InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Short Straw ❯ Chapter seven ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter seven

It was two weeks before Koga could spare the time for another trip to town. Two weeks, during which he realized that if he took the time to get to know every eligible female in Black Dog, the business of finding a wife could drag on for months. And it would cost him time he could ill afford to spend. Trips back and forth to town, Sunday suppers with each girl's family- the prospect filled him with dread

Of course he could take Miroku up on his suggestion that they just forget the whole idea. But then they'd have to see about hiring a housekeeper, and that would still leave the problem that had started this whole mess in the first place, which was the need for one of them to have a son. True, that had been more Miroku's concern than his, but the idea had taken hold of him and he couldn't get it out of his head.

A housekeeper might solve the problem of the cooking and cleaning, but only a wife could provide him with a son and turn a neglected house back into a home. And he was starting to realize that he wanted one as much as the other. So a wife was what he had to have. But he didn't see any sense in drawing out the process of finding one. As far as he was concerned, his needs were fairly simple. A girl not too old and not too young, one not hard on the eyes but not so pretty that she'd spend all her time primping and preening, a girl not afraid of hard work. An even temper, biddable and not too skinny.

Koga stared between the gray's ears, his dark brows hooked in a frown as he considered the list of necessary attributes. It didn't seem as if he was asking anything unreasonable. No more than any other man, anyway. In return he was willing to provide for his bride's comfort and safety. He didn't drink to excess- or at least, not very often. Women seemed to set store by security and he could offer her as much of that as any man could. His wife would never go hungry and he could afford to clothe her and house her in comfort.

Thinking of the persuasive arguments in his favor, Koga nodded, confidence swelling in him. There was no reason he could see that Kagome shouldn't accept his proposal. Unless she was seeing someone else, of course. His frown returning, Koga considered that possibility, but he dismissed it almost immediately. Kaede had said that Kagome wasn't being courted. He had a suspicion that Hojo intended to change that, but if the man hadn't done anything by now, it was his loss if someone else married the girl.

Pleased with the results of his reasoning, Koga dug his heels into the gray's sides, clicking his tongue to hurry the gelding along. There was work waiting to be done. The sooner he made his proposal and got an answer, the sooner he could get back to it.

~ ~ ~*~ ~ ~

Kagome was pinning the hem on a dress for Kagura when someone knocked on the front door.

"Now, who could that be?"

Kagome assumed her aunt's question was rhetorical, since the room's other occupants could not be expected to see through walls and identify the caller any better than she could.

"Could be someone on bank business," Naraku said, looking up from the paper he'd been reading.

"It's Sunday afternoon," his wife protested.

"Not everyone observes the Lord's day as they should," he said pompously. The paper crackled as he folded it neatly and set it on the arm of his chair. "Don't worry, my dear, if it's business I'll send them on their way in a trice."

"I should think you would. Imagine doing business on a Sunday." As Naraku left the room, Kikyo settled deeper into her chair and reached for another chocolate from the box sitting next to her before opening the novel she'd been reading.

"It's probably someone calling for me," Kagura said, craning her neck as if she could see around the corner to the front door. "Ayumi said she'd bring over the pattern book her sister sent her all the way from New York. It would be wonderful to see some really fashionable dresses instead of the dowdy things we get out here."

"You know you look a treat in anything you wear, precious," her mother said, dragging her attention from the heroine of her novel and fixing her daughter with a fond look.

"I just know I'd be a laughingstock in Boston or San Francisco." Kagura was angling for a new gown and had no intention of being consoled until she had one.

"I didn't know you were planning on going to either of those places," Kagome's mouth was full of pins, making the muttered comment indistinguishable. Still, the other two glared at her, perhaps sensing sarcasm even though they hadn't actually heard her.

"It's Mr. Sukanami," Kagura hissed abruptly.

Kagome hadn't needed Kagura to identify the owner of the deep, masculine voice in the hall. Her fingers were suddenly shaking, making it impossible to slide the pins into place. She was vividly aware that her hair, which had been ruthlessly tamed for church earlier, had begun to escape its bonds and curl about her face. She was wearing a pale green dress made her skin look the color of old flour, had a mouthful of pins and was kneeling on the floor at her cousin's feet- probably just where Koga thought she belonged, she thought bitterly.

