a couple years back. "It's a long trip away, further than where we're headed now. If I had to estimate, I'd say it was a seven-day trip on foot from Kaede's."
"Apparently our Daimyo lives there," She replied, recalling an incident when she recently arrived. It was probably a month ago when the Daimyo's men visited the village and were thoroughly displeased with the harvest; in the end, the men took some of the village's women and children. Aiko revealed those children were taken to Edo Village, to pay off the remaining debt Kaede owed them for the failed harvest; it hadn't been a good visit, in fact, Kagome was lucky she hadn't been taken during the time. "I'm not sure why we didn't just reach out to him instead and explain the situation…"
At her words, he only arched a brow. "You intend to confront the Daimyo? That's a foolish thought, one which could cost you your life."
She looked up at this, bemused by his comment. "From what I've learned, a Daimyo rules over certain provinces and gains their income from humble and middle-class villages, and that income comes from the harvest which they tax upon the people," Kagome replied, earning a slight nod from Yuuta. "From this, the people receive protection from their Daimyo, but what protection has Lady Kaede's village garnered from this? None. Despite their poor harvest this year, don't you think they deserve a bit of leniency?"
"How so?"
Kagome pouted. "I mean, the Daimyo's people are clearly suffering. People are starving and there's a high risk with Winter quickly approaching, that the village might not even make it until next year. I think, maybe, it might be best to reach out to him and tell him the situation in person. Maybe, if he understood—"
"If he understood the situation you were all facing, do you think he would help you?" Yuuta interrupted. "Kagome, if things were as simple as you say, the world would be a much brighter place to live, but such places do not exist. I've lived for twenty-eight years, and I've seen the cruelty of this world, the cruel ambitions from those with power," He replied, as if recalling a painful memory from his past. "It was a long time ago, but I almost forgot what it was like to live a life of normalcy…"
"Is that why you became a bandit?" Kagome asked.
For a moment, he remained silent, his eyes looking elsewhere, following the sight of their silhouettes at their feet. "Partially…"
"I see…"
Although it wasn't a path she'd want anyone to take in life, she couldn't help but understand why he made the choice. Life in the Sengoku Era was far different than it was in her time period. Sure, there were people suffering in her world, but at least there were people who were willing to reach out a hand to others, regardless of their birth or humble beginnings. Even so, Kagome couldn't help but wonder if there was also some fault in her thinking as well. She couldn't just rightly come out and tell the people they were wrong to do this, especially since this is how it's always been. Their eyes just haven't opened in understanding yet and wouldn't for another few hundred years.
Silence fell between them an hour after their discussion, both wrapped up in their own personal thoughts. Shortly after, Shippo eventually quieted, his eyes closed in deep slumber against Yuuta's chest.
Sudden realization hit Kagome. "Wait a minute. You're twenty-eight?"
This question caught him off guard, his eyes staring curiously at the girl beside him, her mouth agape in wonder. Upon noticing her large eyes wandering his body from head to foot, he squinted his gaze. "Why do you sound so surprised?"
"Well … I-I … I thought you were older…"
He suddenly stopped, turning fully towards her. "How old did you think I was, Kagome?"
"Well, I don't know…" She couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand as she looked away, trying her best not to laugh at his serious expression. "I guess … late thirties?"
Yuuta scoffed.
"But you know … a good late thirties. You know there are a lot of good looking guys in their late thirties," Kagome replied, sensing his irritation at her reply.
He wasn't sure if he should take that as a compliment or not. Once again, he couldn't help but scoff and step away from her, continuing down the path without her beside him.
Noticing this, Kagome stifled back her laughter and followed after. "Yuuta, don't be mad," She replied, trying her utmost to apologize through her small giggles, but he simply turned his head away from her. "Yuuta!" Unable to hold back, she wrapped her arms around his, pulling his arm closer to her until it was pressed innocently against her. "Yuuta!" She playfully called his name. "I'm sorry!" Her words came out like a squeak, which only caused her to laugh more. "Don't be mad at me."
Releasing a sigh, he turned his head slightly, his brown eyes shifting downwards to the raven-haired woman clinging to his arm, her breasts pressed against him. He fought to control the blush upon his face, but when she caught his eye, he quickly looked away.
"Yuuta!" She whined. "Look at me!"
"I don't want to," Came his reply.
