InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ I Will Follow You Into The Dark ❯ Council of Yamoto ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: Do I own Inuyasha? Nope… Will I ever? Nope…but Rumiko Takahashi certainly does…*sigh*

 

A/N: okay, so on with this little fairytale…much longer chapters than last time. At the beginning, I realize this story will be moving pretty fast, but that's because we gotta get to the good stuff! But I believe there is enough setting so that nothing is confusing. But let me know if there is stuff I can edit or add to lessen any confusion if there is any.

 

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As I remember back to the day of my father's funeral, all I can seem to grasp is that I couldn't cry. It was probably from the shock of his death, I was only 7 years old, but I had cried when he left, why not at his death?

 

The tears came later as the days passed, and it finally settled in that I would never see him again.

 

When I was younger, I could never understand why he had died. I understand now that he had left to make negotiations with one of the neighboring countries, Atsugi. However, to his surprise, the leader of the country, King Naraku had expected him there and killed him the instant he arrived: going back on his promise of making peace with us.

 

The Atsugians are still known to be tyrants, the country being completely populated by demons. My family had led our people never to trust the demons, and now I see the reason why. The Atugians have continued to stand as our worst enemies, but to go so far as to kill our king, set our country on edge. No wonder why we are now in a war.

 

Taking the crown as my responsibility is solely for my father, for he would never want me to abandon his people. The year then was 1584.

 

The doors to my chamber swung open, “Finally you're awake, Kagome!” I smiled weakly, because I never really slept well after my father's death, and it had already been almost 10 years since he died. The nightmares that invaded my dreams as I tried to sleep never ceased to wake me with a cold sweat.

 

“Kagome, have you been crying?” I wiped absentmindedly at my cheeks, doing my best to rid them of moisture. I had not realized that my remembrances had brought me to tears.

 

The maid, and also my best friend, Sango, sat silently at the bottom of my bed. She was only 3 years older than myself, making her 20, and we had practically grown up together. And so, I let her skip the formalities and let her just call me by my real name.

 

She was gorgeous, with her ebony hair pulled into a high ponytail. Her brown eyes were highlighted with soft pink eye makeup. At this time in the morning, I'm sure I could be easily compared to Medusa.

 

“What is the matter, old dreams bothering you again?” She was so good. I smiled widely and laughed slightly, incredulous to note that she knew me so well as to unmask my problems.

 

“Yeah, Sango, they have been troubling me for some time now.”

 

“Well, I can't advise anything else than what I say every day: that it is time now to let go. You know your father would want you to move on. You are now rightful heir to the throne of Yamato.”

 

“I know, I know, duty to my country comes first.” I replied. Even if my father had died, his favorite saying had not: it was forever embedded in my brain; at least I had something to remember him by.

 

“I also have the plans set for you today” Sango started. She ignored me as I groaned and continued to tell me, “first you are to join your mother and younger brother in the dining hall for the morning meal, then you are to join your mother in the weekly Council of Yamato…”

 

My disgust grew more as she continued talking. Don't get me wrong I absolutely adore Sango, but the things she was suggesting were not on my list of priorities: sewing, embroidering, and practically starving myself. The occasional times I did actually get to do something I wanted to do, I practiced my archery, which I was coming to be very fond of. It was nice to break out of my very womanly façade every once and a while.

 

But the Council of Yamato, that was what I never looked forward to, and it happened once every week! Basically all it is is a bunch of pompous overstuffed aristocrats telling me how I should live my life! And all I can do is sit back and smile…wouldn't want to over stimulate my “fragile” self. What I wouldn't give to…

 

”Princess?” I was suddenly interrupted from my devilish thoughts, as Sango was suddenly worried from the face I was apparently making. I also had the inclination that I was making a choking gesture with my hands.

 

Instead of answering her, I quickly swept from bed in order for her to dress me up in my corset: stupid contraption. And to my greatest luck, Sango just had to be a particularly strong, healthy young woman and was very good at making the corset tight enough to cut off any air circulation.

 

“Are you quite alright? You seem…flushed.” Sango asked. I choked back,“I can imagine so”, seeming as how I can't even breathe, “however,” I assured her, “it is nothing. Tell mother I will be down soon.”

 

“Right then, Kagome, please do not dawdle.” She drew a quick curtsy as she left from the room, closing the door quietly behind her. My dress for the day was surprisingly plain, as I liked it: it was a pale blue, down to my ankles, as appropriate for any dress, and the neck ran as a “V” with frilly white lace popping out of the collar.