In the moment before her uncle and his guest appeared in the parlor door, Kagome quickly spit the pins into her hand. At least she didn't look like she'd swallowed a porcupine. Her aunt was not so lucky. Kikyo had just popped an entire chocolate into her mouth, leaving her with the choice of swallowing it whole or chewing in a most unladylike fashion.

"Mr. Sukanami has something he wishes to discuss with me," Naraku said in what Kagome privately labeled his `I'm an important man' tone.

Kikyo smiled, keeping her lips tightly pressed together. Her silence might have seemed odd if Kagura hadn't jumped in to fill it.

"We've missed you in church these past two weeks, Mr. Sukanami." she said, softening her boldness with a smile and a coquettish look from under her thick lashes.

Kagome felt her heart sink as Koga's gaze lingered on her cousin. Standing on a low stool as she was, Kagura must look to him like a porcelain figurine on a stand. As for herself, she might qualify as a dusty little mouse fit only to kneel at Kagura's feet.

"That's kind of you to say, Miss Kagura." Koga said, and Kagome knew it had to be wishful thinking that made him look cool toward the younger girl. No one- no man- was ever cool toward Kagura.

"Miss Kagome," She felt herself flush like a foolish child as those blue eyes settled on her.

"Mr. Sukanami," She whispered, lowering her eyes to conceal her longing.

The moment the two men disappeared into Naraku's study, Kikyo opened her mouth wide enough to masticate the half-melted chocolate.

"What do you suppose Mr. Sukanami needs to talk to Papa about?" Kagura's tone was thoughtful, her eyes full of speculation.

"I'm sure I have no idea," Kikyo responded, annoyed at having been caught in an awkward position. She closed the box of chocolates and pushed it away from her.

"Did you see the way he looked at me?" Kagura asked. "Do you think he noticed how pretty I look?"

"You shouldn't say such things, Kagura. Modesty is one of a woman's best virtues."

"But I am pretty, Mama. Everyone tells me so. Wouldn't it be a false modesty to pretend otherwise?" Her mother was still blinking from the impact of that question when Kagura continued. "Besides, since the Lord must have been the one to make me pretty, then I'm actually praising His work when I say as much."

If Kagome hadn't been busy trying to choke down a laugh, she might have almost felt sorry for her aunt. The dazed look in her eyes suggested that, this time, even she couldn't ignore Kagura's incredible arrogance. Kagura, of course, was oblivious to the shocked silence she'd created.

"Do hurry up, Kagome," she snapped peevishly. "I bet Mr. Sukanami is asking Papa for permission to see me, and I can't go out walking with him with my hem dragging in the dirt."

The probable truth of her words wiped out Kagome's brief amusement. She didn't know how she'd stand it if she had to watch Koga come courting Kagura. If that happened, she'd ask Hojo to marry her, she promised herself fiercely.

"Ouch!" Kagura cried out as a pin pricked her ankle.

"Sorry," Kagome murmured without looking up.

"You did that deliberately," Kagura snapped. She jerked her skirt away, ignoring Kagome's gasp of pain as a pin tore into her fingertip. Stepping down off the footstool, she glared at her cousin. "You poked me on purpose because you're jealous."

Though she hadn't deliberately stuck Kagura with a pin- at least, she didn't think it had been deliberate- Kagome couldn't deny the accusation that she was jealous. Not when she was all but seething with that emotion. She sucked a droplet of blood from her finger and allowed herself a brief wish that she'd jabbed Kagura harder.

Choosing silence as her best defense, she gathered up the packet of pins with trembling fingers and stood. Ignoring Kagura's furious glare, she put the pins away in her sewing basket.

"Mama," Kagura's whined complaint grated on Kagome's taut nerves. "Kagome poked me deliberately."

"I'll deal with her later, precious." Kikyo promised absently. "Why don't you go change into something pretty? Perhaps when Mr. Sukanami and Papa are done with their business, we can persuade Mr. Sukanami to have some tea with us. You can't entertain him in a dress with a pinned up hem."