A pout formed upon her lips, her eyes narrowing at Yuuta. Could it be men in this era were sensitive about their age? Then again, the bandits were quite sensitive when she walked in on them bathing that one time. "Men…" She scoffed, turning her head away, her arms still wound around him.
"Woman," Came his reply. "Since we're on the subject, Kagome, how old are you?"
Caught off guard by his own question, she couldn't help but blink. "I'm eighteen?" She replied without hesitation, her eyes squinting at Yuuta suspiciously. "Why?"
"Hm, nothing…" He replied, his eyes lingering on her face for a brief moment. 'Even though she is eighteen, she has a youthful face.'
"Hm, what?" Kagome asked, leaning her head against him curiously.
"By your childish ways, I thought perhaps you were ten," He remarked, snickering at her surprised expression.
Upon hearing his reply, Kagome slapped his shoulder, and he threw his head back with laughter. Unable to remain angry, she laughed along with him. "Oh, I get it, pay back!" Joking aside, she felt exhaustion creeping up upon her, and as the two fell into a comfortable silence, Kagome rested her head against his arm, one arm wrapped around his.
Turning his head slightly to look at her, he couldn't help but notice her eyes were closed as she leaned against him. This was the first time she'd ever gotten so close to him, and for the moment in which it lasted, he felt content. Focusing back on the road ahead of them, he suddenly noticed an interesting sight appearing over the horizon. "Kagome, look ahead."
Opening her eyes slowly, she shifted her gaze upwards at Yuuta, his eyes looking elsewhere, and looking in his line of sight, she saw the outline of a village a distance away.
"Within the next hour if not less, we should—"
"Finally!" She loudly exclaimed. "I'm so tired of walking!" She complained, bumping her head further into his arm, a slight yawn escaping her as she leaned into his warmth, despite his flushed expression.
Within half an hour, they reached the small village, Kagome's footsteps quickening with each step, and as they curiously swept their gaze over the huts, they realized they were slightly larger than those back home.
There were numerous wooden stands outside the huts, hand woven baskets made from straw and twigs on display with many decorative bowls and cups crafted and smoothed from wood with intricate paint coating their exterior. Stands with various vegetables and fruits decorated the old tables, and as Kagome and Yuuta stepped further into the settlement, they noticed old men and women storing them within their huts.
"Hitomi Village," Yuuta replied, eyeing a small wooden sign near him. They came a long way, but he was glad they managed to reach a settlement before evening.
Kagome frowned, eyeing the village, the fields in the distance filled with vegetation, and she looked at Yuuta. "This village is a three day walk from Lady Kaede's. I wonder why she didn't reach out to these people for help. They have so much food, and it looks like their fields are flourishing." Not To mention their homes were slightly bigger.
"Despite residing in the same province, it's likely because villages do not attach themselves to others. Outsiders, depending on the village's views, are either seen as simple travelers or likely spies or thieves. In this day and age, there is much distrust between people."
"Even so, some form of communication or understanding should exist, Yuuta," Kagome fired back, her frown growing. When she first arrived at Kaede's village, she was seen as a thief, a troublemaker who might do them wrong, and according to Yuuta, it seemed many other villages were the same. "You don't think they will capture us, do you?" A sudden worry rose within her.
Her words amused him, and as his eyes scanned the faces of the villagers, many which were too immersed in their daily chores to notice, he simply shook his head. "You needn't worry. If I noticed any signs of hostility, I would have led us away from here the moment we arrived."
"Are you travelers?" A voice asked suddenly.
Their gazes fell onto a small little boy, probably no older than ten years, holding a large basket filled with vegetables. His hair was pulled back into a short top knot, dressed in ordinary clothing, plain trousers and a long sleeved brown top, knotted in the middle of his waist. "We haven't had a visitor in a long time."
"We were making our way in this direction when we saw your village," Kagome smiled, her worry fading slightly. "We're not bad people. I promise."
At her remark, he laughed, small little dimples appearing on the sides of his cheeks. "Of course, you're not. How can someone pretty like you be bad?"
Kagome's smile widened at this, and she had every urge to pinch his cheeks, but she resisted. From beside her, she noticed Yuuta roll his eyes. "We were hoping to find a place to stay for the night." Since the village was small, there were likely no inn's, but if the villagers were willing to allow them a peaceful night's rest, they wouldn't mind sleeping in the barn.
