InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Of Kings and Betrayal ❯ Just Getting By... ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Co. Damn.

 

 

Ch. 2 Just Getting By...

 

 

* Kagome's P.O.V.*

 

I stretched as I loaded the cart with the last of the day's supplies. The sun was bright, the sky was cloudless, and the gentle breezed kissed my skin gently. All in all it was a beautiful day. I had to go into town to sell some of the pottery I made and see if I could hire someone to help me with some 'male jobs' around our small farm. My parents having died a year back, left my brother Souta and I to raise and fend for ourselves.

 

"Souta." I called over my shoulder

 

"Yeah, Kagome?" He called as he stepped out of the barn, holding the 2 horses we were going to hitch to the cart.

 

"I probably won't be home `til late so I need you to be responsible." Souta rolled his eyes.

 

"I know, Kagome." He sighed.

 

"Don't let any strangers into the house."

 

"I know..."

 

"Keep the door locked"

 

"I know, Kagome!"

 

" And don't, under any circumstances......"

 

"Kagome, I know!" He almost shouted, " It's not like I regularly run through the country side naked or anything." I had to smile at him.

 

Souta and I went through this every time I had to leave. It was always the same routine. I crawled up into the cart seat as Souta handed me the reins. I looked over my shoulder to make sure that all the pottery was securely tucked into the straw before turning back.

 

"Alright, Souta." I half laughed. " Just be careful if you ever do."

 

"Kagome..." He sighed, waving as I started down the road. I waved back and smiled. The village was over an hour ride away and the route ran down a very beautiful stretch of road. Off to the right, a series of small farms lay scattered across the valley. The sky was clear, the day was warm and the trees danced in the breeze. It really was a beautiful day.

 

The trip to town was reasonably uneventful. I would wave to the villagers and shout a 'Good morning' every once and a while, then have some of the village women shout me a warning about staying away from the forest. As usual, I would thank them cheerfully and roll my eyes when they were out of sight. The forest, how silly.

 

The village, Shikon, in the land of Tama was always a peaceful place. The people walked from their homes out into the streets, going from booth to booth, looking at the wares of the venders that situated stands along the roads. The small crowd in front parted to let my cart pass through. I had made many trips to Shikon, before and after the deaths of my parents, but never have I seen the streets so empty. The atmosphere was harboring a sense of unease, something ominous. I shrugged it off and continued on my way.

 

"Hello, Myouga." I called to the squat man who sold my pottery. Myouga was an elderly man, no more then 4 feet tall. He has been a friend of the family for as long as I can remember. You can be sure that he is never short on wise advice. He ran a small pottery stand near the Village Square and always bought my pottery for more than it was usually worth. I guess it was his way of looking out for my brother and I.

 

"Hello, Kagome, how have you been?" He asked as I stepped down from my cart.

 

"Good." I said with a grin, "I've brought lots of new pottery for you."

 

"Well then, let's get down to business." Myouga said with a clap of his hands. We walked around to the back of the cart and unloaded the pottery. As we took each out of it's straw cushioning, we began lining them up along the ground behind the booth. When we had finished the task, Myouga judged them. After examining each piece of pottery thoroughly, with a few 'Hmm's', ' Uh Huh's' and ' Very nice's', he finally reached a price he felt was fair, if not a little weighed.

 

"Well Kagome, I'll give you 100 shillings a piece." I think my jaw fell open because he quickly added, " I know what you're thinking, ' 100 shillings is a lot', and well I'll have you know that I have yet to sell anything of yours for less." He turned and filled a leather purse with 1300 shillings. Before I could say a word, he shoved the money into my hands and ushered me off. " Now hurry along child, I have a stand that needs attending."

 

"Thank you, Myouga,” I said, climbing back into my cart.

 

"You're welcome, Kagome. Be safe."

 

"I will." I replied before turning the horse and starting down the street. I considered my options. I now had 1800 shillings, 1300 from Myouga, and 500 that I had brought along with me. That much money could easily buy me two or three hired hands. I smiled and shook my head. Myouga had known, I don't know how, but the old man had known. The sound of a woman screaming snapped me out of my thoughts. I briefly wondered what was going on before turning my horses again and heading for the Square. The Square was the best place for picking up hired hands.

 

The closer I got the more crowded and noisier my surroundings became. I scanned my memory for some event that could have drawn such an immense crowd. Festivals, traveling shows, perhaps a noble passing through. I didn't recall any rumors of such things, so what was all the fuss about? Up ahead I heard someone yell an obscenity as the crowd roared with laughter. That's when it struck me. The event of the day wasn't some joyous occasion; it was an execution. I urged my horses faster through the congested streets. I didn't need to worry about hitting anyone, most of the people had the good sense to get out of the way when a couple of horses and a cart came hauling through. Though they did make a few choice comments and gestures. I rounded one last corner, just in time to catch a glimpse of a silver-haired boy, no older than myself it seemed, gasping for air at the end of a taunt rope. All around him, people laughed and jeered at his distress. My stomach churned with uneasiness. People were so cruel, so merciless…

 

"1800 shillings!" I shouted before I could stop myself. What the hell did I just say? Everyone turned their gaze to look at me, silence filling the Square as the villagers exchanged skeptical looks. I felt heat rise to my cheeks but kept a determined look on my face.

 

"What did you say, girl?" The guard standing next to the lever called out in astonishment. It was a very rare occurrence to have someone buy the freedom of a convicted, especially if the criminal was youkai. Great.. just great.

 

"1800 shillings for his freedom." I said again, trying my hardest not to falter. The guard smirked at me for a moment before drawing his sword. The sound of metal scraping against metal resounded throughout the Square, the air stiffening around the crowd. Oh god, what was he going to do?

 

"As you wish, my lady." He bowed as he cut the rope with a single swing. The boy at the end crumpled to the ground with a dull thud and laid still. The crowd parted to let me pass, whispering incoherent words and pointing all the while. I tossed the leather purse to the guard as I stopped next to the unconscious boy. Steadying my horses, I climbed down and knelt next to him. My first instinct was to check for his pulse. It was faint, but it was still there. I sighed with relief,… at least my money wasn't lost in vain. With great effort, due to the fact that the boy was both bigger and heavier than myself and that no one would help me, I managed to get the boy onto the back of the my cart. I climbed back up into the cart as a guard passed me a small, silver key to remove his shackles. With a final look at the boy to make sure he was secure, I made my way back towards the farm.

 

The glares and whispers followed me all the way out of the village. Sure, I felt uneasy being the center of unwanted attention but I was reluctant to let it have much affect on me. I saved the boy and I didn't regret it! Besides, everyone deserves a second chance. I just hoped that he wasn't hung for homicide or something of that nature.

When I passed Myouga's stand I could've sworn he smiled at me knowingly. Somehow that man always knows.

 

A/N: Please, Read and Review. ( The 1st two chapters are the only ones in P.O.V. … at least for now….)