InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Feudal Tale ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: Inuyasha is the property of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz. I am only borrowing the characters.

 

The soft patter of water filling a bucket filled Kagome's ears. She sat patiently by a stream, letting the small waterfall fill the vessel for her. When the weight became close to too much for her, she pulled it out and balanced it out on her hip. She walked sedately up the worn path to the village, and to her home. She had no desire to spill the water she had gone to such lengths to collect, and was also in no hurry to return home.

 

Her eldest sister, Kikyo, had been enamored with a young orphan in the village. It was rumored that his father was killed in an uprising against the shogunate right after he was born, and his mother died of cholera soon after. Kagome's father, ever hungry for sons, saw an opportunity in his daughter's interest in the young man. When her father had proposed the arrangement to the man, he was unable to refuse such a generous offer. They had been married soon after, and received their own room in the family house.

 

Kagome tripped slightly on a root and was forced away from her musings. She focused more on balancing the water. When it was stabilized, she found herself returning to her worries.

 

Akamaru was a nice enough young man, and normally she would be very happy for her sister and for him. But the long, penetrating glances she felt upon her person made her increasingly nervous.

 

At first it had seemed innocent enough. Maybe Akamaru was simply unused to being around an extended family. But one night she felt a touch across her lower back as she was bent over scrubbing the dishes. She stiffened and looked up, and he was the only one around. His stares became more pressing and she was nervous about being near him alone.

 

Kagome turned her gaze down and sighed forlornly. She wondered why no one seemed to notice her sister's husband distracted glances. It seemed very obvious to her.

 

“Kagome-chan!” She glanced up sharply and her gaze focused on her mother.

 

“Your father has something to discuss with you. Hurry! Here, give me that.” She took the bucket of water and gave Kagome a gentle push towards the house.

 

Surprise melted into anxiety. It was no secret that her father had not been doing well in the past few harvests, and his mood had adjusted accordingly. He was also displeased with his lack of sons, and took out that rage on his daughters. Kagome did her best to shield the younger ones from his anger, but it made her no less nervous about his calling her into an audience. It was also no secret that several girls had vanished behind the walls of the red light district in Edo. It was rumored that no one ever emerged unscathed, if they emerged at all.

 

Kagome took a deep breath to steady herself before entering the house. She slid open the door and immediately noticed her father sitting alone in the main chamber. She hurriedly slid off her shoes and stepped up onto the raised wooden floor.

 

“Otou-san? You called for me?”

 

“Yes, Kagome. Come, sit. I have wonderful news.”

 

Her nervousness increased. Her father was rarely in a good mood, and he was often scarier when he was trying to be pleasant.

 

She obediently knelt across from him, and bowed slightly in deference. He acknowledged it and smiled widely. Kagome fought increasing nerves.

 

“I have recently received an excellent offer for you.” He revealed, his face shining with pride. Kagome blanched. Offer?

 

“Keiji-sama recently proposed to Inuyasha that he take a wife to fulfill his loneliness. He also recommended you for a bride. Inuyasha offered an astoundingly high bride price for you. It is more than I could have dreamt of for my third daughter. It will seem as though the past few years of failures never happened.” He was very excited about this prospect. His gaze finally returned to her.

 

“So, Kagome, aren't you proud of what your life will accomplish for our family? Because of you your sisters will eat well.”

 

Kagome's lip trembled.

 

“I am to be married, otou-san?” she queried softly.

 

His smile did not dim. “As soon as possible. What a happy day, eh?”

 

Kagome tried to smile. She had, after all, felt the hunger as much as her sisters. But somehow what it cost her made the bright prospect dimmer.

 

“I am proud to be able to serve my family.” She intoned softly.

 

Her father brightened. “Good, for tonight Inuyasha comes to dine with us so he can officially approve of the match. There is still a chance that he might want one of your sisters instead. So you must do your best to impress him, eh?” He scrutinized her appearance. He scowled. “Find your mother. Have her bring out a formal kimono. You can't look like some rice farmer's brat when he comes.”

