InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dog Skin ❯ Proposal ( Chapter 1 )

Dog Skin

Chapter One: Proposal

 

King Naraku sat upon his dais looking down on his counsellors. These men were the samurai and village lords who helped him rule his people. They had come before him once again to show their concern and plead their case. It was the third time this year, and an unknown count since his wife died fifteen years ago. Each visit was for the same reason, one that had become tiring in its repetition. They wished him to marry and provide an heir for the kingdom. He wished he could just kill them all.

 

He knew also that it was hoped that a new wife would stabilise him. He smiled at this. He knew the whispers of his people's discontent. They viewed him as changed, a hard and unyielding lord, sometimes cruel in his proclamations and demands. At first he had done it to hurt others as he had been hurt. He had not wanted anyone in his kingdom to be happy, sending farmers to the mines and soldiers to the borders to irritate the neighbouring kingdoms. Eventually he had begun to heal, but by then he had found that he enjoyed the power he wielded to control people's lives, and so continued to torment and ruin those beneath him.

 

“My lord, it has been fifteen years since the death of Jo'ou Kikyou. Though she is still mourned, it must be put aside so that an heir may be produced. This is vital to the kingdoms survival,” said lord Hiten, “and if I may be so bold my lord, O-hime-sama has come of age. A match should be secured as quickly as possible, either with a neighbouring ruler or,” he licked his lips, “with a powerful lord of your own land.”

 

A young, handsome lord, Hiten wore his brown hair in a long braid and his eyes glowed red with the power of his demon heritage. Naraku knew of his lust for his daughter and viewed him as one of the more dangerous lords. He had a reputation of being violent with his women and hard on his people. What Hiten did in his spare time Naraku did not care, but he would not have him near his daughter. She was the only thing he held precious and sacred in the world. She was a living memory of his wife, her last gift to him.

 

“O-hime-sama is of no concern to you, Hiten. I will do what is best for her.” Naraku murmured absently, his gaze on Hiten level and unflinching as the lord bowed his head.

 

“I'm afraid it is his concern, my lord,” another councillor said. He was a white haired old man, one of the few remaining uncorrupted humans on his council. “It's said the Lord of the Western Lands plans to unite the kingdoms. If he succeeds to convince even a few, we will have no choice but to follow or be crushed. If we join, than we must have a strong and stable monarchy to maintain a powerful position.”

 

Lord Naraku had grown weary of their talk. He had heard of the western lords plans and believed it foolish. It would amount to nothing but more bickering and perhaps a war or two. It was a powerful kingdom however, and if invited for the talks Naraku would never be so foolish as to decline.

 

Naraku stood and his councillors quickly followed suit. “I made a promise to my wife on her death bed. I can not go back on such a vow. I will only marry one who rivals my wife.” His tone was final, closing the subject.

 

They followed him from the meeting room and down the hall, trailing him like servants. He knew not where he was going, but was not surprised when he found himself on the balcony that overlooked the central garden. He could see her, sitting in a patch of sunlight, surrounded by her maids and ladies in waiting.

 

She was the brightest jewel in a sea of gems. He provided her with the finest silks and decorations, but even plain she could outshine them. Her hair was a glossy blue-black, her eyes filled with a warmth that was rivalled only by her smile. Her skin was pale and clear, with a healthy glow. He had made her as comfortable as possible, kept her as happy as any girl could be and though he spent little time in her company and spoke with her rarely, he did come here daily to watch her.

 

“My lord?” one of the councillors enquired.

 

He ignored the man and turned to a demon female kneeling by the stairs leading to the garden; a fan rested in her hand at the ready. She was the princess's body guard, a wind youkai he had tied to himself with a life bond and put into his service. She would protect the princess to her death.

 

“She is happy?” Naraku asked as the youkai continued to watch her charge.

 

“Yes, Naraku-sama, she wants for nothing.” Her tone was brusque with minimal deference.

 

Naraku raised an eyebrow. “Nothing at all?”

