InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bonds ❯ Chapter 2

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 2

Beginnings

“The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

Lao Tzu

I was born during the Second World War, in 1945 to be exact. It was a year full of strife. Bombings, air raids were the order of the day. My mother even told me that while she was in labour, there was an air raid siren. But thankfully, the warning turned out to be a warning only. But the war had its other casualties, including my father. So it was my grandfather, mother and me all alone in the enormous mansion…….

1961

The two men sat in the elaborately adorned room, drinking quietly from the ornate tea cups. It was an ordinary day in Tokyo, sunlight mixed with light wafting breezes.

The sunlight meandered into the room, exposing the rich cushions aligned over the beige tatami mats. The two men in the room were as different as chalk and cheese. One was in is mid-sixties, yet he looked tall and proud and though the other seemed to be of the same age, he had a shrewd, calculating look on his face.

The tall man laid his cup down. “So, Osugi-san, what is your news?” The other man looked up and said, “My family is fine, Higurashi-sama. Thank you for enquiring.” Amused, Ryujiro Higurashi raised an eyebrow. “You know very well what I'm asking about.”

“Ah, you want to know the latest news. Well then, I shall tell you.” Osugi said in a cool manner. “I haven't heard of any suitable matches.” Higurashi nodded his head.

“We don't need to beat about the bush, do we? You must have heard of some good alliances for my granddaughter.”

Osugi smiled again. It was his job as a matchmaker to keep information about the families and arrange alliances and marriages between them. Of course, the generous gifts offered were certainly an added incentive.

“Well, if you insist. I have news from the Nakagawa family. Their oldest boy is twenty-five, and he is well on his way to becoming a diplomat.”

“Humph! The Nakagawas are totally uncultured. His grandmother was a geisha.”

“All right then. The Endos' youngest son is of marriageable age. He has already joined the business.”

“The Endos are what the foreigners call nouveau riche. Besides, he's the youngest. I want my granddaughter to be the head of her family.”

“You are so difficult to satisfy. Well, the Taishos are looking for a wife for their eldest. He has been educated in England and is working for a big firm there.”

“The Taishos are a good family. We are distantly related, I think. Isn't the boy's name Sesshoumaru?”

“Yes, sir. No doubt it will be a good match between both your families.”

“I want you to talk to them about Kagome. Do it as soon as possible.”

As both the men stood up, the lone woman listening to their conversation secretly, hurried out of sight.

Meanwhile..

The three girls sat in the gardens, laughing and chatting together. They had been friends since childhood and their bond had grown stronger over the years. Now they had become inseparable.

“Tell us about that incident again, Kagome-chan.”, Yuka asked eagerly. Kagome gave a lilting laugh. “This may be the tenth time I'm telling this.” “But you're so good at telling stories.” added Eri. “No. Let's read Ayumi's letter.” said Kagome.

The three intently stared at the letter that their friend Ayumi had sent them. Ayumi had been sent to England for her high school education, and had adapted there like a fish to water. She wrote to them often. It read;

Dear Kagome, Eri and Yuka,

I hope you are all fine there. Don't worry about me, I'm doing great. I've got to finish two more terms and then I'll be in the sixth form. That horrible old Principal was making trouble as usual. Anyway, I don't pay any attention to her.

Last week, I went to the sea-side and guess what? I wore a bikini! It's this very short dress you wear while bathing. I'm sure all the guys must have been looking at me. I'm thinking of coming to Japan after finishing my term. But I have to end my letter now, because I'm going to a concert by the Beatles in the evening (they're this divine band).

Au revoir! (That's French for “till we meet again”)

Ayumi

“Wow, Ayumi-chan is learning so many languages, and going to all these fancy places.” Yuka remarked. “But it's that same sewing, cooking, dressing up and Ikebana routine for us.” sighed Kagome. “I wish I could learn all these languages and go to all those places Ayumi does.”

“It seems you don't like all this, Kagome-chan. But what's the use of learning them? All we've got to do is marry well and keep a good home for our husbands.”

Kagome's liquid blue-black eyes flashed at this statement. “That's what you think, Eri. Why can't women do all the things men do? Can't we do anything productive? We can't spend all our lives looking after our husbands and children.”

Eri laughed. “There you go again, with all those righteous views of yours. Calm down. Anyway, all of us are sixteen. Our parents will start arranging our marriages now.”

Kagome sighed at her friend's comments. Her friends may have accepted the reality but she wouldn't. She had been born with a fiery, independent spirit that did not conform to this chauvinistic ideology. “Whatever you may say. I don't believe in this whole devoted-wife thing.”

The silent figure of her mother watched the three girls, lost in the carefree laughter and chatter of their youth. “My child, if you only knew………..”

Later that day…

Ryujiro Higurashi was reading the newspaper with a triumphant grin on his face. He had cleverly negotiated an alliance for Kagome. She would lead a rich comfortable life and so could they. Osugi had a good reputation and he was sure that the Taishos would accept the proposal. His family had been a rich one, but their reserves were running out. He was killing two birds with one stone.

His reverie was interrupted by his daughter-in-law. “Kaoru, please come sit down.”

She quietly sat down on the floor, head bowed down. “Father, I came to speak to you about Kagome.” “I presumed you would. Even the walls have ears.”

Kaoru Higurashi looked up at her father-in law. “Please, father, Kagome is just sixteen. She's too young to be married.” “Young? I believe you were fifteen when my late son wedded you.” “ But that was twenty years ago. Times are changing now. And you know Kagome isn't the traditional sort of girl.” Ryujiro was non-plussed. “I have my own reasons. And don't forget your place. You have no right to question me.”

“But Kagome wants to see the world. She's still too young.” Kaoru pleaded.

The older Higurashi fixed a cold stare on her. “I will have none of this whining and wheedling. Kagome is of marriageable age. What will society say if we send her off to see the world? My decision is final.”

Kaoru walked away, knowing that she could never deter the old man, once he became determined to do something. She could only think of her lively, free-spirited daughter who was the victim of his schemes.

But she was determined too. Determined not to let her child suffer the way she had.

Hi guys! Just to clear a few points about the story. The first part will be written from Kagome's point of view. Also, I incorporated the role of a matchmaker in the story. A matchmaker is prominent in most Asian communities. This story is set in the 1960's so it will have a good dose of ol'feminism. Thanks!