 

Kagome felt numb.

 

Inuyasha. To tell the truth, she knew very little about him. He had been a little older than she, enough that as children they never had contact. That, and her father had ordered his daughters to stay away from the craftsmen. In the village a strict hierarchy was established. The headman sat at the top, and the farmers formed the next level and the bulk of the population. As such, they generally looked down upon the two levels below, the merchants who came through from Edo periodically, and the two families of craftsmen, one of which was represented only by Inuyasha. As such, it was not deemed appropriate for her to be seen with Inuyasha or his like. As a matter of fact, if it weren't for the hard-pressed nature of their finances, she doubted her father would consider such a match, even for a third daughter.

 

Personally, he had always been a little bit of an enigma. His mother had died when he was young, and his father had passed away only a few years ago. He was not so bad looking, from what she had seen. He was not fat or small. He was taller than she, with a lean, strong body. His violet eyes were unique, and they shone out from a clear face surrounded by thick, long midnight hair. He didn't cut it in the traditional shaven head and topknot style used by most men. He left it full and thick atop his head, which she found more attractive on him.

 

She had always known that she was not going to receive a perfect marriage. Proud as her father was, he was not of high enough status that all his daughters were guaranteed good marriages. At least she wasn't to be married to a drunken, violent old man. There were several men whom she prayed regularly would not be considered for matches. She also prayed for herself and her sisters that a brothel was not in any of their futures.

 

However, she had never considered Inuyasha as an option. She had never thought circumstances would make her father look somewhere that he considered that beneath him. Inuyasha was also well known for being stubborn to the point of being unreasonable. It was unlikely that he would submit to the whims of her father, making him even more unsuitable for marriage. In all, the possibility of marrying Inuyasha had never been a consideration.

 

Kagome was startled when her mother and younger sister greeted her. They rushed her into a smaller room to change.

 

Her mother was surprisingly quiet during the process. Kagome finally broke the silence.

 

“Mama, this is a good thing, is it not?”

 

Her mother sighed, pursing her lips. Kagome began to worry more.

 

“It isn't Inuyasha, is it?” she asked. “Is he…unkind?”

 

Her mother shook her head distractedly. “I'm not so worried about your future husband.” She said in smooth tones. “I remember Inuyasha as a small boy. He was always kind, especially to girls. Even when other boys took to capturing foxes and torturing them, Inuyasha always found ways to let them go. I know that he will take good care of you.”

 

Kagome sensed a slight tremble in her mother's hands. “My husband sees fit to sell you to a stranger, what will he do with my other children, with your sisters? I worry for them.” Kagome laid a hand on her mother's leg. She blinked slightly. Her mother had not had so many creases in her face this morning, had she?

 

Before she could consider it further her younger sister returned with a slightly new kimono that she had been sent to retrieve, and the women commenced their work of dressing.

 

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

 

Inuyasha shook out his hair and considered again tying it up more formally. He liked his hair more loose, but who knew what Kagome, his bride to be, would like? The last time he tried tying it up he had looked like a woman. He definitely didn't want to appear womanly in front of her family.

 

He sighed. His life had been much simpler before he agreed to marry Kagome, the farmer's daughter. He had never wanted the burden of a wife, or any disturbance of his solitude. Ever since his father died he had grown accustomed to living alone in the house, and his cooking was now tolerable, to him at least.

 

When the elder Keiji had approached him with the order from the headman that he get a wife, he had wanted to tell the man to go to hell. He had been even more appalled when the man had gone into detail with how he could use this woman for his own surely repressed carnal desires. He had been disgusted, but knew that the other villagers would start coming down on him as well if he continued with his bachelordom.

 

The elder had sensed when Inuyasha began to cave, and presented his options. Inuyasha accepted without really thinking about it, not thinking that it would make a difference. He had no desire to hurt a woman by taking out his desires on her, and many of the girls he'd had the courage to talk to shunned him.