Kagura flew out of the room. Kagome shifted a few items around in the sewing basket, aware that her fingers were trembling. For a brief moment she was tempted to change into another dress, but there wasn't much difference between the mint green dress she was wearing and powder pink one that was her other Sunday best garment. Neither suited her, but they looked better than Kagura's fuchsia castoffs. Besides, she'd only come out looking like a fool if she tried to outshine Kagura. Like a mud hen trying to best a peacock, she thought.

Sternly controlling the quiver of her lower lip, Kagome picked up her embroidery and settled herself on one corner of the uncomfortable sofa. No doubt Kagura was right and Koga had come to ask for permission to call on her. Painful as it might be, she was simply going to have to deal with that reality.

Kagura returned to the parlor so quickly that Kagome wondered is she'd simply cut her way out of the other dress. She was wearing a violet dress with a soft flounce and a touch of lace at the wrists and neckline. She looked wonderful, her mother told her, and as much as she would have liked to do so, Kagome couldn't disagree.

The three women waited with varying degrees of patience. Kikyo pretended to read her novel. Kagome pretended to concentrate on her embroidery, and Kagura posed prettily on the edge of the piano bench, admiring the graceful folds of her skirt, not bothering to pretend an interest in anything other than herself.

Though it seemed like forever, it was something less than a half an hour before they heard the door to the study open. Kikyo dropped her novel. Kagome promptly jabbed her finger with a needle. Kagura merely lifted her head, tilting it to the side prettily.

"What did Mr. Suakanami want, Papa?" She asked with just the right combination of shy hope and feminine confidence.

Naraku didn't respond immediately. He cleared his throat and looked away from his daughter. His eyes met his wife's, skated over Kagura again and finally settled on his niece with a mixture of dislike and disbelief. "Mr. Sukanami would like to speak with you, Kagome." He said slowly.

"With me?" Kagome's voice rose with a surprised squeak

"Yes." The single word seemed to take a considerable effort. He cleared his throat again and focused his gaze somewhere past her shoulder. "You may speak with him in my study, but you're not to close the door more than halfway, do you hear?"

"Yes, Uncle Naraku." She hesitated, but her uncle didn't seem to have anything to add. She set aside her embroidery and stood. A quick glance at Kagura showed her pretty mouth half open with surprise. Kagome was pleased to see that she looked a little like a trout. Knowing that it was only a matter of seconds before Kagura regained her breath and demanded an explanation, Kagome didn't delay her departure.

She paused outside her uncle's study and smoothed her palms over her skirt. She knew from experience that there was no sense in even trying to pat her hair back into place- the curls would just spring right back out again. Drawing a deep breath, she pinned what she hoped was a serene smile on her face and walked into the den. Mindful of her uncle's concern about propriety, she pushed the door halfway shut behind her.

Koga had been standing in front of the bookcase, his head tilted as he read the titles on the rows of leather-bound books. He turned as she entered the room, and Kagome was helpless to control the color that rose to her cheeks. Nor could she prevent her heartbeat from accelerating beyond all reason.

"Miss Higurashi."

"Mr. Sukanami. Uncle Naraku said you wished to speak to me?" Kagome was pleased to hear the steadiness of her voice.

"Yes." He cleared his throat and gestured to the small sofa that sat against one wall. "Perhaps we could sit down?"

They were barely seated when a piercing shriek issued from the direction of the parlor. "I won't have it! I won't! I won't!" Kagura's voice rose in a crescendo of rage peaking in another shriek that ended abruptly with the sound of a slap. Kagome's eyes widened in shock. In the six years she'd lived here, she'd never once seen anyone raise a hand to Kagura, no matter how uncontrolled her behavior.

"My cousin is, uh, terrified of mice." Kagome muttered in response to Koga's inquiring look. Other than lifting one dark brow, he didn't comment, but something in his eyes suggested that he had his doubts about the outburst being caused by a mouse. His mouth quirked in amusement. To be honest, Koga didn't feel a lick of pity for Kagura's distress.