 

As I headed down to the dining hall, I heard my mother, Queen Keiko and my younger brother, Souta talking at the table. They were currently speaking of Souta's new educational studies, and that he should almost be ready to start jousting, since he was almost 14 years old. But as I walked into the room, the conversation changed as my mother greeted me.

 

“Well, good morning, we thought you would never show up.” I was hardly laughing as I took my seat next to them at the table. But Souta greeted me kindly enough and politely passed me some of the fruit.

 

These mornings were always awkward and we sat there for some moments in silence until a young squire came loudly galloping into the room. He addressed us, saying, “Your Highnesses, it is my duty to inform you that all council members are now present and are ready for your presences.”

 

“Thank you, pageboy” my mother replied quietly. Secretly in my heart I wished for all those men to leave right now, to just leave us all alone. As much as I wanted the best for my country, I cared for my mother as well. Seeming as how she has almost no say in what is going on at the meetings, she gets stomped on every time. Do they not realize how burdened she is already, trying to raise her children as well as raise a country?

 

However, my mother believed they knew best, and so, she rose silently from her chair, as I did in order to follow her. We both bid Souta goodbye as we exited the dining hall together and into my father's study.

 

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(A/N: okay, so this next section is kinda weird cause I had to make up names for the different dukes, and they ended up sounding very English instead of Japanese, so excuse that since they are very minor characters anyway…)

 

My ears practically burned from the amount of noise erupting from the tiny room as about 20 men's voices fought to be heard at once. My mother had to raise her hands to acknowledge that we had arrived and that it was time to quit quarreling.

 

The men stood as we entered, and did not sit until we had, for it was a common respect, pretty much the only respect, that they had to show us.

 

“Welcome, gentlemen.” My mother greeted calmly, “I would like to begin this session of the Council of Yamoto, by first expressing my thanks for you all to be here.” I wish she could have quit it with the formalities: they certainly wouldn't show here any if it was out of their way.

 

Apparently, that showed on my face, seeming as my mother gave me a tiny nudge, signaling that I should at least show some gratitude, even if it was half-hearted.

 

One of the dukes, sitting in the corner of the room stated matter-of-factly, “At a certain age, it is only proper that a woman should be married and not be burdened with matters of state. In Kagome's special position, it is even more vital that she have someone to share all of her new power with.” Great, now they didn't think I could handle ruling a country simply because I was a WOMAN.

 

“We as the Council have decided that it is time for Princess Kagome to be betrothed in order to gain her proper rule on the throne.” The others nodded their heads in silent agreement as he stated this, and I shifted uncomfortably in my chair.

 

My mother, however, was not surprised by this compromise and so stated, “Very well. What are our options and how soon?” The Duke of Wellsworth stated, “As soon as possible. We need the extra bonds between our bordering lands to help us fight the Atsugians because right now the odds have not been in our favor for this war.”

 

I sighed with disgust. The large swarm of suitors was now to start, and I had to endure every last minute of it: the praising, the wooing, flirting. That pretty much ended a short council meeting, which I did not object to, because it was one of those rare days that I was allowed to go practice my archery.

 

I didn't waste a moment as the meeting was called to a close and I headed straight for the back gardens. There, my teacher, Ms. Ayumi was waiting for me next to the haystack that held the small target I was aiming for.

 

“Good day, princess. Shall we start, then?” “Yes, of course!” I said, a little too eagerly as she handed over by bow and one arrow for me to shoot. I stepped back to the marker and took my stance. Unfortunately, this was the worst part of all for me.

 

Ms. Ayumi kept insisting that my stance was much to loose, causing me stiffen uncomfortably in order to gain proper stance. As I laced the arrow and prepared to shoot, she made yet another comment, “Princess, you are not aiming right, your feet are too far apart…” and such remarks continued through the session until she finally let me release the arrow.

 

It ended up flying straight into the ground, seeming, as I was so rigid I couldn't have placed that arrow anywhere else even if I had wanted to. As much as I wanted Ms. Ayumi to let me do it my way, to see if I was capable, I wanted so much just to please her and to show that I wasn't a prissy princess just wanting to seem rebellious. It was then that I was forced to go inside to finish my studies, which included Latin and embroidery.

 

Later that night, while I sat embroidering by the fire, Sango came to sit down next to me, so I could talk to her about the day's events. The secret between Sango and me was that I always told her what occurred in the Councils, even if it was supposed to be confidential business.

 

“They want you to be married?” Sango spoke with excitement. “Yes.” I concluded, with much less enthusiasm.

 

“That's absolutely glorious! Think of all the new dresses you'll get and all those gifts from handsome princes!” After a moment's pause, I replied, “That's not what I want.”