 

The wind youkai's red eyes flickered to his for a moment before returning to the princess. “As always, she complains of nothing, but I believe O-hime-Kagome would enjoy some attention from his lordship.”

 

Naraku nodded and began down the stairs, his councillors hesitating only a moment before following him. He allowed them to do so; they already knew the rules concerning his daughter.

 

Her smile brightened at his approach and he could only become warm at the sight. It was so much like her mothers. The ladies around her giggled at the approach of so many men, but she only put aside the flowers she had been stringing together and stood, the grace and fluidity of her movements drawing approving murmurs from his men, and increasing his pride in her. She was so much like her mother.

 

She stood before him and bowed. “Otou-sama, what can I do for you?”

 

An unconscious smile crossed his face as he relaxed in her presence. “We came to see you. How has your day been?”

 

She blushed happily at his attention and proceeded to tell him. He was mesmerised by her, and found his thoughts winding down dark paths, paths he had never known existed in his mind where she was concerned. He found himself wondering if the body under the kimono was as perfect as the rest of her, if it bore any resemblance to Kikyou's in proportion and softness.

 

At first he was disturbed by the thoughts, but soon came to the realisation that she may be the answer to his and his councillor's problems. In every way she met the criteria his wife had made him promise to, even down to the spiritual powers of which he had been told by a priest were strong, though untrained.

 

The idea took full form as he and his men moved out of the garden once again, saying farewell to the giggling women and glowing princess. He stopped at the top of the stairs, looking back down at the cluster of butterfly like creatures, a twisted smile stretching his lips.

 

“Yes, it is time for Kagome-sama to marry, and I do need an heir,” Naraku said, drawing the attention of those on the balcony.

 

Hope spread through the lords. Finally their king would relent and marry, and perhaps one of them would receive the hand of the enchanting princess. When he spoke again, however, all hope fled from their minds, horror and disgust replacing it.

 

“I believe my taking O-hime-sama as my Jo'ou-sama will fulfill your requests sufficiently.”

 

There was complete silence on the balcony as Naraku continued walking once again, heading back toward his audience chamber. It only took a few strides before the shuffle of hurried steps could be heard following him.

 

“Naraku-sama, reconsider, please! That would be reprehensible, a disgrace to the ancestors and to our kingdom. You cannot mean to go through with this!” said one of the lords.

 

A flash of his eyes was the only warning before his arm shot back, a tentacle shooting from his palm and impaling the dissenting lord through the chest. He looked back over his shoulder, a cruel smile and cold glint in his eye indicating his mood. The tentacle retracted back into his hand, the corpse slumping to the floor in a gathering pool of blood as the other lords looked on in discomfort and horror.

 

“I will allow no other to marry her, if not myself. I can trust no one to treat my treasure as she should be, and so I will keep her by me always. She will be the vessel for the heir my kingdom so desires from me. Are there any others who wish to argue?”

 

No one answered, each looking away to avoid the darkness that radiated off the man before them.

 

He gave a sinister chuckle and continued down the corridor.

 

***

 

Kagura sat wide-eyed at her post over looking the princess. She felt her stomach roil as she grew nauseous from the words she had over heard. He meant to take his daughter as wife, and soon if she judged correctly the craven look she had noticed on his return from the garden.

 

The wind youkai looked down at her charge, warmth entering her being at the sight of the wholesome girl. If she had been trained she may have been able to cure her father of such darkness. She would have known how to drive out the demons who had taken up residence in his body, and return him to the man he had been before Kikyou's death. But lord Naraku had forbidden her training, preferring her to be ignorant of her abilities. Untrained, she would be unable to defend herself from the growing miasma consuming her father. She would be devoured slowly, piece by pure piece until she was as twisted and depraved as he.

 

Kagura could not stand by and watch that happen to the girl. She had been put in charge of protecting her during a time when Naraku-sama still had some of his humanity. She would fulfill her promise to that man and protect the princess, even if that meant protecting her from him.

 

Removing a feather from her hair, she threw it into the air. It changed into a giant feather and she sat down in it. She directed it down into the garden, smirking at the gasps of wonder and surprise her appearance caused. Upon landing she bowed to the princess, who smiled at her cheerily.

