InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Surreptitious Love Affair ❯ The Family ( Chapter 1 )

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1: TheFamily

 

As she sat upon the verdant lawn at the back of her huge, complex domicile, she gazed up into the blue sky, watching silently as the very few white clouds wafted slowly across. Kagome Higurashi then returned her attention to her sketchbook that rested against her thighs, which were closed at the knees and bent towards her chest. She leaned against the back of one of the many trees that took current residence in the spacious, 100 acre lawn on their private property. Kagome always came here not only to get away from her stolid parents but to just be herself and draw the many views of life that their property did present. Drawing was one of many ways to let her hatred and stress just melt away temporarily and relax for the time she had to herself. One of her favorite subjects to sketch was her mother's many flower gardens. She drew many of the extremely rare and beautiful plants that her sketchbook was full of them. She was never alone, as many of her mothers' personal florists and gardeners were currently taking precious care of the gardens, so as not to upset the head female of the residence.

 

Every time I see those servants at work in mother's verdant gardens, I can't help but wonder at how much work they are put through and are not so much as even acknowledged and praised for their hard work. Mostly insect demons, butterflies, bees, and whatnot, work around the clock to make them as healthy and flamboyant as possible to please my mother. Sometimes I wish that they weren't forced to work hard labor to comply and serve my family and be left to their own way of freedom before we humans came and ripped it from them!

 

She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't notice an old woman approach her. An old woman of 65 with gray hair, a black patch covering her right eye, wearing a nursemaid outfit that represented her occupancy in the Higurashi household, moved slowly to the unaware teenager. She approached her and was about to make her presence known, but took one look at the solemn girl's face and followed her gaze to the mistress's many gardens.

“I see you've come, Kaede. Is there something that requires my attention or were you sent by my mother or father to fetch me?” Kagome asked, still focused on the gardens, closing her sketchbook and standing up slowly, towering about 2 feet taller than her nurse.

“Miss Kagome, your father needs your attention on a certain matter. He sent me to look for you. It was no surprise that I found you near your mother's gardens.” She answered

Kagome turned to look at Kaede, looking distressed and tired; she gave a genuine smile and nodded.

“Thank you, Kaede. I guess I'll have to face my father whether I want to or not.” She said, sounding less than enthusiastic as she straightened out her skirt and slowly marched towards the house with Kaede following behind her.

 

My nurse, Kaede, has been nothing but caring and loving towards me ever since I was born. She is one of few humans that serve my family and is the only one who has ever understood me. For 16 years she has cared for me, looked after me more than both my mother and father ever had and has been loyal to me. She is the only one that knows my true feelings towards my parents and the only one who I can be myself around. Kaede has always been there for me and knows me better than anyone else. She is wise and full of vim. She's comforted me in times of stress and need and has found ways to lift me from depression and vapid moods, and I'm grateful to her for that. I consider her more of a mother or in this case, a mother figure than my biological one. She's old enough to be my grandmother but she acts more of a mother to me and that's something that I'll always treasure.

 

She stepped through the back door that leads to the lawn and into the commodious, daedal mansion that she calls home. This structure is big enough to hold Mt. Fuji comfortably! The house was composed of four levels: The cellar and/or basement, the main floor, which the living room, dining room, kitchen, the biggest library that you've ever seen, and the Higurashi chamber of portraits resided. The third level held the bedrooms and guest rooms, totaling about 350 in all, including full bathrooms and studies. The top floor belonged to the workers of the house. Even though the Top floor was spacious, housing about 200 demon servants was not exactly an easy task. Each servant had a single cot, a small dresser, a small toilet and shower, and a small desk and chair, each room separated by walls. The living conditions were ill-favored and unpleasant. They were given small meals at the end of the day, consisting of a simple sandwich and either vegetables or fruit that seemed distasteful to their masters. Some were dangerously dehydrated and on the verge of becoming ill or deathly ill. They got medical treatment about once a month and that wasn't even enough to let most of them recover. Most worked from early dawn until late at night and didn't have enough strength to awake the next morning. Let's just say that most of them were either too sick to care or didn't show their own anger and dourness in front of the Higurashi family.

 

Kagome walked deliberately slow as possible, going through the massive hallways and passing many of the demon workers along the way. She knew of their discomfort and ill-behavior towards her and her parents but couldn't do anything about it. Many glanced upon her with harsh stares but bowed lightly nonetheless. Kagome grew tired of the looks that she received but she knew why she was receiving them. Through the many complex hallways that were adorned with many paintings, vases, expensive carpeting and curtains that halfway covered the floor to ceiling windows, She and Kaede ventured to her father's office quarters that was set in the east wing on the main floor. Kagome knew that her father was always in his office during the daylight hours and wouldn't come out unless something greatly required his attention outside the office. She knew that his business was more important than the well being of her, his own daughter. They came upon the large oak doors that led into her father's spacious room in which nothing but his shipyard and seafood business mattered. Kaede came from behind her and waited to open one of the wooden doors. Kagome hesitantly raised her hand and knocked hard three times.