 

Sango gave me a puzzled look. “Then what do you want, Kagome?” In truth, I didn't truly know what I wanted. It wasn't a handsome prince and certainly not being married to one. But wasn't that every girl's dream?

 

“I don't know, Sango, but I guess that, well…” “Tell me.” She insisted quietly.

 

“I need a life. I want an adventure, some place to go where I can experience other things, things I can't find here.”

 

Sango was quiet as she grasped what I was saying and then added, “But Kagome, you are so lucky here. What else could there possibly be that you would want?”

 

I was silent for a while as I finished embroidering the flower print I was holding and whispered, “I want a true love, Sango, not a match set up for me just for the country. My whole duty has been to my country, but why not for once myself.”

 

“You speak wise words for a woman your age, Kagome, but dangerous ones at that. You can't just defy everything the Council tells you to do, unfortunately.”

 

We spoke of nothing else the rest of the night, and I quietly slumped off to bed seeming as I was practically fighting myself not to fall asleep.

 

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That night, I believed I slept the best I had in many years, but for why, I don't know. But my peace was interrupted, as the chamber doors were swung open abruptly, much more so than yesterday as Sango stormed in and shook me out of bed.

 

“Kami, Sango, I couldn't have possibly slept for more than three hours.”

 

“That's because you didn't.” Her voice was urgent as she said, “I need to dress you quickly and you are ordered to be downstairs immediately.”

 

I couldn't imagine what was wrong as she tightly strapped my corset on and dressed me. I practically ran down the stairs, excused at that time for the occasion and ran into my father's study where my mother and the dukes of the surrounding regions were waiting.

 

As soon as I took my seat, my mother questioned, “Now why is it gentlemen, that you have called us together yet again for another council in the middle of the night?” I would ask the same if I wasn't so out of breath. Two councils in one day must mean true problems.

 

The first to speak was the Duke of Alegria, seeming as he was urged to bring up the subject that they were all harshly discussing.

 

“It seems to be that Atsugi is gaining the upper hand in the battle for our king.” He stated hesitantly, “we do not believe it will be long until they reach the castle, your highness.”

 

My mother sat quietly as she accepted this new information. She suddenly asked quietly, “How long?” The others looked warily at each other until my mother asked forcefully again, “How long?” Her stress in every word was apparent, throwing the others and myself back for a moment at her sudden hostility. I had never seen her like this.

 

She added calmly, “Gentlemen, if this is risking either myself, or my daughter's life, this could mean the end of Yamoto. Please share the information you possess with me, now.”

 

The Duke of Alegria stated then, sharply, “Tonight, they will reach us here tonight.” I heard the breath catch simultaneously in both my mother's and my own throat. She questioned solemnly, “What is there that we can do?”

 

Another duke from Calunian answered, “Well first, we must evacuate you and-, “ “No, I am staying here.” My mother interrupted.

 

The duke then said, “But your highness, you are not safe here, you must leave and-” My mother cut him off again as she snapped, “No, I am not the most valuable player here. I am not the last in Yamoto's line of rulers. The real hope for Yamoto lies with Kagome.”

 

I gasped and felt my face go red as all eyes averted to my gaze. I suddenly couldn't meet their stares and had to redirect my gaze to the floor. I couldn't help but feel extremely insignificant, even if I was the only hope.

 

The Duke of Kensingworth asked my mother then, “What do you suggest your majesty?” “Well, we need to get her out of here as you planned, of course, couldn't your minds conjure up any escape plans?”

 

All of the sudden they started talking all at once again, sending my head spinning at the loud sounds enveloping the room. Eventually the room was called to order again, after they had all somehow managed to come to a consensus.

 

The Duke of Alegria spoke again, saying, “Your highness, we find it a fruitless attempt to evacuate Princess Kagome by knight escort, seeming that the Atsugians would notice her immediately. However, we do believe that the Warriors of Twilight will lend us a hand in this instance.”

 

“The Warriors of Twilight? But I thought they were a myth.” I questioned my mother. “No darling, they are very real.”

 

I wondered how the Warriors could exist when I had only heard of them through bedtime stories. Never in my wildest dreams could I ever believe that they could possibly be real.

 

The stories were from the dark times, when we were still fighting for freedom from Atsugi, to become our own country, which is why there always existed a high tension between our two countries, as we had ended up winning that war.

 

Right now, the war was not going in our favor. I was also told in stories that the warriors were probably our strongest offense, and that they won the war for us, using their powers to penetrate the Atsugian lines.

 

I was brought back by the stating of my name to my mother, “Fine, it is settled then that Princess Kagome will be escorted from the castle in no more than thirty minutes.” “We shall send message to the warriors immediately.”