"A place to stay the night?" He asked, musing for a moment. "If you want, you can stay with me!" The boy exclaimed, turning suddenly before nodding his head. "Follow me."
Traveling down the path a short distance, they arrived before a slightly larger hut, and though its shabbiness remained just like the others presiding in the village, Kagome and Yuuta couldn't help but wonder if their village had a priestess of their own. The small child dropped his basket outside the front of the hut and pushed open the flap of the door, calling out for his mother and father. Within moments, the family emerged, their eyes staring quizzically at them.
"Hello," The mother greeted, noticing the small child tucked within a cloth carrier against Kagome's chest. Seeing this, she smiled warmly. "You must be travelers. We often do not receive visitors from outside Hitomi Village."
"Please excuse the intrusion," Kagome apologized.
Yuuta nodded, stepping slightly in front of Kagome, his stature a bit taller and more intimidating than the family. "We were hoping we might find a place to lodge for the night."
"Father, mother, would it be alright if they stayed the night with us?" The little boy asked, receiving a soft pat on the head from his father.
The mother looked to her husband for an answer; in truth, she didn't have a problem allowing these people a place to stay, but since her husband was the ruler of the house, she awaited his response with silent curiosity. "Dear?"
"It wouldn't be any trouble. There's enough space in our hut for you to sleep," The husband replied, grinning politely, and at his words, Kagome and Yuuta sighed in relief. "Prepare more rice for our guests," He directed to his wife.
Nodding, she turned to Kagome with a soft smile, her hands gesturing for the young woman to follow her inside. "You must be weary from your travels. Please, come inside and rest."
"Oh, thank you," Kagome replied, turning back to Yuuta for a brief moment before stepping inside the hut.
As soon as Kagome disappeared from their view, the husband smiled at Yuuta, slapping his shoulder playfully. "That's quite the wife you've got there, young man," He laughed. "A pretty young girl like her is rare these days."
Yuuta only blinked, but he didn't deny the older man's words. "You're right. There's no one quite like her," He replied, reminiscing briefly on their first encounter.
"Come. My son was helping us to empty the stands before storing the rest of our vegetation away. Since you are here, the process will take less time!"
Seating herself on the floor, Kagome looked around the inside of the hut. Unlike Aiko's and Kaede's, the inside was a bit more spacious and there were chests, small cabinets and various jars and buckets against the walls. On the other side of the living space, Kagome curiously watched the older woman kneel beside what looked like a large hearth, which she could only assume was made from clay and sand, it's color an off white. A steaming iron black pot was suspended from its rim as she stoked the fire beneath with a long iron rod.
It took Kagome a moment to realize this village had Kamado stoves, despite its poor appearance. Crawling closer to inspect the hearth in more detail, she noticed there were two stove tops, and if she learned anything from history, the first stoves introduced to Japan began in the early Kofun Period, several hundred years back. Back then, the people lived in thatched pit houses, some either having one Kamado within their small homes or those who preferred a fire pit to anything else for their cooking. After so many years, it was still a bit surprising the Kamado stove remained in its natural state, but one thing had changed since the Kofun Period; there were now two stove tops instead of one.
Noticing the young woman behind her inspecting the hearth, the older woman smiled. "Oh, is this perhaps your first time seeing one?" She asked politely.
Realizing her hand was touching the rough surface of the hearth, Kagome pulled away and nodded. "Yes," She lied.
"Really?" The woman's curiosity heightened at this and she frowned at the young girl before closing the iron latch on the hearth. "That's a bit surprising. You must have traveled very far if you've never seen a Kamado Stove before. Tell me, I'm curious, where have you and your husband traveled from?"
Kagome blushed at her words. Husband? The family must have thought she and Yuuta were together, then again, it probably wasn't that much of a surprise. After all, she and Yuuta were traveling alone together, and with a baby, so it made sense. "Oh, well our village is a three day walk from here, just south actually."
"Oh? How strange…"
"Strange?"
She nodded. "I wasn't aware there were still villages in the Musashi Province who were without Kamado Stoves; I'm guessing your village must be rather poor?" She inquired, before covering her mouth suddenly. "Oh, please forgive me. I hope I did not seem rude…"
"Oh no, it's alright. And yes, our village is very poor. We've been struggling for some time now, unfortunately…"
"I see … I'm sorry to hear that … Forgive me," She bowed her head dismally, her thoughts musing upon the troubles of the young family. Noticing the small baby cradled within her cloth carrier, its sleeping face the only thing visible, she smiled.