 

He'd never had the courage to talk to Kagome. She was a middle child of a group of rather overprotective sisters. Her eldest, Kikyo, had noticed his lonely glances at the group of girls playing and told him that she would have him flayed by the village men if he looked at them again. His slight crush on the young girl had been immediately stripped of its wings and brutally slaughtered. And at that moment he immediately chose her because of his memories of longing.

 

Now he was not so sure. The more he thought about his decision, the more he regretted it. Maybe if he had chosen some girl who had been nasty to him he would feel less miserable about ruining her life. He was fine with his solitude, but women were social creatures. Surely being married to him would take away all her friends, and her family would cut themselves off from her. Now he realized that in his haste to pick a woman he fantasized about having a possibly happy life with he had condemned her to a life of misery.

 

He sighed miserably again. He was supposed to go to dinner at their house to be formally introduced to her, as his future wife.

 

Maybe if I reject her completely then she'll be able to live a normal life.

 

No, have you seen her father? He'd probably have her sent to the brothels. Or married off to one of the old lechers that hang around here.

 

He shuddered. He knew that though the marriage had not been formally announced, the entire village knew, and no decent man would have her after she had been promised to the likes of him.

 

He sighed.

 

I should never have agreed to have a wife anyways. What have the elders ever given me? I shouldn't have given in to that spineless ass wipe of a man.

 

Finally deciding just to leave his hair down, he smoothed his kimono shirt and mentally rolled his eyes at his nerves. Finally realizing that he would be late, if he wasn't already, he set out to meet his future wife.

 

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

 

“He's here!” hissed the youngest of the girls, sticking her head into the room Kagome had been sitting patiently in since she was ready. Kagome bit her lip and immediately regretted it when she tasted lip rouge on her tongue. Her sister sighed and grabbed a small cloth. She dabbed at Kagome's lips, removing most of the rouge, leaving only the smallest trace of color on her lips.

 

“You would get it on your food anyways. Besides, you have lovely lips.”

 

Their conversation was stilled when their mother reentered the room. She pursed her lips at Kagome's lack of rouge, but evidently decided to ignore it.

 

“It's time, Kagome-chan.”

 

Kagome rose and nervously walked forward. “What does his mood appear to be?”

 

Her mother took her hand and gently tugged her forward. “I think your future husband is as nervous as you.” Her mother turned back, and for the first time since the whole affair had started, she smiled. “Be kind and respect him, and I believe that he will treat you well.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened in shock, then settled into calmness. If mama thinks he's all right, then I suppose I can have a little hope.

 

Guided forward by her mother, she carefully kept her eyes on the ground. She heard the swish of the door gliding open, and the sounds of conversation halted as soon as they crossed the threshold. There she glanced up and let her eyes search for him.

 

Her gaze immediately found him. Seated on her father's right, at Akamaru's usual place, he looked distinctly uncomfortable. His eyes were on her, and in moments their gazes connected. Her lips gaped open slightly and she felt a light pink flush cover her cheeks. Quickly she snapped her jaw up and looked down, embarrassed.

 

Her mother lead her to the place on Inuyasha's right, where she could serve him while he ate. She knelt and automatically reached to tip sake from the jug into his empty cup. He took the cup and sipped from it. The rest of the family took their places around them. Her mother sat across from Kagome. Much to her discomfort, Akamaru sat on her right, far too close for her comfort.

 

She unconsciously edged to her left, until her feet bumped against the mat on which Inuyasha sat. She glanced over nervously at him, sure that he would be annoyed by her invasion of his space. His eyes caught hers and he gave her a reassuring look. She felt herself relax almost immediately.

 

Dinner was a relatively quiet affair. Her father spoke of the history of their family, going on about the various successes and failures, and the future hopes that were now even closer to being achieved. All the while Kagome silently served Inuyasha the dinner. She was happy that she didn't mess up. It was the first time she actually served a man in the position of his wife. Her mother sent her several pleased glances throughout the meal, indicating that she was doing well.

 

Finally the end of the affair came and her mother indicated to her that she should begin clearing dishes. She did so quickly and rose to follow her mother to the kitchen.