 

I had missed most of the conversation as my mother fluidly rose while stating, “it is settled.” And then she hastily swept out of the room as I followed her quietly.

 

I knew this was not a good sign, as my mother quickly asked a pageboy to send for Sango to meet her in my room, which is where, I realized, we were headed. As we went inside, my mother sat on my bed and motioned for me to sit down next to her.

 

Tears were now streaming down her face as she told me, “Now is our darkest time, Kagome, you must be strong for me and for the country. We must not lose sight of the light even if we are to now be shrouded in darkness.”

 

I found myself crying as well as my mother embraced me, possibly the last embrace I would receive from her for a long time. But, how could I know what is to happen to me? I never even knew this strange clan of Warriors existed, and now I was to be taken by them and cared for by them.

 

“Be strong,” my mother added softly as she pulled away. Shortly after, Sango entered the room, ready to abide to my wishes. After telling her of what was to happen, I said goodbye to her, since she would not be coming with me, my only true friend. We then found things for me to take with me. Sango fetched me a dark green cloak, with a hood in order to conceal myself. My mother gave me the pendant of Yamoto, which I gently pinned to the cloak, to keep with me always.

 

After dressing in fresh clothes, perhaps the only dress I would wear for a while, my mother, Sango, and I slowly descended the staircase to the main ballroom since it was nearing 3 AM, in which my rescuers were to come retrieve me.

 

Unfortunately, they had not arrived, and I suddenly heard the blasting of cannons coming from the west wing of the castle. “Oh my God, they've come already,” my mother whispered to herself, hoping I was not to hear. However, the loud sounds were not to go unnoticed, and my mother finally realized that I knew what was going on. She finally told me harshly, “Quick, I know a secret passage out, there's no time to waste, we must hurry!”

 

The screams of the maids and house servants echoed down the hallways as my mother was leading me into corridors I had never ventured down before. We had come to the east wing, near one of the servant's quarters. My mother was searching the wall, gently poking at the different parts, until a piece finally gave way and led into a dark, musty hallway, which was barely wide enough for one person.

 

And so, it came time to bid farewell to Sango. One last embrace, and I left her, crouching after my mother to fit inside the small tunnel. I found it difficult to breathe as we slowly made our way through the corridor. But we finally reached the end, as I saw the last inklings of lights dwindling at the end of the passage.

 

When we reached outside, I found we had ended up somewhat into the woods behind the gardens of the castle. I could see the knights of Atsugi as they kept pummeling the castle with cannons. Fury raged within me, as I wanted to rush at them, to stop them from endangering my people.

 

But my mother pulled me around to face her, sadness gripping inside her eyes. I could tell she was fighting tears as she told me, “I don't know where the warriors are. But they must be close. But there is no time to waste; you cannot wait for them. You must leave here; head straight into the forest until you come to a river. Head east down the river until you come to a bridge. From there you will not be far from discovering their camp. If you don't find them, they'll certainly find you.”

 

“But what about you and Souta? What will I do without you?” I felt the tears threatening to fall.

 

“Dearest, he will be safe with me and Sango. Don't worry, we shall meet again, I promise.”

 

She then gripped me to her so tightly I thought I would be crushed, but I was soon released as she commanded after me, “Run!”

I thought no more as I plunged deep into the forest, not looking back, afraid that I would never be able to leave my mother if I saw the wounded expression on her face of having to let me go.

 

Tears flowed down my face like the river I soon reached. I then followed my mother's instructions precisely, heading due east down to the bridge. The bridge that would connect me to a world I knew nothing of.

 

I found that when I reached the bridge that it was very old, creaking as I took wary steps in order to cross it. I could not see very well through the dark and had to rely on moonlight to guide me.

 

I took precarious steps in order to feel around where I was going, so scared that my life would end right then if I ran into the wrong things. But suddenly, I heard a twig snap. I gasped, turning around sharply, my breathing becoming even more erratic as I wished I knew who or what was out there.

 

I heard their voices whispering, questioning what I was. I remembered my mother's words, `If you don't find them, they'll certainly find you'.

 

I tried to keep my voice steady as I breathed, “Hello?” Then there was complete silence, but I knew I was not alone. And then, something crept upon my shoulder, a hand? But I was so scared stiff that I almost felt myself falling as I fainted from my fear, but not before I heard a soft low voice telling me, “You will now be safe with us, Princess Kagome.” And then all was dark.

 

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Whew!!! Much longer than last time…And I know! Tiny cliffy! But I'll be updating as soon as this weekend! So hold on tight!

 

Until next time,

<3 Akaii~Neko