"You have a beautiful child. Is it a boy or girl?"
"A boy," Kagome smiled.
After assisting the father and son with storing the leftover vegetables and grains into the storage, they returned within half an hour, their food cooked and prepared upon a low rising wooden table. Rice porridge, steamed tomatoes and other vegetables, grilled fish and a few side dishes greeted them, the smell emanating within the hut only fueling Kagome's and Yuuta's hunger.
"It looks delicious!" Kagome marveled. She was so used to scavenging for mushrooms, edible plants, fruit and eating only millet and rice, that she almost drooled at the sight. It was times like this, she missed her mother's homecooked meals. "Thank you."
"Please, help yourselves. You must be famished from such a long journey," The woman explained, offering a large fish to both Yuuta and Kagome, who shared it between themselves eagerly.
Earlier when they arrived, the older woman offered Kagome a basket for her son, and as she glanced at the slumbering baby, she smiled motherly. Although he was snug as could be, wrapped up securely in his cloth carrier, his ears and tail hidden from sight, Kagome only hoped he wouldn't move around too much and startle the family.
"Kintaro!" The father yelled suddenly, his child nowhere present within the hut. "Come inside and eat, or you'll go without for the night!"
The sounds of quickened footsteps fell into the room, the sight of the small little boy quickly bounding to the table beside his mother before looking at his bowl of rice eagerly. "I was putting the chickens away, father."
"You should have done that earlier," The father chided, shaking his head before ruffling his son's hair.
Kintaro glanced up from his bowl and looked at the pretty young lady seated across from him and his family before looking at the space between her and her husband. Without a word, and smiling brightly, he grabbed his bowl and stood up, moving quickly to sit in between them, despite Yuuta's curious stare. "Can I sit here?"
With a mouth full, Kagome only nodded, smiling at the child.
"Now Kintaro, you mustn't bother them," His mother lightly scolded, patting the empty space beside her, but the child only shook his head.
"I want to sit next to her!"
Swallowing her rice, Kagome smiled at the family, sweat dropping slightly. "He can sit with us. We don't mind. Thank you again for letting us stay the night, and for feeding us. We hope we haven't inconvenienced you…"
"Nonsense. We were glad to take you both in. After all, it's dangerous to be sleeping out in the woods, especially with a child," The father replied. "Most villages aren't as nice as ours, so you were both lucky to come to Hitomi village before dusk."
Yuuta nodded, chewing between mouthfuls. "You seem to be doing rather well in the village. Your fields are flourishing beautifully," He commented.
Kintaro nodded. "We make a lot of money from our crops! Father and I always travel to Edo Village to sell what we have!"
"Really?" Yuuta arched a curious brow.
The father nodded. "In the past, it's been difficult, but as our village began growing, we've had more hands helping us in the fields. Our Daimyo has been very lenient towards us thus far, and we've managed to sell our wares and crops in Edo. I would reckon we receive more than ten mon depending on the quality of our vegetation."
"That's a lot of money," Yuuta inquired, pulling his bowl away from his mouth before glancing at Kagome briefly. "For us, it's quite the opposite. We've been struggling for some time now…" He replied, shaking his head.
The older man suddenly frowned, looking between the two curiously. "I never asked, but where is your village located? You mentioned you were traveling earlier."
His wife tenderly touched his shoulder, shaking her head suddenly, as if to deter him away from the question, but he only insisted.
"Our village is a three-day journey just south," Kagome answered, placing her utensil onto her finished bowl. "We were actually asked by our Head Priestess to deliver a letter to a close friend of hers up North. We still have a couple days more before we reach our destination."
He mused, finding the situation baffling. Why send out a man and woman, with their child no less, on a dangerous journey to deliver one letter? It seemed rather strange, and his curiosity got the better of him. "I'm sure your husband could have managed the task on his own, but why send you and your child as well?"