Kagome folded her hands neatly in her lap in a ladylike pose that served to conceal her trembling fingers. She gave Koga a look of polite inquiry, and hoped he couldn't see the way her heart pounded beneath her bodice.

"I, ah, wished to speak with you, Miss Kagome." Now that the moment was here, Koga wished himself anywhere but where he was. It had all seemed so straightforward and simple when he'd thought about it. He'd propose. She'd accept because there was no good reason for her not to. They'd set a date, he'd be on his way and it would be settled.

"Yes, Mr. Sukanami?" She tilted her head, those big brown eyes looking at him questioningly. Koga suddenly realized that his collar was too tight. He resisted the urge to run his fingers beneath the starched linen.

"My mother has been dead these past three years," He began, groping for words.

"I know. You must miss her a great deal."

"Yes." He found his eyes drawn to Kagome's mouth. He hadn't realized what a soft, kissable mouth she had. Her lower lip was slightly fuller than the upper, giving her mouth a sensual pout that seemed to invite a man to taste it. Had that stick Hojo kissed her? The thought was more irritating than it had any business being.

He realized she was still looking at him, waiting for him to get to the point of his visit. He wanted nothing more than to oblige, but dammit all, he hadn't expected the point to be so hard to get to! "The fact is, with my brother and I living alone and all the work that's required to run a ranch, we don't have much time to put into taking care of a house. Cooking and cleaning and suchlike." He gestured to the myriad tasks that went into running a house.

"I can understand that. You must have a great many responsibilities." `Is he going to offer me a job?'

"Yes. And there's more than just the responsibilities on the ranch. There's the future to think of. `Now where'd I come up with a pompous line like that?' But Kagome was looking at him with those big brown eyes of hers, seeming to hang on his every word, and Koga found himself continuing. "When a man works to build something up, he has to think towards the future, provide for it's care.

"That's very true, Mr. Sukanami." `Good heavens, he's going to offer me a job!' Kagome found herself torn between excitement and uncertainty. She couldn't possibly go to work for him and his brother. The whole town would be scandalized.

"When I saw you in church, you seemed like just what I had in mind." Koga said, starting to feel a little more at ease. "I realize this is kind of sudden and we don't really know each other all that well, but there'd be plenty of time for getting to know each other afterward.

`After what?' Kagome felt as if she'd lost some vital thread of the conversation. What difference did it make if they knew each other or not? Hiring a housekeeper didn't require an intimate acquaintance.

"I didn't mean to rush things so much, but with spring being a busy time of year and not wanting to wait until summer or even fall, and you seemed like a sensible girl and I though you might not be offended by me taking a few shortcuts."

`Shortcuts?' Kagome blinked in confusion. `What on earth is he talking about?'

"Your uncle gave his permission, so there'd be no problem there."

`Uncle Naraku had given his permission for her to live on an isolated farm with two bachelors?'

"He said it was up to you." Koga looked at her expectantly, and Kagome found herself wanting to agree to anything he asked. But is she went to live with the Sukanami brothers, her reputation would be in tatters before the buggy made it to the edge of town. Was Uncle Naraku so anxious to get rid of her that he'd throw his precious propriety completely to the winds?

"Mr. Sukanami, I'm afraid I don't know exactly what it is I'm to make a decision about." She said finally.

Koga stared at her in surprise. What did she mean, she didn't know? Hadn't he just asked her to marry him? He went over the conversation in his head and felt color creep over his cheekbones as he realized he had talked around the question without ever once actually saying the words. He cleared his throat, annoyed to find himself nervous.

"I'm asking you to be my wife, Miss Kagome."

~ ~ ~*~ ~ ~

BEFORE YOU SAY ANYTHING!! I know this isn't exactly how the Koga we all know and love would have gone about this. The wolf demon would have opted to proclaim his intentions bluntly and loudly. However, even though I'm striving to keep them in character, I also realize that this Koga was raised with something we like to call manners, not commonly found in wolf dens. I could see Koga doing something like this- babbling on randomly and expecting Kagome to know exactly what he's talking about- instead.