 

“Hey Kagura, come to join us?” she asked.

 

The princess knew full well she would never join the ladies in the garden. Kagura hated the giggles and empty prattle. She guessed that Kagome-sama just liked to remind her that she was always welcome if she changed her mind.

 

She rose from her bow and shook her head. “Kagome-sama, if I may have a moment of your time?”

 

Kagome's head cocked to the side and her brows drew together in concern, though her smile never faded.

 

“Of course, Kagura.”

 

She assured the ladies that she would return shortly before standing and joining Kagura on her feather, kneeling down beside her demon protector. The feather rose into the air effortlessly, carrying the occupants up into the sky overlooking the castle. From this vantage they could clearly see the layout of the castle and the lands surrounding.

 

To the east lay the mountains where the barbaric wolf tribes ruled over the other mountain dwellers. To the west lay forest which spread from the outer perimeter wall and out over the border into the lands of the Western Lord, Sesshomaru. Kagura followed the gaze of her charge, who had a strange fascination with those lands. She herself had never seen them, but had a strange desire to go there, her wind instincts pulling at her to go. But first she would have to see to her princess.

 

“Hime-sama, I do not know how else to tell you what I must. It is greatly disturbing, but I feel you must be made aware.”

 

Kagome looked at her worriedly. “What is Kagura? Has Otou-sama increased taxes yet again?”

 

Kagura shook her head.

 

She cocked her head. “Has he sent more men to the mines? Or gone too far with his soldiers at the borders?”

 

She shook her head again, her brows drawing together.

 

Kagome's expression became confused, her worry increasing. “Did he have another village headman punished for a shortfall of predicted crops?”

 

At Kagura's final head shake and increased displeasure, Kagome's shoulders slumped, the cheer of her earlier demeanour vanishing.

 

“Then he has done something worse this time,” she said her voice faint and broken. “Tell me now so that I can beg the ancestors for forgiveness.”

 

Kagura hesitated, but decided it was best to get it over with as quick as possible. She told her of the meeting, and of how she guessed it was of the same as all the others before, a request for his remarriage and an heir. She told of his arrival on the balcony and his questioning after her happiness. Kagome smiled slightly at this, but it quickly vanished as Kagura continued.

 

“He returned to the balcony with a strange look on his face, and I swear by the winds the words I repeat next are true. He said, `Yes, it is time for Kagome-sama to marry, and I do need an heir. I believe my taking O-hime-sama as my Jo'ou-sama will fulfill your requests sufficiently.' A vassal disagreed and was killed by a tentacle from his palm. I believe the demons have won over his body and mind, Kagome-sama.”

 

The princess stared at her, her face clearly displaying her shock and disbelief to the wind youkai. She was a guileless child, for the most part unable to hide her feelings, having never had the need or wish to.

 

“You cannot be right. You can not have heard right!” She was becoming hysterical.

 

Kagura bristled, she had her pride and did not like her information questioned. But then, the princess had reacted the same way to every piece of news the wind youkai had brought her concerning her fathers' behaviour over the years. First there would be disbelief, then anger, and finally acceptance as she saw the growing evidence of the truth. The maids and ladies in waiting would repeat the same stories, making it the undeniable truth.

 

“I'm afraid it is the truth, Kagome-sama,” Kagura said, “I heard it with my own ears.”

 

Kagome shook her head. “No. No, Otou-sama would never…he could never….” She shook her head at the idea, a hand clutching her stomach as she struggled to regain control. Finally she looked up at Kagura, eyes hurt and pleading. “Why would you tell me this?”

 

Kagura sighed. “Because it is the truth and I pledged to protect you.”

 

The princess laughed with no amusement. “Protect me from what?”

 

She huffed, rolling her eyes. “From Naraku-sama, I fear he will come for you tonight. You must be out of the castle by then.”

 

She shook her head stubbornly. “I'm not going anywhere, `cause that's not going to happen. Understand? Otou-sama would never disgrace me or the kingdom that way.”