This question caught them by surprise, each knowing the reason, but uncertain whether or not to admit the entire truth. Yuuta only accompanied Kagome to protect her, and Kagome was making the journey not only for their village's suffering but also for questions about the Shikon Jewel within her body and its connection to her spiritual powers. As for Shippo, Kaede was certain the Demon Slayers might assist Kagome's knowledge of how to carefully raise him, since they were a clan of knowledgeable slayers.
Kagome only sweat dropped, not sure how to answer that. Thankfully, his wife smacked her husband gently across the shoulder, and he weakly laughed, giving up on asking any further.
"What is the letter about?" Kintaro asked, eyeing the woman beside him.
"Now Kintaro, that is none of our business," His mother lightly scolded him.
Kagome only shook it away, smiling weakly. "No, it's no trouble at all. You see, our village has suffered greatly over the past couple months. Our harvests have been poor, and due to…" She paused, glancing briefly at Yuuta beside her, though he only ignored her as he bit into his fish. "unexpected events, we've lost a couple people from demon attacks, and our fields were trampled by passing bandits recently."
"Oh dear," The mother's eyes grew wide with fright. "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that…"
"Were you hurt by those awful bandits?" The little boy scooted closer to Kagome, his large eyes staring worryingly at her.
"No no," Kagome explained, sweat dropping when she caught Yuuta's curious stare beside her. "They simply came and trampled our fields and left, once they realized we had nothing to offer them…"
Unexpectedly, the father slammed his fist against the table, causing it to move under the force; it startled Kagome for a moment. "Those no-good disgusting bandits! We had a small group of bandits barge into our village a few months back as well, but we chased them out. They didn't stand a chance against our men."
Coughing slightly, Yuuta pounded his chest, a few pieces of vegetables lodged in his throat. After a few hits and drinking an offered bowl of water from the wife across the table, the contents finally slipped down his throat.
"What if those were the same bandits who attacked your village…" The woman asked. "It was a good thing your husband was with you."
Kagome weakly laughed. "Besides losing a few huts to a fire, our men chased them off, and…" She trailed off, placing a hand over her mouth to stifle a small giggle, her eyes shifting to Yuuta on the other side of Kintaro. "my brave, strong husband fought with one particular bandit who tried to ride off with me."
Yuuta scoffed. Kagome was directing her story entirely at him and his men. Well, it wasn't a lie; his men did barge into their village, trample their fields and set fire to the huts, not to mention made off with her and the village girls. While he wouldn't admit the entire truth to the family, for fear of scaring them and chasing them off, he decided to play along with the idea that they were a husband and wife traveling together; at least that way, there wouldn't be any suspicion or accusations directed at Kagome for accompanying a man unwedded.
"Thank goodness you are alright. I can only imagine the detriment your village must be facing. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that," The mother replied solemnly. "So, I take it this is why you're making the journey?"
Kagome nodded. "Yes. We aren't sure what else to do…" It was more of a last resort if anything.
Kintaro blinked. "Why don't you talk with the Daimyo? You know, he often listens to his people. I'm sure he would help your village. After all, our village has been doing really good."
The father nodded. "I agree. While I'm sure whoever it is you are traveling out to seek help from can certainly help your village strive on, it would certainly be better to bring up the situation to our Daimyo," He explained with a shake of his head. When he noticed the discontented stares on the young ones faces, he blinked. "What? You don't believe me?"
"I think there might be more to their story, dear," His wife replied softly. Judging by their expressions, it seemed the two didn't take too kindly to the Daimyo at all, their faces looking away in disbelief. "Tell me, what else is wrong?"
"Well then … let's hear it. Why do you hesitate to travel to Edo Village?" The father asked, his arms crossed and his brows raised curiously.
Kagome sighed, recalling the time two months back when the Daimyo's men arrived at Kaede's village; it was around the same time she first arrived, captured and held hostage. The men arrived to check the harvest, arriving earlier than intended and treated the people terribly. Young girls and boys were taken as a result of a failed harvest, the soils too dry to nourish the roots of their crops and the sun too hot in the sweltering heat.
"His men arrived to check the harvest a couple months back. During that time, our crops were slightly withered and with the lack of rain then, they were thoroughly disappointed. We were informed our taxes had increased, despite remaining stationary for five years and had risen to eighty mon per year. It was a ten mon increase within our taxes…" Kagome replied. "Since we were unable to pay the full price, those men took several children, explaining they'd work and earn money to help the village strive on a little longer. So far, our Head Priestess has given forty mon to them and we've been informed they'll visit within September for the remainder of the tax…"
"What?" The mother gasped, her face appearing almost disbelieving.