“Who is it?!” A minatory voice from within, exclaimed. She flinched at his usual tone but immediately put on her inimical nature of comport: to act as cruel and stoic as her father in his presence.

“Your daughter, as I was informed of you wanting to discuss a topic of importance.” She responded, sounding as acrid as she could. She never said her actual name in front of her parents, but instead used terms such as “daughter” or “adolescent”. She always hated not using her name and not being able to call him none other than “sir” or “father”. Putting aside her characteristic bitterness aside, she waited for a reply.

“Come in, then.” Her father replied sounding impatient and bored as he always was when in his private quarters. Kaede opened the large door and stepped aside as she allowed Kagome to pass. She nodded briefly towards her nurse in acknowledgment and proceeded to walk into where her father sat behind the matching oak desk and waited. She faced her father and stood silently as she heard the wooden door close behind her.

 

I despise being here. This room in nothing more than a dungeon, an unbearable chamber that I always drown in. As the many times I've been in this room of doom, I've always left with a bitter taste in my mouth and a never-ending feeling of apprehension in my stomach. My father is a reticent, stolid, fop who does nothing but abuses his powers and treats me and the household workers like dirt. I am always chary when it comes to matters like this. Ever since I came to realize what my father was truly like at a young age, I do nothing but despise him, direct my bitterness and my stress out on him when I'm alone after our discussions. He's always thinking for me, carrying out decisions that I never had a saying in and expects me to deliver them out without a second thought. His decisions are always inexorable and there's nothing that can change his mind. I've never been able to think or act for myself and I have to live with those definite, regrettable judgments for the rest of my life. Every day I damn him for making my life so controlling and harsh, I damn him for ruining my chances of ever becoming happy and content. As long as I bear my well-known family name, my life will always be controlled by my bastard of a father!

 

His leather chair was not facing her at the moment but quickly spun around to reveal a stoic figure in a black business suit, sitting comfortably, with his hands folded in a professional manner. His short black hair was trimmed perfectly and smoothed out to look sleek and perfect. His face held a fearsome gesture and his brown eyes were cold and threatening. His appearance was always like a businessman, always concerned with how he looks in front people. It was because he was the paterfamilias, or the head male of the family. His gravitas for his business was put first before his family and that's what made him an indomitable official.

Kagome stood tall and impressive and remained quiet while her father proceeded to present the topic in which she was summoned for.

“Now…the reason for this summoning was to notify you of a very important tryst that involves the well-being of our company. I received an invitation from Takada Inc. and have asked for our presence at The Takada mansion for a party. Apparently, it's to settle differences and to be a possible worldwide company. I need you to look as showy and profusely as possible. This meeting is taking place 5 days from now so I advise you to look for something to wear that isn't hideous.” He said as patient as he could but sounded bloody angry and un-enthusiastic.

“Very well, Father. Is there anything else that needs to be said before I depart from here?”

“As a matter of fact, there is something else. The Takada name is also well known and combining these two companies will benefit from the enormous profit that we'll gain. The Takada son is your age and has taken a liking to you, so we'll also be arranging a possible engagement for as well. That is all” And with that, he turned his chair again so that the back was facing her.

“Thank you, sir.” She responded as she opened the door and stomped on out of there as swiftly as she could.

 

Kaede stood outside the door and waited patiently for her as she always faithfully did. When the door opened, she saw Kagome marching out of there and holding in her anger as she looked like she was about to explode and immediately took her place behind her as she followed the fuming 16 year old through the house and to her room. Unfortunately, Kagome's mother stopped her along the way. Kaede knew Kagome was not in any mood to hear her egotistical mother.

“Daughter, I need you to do something for me because I haven't the time to do it myself.” She told Kagome. Kagome however, looking pissed at the world at the moment, returned to her comport behavior and looked eye-to-eye at her mother.

 

Joy, one parent who has already destroyed my life and the other want to add to it! Knowing her, she wants me to do something about her garden workers. Like father, she never calls me by my name and addressing me as “daughter” doesn't help my current mood. My mother has a monomania: Her panache collection of recherché flowers from around the world. She has all known flowers that are extremely hard to find and for having the most world known collection, she's become a world wide known florist collector. She cossets her garden more than her children and spends most of her time trying to add more to her overflowing gardens. She puts her obsession before anything else and doesn't care about who makes her gardens more beautiful as long as it's up her satisfaction and standards. When she isn't satisfied, she berates any gardener who she accusingly thinks they did it on purpose to anger her. She thinks that beating and abusing them will solve everything and pushes them to make it better. I feel nothing towards her but rancor, scorn and hatred for what she does to keep her image to the flowering community and boosting her ego even more when she receives a new flower and/or receiving compliments for her efforts. Like father, she can order me around and live my life for me and that's why I loather her so much!

