August 23rd

Azure and russet eyes marveled upon the magnificent sight of an enormous village, its entirety encompassed by tall mudbrick and wooden walls with two sentry men on duty before them. The sheer size was roughly twenty times or more the size of High Priestess Kaede's Village, and only hers had a rough estimate of only thirty villagers.

As Kagome and Yuuta stepped through the gates, unperturbed by the guardsman, dressed in their armored attire and straw hats, bearing the crest of the Takeda Clan with long spears in hand, they ventured through the bustling village.

Upon first entering, the huts looked no different than the ones she and Yuuta happened upon during their venture; the huts were average at best, with either hay or wooden roofs held down by large rocks. There were various small markets, the bustling of busy streets, boisterous children playing and helping their families, wives, servants and even husbands routinely going about their day without rest. Fruits and vegetation adorned small wooden tables, weaved straw baskets, crafts made from wood, clay and even straw; there were also many fish hanging up to dry on wooden racks, peasant women selling their goods for a measly price, faces dirtied with sweat and dust from the streets.

With every step and turn around the village, passing through a brief fog of smoke from outdoor cooking and avoiding large holes in the ground, filled with a collection of muddy water, compliments of last night's rain, Kagome couldn't help but stop briefly on their trek. Each way she looked, she noticed the similarity between hers and Yuuta's clothing and theirs.

Women were wearing similar clothes as she was used to, simple and poor-quality kimonos made from hemp or cotton, varying in dull and less bright colors of browns, reds, blues and greens, their hair pulled back in low simple ponytails with white or brown tenugui towels wrapped around their heads and tied in a large bow at their foreheads; it kept their foreheads from accumulating too much perspiration.

As for the men, there were two distinct mixtures with their clothing. Many wore the basic kimonos with dirtied trousers and straw sandals while quite a few wore Hakamas over their kimonos, some with an overcoat and others without; some even preferred wearing tabi footwear.

"They are samurai," Came Yuuta's voice from beside her.

Kagome nodded at this. Truthfully, as far as she knew, there were no samurai living in their village, then again, as humble as they were, it was probably no surprise. "It makes sense they would live closer to their Daimyo. I'm sure it must be very convenient for them, unlike others who must live farther away."

"It's not only samurai and farmers who live in this village, but also the Daimyo's servants and soldiers, ranging from foot soldiers, guardsman and even those who must carry supplies in times of war," Yuuta answered, continuing their trek forward while pulling the reins of their horse behind them. "There is also a vast array of merchants and wandering Ronin who come in and out of Edo as well as other provincial villages, as well as travelers such as you and I, Kagome."

"I see. It's definitely a huge change from what I'm used to seeing these days. It's kind of nice," She gleamed.

The further they walked along the dirt path through the throng of people, old and young, their sights gradually changed. The style of huts was more refined looking, with painted structures, roofs adorned in blue or green tiles with intricated curves and angles. Two variations of walls individually surrounded these large houses and were either made with both wood and stone or simply stone with roofed tiles above them. Lofty trees, the leaves a vibrant green, were seen behind these walls, indicating that these houses belonged to well-to-do families, perhaps even respected retainers of their daimyo.

Mouth suddenly agape, Kagome paused, her eyes taking in the grandeur of Edo. There were large huts, people dressed in multilayered silken kimonos of bright and beautiful patterns. Colors of yellows, pinks, reds, oranges, blues, greens and so much more adorned the busy streets.

There were different hairstyles women took to; many wore their hair unbound, long and straight, mostly over their shoulders and lower back. Their brown to black hair gleamed in the sunlight, perhaps a result of richly oils they massaged into each strand early that morning. Some chose to wear painted metal accessories behind their ears, others going without. Whether or not their fringes covered the entirety of their small foreheads, or their hair was parted down the middle with two shortened strands at their cheeks, Kagome couldn't help but stare speechlessly; they were beautiful. Light makeup was applied to their faces, rouge for their lips and cheeks and dark charcoal aligning their eyes.

And yet, among many of these women, Kagome couldn't help but stare in slight mortification, her eyes discerning blackened teeth among a couple noble women somewhere in their late forties, caught up in small conversation near a wooden bridge and river. Not only that, but their faces were painted so white, she felt as if she were staring at two ghosts, bickering and tittering to themselves. Even their eyebrows looked oddly out of place, as if they'd been shaven and repainted in black ink further above their foreheads.