"Is this true?" He asked, arching a brow and clenching his fists.
Noticing their reactions, Yuuta looked up curiously. "What? You act as if this is the first you've heard of it."
"Because it is," Came his reply, his voice becoming louder. "Those men whom you speak of also visited our village, but they did not mention anything about a raised tax. It's always been forty mon per year," He explained, his family nodding in agreement. "How could any village manage to pay eighty mon per year for a harvest? It's ridiculous, and to think you're struggling as it is to pay season to season! It's hard enough making enough and setting the remainder aside for taxes! I hate to say this, but your village has been cheated."
"Cheated?" Kagome's eyes widened in disbelief. If that was the case, then this was certainly serious. "I can't believe this…" This wasn't right. It wasn't fair. Why was this happening to Kaede's village? Were other people suffering just the same? Was it because of the failed harvest?
"Father, those men can't get away with that! That's also a crime against the Daimyo!"
He nodded. "Indeed, a punishment worthy of death. This situation definitely shouldn't be overlooked," Came his reply. "Perhaps you should visit Edo Village and explain everything to our Lord. If your village should fall further into ruin … I'd hate to see such nice people lose their homes…"
The mother clapped her hands, earning everyone's attention suddenly. "Alright. That is enough of that. Let us all enjoy our dinner. Kagome, would you like another serving?"
Kagome blushed at this and nodded her head. "Yes please."
"No need to be shy. If you wish for more, just say so. We have plenty to go around. That goes for you as well," She directed at Yuuta, filling Kagome's bowl with more rice and vegetables.
Bending down outside the hut, Yuuta rinsed his face with water from a bucket. Standing up, he looked up at the pale full moon lingering high in the evening sky before entering back inside the hut. The mother and Father were pulling out their futons from the cabinet, preparing themselves for bed, a lighted candle illuminating the room in a soft orange glow.
Crossing the living space within, Yuuta retired to Kintaro's room, an attachment to the hut separated by a large shoji screen door next to the kitchen. As he made his way across the old floorboards, he heard laughter from the other side of the screen and sliding the door open slightly ajar, he looked within.
Their futon was already laid out, a single sheet of blanket which he knew him and Kagome would undoubtedly share together; the very thought left him feeling uneasy, especially considering he wasn't intimate with her. However, this wasn't the first he'd shared a bed with a woman, but that was a long time ago.
Kintaro marveled at the baby, it's large emerald green eyes staring curiously up at him from his basket, the warmth of the blue cloth wrapped entirely around him. "Your baby has pretty eyes! I've never seen such a color."
Seated upon the blankets beside Kintaro, Kagome nodded, touching Shippo's nose tenderly while smiling. "Well he certainly doesn't get it from either parents," She commented weakly, laughing.
Kintaro's gaze shifted to Kagome's face, his brown eyes looking into her sparkling blue eyes for a brief moment. Unlike her child or husband's eyes, hers were different, unlike anything he'd ever seen before. "Your eyes are pretty too. They are as vibrant as the morning skies."
Kagome blushed at his compliment. "My mother says I get them from my father."
"Really? Do other villagers have the same kind of eyes as you and your son?" Kintaro couldn't help but ask. From his knowledge, everyone all over Japan, at least to his understanding, had brown eyes, but never light-colored eyes. Somehow, he felt a bit envious of that.
Kagome only shook her head. "Not really," She lied. "It's actually pretty rare, having blue and green eyes. Since my father had blue eyes, I guess it wasn't surprising I inherited that from him, and I suppose those genes carried on through our son here."
"Genes?" Kintaro blinked. What did that mean?
Hearing the conversation taking place on the other side of the shoji screen door and seeing Yuuta standing with his back against the door silently, the father lifted himself up from the floor and approached with a smile. Leaning against the door lightly, he peered within, his son talking animatedly with the raven-haired woman before laughing suddenly and patting Yuuta's shoulder. "It would appear my son is quite smitten with your wife."
Yuuta smirked at this, looking back within the room once more. "Well it wouldn't be the first this has happened."
