InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Shikon Wishes ❯ Answer ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3 - Answer

Kagome ignored the repeated rapping on the front door and went on patching the sole of Shippou's shoe with a scrap of leather taking from one of the leftover saddles too old and worn to be sold. It could be Lord Houjo back a day early, and if it wasn't it would be a neighbor to whom they owed money. For the first days after wishing on the jewel, she'd answered the door eagerly, expecting someone or something in answer to her prayer. A distant relative come to offer them all a home perhaps. Instead she'd been battered with pleas and anger of people who were suffering because she could not pay her families debts.

The knocker fell silent, and she relaxed a little, stabbing the big needle through the leather. She feared the shoe would be uncomfortable, but at least it wouldn't let in rain. Then her hands fell hopelessly still and she dashed angrily at tears forming in the corners of her eyes. It had been days…surely a miracle would've appeared by now, if one was coming at all. She really had pinned her hopes on the jewel, especially after the draining effect it had on her. How could it have been for nothing? Now however, panic ate at her. Tomorrow Lord Houjo would return for his answer and-

A sharp knock on the kitchen door made her jerk in her seat. Turning she saw that the impudent caller had come around to the back and was peering in the kitchen window.

Well really!

The person rapped at the glass. "Higurashi-san?"

Kagome sighed, she'd been caught. Praying it wasn't another collector of some

kind, she cautiously opened the door. It wasn't anyone she knew.

The tall young woman wore a respectable kimono and cloak, with the hood pulled back to reveal her high ponytail of thick black hair. She certainly didn't look like any sort of collector Kagome had ever seen. If she was seeking charity however, she'd certainly come to the wrong place.

The woman smiled brightly. "There you are!"

Kagome stepped back a bit, startled by the enthusiasm and kindness radiating from the woman but managed a small smile of her own. "Can I help you?"

"Are you Higurashi-san?"

"Yes" she answered somewhat warily.

The young woman dropped a small bow. "Then could I please have a word with you? My name is Sango. My brother Kohaku used to work in your stable."

Ah. Kagome saw the resemblance to the family's former stable caretaker and demon guard. "Come in, please. How is your brother?"

"Very well thank you. He lives with me now."

As Kagome led the way toward the warmer inner room and indicated a dusted mat there, she began to take pleasure in the unexpected visit. It had been a long time since she'd sat down to chat with a guest. What a shame the only tea leaves were days old and overused.

"How can I help you Sango?" She added quickly, "if you've come about a place-"

Sango laughed, "oh no. I have a good place with the younger Lord of the Western Lands."

"Of course. I remember your brother mentioning it sometime or another. I gather he is kind-"

"That he is."

"But somewhat eccentric."

Again Sango laughed, "Oh I wouldn't say that!"

"Well I-"

"We servants always know what going on-well servants do, don't they? But he doesn't mind if we say our piece on it. Which is why I'm here," she added in a rush.

"Oh? Why are you here?"

The woman licked her lips nervously. "Well, you see, Higurashi-san, Inuyasha-sama is in a bit of a pickle."

Kagome started. Had this woman come to offer her a position? Was the young Lord short in servants, or perhaps did he need a miko? With a spark of excitement, she wondered if this was the Shikon's solution.

But then the spark died. How could she possibly hope to support herself and her brothers on a servant's salary?

"I can't imagine how I could possibly help Inuyasha-sama in a pickle."

"Oh but you can, Higurashi-san! I swear it's true."

Sango took a deep breath. "You see-and I know this'll sound peculiar-well of course you know of the Youkai Law, everyone does, and how it requires all Lords, Youkai or otherwise to be married by their 25th year-"

At this point Kagome interrupted. "But I thought that as High members of the Council, Inu-youkai were exempt from this?"

Sango nodded, "normally that is the case. However, Inuyasha, because of provocation from the High Youkai Lord Naraku, made a sort of deal that he requires him to follow through with it."

"But what sort of-"

"It's a very complicated matter best explained by Inuyasha himself."

Kagome nodded.

"Anyway, the problem is…Inuyasha forgot about it and-"

"Forgot!?"

"Yes, and on Eve's end-tomorrow-he turns twenty-five."

"I see." It seemed the only thing to say, but Kagome didn't see. Not one bit.

"Well," Sango continued on, "this morning Inuyasha gets a letter from his brother reminding him of that deal because if Inuyasha fails to comply, Naraku will choose a bride for him or his lands will be forfeit, and for all Sesshomaru-sama's animosity toward Inuyasha, his losing would represent a foul embarrassment to the White Clan. Not to mention Sesshomaru probably has a stake in this somewhere and he hates to lose."

"Uh-huh. And he intends to stand by this deal?"

"Oh yes! He says that an inu-youkai, even an inu-hanyou, always stands true to his word. Particularly those of the White."