 

“Yes Mother, what seems to be the problem?”

“I need you to discipline Haya for me. She has messed up the flowers of the East Garden and now they're not up to my expectations so I need you to put her in her place.” She instructed, as if it was final.

“I will see to it, Mother. You have my word.” Kagome replied. Her mother then walked off and out of sight.

Altering her course back to the gardens, Kagome hastily made her way with Kaede following her. Kaede knew that Kagome loathed disciplining the workers and never beat them like she was instructed to. Just looking at her rigid form, Kaede knew that her day had just taken a turn for the worse.

When they approached the East Garden, Kagome searched for the one that was called Haya. Haya was a new butterfly demon that was beautiful and lived up to her name at being quick, but she was also inexperienced. Kagome maintained her composure and saw said gardener and walked up to her. Haya looked up to see the Higurashi daughter standing before her and immediately stopped and bowed in respect.

“I hear that you are ruining this part of the garden. Is this true, Haya?” She asked, sounding sympathetic but held her ground.

“Forgive me, Miss Kagome, for I know not what I need to do and have been offered no help at all. Please forgive my lack of knowledge and experience!” She begged, now kneeling before her, shaking out of fear of what is about to come.

Kagome just stared at her and put on a winsome smile. “It is okay, Haya. Being new and inexperienced is something that happens to everyone. I see no need to punish you for what is not your fault. I will have someone teach you and you will know what is expected of you.” She responded, sounding helpful and not bitter which she was currently feeling inside.

The shaken butterfly glanced surprisingly at her, expecting an ineluctable beating and reprimanding. When she heard the sympathetic voice of Miss Kagome, she couldn't help but express her deepest gratitude.

 

I simply don't punish or beat them for making a mistake. That's just immoral. My parents place fear and under-confidence in them and make them believe they're nothing but inferior and scum. I see to it that they are treated as fairly as they should be treated. I would never beat or chastise any demon worker for any wrongdoing and I never will. instead of thinking of them as scum and unfitting to be walking upon the earth, I think of them as creatures who can't help they way they are and they way they used to live.

 

“Kaede, see to it that someone helps Haya and to make sure that she gets the work done right so she'll never be punished for it.” She requested to her nurse. Kaede nodded and waited for her leave.

She left the gardens without another glance and promptly headed into the house and up to her room. She made her way up the long staircase to the upper level where her bedroom was. Kagome found her room and waited for Kaede to enter before she violently shut it. That's when the fireworks started.

“Damn them to Hell!! Why do they expect me to be just like them, all proper and obnoxious when that's not how I truly feel?!” She shouted, as she plopped onto her king size bed face-first. Kaede sighed and made her way to her frustrated cahrge. She sighed, but gave her an answer.

“Miss Kagome, you know how your parents are. They can't expect you to behave like a normal teenager.” She calmly said, sitting beside her, rubbing her back to soothe her. “As a Higurashi, you have to maintain standard.”

“Standard?! Normal?! What the hell is that supposed to mean?!I can't live my life the way I want to because I'm a Higurashi?! My parents won't acknowledge that my life can't be controlled and make all MY choices for me when it really matters! I want to be normal, live a normal life, with no one to decide for me. I'm 16 for crying out loud! And not only that, my father told me that I'm possibly engaged to Takada's son!”

Kaede stopped her rubbing for second at the unexpected news. `No wonder she's upset. I can't blame her for being forced to be engaged to someone she doesn't even know. I've watched over her all her life and I've been with her through the stressful times. This is going to be hard to get through.' She continued to her soothing back rub, knowing that it somehow consoles Kagome a bit.

Kagome continued to have her face buried in her pink pillow, letting a few tears escape her. Being engaged to an unknown bachelor is one thing but marrying them was another. She didn't want to be engaged because of one dark secret: her heart belonged to someone else, someone that worked very close to her. Not even Kaede knew of this suppressed desire.

This is unbelievable. How do I go on being engaged when my heart belongs to someone else? How can I live with the fact that I have to keep my feelings hidden for him and keep on going with my normal routine? I have to find someway to compose myself and act as nothing is out of the ordinary...But I know that's impossible now. How am I going to tell him? This will surely crush him. I have to find a way to get him alone tonight and explain my dilemma. I don't want things to change between us because I love him more than he'll ever know. What did I do to deserve you, Inuyasha?