The older man lifted a brow. "Oh? So, your wife's beauty attracts a great many I would take it? Well that doesn't surprise me. You're a lucky man to have met a nice girl like that. If I were you, I'd keep her close at all times. There's no telling when someone might take her away, my son for instance," He teased, earning a chuckle from Yuuta beside him.
"I'll keep that in mind," Yuuta voiced.
Sliding the screen door open, Yuuta stepped inside, and the father of Kintaro called out. "Alright, Kintaro. It's time for bed. We should let these two get some rest."
"Can't I stay with them a little longer?"
"You know they have a long journey ahead of them in the morning," His father replied. "They will need all the rest they can get tonight. Come along now."
Sighing, the child lifted himself from the futon, his feet carrying him towards his father, but he paused beside Yuuta briefly. His eyes met the taller man's, and they stared at one another, a certain jealousy welling up inside the boy.
Yuuta noticed the child's stare, half amused and half curious if he would say anything at all. But the child only looked away from him, stepping out the door and waving good night to Kagome before sliding the screen shut behind him. One they were gone, Yuuta turned back to Kagome. "They seem like a pleasant family."
She nodded, her hands touching the soft blanket of their futon. Somehow, she felt a bit uneasy. Tonight, she and Yuuta would share a room together, under the pretense that they were husband and wife. "Kintaro has taken a liking to Shippo, it would seem."
"And you as well," Yuuta commented, removing his boots before setting them against the wall. His eyes drifted towards the young woman, traveling her figure before lowering his gaze to the futon. Yuuta looked away, somewhat hesitant to join her. "We have two days remaining before we reach our destination," He replied before sitting beside his sword, bow and quiver of arrows.
Kagome blinked. "Are you sleeping over there?"
"Would you rather I join you?"
She blushed, her eyes turning away slightly. "Oh … I … mean the floor will be pretty cold tonight…"
"I've slept in worse places, Kagome. Besides, it wouldn't do my mind any ease if I were to share the same futon as you. After all, we are not lovers. I wouldn't want to put you in any uncomfortable predicament because they believe we're married."
Realizing he was right and thankful he cared about her enough to not put her in any awkward situations, Kagome smiled. As she watched him lay down, his back turned towards her on the opposite side of the small room, she mused. Her eyes shifted to her backpack, and remembering she packed an extra blanket within, she stood up and approached it.
Unzipping the bag, she reached in and pulled out a long brown woolen blanket before approaching Yuuta and draping it over top him. He didn't say a word to her generous act, and she returned to her futon, slipping beneath the comfort of the blankets before blowing out the candle near her.
Half an hour passed, and although Yuuta had already fallen asleep, softly snoring on the other side of the room, Kagome remained awake. Her thoughts lingered on the discussion earlier at the dinner table, and how they learned Kaede's Village had been cheated by the Village Inspectors two months back. Although Yuuta was against the idea of confronting the Daimyo, Kagome couldn't help but wonder what their next course of action would be.
'Yuuta was against the idea of traveling to Edo, but does he feel the same after learning this?' Kagome wondered, reminiscing on their discussion earlier that day.
"I'm not sure why we didn't just reach out to him instead and explain the situation…" Kagome voiced.
At her words, Yuuta only arched a brow. "You intend to confront the Daimyo? That's a foolish thought, one which could cost you your life."
Kagome pouted. "I mean, the Daimyo's people are clearly suffering. People are starving and there's a high risk with Winter quickly approaching, that the village might not even make it until next year. I think, maybe, it might be best to reach out to him and tell him the situation in person. Maybe, if he understood—"
"If he understood the situation you were all facing, do you think he would help you?" Yuuta interrupted. "Kagome, if things were as simple as you say, the world would be a much brighter place to live, but such places do not exist. I've lived for twenty-eight years, and I've seen the cruelty of this world, the cruel ambitions from those with power,"
Remembering their conversation earlier that day, Kagome sighed. Perhaps there was some truth in Yuuta's words. Approaching the Daimyo certainly wouldn't be easy, and while the family felt adamant on their thoughts concerning the welfare of their village, Kagome wasn't sure what to do. In less than a month, September would come and with it, Takeo and his men would return to the village to inspect their harvest and likely cheat Kaede and the entire village out of more money. Kaede's village was suffering enough as it was. Should they travel to Edo Village with this new knowledge in mind? Or, would doing so only bring more trouble to Kaede's people?