InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kiyou Nitsuite Amedare: Ten, Tentou, ken Touhou ❯ Kuban Bundan ( Chapter 9 )

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

"I returned home, well into the night, containing a new certain loathing of their world� A world that would soon become mine.

And I only wanted out even more."

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Samurai / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 05.24.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.5K | Visits: 453 | Status: Completed

A/n: Thank you to you all who encouraged me, and waited patiently for me to update… Seiai-chan, who has followed me since forever ^_^. Thank you for your constant encouragement with all my fics. Likewise with PrincessMelissa83. Thank you to you both.

I'm not going to back out on it. I just needed some time to get my bearings on this fic. Here's another chapter, a quick update for an apology. And here's a high five to Myinterests for finding me! *high five* Now, on with the story.

Kuban Bundan

The day finally came… the tenth year had come and pass like another distant memory floating away from me. Nothing special happened on that day, expect perhaps a few extra chores for the mean little sprites I had come to serve under as a congratulations of sorts. What a mockery…

I was so scared that day, I was shaking. I dropped the tea I was supposed to serve Obaa-san that afternoon, and she very nearly beat me for it. Nigou-san saved me though, saying I wouldn't be very sightly with bruises littering my body. Obaa-san begrudgingly agreed, and told me she would deal with me later.

I was dressed in a rather elegant kimono for someone of my age. It had a slight shimmering quality to it, being gold with a simple mountainside stitching. My inner kimono was orange, and my under robe was yellow. It seemed to have a very autumn quality to me, which was odd for it was bordering on spring now…

But Nigou-san smiled approvingly at me once she added the last bit of rogue to my lips. Turning to look in the mirror, I blinked at the person there I couldn't recognize.

She placed her hands on my shoulders and said, “Look, Kikyou-chan. Aren't you pretty?”

I remember nodding numbly, but I didn't agree with her. I simply whispered, “Hai, Nigou-san.”

I hadn't ever really looked at myself in a mirror before… it was a strange thing for me. Generally, the mirrors were covered up with a blanket to preserve them, for they were such a rare commodity. They were only used in instances such as these, so this was the first time I have ever really truly seen myself.

But the sight of it left me feeling a bit shaken… all I could see past the light make-up adorning my features meant only to enhance, was the flaws there. Dark circles under my eyes, and… my eyes themselves seemed cold… like winter, crisp and beautiful, yet dead beside.

“Are you ready?” Nigou-san looked down at me, smoothing my hair away from my face. I simply nodded again.

She swept my hair up away from my face, allowing it to partially flow down as she secured the knot with a simple hair ornament. It was cheap, and she had bought it just for me. It was my first, a sort of gesture for good luck…

Gaishou generally didn't wear hair ornaments… It only got in the way. But I suppose she did it out of sympathy. Either way, I felt grateful for her kindness, though the woman was constantly fickle.

She lead me down the stairs, and helped me into my sandals. She ushered me outside and waited for Ken Yoromura to arrive.

While I tried my best not to fidget, I could not help but to wring my hands a bit. Though when he arrived, I promptly lowered my head and placed my hands behind my back so he could not see.

I began to drown everything out in my thoughts, trying not to become too aware of my surroundings… there was muffled conversation in the background, but it was like an absent noise I didn't really notice. I was content to stay in my own little world until I felt a clammy hand lift my face and I was abruptly met with black eyes. They were dark, and shallow, without much depth with them. I somewhat gasped, not meaning to, but that just caused a smile to break out on his face.

Nigou-san pinched me in the side for it though, discreetly, but I kept my face impassive.

“My, my!” Ken Yoromura said. “Isn't she quite beautiful?” Nigou-san simply laughed nervously, waving her hand a bit, “Yes, she's a looker, isn't she?”

“Quite. How old is she?” he began to turn my head from side to side… I suppose to find imperfections.

“She just met her tenth year,” Nigou-san gestured at me, licking her lips.

“Well, well. Very young,” he somewhat chewed on his bottom lip-something I quickly learned he did when he was thinking- and turned to Nigou-san.

“Well, I suppose I shall be taking my leave now. Come along, little one,” he turned, and began to make his way back to our small carriage. Before leaving though, Nigou-san grabbed me by the elbow and spoke quietly in my ear.

“Remember! Be polite, and make small conversation. But do not speak if another man is speaking to him, and don't begin the conversation. Lead it, and allow him to start first.”

I nodded solemnly, turning my eyes to acknowledge what she said. “Hai, Nigou-san.”

I began what seemed like a long journey to the cart… Carriages were a new thing, rather versatile, and brought to us by the Americans. We had things that were similar in fashion, but not quite the same.

I climbed in next to Ken, who offered me a warm smile.

On the inside, I felt frozen… petrified. I stared straight ahead of me, folding my hands properly in my lap.

Strangely enough, Yoromura-san didn't say anything on the ride. He simply sat quietly, contented with himself enough to be silent.

To ease my discomfort, I found my thoughts turning to things that made me feel… warmer…

I soon found myself thinking of Inuyasha… his kind face… his kind words… All around, his gentleness hidden under something hard.

Now, this façade made sense to me… For the world then was a cold place, and quite often is it still. It keeps the heart safe, to do this. But why be harsh to a child? A child would never hurt you intentionally…then…

A child only tries to find warmth in darkness. Even if that darkness in later years turns a person cold.

Winter… like my eyes…

“Here we are, Kikyou-chan.”

He let me out first, and I stood quietly, waiting for him obediently. I looked to Ken Yoromura, and distracted myself again with thoughts of Inuyasha…

He lead me inside… it was a tea house. I vaguely remember anything, for I tried to push reality so far from me at that time. I remember the Geisha coming up to me, one exclaiming how perfect I looked… like a little doll. I only attempted to smile sweetly, and appear innocent as one by one the girls crowded me, cooing over how grown-up I looked.

I was disgusted by it.

All I could think of beside Inuyasha, in that moment, was the strength and grace my Okaa-san contained… and how none of these girls had that.

Had that sort of beauty.

Their beauty lied in their fragility, their quick-witted remarks and conversation.

I did not yearn to be like them… I yearned… to be strong, and willful like the river. Like my Okaa-san.

…strangely enough, I did not have to entertain Ken Yoromura like I fear I might have. It seemed he was only interested in me escorting him to appear more eligible to the ladies. Not once was he rude to me. He treated me with a distracted sort of interest, not quite altogether there, but attempting to.

The worst that happened that night was a drunken man ran his hands over my body, commenting how beautiful I would be when I filled out. The Geisha entertaining him smacked his wrist playfully, saying how I was still only a child. It appeared she was concerned for me… And for that, I was grateful.

I returned home, well into the night, containing a new certain loathing of their world… A world that would soon become mine.

And I only wanted out even more.