"Kagome?" Yuuta called, rousing her from her brief moment of stupor.

"I just saw something I can never unsee…" She softly replied, quickly looking away from the women.

"What's that?"

"Their teeth," She replied, visibly grimacing at her response, the very sight of it causing her to shudder.

Looking over in her line of sight, he noticed the older women, talking amongst themselves, laughing. "Oh, you mean ohaguro? It is most common among noble married women, though there are some men who partake in it as well. Could it be your first time seeing this?"

Ohaguro? So that's what it was. "Actually, yes, it is. Why do they blacken their teeth like that?"

As they paused on their trek briefly, he crossed his arms and mused. "There are two instances why this occurs. When a child becomes eight to ten years of age, they blacken their teeth before marriage, but this is only strictly seen in noble families. They believe anything as black as lacquer to be beautiful."

Kagome blinked at this. "So … anyone without black teeth are seen as ugly?"

"In simpler terms, yes."

She frowned at this. "If you ask me, it looks like they have tooth decay…"

He almost laughed at her reply. "Believe it or not, blackening one's teeth helps prevent tooth decay!"

Kagome smacked him, his joke somewhat funny. "Yeah right! I don't believe that! What do they use to blacken their teeth?"

"I've heard they dissolve iron and vinegar together combined with gallnut powder or tea powder, it becomes black like ink. Drinking it would be poisonous but they would apply it by brush when required." When he noticed her perturbed face, he laughed again. "Consider this a learning experience, Kagome. It's about to get more interesting as we continue on." As normal as noble customs came, he preferred the natural faces of women.

More interesting? What could be more interesting than dying your teeth black? As she looked back once more, following behind Yuuta, she couldn't help but take one last look. Perhaps shaving their eyebrows was also a sign of being noble. Either way, why waste time and repaint them? "I don't think it can get more interesting than this…"

They soon crossed the bridge and arrived at another busy street before them. There were men dressed as women wearing different variations of masks upon their faces. One man was playing a peculiar looking drum known as a den den daiko, and it had two strands holding a single bead in each and when rotated on its axis, would create different sounds. One man was speaking to the audience, as if he were an actor giving a monologue, and as Kagome and Yuuta passed by, they heard him telling a story about the love between their Daimyo and a servant woman who later became his concubine. Overall, it was quite interesting, and Kagome wondered if it was true.

"Yuuta?"

Without even asking, he already knew. "Were they to utter rumors and lies in public would certainly be treasonous. I've heard the rumors as well. And from what I hear, his lordship does indeed have one concubine."

Mystified by the story, and although she wanted to stay longer hear more, she knew they didn't have time to dawdle, at least not yet. The further they traveled through the village, Kagome couldn't help but realize they were garnering unwanted and curious attention. The wandering eyes of many beautiful women, their faces painted, their long beautifully shining hair billowing behind them past their ankles as well as the pristine dress of noble men, their different variations of hairstyles capturing Kagome's attention.

In truth, Kagome recognized a few of these hairstyles. One in particular was known as the motodori where men of high class would pull their hair into a high topknot at the back of their heads, normally held together with oil to give it a slim appearance. This type of hairstyle required a kanmuri, a black cap which spanned the entirety of their foreheads. Although the traditional cap was similar to what priests would wear, this cap was slightly smaller in appearance, the the top long and pointed to secure their high topknot while a long gray and slightly translucent cloth would span from behind the cap.

Just like many, these men were dressed in Kariginu, a round collard silk robe with long sleeves, in variations of colors with different patterns etched into the beautiful cloth. White pants, similar to hakamas were worn underneath, bunching just at their feet. If Kagome didn't know any better, she'd would assume these men were Kuge, but this wasn't Kyoto where they normally resided. Perhaps, they were merely noble men, maybe even with high positions beside their Daimyo.

There were also a few samurai walking about, and even courtiers here and there dressed in kamishimo, delighting themselves with the view of Edo. From Kagome's personal appearance, these samurai seemed a lot better off than the ones they passed earlier. Unlike them, these men were dressed in slightly better clothing, the emblem of the Takeda Clan stitched into their kamishimo.

