InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Cinderella Stroy ❯ The Secret Lives We Lead ( Chapter 2 )

Yoshi leaned back against the doorframe, watching as his daughters sat in the garden. Yuka, the oldest, wore a soft green kimono of the finest silk, while Ayame wore one of deep red. The girls looked like gems, pure pristine and polished. They had grown up well, even if their mother had died giving birth to Ayame they had turned out to be proper young ladies. He doted upon them, he knew, giving them whatever they wanted. Yuka was perhaps a little portly because of it, her tastes running toward fine foods rather than the jewelry that Ayame preferred, but they were still lovely.

He heard the shoji door open behind him but did not turn. The whore set the tray down, her forehead pressed to the mat as she backed out of the room and closed the door. It wasn't hard to control her. Once a year she went to visit her grandfather, and during that time she was under strict orders. If anyone ever suspected what he was doing to her, her maid, Tsume, and that pathetic little kitsune she carted around everywhere would die.

Kagome rose and walked back to the kitchen where Tsume and Shippou waited for her. She scooped up the pup and they headed toward town. They made this trip once a week, usually to try and find some new delicacy for Yuka. Here though, Kagome's life as a servant ended and her life as a miko and a high born Lady of the Blood began. She had inherited her powers from her father's family. At first she had thought that her new father might be keeping her as a servant to help harness her powers, but the more she learned the more she came to realize that if he ever knew she was a miko, he would kill her. She was just too powerful to control. They entered the village and she waved to Kaede. The old miko smiled at her student and rose from her work.

Over the past years, many threats had arisen against their tiny kingdom. The human threats Yoshi dealt with well enough, politics and intrigue were more his game than hers, but there were other powers in the world. Once, five years ago, a youkai uprising had swept across the land to their very doorstep. Kagome and Kaede had used their combined powers to keep the youkai out. A few other attacks had resulted in sound thrashings and soon few if any youkai dared venture within their borders. As a result a small group of youkai hunters had gathered. Kagome encouraged them, using her position to skim a small amount of money away from the taxes so that they could build their community.

During droughts, Kagome organized for food and water from neighboring villages. She set up regional governors to help keep the trade routes open and the peasants in line during such times. Yoshi never imagined, could never imagine, just how much of his kingdom was actually run by a slip of a girl who served him his morning tea.

Kaede beamed at Shippou and Kagome. "It does my heart good to see you. I was worried he would notice the bruises after your encounter with Yura of the Hair."

Kagome shuddered. That particular youkai had proved very troublesome. "He just assumed that one of the grooms had decided I was doing something wrong and took it upon himself to punish me."

Kaede turned and began to walk, Kagome and Tsume moved to keep pace. "I have a message from the Lord of the Western Lands. He and his brother are doing a tour of the human kingdoms within their lands and have requested permission to visit us."

"That seems odd."

"Yes, especially since we are the only ones who received notification. My counterparts in the other kingdoms informed me that Sesshomaru-sama and Inuyasha-sama do not like to announce themselves. They simply go where they wish. Apparently someone felt it was prudent to warn us they were coming."

"I guess. What do you know about them?"

"Well, they are inu-youkai and of a very ancient descent. Inuyasha is a hanyou, something his brother holds against him, but he has no other heir and so tolerates the pup. They share the same father, and publicly they share the same political views. More than once, though their disagreements have come to blows."

"Send the message up to Lord Yoshi and I will see to it that he pays attention to it. Inform Sato's people and make sure Yumi has someone on hand when they cross our border. I want them escorted by…I think one of Yumi's monks or nuns and one of Sato's hunters should do it."

"As you command. Anything else?"

"I think that's it. Short visit today. If anything comes up you know how to reach me."

Kaede inclined her head. "Of course, Kagome-sama."