"Then we shall have to hope that the High Lord's choice of bride suites him because I really don't see-"

"Oh it wouldn't, you can be sure of that. Naraku hates the inu-youkai, especially the White because they've been opposing him for years and he would never pass up the chance to make one of them miserable. Most likely he would choose the worst possible woman so that Inuyasha would surely refuse her and Naraku would gain half of the Western Lands (Inuyasha's half) for his own."

Head whirling, Kagome tried to stick to the main point. "If the Lord made such a promise, then he should have kept track of it. I really don't see how I can help."

The young woman giggled as if she found something funny, and then blurted out "He wants to marry you Higurashi-san!"

Kagome was literally struck speechless, left turning the words in her head, seeking reasoning for them. But Sango was already carrying on.

"Oh goodness, that doesn't quite say it right. The thing is, he's determined to marry someone by tomorrow to thwart Naraku. He's got a list of Ladies, but there's none of them he really fancies. So I thought…you're probably going to be angry about this," she admitted, face a bit red, "but I was trying to help you! I thought, if he was going to marry just anyone, why shouldn't he marry someone who really needed it? So I suggested you."

Kagome slumped back in her seat. The woman didn't seem to be insane, her Lord however…

Eccentric didn't begin to describe it.

"Sango is this some sort of joke?"

"No! Honest." The woman frantically shook her head, her ponytail swishing from side to side.

"You are seriously trying to persuade me that a Lord, no, a Youkai Lord wants to marry me-an unknown, unseen, penniless human-tomorrow!? It isn't possible. There isn't enough time to plan for something like this!"

"It's true. He does want to marry you, and Miroku planned for everything."

"Who?"

"He's Inuyasha's secretary. Sort of. He's his friend too, and advisor."

"And he advised this?!"

Sango pulled a face, "He wasn't happy about it, and it took some `persuasion' on my part. But he didn't have a better suggestion, and Inuyasha generally does what he will."

Agitation pushed Kagome up from the mat to roam the room. "Does the young Lord know me then?"

Vague fantasies stirred of being admired from afar as she swept the shrine steps, much in the way Houjo had, in the days of being Shrine Maiden when her mother and grandfather still lived. But as she expected, Sango shook her head.

"So why has he chosen me for this extraordinary role?"

Sango shrugged, "because I suggested you" she stated simply.

"What did you tell him of me?" Kagome asked, slightly afraid that she couldn't measure up to the image this woman had painted for the Lord.

Again Sango shrugged, "just what I'd heard from my brother. That you're a kind, steady girl who's doing her best to keep her family together despite tragedy."

"Good grief, I sound like a suffering heroine."

"Well, it can't have been easy."

"No," Kagome agreed with a sigh, "It's not been easy."

"So you'll do it?"

"No, of course I won't! It's out of the question."

Sango blinked, surprised. "Why not?"

"Why?!" Kagome shrugged hopelessly. "Even if this were a real offer-"

"It is."

"Even so, I couldn't possibly marry a man I've never met."

Sango fixed her with a look. "You know, it has been said that beggars can't be choosers. Perhaps you should take heed."

Kagome started at the echo of the enforcer's words, and the memory of the alternative."

Sango continued, "Marry Inuyasha and you'll be provided for as befits you with honor and happiness, you and your brothers."

Kagome sat down, dazed. The woman had just repeated the words of her wish. But surely the jewel couldn't influence the Youkai Lords, or create deals made years ago? As far as she knew however, the jewel could do anything. Her mother had said that for the jewel's magic, time didn't matter. It made no sense, but then nothing about the jewel did.

"Why are you so set on this?"

"To tell you the truth when I first came here I didn't care whether you married Inuyasha or not, but now that I've met you, I find I like you. You're like the little sister I never had and I really wish to help you. Plus, Inuyasha has been kinder to my brother and I, after youkai killed our family, than you or anyone could ever know or imagine. I want to see him as happy in this predicament as he can possibly be and I think that you are just what he needs."

She seemed so sincere about all this, but Kagome was thrown back by the realization that it really was real. "There's clearly something wrong with the young Lord if he hasn't been able to find a bride by now. Is he mad? Deformed? Depraved?"

Sango's eyes nearly bulged, "Kami, no. That I can absolutely assure you, if he were to stand in the middle of the woods tomorrow and offer himself up as husband, there'd be women killed in the rush."

"Then, why?"

Sango heaved a huge sigh and held up a slender hand. "One," she said counting on her fingers, "he's met the likely ones and not fallen in love with any of them. Two, it would be an awkward and somewhat embarrassing business trying to explaining it to them and their families why he has to marry in such a hurry. They'd do it, but he doesn't like starting out that way."

"But he wouldn't mind starting out that way with me?"

"Well the obligations would be mutual if you see what I mean."

"Ah," Kagome said. "Pride."

She understood pride, she had plenty of it herself, which was why she was desperately trying to keep her family together despite all odds.