As the stares became more noticeable, Kagome couldn't help but lean close into Yuuta, matching his pace with hers. They were judging them. Perhaps, this part of Edo was strictly reserved for those of upper class. "Yuuta. Why are they staring?"

He didn't have to look to realize they were being watched, whispered about and pointed towards. "It is seemed as rude to step into their 'clean' world. Yet, it is not out of the ordinary. I've passed through this part of Edo several times before, and despite getting spit at and noticed, no one has ever pushed me out. According to the law of Edo, severe discrimination and or neglect is against the Daimyo's words. It's no surprise these people feel resentment for us."

"The Daimyo favors even the poor?"

He nodded. "You could say that. He is a man who sees all his people equally, as strange as it may seem."

"But you said it wouldn't be easy to speak with him."

He looked at her this time, but he only shook his head. "I did say that. And despite knowing this, speaking with the Daimyo in person is not an easy feat. You must first pass through his soldiers and even his many advisors, Kagome. Depending on their views on you, as well as the purpose for the meeting, you may or may not see him. That's why I told you before this wouldn't be an easy task."

Kagome only fumed at this. "But it's not up to his advisors though. It should be up to him."

"That's … not always the case. This is not an easy world where we could simply call out to the daimyo and easily be recognized. You must first go through all the trials to do so. The worse that could happen would be you are sent away, and often, this is what happens. Sometimes … I wonder if the Daimyo even knows his people have called out for his help."

"But, we have the seal of the Demon Slayers to prove our worth!" She insisted.

He nodded again. "That is true. We will have to see what happens first."

Kagome sighed, turning to look ahead of them as they continued passing through many areas of Edo. As she squinted her gaze, pulling her hand over her eyes to shield from the sun's harsh rays, she noticed the faint outline of a large structure in the distance. There it was. Takeda Castle was just in view before them, and if she had to guess how much further their walk would carry them, perhaps they'd reach the walls within fifteen minutes.

Two samurai men within their late thirties blocked entrance into Takeda Castle. They were each dressed in armor and chainmail, each with a long spear in hand, with thick black brows and shaven heads, their black hair pulled back into a high topknot and a white band around their foreheads.

Kagome was almost at her wits end. For five straight minutes, she pleaded to the guardsman to allow them entrance to see the Daimyo, but they merely refused. "This is really important. I must meet with him. My village needs help!"

"Like we've told you before, the Daimyo isn't seeing anyone today. This is your final warning, otherwise, we'll be forced to imprison you." One ordered, his voice loud and demanding.

Before she could retort back, Yuuta pulled her away from the gate. "Kagome. This isn't going to work. The Daimyo isn't seeing anyone today. We can try tomorrow."

"And what if he decides not to see anyone tomorrow? Or the next day, Yuuta? We'd have wasted our time traveling out here!"

At this moment, despite being turned away many times, Yuuta couldn't help but notice the raven-haired woman's frustrations, her voice becoming louder with each moment. She was visibly shaken, angry and close to lashing out on anyone who told her otherwise. "Even so, the worse that will happen is imprisonment, and if that happens, Kagome, there's no telling when you'd be released. It isn't worth it. Let's go back," He replied, trying his best to calm her and lead her away, but to his surprise and disbelief, she only pulled away from his hold.

"I'm not giving up! Lady Kaede and the entire village have been through enough! Being cheated for one which I will not stand, demons attacking, not to mention our people who have been ridiculed, beaten, raped and even taken to Edo as slaves I will not stand for it any longer! This isn't right! We deserve justice for all of this, Yuuta!"

"Kagome, please quell your anger." He exclaimed, both hands upon her shoulders, his eyes shifting warily towards the guardsman closely watching.

"What is all this ruckus out here?!" A loud and familiar voice resounded from behind the gate.

Kagome and Yuuta paused, their gaze shifting towards the two guardsman who suddenly took hold of the handle of each door to the gate, opening it widely to reveal a tall man dressed in white hakamas, a large buke over his blue haori, the sleeves broad. This middle-aged man's hair was tied in a high-topknot, the top of his head shaved and his brows thick, dark eyes haughtily gazed at them.

She was practically seething. It was that damned man, the crook Takeo! As much as she wanted to tackle him to the ground and demand him to return all the children he stole from them, she held back, remembering Yuuta's warning; One wrong move or slip of the tongue would put her in prison.