 

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

 

Inuyasha breathed slightly in relief when she left with the pile of dishes. He had been awestruck when she entered the room. She had been very shy, but his heart began to jump out through his throat with every beat when her eyes had met his. The blush that spread across her cheeks made her seem much more approachable, much…gentler.

 

He felt how nervous she was when she sat down next to him. He had been worried that she might make a mistake and embarrass herself or make her father angry with her. But she performed flawlessly. No one else had even noticed when she edged away from the man on her other side, sidling towards him in an effort to put more distance between her and the other man. He looked down at her in time to catch her frightened glance at him, and he sent her a reassuring glance. He would find out later why she was frightened of this man.

 

Now that Kagome and the rest of the family had taken their leave with a glance from the head, the father leaned in to him.

 

“Is she pleasing to you?” he asked. “If she is not, then I have other daughters. But I can assure you that Kagome will serve your every need.”

 

Inuyasha felt mildly disgusted that he would pawn off his daughters so easily. But he smoothed his face. Where before he had not cared for the idea of a woman, this female attracted something from him. It felt necessary to protect her. If that meant trading pleasantries with this man, then he would do so.

 

“She will make a good wife.” He agreed. “And I would be honored to make her my own.”

 

Her father looked like he would burst in pride. “We shall arrange the wedding immediately then. I will take care of everything.”

 

Inuyasha nodded. It was to be expected, of course.

 

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

 

Kagome polished the fine dishes alone in the kitchen. Everyone else had gone on to other tasks, leaving her by herself. She liked the time to herself, as it was the only time where she could think.

 

He was…not so bad. He…I don't think he would mistreat me.

 

Mama approves of him.

 

But, he lives alone, doesn't he?

 

Kagome blanched. She was used to spending most of her time around her sisters, sharing chores and gossiping. She heard that married women had different responsibilities, and didn't play with their childhood friends anymore. She hardly saw Kikyo nowadays, not since she had been married.

 

As though by fate, Kikyo stepped into the kitchen. She smiled and knelt by Kagome.

 

“You are to be married soon, imouto.”

 

“Hai.”

 

Kikyo drew herself up. “I must be frank then. I have little time before I must return to my duties. Mother will surely not tell you this, because she is an idealist that believes that everyone has a chance to be happy.” She scowled fiercely.

 

“Part of being a wife,” she continued, “is occupying the bed of your husband. Men are different from women, they have…needs.” Kikyo cleared her throat loudly. “You will know when he wants you, he will make it clear. It is your duty to lie down and let him take what he needs from you. It will hurt, especially the first time, but it is your duty as his wife to do this for him. Your man will probably also visit the brothels regularly when he gets tired of you.”

 

Kagome drew back. “Why would just Inuyasha do such a thing?”

 

Kikyo rolled her eyes. “Because he is the kind of man that doesn't care about that kind of thing. I've seen him go up to girls with the intention of ruining them with his base desires. As much as it will make you miserable and you have less chance of producing sons when he goes astray, you may not speak against him.”

 

Kikyo rose, satisfied with the horrified look on her sister's face. “Now you are informed as to the truth behind men.” Her eyes softened slightly. “If you do grow lonely in that house by yourself, then time your cycle and deliberately draw him to bed during your fertile time. He will be more likely to leave you alone once you produce a son and only lay with you to produce more.”

 

The door to the outside slid closed.

 

Kikyo's just mean-spirited. It can't be that bad…can it?

 

Unfortunately, Kikyo is the only woman other than mama who has lain with a man. And, I think the whole family knows father is not the easiest of partners.

 

She does bring up a good point though. There will be no one but us in that big house. And if he is as reclusive as the rumors say he is…

 

I don't want to be that alone.

 

This fiction is set in the mid Tokugawa era, which is around 1700. The characters might be a little OOC, but that is because I am taking into consideration that they grew up in a farming village in 1700. Inuyasha is human, in case that was not apparent. - Akihana