InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sacrificed ❯ Chapter 6

Sacrificed

 

Chapter 6

 

“Child, you need to temper the hot water with cold lest you kill the yeast. Have you never made bread before?”

 

Kagome blew the fringe out of her eyes and rerolled her sleeves. Her bruises had been treated, her hair braided, and her belly filled. Now she was spending the late afternoon in the expansive kitchens with the nursemaid, a formidable woman with gray hair and an eye patch over her left eye. She was stooped slightly and filled out with age, but Kagome had no doubt that it was she who ruled the lower regions of the house and not the lord of the manor.

 

“I've never had occasion to be in the kitchens at home, Mistress Kaede. My parents wouldn't hear of it.”

 

“Well, you'll no doubt earn your keep around here. We all work for our supper in this house. Lord Inuyasha doesn't tolerate idle hands. You were raised on a farm, were you not?”

 

Hands once again finding rhythm working the sweet dough, Kagome answered. “Yes, but the…masters of the household, for lack of a better term, did not partake in the daily duties of working the farm. Merely its operations.”

 

“Ah, gentleman farmers,” the woman snorted. Before she could voice her opinion on the matter the outside door opened and a tiny girl of about six or seven wandered in. Kagome had met her at breakfast and was told her name was Rin. She'd been purchased by Lord Inuyasha for mere pennies from her mother, who sold the child for food. The girl no longer spoke and walked with a dreadful limp, but she seemed to like Kagome. Rin proved invaluable when Mistress Kaede set Kagome to righting the Lord's chamber and washing the linens, a task she had no idea where to begin.

 

Rin buried her face in the folds of Kagome's borrowed dress then tugged her towards the open door.

 

“Where are we going, Rin?” Kagome laughed. “I still have rolls to make. Mistress Kaede won't be pleased.”

 

The little girl flashed a gap-toothed grin and continued pulling. When they arrived in the snow covered courtyard, Kagome was greeted with the sight of a full wagon and a bobbing red head.

 

“Afternoon Miss Kagome. We'll be needing your help to unload the wagon. I'll show you what needs taking to the master's chambers.”

 

“Where is Inuyasha, Shippou?”

 

“He's around. You'll catch sight of him when he wishes, no doubt.”

 

With the last of the packages deposited by the hearth, Kagome stretched her back. She wasn't used to doing so much labor, but admitted it felt good. Just as her fingers reached for the twine holding the bundles together, a creak in the corner signaled she wasn't alone.

 

“Do you make it a point to open other people's packages?”

 

Kagome snorted. “I've put away your laundry, my lord, washed your linens and drawers, and spent the day in your kitchens. I don't think there is a great deal more you are hiding from me other than your face and your true history.”

 

“My true history?”

 

“Yes. Surely you don't hold true the notion that I believe the stories floating around the village? I've seen your people, for I can hardly call them staff. You take care of one another and they are all people others would look down upon. Only a true lord would take such a task upon himself.”

 

He was silent a moment and Kagome could here him moving closer in the shadows. The only light was the dancing glow of the fire.

 

“Did Kaede work you too hard today?”

 

“No,” she answered with a shake of her head. “I admit I'm not used to it, but it felt good to be needed.”

 

“Open the smallest bundle.”

 

There was no doubt this was a command, but she didn't hesitate. The top parcel contained a thick shift of heavy cotton along with garters and soft woolen hose. The bottom bundle held a dress the color of a summer sky, dotted with tiny embroidered flowers and made of a soft cotton/wool bend.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

“You need clothes. You can't go around wearing Kaede's cast-offs and we still dress for dinner, even if we prepare it ourselves. Do you need help?”

 

“Yes, please.”

 

She shivered though the hands undoing her laces were warm. Polite society would shun her for being so bold, but Inuyasha intrigued her. He'd helped her to undress the previous night, she saw no reason he couldn't help her to dress now. Callused fingered lingered on the flesh between her shoulder blades before he pushed the rough wool of the borrowed gown to the floor.

 

“Step out, little one.”

 

Kagome obeyed and was surprised to find the straps of her shift quickly following. When she crossed her arms over her breasts in alarm, Inuyasha let out a soft laugh and rest his forehead against the back of her neck.

 

“Don't worry, I mean you no harm. I brought warm water so you can bathe. If you will allow me…”

 

His husky voice trailed off as a warm cloth smelling of winter violets touched the soft skin of her belly.

 

With a start, she realized that the Demon of Red Moor Castle meant to bathe her!