 

Kagura did not have time to argue with the princess, but nor did she have time not to convince her. She could not forcefully take her from the castle, there were wards set about her for the chance of just such a thing happening. With a sigh she directed the feather back to the garden.

 

“Very well, Kagome-sama, believe what is most comfortable. But if he does come to you tonight and proposes what I have warned you of, then you must delay him. Say you require a proper wedding, and so are in need of three kimonos to wear along with a fur mantel,” Kagura instructed as she formulated plans in her mind to safely and quietly remove her from the castle.

 

Kagome said nothing to the wind youkai as she stepped from the feather, heading back to the group of jewelled butterflies she had left. Her glow was dimmed from the disturbing news she had been brought, but she still outshone them all.

 

***

 

Kagome knelt in her white sleeping yukata, a maid brushing out her hair before she turned in for the night. She had managed to gain back some to the gaiety she had before Kagura's news. She still could not bring herself to believe the wind youkai, though she had to admit she'd never brought her false news. It was just too much. She had come to accept that her father was changing, and not for the better. She was powerless to change or stop him as long as she lived under his roof. All she could do was pray to the ancestors to forgive him and promise she would fix it all once she was free.

 

Free. When did she start thinking of her home as a cage? She was allowed to come and go as she pleased, as long as she was under escort of course, and was given all she could desire or need. She supposed it was what happened when a girl became of age in her mothers house. She wished for a house of her own to be in charge of. Of course Kagome's mother was dead, but still, she found herself forever hidden in her shadow. She feared the comparisons that would begin now that she was grown. Her father already commented on her daily growing resemblance to her mother.

 

Kagome shuddered. Suddenly those comments took on a sinister tint.

 

“O-hime-sama, are you cold?” the maid asked, pausing in her task.

 

“No, just a disturbing thought,” Kagome said, “Please, continue.”

 

The maid began to brush again. “O-hime-sama should not think thoughts that disturb her then. They cause nothing but discomfort.”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes at this mindless prattle. She'd taken all she could this morning and afternoon. She didn't need more of it before bed. She envied Kagura in that respect; the wind youkai could avoid those conversations she did not have an interest in. While she enjoyed the women and their company, that enjoyment only lasted for so long before she got tired of talking about men and clothing.

 

A tap on her screen door caused both her and the maid to jump in confusion. After a look to her lady, the servant set the brush down and stood, moving to the screen to kneel and open it. There were some murmurs and then the maid stood and left through the minor opening. Kagome watched in wonder and sudden trepidation as her father entered her sleeping chambers to kneel before her. He wore his own sleeping yukata, his black, contrasting her own in a symbol not lost on her.

 

She bowed, her loose hair falling over her shoulders as her hands shook in her lap. “Otou-sama, this is a surprise. Is there something you are in need of?”

 

“Do not call me that, Kagome. From now on I will hear only Naraku-sama pass from your lips, do you understand.” His voice was stern; though there was thickness to it she did not understand.

 

Her head still bowed, she spoke, her voice shaky. “No, O- Naraku-sama, I do not understand.”

 

The sound of him moving forward had her head up with a jolt. She did her best to hide her growing fear with surprise. He sat with his knees almost touching hers, his hands resting on them. His face was impassive as he looked down on her, his eyes flashing red, momentarily revealing the demons turmoil inside of him. She flinched when his hand unexpectedly moved to her cheek.

 

“I will not give you up to any other man to care for. You are my treasure. I made a promise to Kikyou, your mother, to only marry one who is at least equal to her in beauty, grace and purity. Since I must marry again to give my kingdom an heir, and you must eventually marry, I have decided that the only way to protect you and fulfill my obligation, is to take you as wife.” His tone allowed for no argument.

 

She was frightened stiff, his words echoing through her mind as she stared at him dumbly. His thumb ran across her dry lips, causing her to jump at the unfamiliar touch. His hand slid down, across the smooth skin of her neck to that of her shoulder, resting under her yukata. She shivered at the touch, averting her gaze as she bit back the revulsion and sense of betrayal she was feeling.