"Well? Who are you people?! Why are you causing a commotion this early in the afternoon?!" Takeo inquired, eyes squinting between the both of them. When he noticed their state of dress, poor kimonos and trousers, faces slightly dirtied and sweaty, he scoffed. "Commoners? What is it? What do you want?"

Unclenching her fists, Kagome took a deep breath and looked him square in the eye. "I wish to speak with the Daimyo. I have something important to discuss with him."

Takeo arched a brow at her words. "Something important? You wish to speak with our Daimyo?" His laughed at her words. "I'm afraid your arrival was a waste of time. Our Daimyo is much too busy to meet with mere peasants. Now leave," He waved his hand, gesturing for them to disappear.

"Just because we're peasants you're turning us away? It shouldn't matter what we look like. We're all his people, whether we're poor or rich. I came all this way to speak with him and I will not leave until I do," She replied, as calmly as she could.

Yet, her calm and demanding voice irritated Takeo, his left eye slightly twitching at the woman's impertinence. "Such insolence!" He cried, his once calm face becoming stern. "Our Daimyo is busy with more important matters than your trivial wants! Such a disrespectful woman you are!"

Yuuta quickly reached to clasp his hand over Kagome's mouth before anything worse flew from her lips, but he was too late to reach for her, because she'd already marched closer to Takeo. He felt his heart quicken in anticipation of what would soon come, and he wasn't sure he could easily save her. 'Kagome, I warned you…'

Kagome pointed her finger directly at his face, the like which caused him to stagger back in surprise and causing the guards to strain their eye warningly at her. "Trivial? What could be more important than his people starving?!"

His once stoic face became red as he grinded his teeth together. This girl was becoming a headache, and he was so tempted to backhand her, but instead, he turned to the guards beside him. "Get rid of her and if she so much as comes back here again, imprison her!" He suddenly turned and glared at the girl, whose expression did not once faulter. "And you, I don't want to ever see your face around here again," He seethed.

Before the guards could approach Kagome, Yuuta quickly took his stance in front of her, and dropped to his knees, lowering his head onto the ground as a sign of respect to the Financial Advisor. "Forgive her, milord! She is not right in her head," He quickly replied. "She's been ill since she was flung from our horse weeks ago. I'll be sure she never comes back."

As the guards paused in their approach towards Kagome, their eyes shifting towards Takeo, they regained their original positions beside the gate with just a wave of his hand.

"Do so. The last thing we need is some ill-minded girl approaching our Daimyo. Leave, and this is your final warning."

"Thank you, milord! It will never happen again!" As he quickly regained his standing, the advisor turning to walk back through the open gate, Yuuta wasn't prepared for Kagome's angry and slightly hurt expression as she glowered at him.

"Ill-minded? You think I'm crazy?" Her voice rose suddenly, which caused the Takeo to pause and turn in question.

"Wait, Kagome, please calm down," Yuuta replied.

Kagome scoffed. "I'll show you ill-minded!"

"Control your woman!" Takeo replied, thoroughly disgusted by the ill-mannered woman.

Without warning, she glowered at Takeo's scornful stare. "Control your woman? How dare you! You fucking pompous ass!" She almost screamed, the result causing all jaws to drop, with Takeo stuttering as he pointed angrily at the girl.

Before anything worse could fall from Kagome's lips, he immediately took her by the waist and threw her over his shoulder, quickly running away, past many onlookers who were either laughing at Takeo's suspense or scorning Kagome's ill manners with disappointed stares and or whispers.

"You wretched girl! Don't you dare come back or else I'll have you beheaded!" Takeo screeched, his voice cracking near the end. He was practically seething and shaking.

The last thing Kagome shouted back was the word jackass and her middle finger pointed up in front of her face, before Yuuta disappeared around the corner of the furthest wall and out of sight.

Feeling thoroughly embarrassed and ridiculed, Takeo removed his hat and stomped on it, growling in frustration before the two sentry men. Never in his life had he ever been insulted, and by a mere peasant girl with a terrible temper. "If that little wench shows up again, arrest her immediately!" He ordered them. "I'll personally behead her myself!"

Half an hour after such an incredibly frustrating scene, Kagome finally managed to release her steam, the result leaving Yuuta slightly uncertain about their trip to Edo. Back and forth, she paced, a hand to her chin and her eyes transfixed upon deep ponderings.