Sango nodded, "he has his pride, that's for sure. Haughty as a devil and stubborn too."

"It still doesn't make sense."

"It does if you know him."

"Well…I suppose it would."

"Of course."

"I certainly don't see any `of course' about it."

Sango winked, "You will." Before Kagome could protest that, she added, "He treats life like an endless game. Not that he neglects his responsibilities, but he doesn't like to always do the expected. He makes decisions by tossing a coin or rolling dice. He doesn't gamble for high stakes, but he'll use cards and dice to risk other things."

"Are you certain he shouldn't be put in an asylum?"

Sango laughed, "Oh the idea!" But then she sobered. "It's a true offer though, and you'd be a fool to turn it down."

"A fool? To turn down the offer to marry an eccentric, possibly a lunatic, sight unseen?"

"A very rich and powerful eccentric."

Money, the root of all evil, but so very important when one didn't have any. She stood, "I will come with you now to meet the Lord."

Sango shook her head, "I'm sorry, but he says not. If you want to do this he will come with the appropriate official to marry and fetch you right here. There really isn't time for a proper wedding."

"This is insane! What possible reason is there for us not to meet? Unless there is something about him which will repulse me, but then I could always refuse to go through with it…"

"Exactly. I don't know his reasons except that it's the way it is. He flipped a coin, and it pointed to you. If you don't agree, he'll pick a name from a hat. If you say you will, but then don't go through with it, he'll let Naraku have his way."

"Flipped a coin!" but then, was that any different than making a wish on a risqué jewel? "Describe Inuyasha-sama to me."

"Oh, he's a handsome man, I'll tell you that. Tall and well built."

Oh hoorah, a strong maniac.

"And his nature."

Here Sango paused nervously not quite looking at Kagome, "Ah well…he's a pleasant enough gentleman, right charming to women when he's of a mind to be."

And when he's not? Kagome wondered, a little shiver running down her back. "You say he's handsome. Is he dark, light…?"

"White actually."

"White? You mean like…pale?"

"No, white. His skin is rather tanned but his hair is whiter than snow in sunshine, just like his brother's and all inu-youkai of the White. They are the purest clan."

"Oh." Was all Kagome could manage. "And I suppose his teeth are white too?"

Sango giggled, "Indeed they are. White and strong and healthy. Are yours? It was one of the things he had to have."

Kagome stared. "Are you supposed to inspect them?"

Sango actually leaned away. "Er…no. It was just a comment. He didn't say anything about your teeth."

"So I should hope! He is undoubtably mad. Tell me the truth. Will I and my family be safe with him?"

"Safe?" the woman's astonishment was reassuring. "Of course you will! Even in his tempers he never touches people."

Kagome's eyes widened. "His tempers?"

Sango looked as if she wished she'd held her tongue. "Oh, he just flies off the handle now and then and smashes things…oh but only things." She added hastily.

Kagome sank back in her chair. In a strange way these problems comforted her. If the younger Lord of the Western Lands had been a normal ma-ah…youkai she'd have been more than a little suspicious. Now, despite Sango's attempts to paint a good picture, it was clear that he was a gentleman who had his problems. She could put up with his foibles and thus earn his support of her family.

"I have one condition."

"A condition?"

Kagome knew she was in no position to bargain, but this Inuyasha did seem to be in a predicament. "I want Inuyasha-sama's word that my brothers will live with me under his roof, and be assisted by him to make their own way in life."

"Oh I'm sure he would."

Kagome nodded. "Very well, I shall marry him."

Sango jumped up and hugged her, "Oh Higurashi-san, I'm so happy for you!"

Kagome was a bit overwhelmed by the sudden display of emotion but couldn't help smiling and hugging Sango back. "Thank you Sango, I suppose I am happy for me too."

Sango laughed again. "You are a one. Oh! I need your full name, I feel silly that I haven't asked for it until now."

"Higurashi Kagome."

"Pretty" said the beaming woman, and hurried out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~

Later that evening Kagome settled in her room to prepare herself for bed. As she plaited her hair, she studied herself. Shouldn't a Lady have a chiseled nose and a long swanlike neck? She shrugged. She would be a dutiful wife to a Lord. That was the best she could offer. Kagome climbed into bed and pulled the covers up as high as they would go.

She turned over, begging sleep to come. Sleep eluded her.

This was apparently her last night as a single woman.

Untouched.

A virgin.

She could hardly bear to think that tomorrow she would have to let a total stranger have access to the most private parts of her body.

Beneath these worries ground another fear.

The Shikon's gift was too much. A youkai Lord, even a rather peculiar one, would never, of his own will, marry Higurashi Kagome.

What price would she have to pay for that?

And worse, she had stolen his free will. She'd trapped him for life!

It had to be a sin.

She'd always suspected that the Shikon was evil, and now she was sure it was true.

But she had no choice. She'd give even her soul to save her brothers.