 

“After tonight, you will be Jo'ou of my kingdom.”

 

His hand moved down, shifting material as fingers trailed along skin before his palm found her breast, cupping it to squeeze and pinch. She bit her tongue to keep from screaming, the colour draining from her face.

 

Her mind raced for a way out, an escape. Kagura had been right. She was always right. The thought of Kagura brought back her suggestion. It would take all her acting ability, but she would have to convince him to do it. She needed the time to fix him, or at least figure out how to get away.

 

She turned her head, attempting to control herself and appear shy. “Tonight? So sudden?” She gathered strength and looked him directly in the eye. “If it is what you wish of me, then I will relent, but as your treasure, do I not deserve the best? Do I not deserve a wedding?” she asked, keeping her voice steady, even managing to use some of her real outrage to add to her performance.

 

Naraku paused in his exploration of her, removing his hand from her flesh to rest on his knee. His eyes flashed red as another battle ensued. Finally he answered, “What is it you wish from me, my treasure?”

 

Kagome inwardly sighed. “I wish for a formal ceremony attended by your vassals and overseen by a Shinto priest.”

 

Naraku nodded. “Very well, it will be arranged by tomorrow night.”

 

Kagome inwardly blanched. “For the wedding I will required three kimonos. One made of cloth that shines bright like the sun, one that glows like the moon, and one that sparkles like the stars.”

 

An amused smile curved his mouth at her request. “Very well, I will get the best weavers in the kingdom on that immediately. They will work day and night until they are finished. You should have them in a week's time.”

 

Kagome frowned. A week? She needed a little more time than that to cure him if it was possible. He noted her expression and smoothed her brow before cupping her cheek.

 

“Is there something more, my treasure? I understand that you want this day to be perfect. It is a very special day for a woman.” His tone was amused, but there was an underlying impatience to it.

 

“Just one more thing, Naraku-sama,” she said demurely, “I ask only for a mantel made up of patches of fur from every animal in the kingdom. I wish to wear it the day of my wedding as a final layer to my wedding kimono.”

 

He stared down at her thoughtfully, his eyes guarded. She feared he would see through her and so leaned her face into the hand that still cupped her cheek, closing her eyes as she put on the adoring smile she used only for him.

 

It seemed to work, he caressed her cheek before drawing her forward, removing his hand from his knee to cup her other cheek before kissing her forehead.

 

“It will be done,” he said in a murmur.

 

He straightened her yukata and then stood, moving to the screen door. “All that you have asked for is indeed what my treasure deserves. I apologise for not thinking of it myself. Rest well, my treasure, in a little over a week's time, we will be wed.”

 

Kagome stared vacantly at the screen door after he left, unaware of all else as she tried to control the growing despair. All would be well, she told herself; she would find a cure and save him. She had to, or she would be forced to leave behind all she had ever known. She slumped to the floor with a sob, staring up at the ceiling in supplication. She was exhausted from holding so tightly to her emotions and wanted nothing more than to curl into a ball and cry until she was asleep. When Kagura entered she was not surprised. Her room was adjacent to her own, only a paper thin screen door separating them. She was sure to have heard everything.

 

“So…,” the demon said.

 

“You were right, as always. I'm sorry I doubted you,” Kagome said with a weak laugh.

 

“I'm sorry. I'm sorry it's true, if that helps,” Kagura offered.

 

Kagome sat up and met the red eyes of her guardian. “Yes, it does actually.”

 

Kagura nodded. “What do you plan?”

 

She looked down at her hand, studying it critically. “I'll try to cure him. It's dangerous, but I have to try. He's my father.”

 

Kagura nodded, having expected this. “And if it doesn't work? What then?”

 

Kagome sighed; fearing what her life would be like if it didn't work. “Can you arrange an escape route for me in a week? One in which no one will see me and where you will not be pointed to as an accomplice?”

 

She shouldn't have been, but Kagura was surprised that the princess would worry for her safety.

 

“Yes, Kagome-sama. It will be done as you request.”

 

***

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