He was leaning against the wall further north of the south gate, and as of now, there were no signs of anyone else in the vicinity.

"I can't believe him. He wouldn't even hear me out," She murmured in front of Yuuta.

He only sighed, rubbing his temples. "I told you it wouldn't be easy. You've let your anger get the best of you." Honestly, he never saw her so resentful before, and the sight of it half scared him, though he wouldn't admit it.

"I know, I know. He's such …" She paused. What the best word for someone like him, besides a pompous ass? "Douche. He's a bigger douche than he was when I first laid eyes on him two months back!"

Douche? What was that? "Either way, getting inside will likely never happen now, unless me or someone else goes in your steed, Kagome."

Pausing suddenly in her repetitive walk, her shoulders dropped and she sighed. He was right. Why did she let her anger get the best of her? Normally she was never so quick to anger, but after everything she endured while in this era, it was no wonder. It must have been all that anger that was building within her since the very beginning. After throwing her frustrations at Takeo, she felt slightly relieved, her thoughts slightly cleared. "So, now what?"

"What else? We leave Edo and return to the Demon Slayer Village and ultimately back to Lady Kaede's Village," He answered, as if it were obvious.

"No. I'm not giving up."

He almost growled in frustration. "Kagome…"

"I just need a moment to think…" There had to be a way to get past the guards and meet with the Daimyo, but how? If she so much as got caught, she would be beheaded or spend her life in prison, she was sure.

As he looked around them, a river flowing before them and tall trees nearby, he couldn't help but look at the beige and tall wall behind him, the height quite tall. "Too bad we couldn't just climb the wall," He replied. The moment he said this, he noticed Kagome's head turn at this, her eyes suddenly sparkling in realization.

"That's it, Yuuta! You're a genius! We can jump the wall!"

Yuuta blinked. What? "You're joking…" From the sight of her renewed and enthusiastic face, she was serious. Curse his mouth for even uttering such a reply.

"No, it's the perfect idea! The guards and even Takeo wouldn't see it coming!"

"Absolutely not. Kagome, there's no possible way we could even climb this wall without getting caught, not to mention, there isn't enough rough exterior to hold onto. You'll no sooner hurt yourself before you get over it."

Kagome nodded at this. Yuuta was right about that. "There must be a way to get over…" Her eyes shifted towards their horse eating grass beside them and then to the wall. "What if we stood on the horse?"

"No."

"Why not?" When she notices his stern look, she sighed. "Fine. Then if we can't use the horse, let me use you. Give me a boost, Yuuta."

It seemed no matter what he said, she wouldn't listen to him, and as he turned around and surveyed the wall once more, he sighed. "I don't know, Kagome. It's still pretty tall, even if I boosted you."

"We won't know unless we try."

Deciding he didn't want to waste time arguing with her, he lowered himself on one knee, his foot planted firmly in the ground with his hands cupped before him. "Alright. Put your foot here."

As she follows his instructions, one foot placed in his hands, he suddenly lifts her, her hands quickly grabbing his head for support. As he moved to stand, her feet suddenly planted firmly on his shoulders, his hands around each of her ankles to hold her steady, she touched the wall curiously. It was a lot higher than she first thought. Stretching her arms upwards, she tried to find a means to get up higher. "So close…"

"Try standing on your toes," Kagome instructed.

"I already am," Yuuta replied, struggling to retain this stance, his legs shaking form the amount of weight pressed upon his shoulders.

"Jump then!" She replied.

The sound of voices nearing them caused both Kagome and Yuuta to stiffen worryingly. People were approaching, and by the sounds of it, had not yet noticed them attempting to climb the wall.

Yuuta cursed. "Shit, Kagome, someone's coming."

Before he could pull her away from the wall and into his arms to hide, she pressed more weight onto his shoulder. "Wait Yuuta, push me up quickly. I'm barely touching the top."

"What?"

"Hurry."

Growling, he suddenly lowered himself into a squat position before jumping with as much strength as he had. To his relief, Kagome managed to grasp the top of the wall. For a moment, she almost lost her grip, but her determination to climb over worked. Kagome managed to push her sandaled feet into the wall and raise her leg over, the result leaving her staring at the other side, Takeda Castle sitting just before her, surrounded by large gardens. Finally, she would meet with the Daimyo.