A/N: Hey guys! well, this is another story that popped into my mind. I hope you enjoy this first chapter, Its the longest one I've ever written so far... I hope you'll stick with me through out my journey as a writer! Here is my tale... "Vengeance".
Disclaimer: Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi
She stepped forward, trailing slowly behind her mother. She gazed towards the heavens, the pale flesh of her neck sparkling like diamonds. It was winter, but the sun still spread its rays of light all over Japan. She listened to the snow crunch under her feet; drastically turning into slush because of the heat from the sun. Her sapphire eyes swept over the gardens, spotting a few children playing merrily in the field. Her hand unconsciously fled from the safety of her sleeve, reaching out towards the running children-- She yearned to approach them and play as well, but her mother's bark brought her out of her wishful thinking.
"Miserable children! Get out of my sight! Unsophisticated ruffians!" She turned up her nose, making a movement with her hand, signaling them to leave. She turned her head behind her to look at her daughter, and with narrowed eyes, hissed. "I am most content that my daughter isn't as foolish and graceless as them. You're eighth year of life is only in a fortnight, correct?" Her daughter nodded, and with a scoff, the mother once more walked forward.
"That is good; you'll be one step closer to being lady of the manor. Now, Kagome, hurry along, we do not want to displease your father." Kagome curtly nodded, and with a step, turned her head towards the discontent children, sadness and guilt conveyed in her bottomless eyes. Her bottom lip quivered. Please forgive me for ruining your fun.
* * * * *
"Father!" Kagome ran towards her father's out stretched arms, immediately melting into his kneecaps. Her father crouched low, so that they were eye level, and their beating hearts could be felt through each other's chest. He nuzzled deep into her ebony locks, murmuring. "My dear daughter, I hope you have been well?" Her head nodded in response, her small fingers nimbly playing with the loose hairs at the nape of his neck.
She whispered into his bronze cheek. "Father, will I be able to do my lessons today...?" She looked into his eyes expectantly, and he nodded, placing a finger to his lips. "Of course, my dear, but you don't want mother to find out, correct?" With panicked eyes, she nodded her head, frowning. "Of course! That'd be the worst--"
"If you're talking about the lessons you've been taking from your father in 'secrecy', well, I already knew about that." Her mother's expression was one of a fish; mouth set unceremoniously into a frown, and cold, dead eyes to accompany it. Kagome shivered in her father's arms, and with a sigh, he stood up, scooting his daughter behind his body. He chastised. "Now, dearest, I cannot escape the wish of my daughter to be educated, and I think it is nice for women to be literate." He stared into her brown eyes seriously.
"Kind of the reason why I taught you."
Kagome's eyes widened, her innocent orbs staring at her mother. "Is that true, Mother? You can read and write, as well?" Her mother turned her head away, arms tucked in her sleeves. "Yes. You're father was most persistent. He said he wanted a wife to be second in command, not a pretty asset. Although women are allowed to be educated as long as its approved by the head Lord, it is still uncommon for females to be... Articulate." Her eyebrows knitted into a ridge; worry lines curving down the sides of her lips.
Kagome lowered her head, and pestered further. "Then why, Mother, do you wish for me to not be... Articulate?" The word was new and flew awkwardly from her tongue. She clutched the back of her father's hakamas tightly. With a sigh, her mother responded. "I never said you couldn't take lessons, but next time I just wish you'd do so openly in front of me. Just because I seem like a prude, that doesn't mean I'll reject every idea brought forth to me." She stared into her daughter's eyes, a familiar twinkle in her eye.
Kagome stepped forward, and warily questioned. "Mother, does that mean I can continue my lessons?" Her mother nodded. "Then, does that also mean you'd like to watch?" With a smile, her mother descended neatly to the floor, her dainty hands resting neatly in her lap. "Please, by all means, start when you'd like." Kagome beamed, and with a squeal, ran over to embrace her mother. "Thank you, Mother! This is what I want most!"
* * * * *
"Kagome, are you almost done?" Her mother peeked behind the changing screen, staring at her daughter. She smiled softly, and with a sigh, touched her own cheek in satisfaction. "My, you look stunning, my dear princess." She walked forward, and lightly grabbed her daughter's wrist. She lead her child to the mirror, and placed her hands on Kagome's shoulders; an abundant amount of happiness in her eyes. "Do you see what I see?"
Kagome touched her reflection, her face set into one of awe. This was the first time she was allowed to wear rouge. Her mother said she was much too young for face powder, but that didn't matter to her. Kagome stared into her cerulean eyes; her dark eyelashes curled and much too long. Whenever she blinked, they'd neatly graze a top her cheeks. Kagome lightly touched the reflection's cheeks; a natural pink flush set in her cherubic face. Kagome's gaze wandered that to her tiny button nose, and then to her full lips, and she smiled. The light pink rouge was magnificent.
She briefly looked at her kimono, and smiled softly. She recognized this one from a portrait of her mother when she was a child. Her fingertips lightly grazed the dark fabric, her smile widening. It was a simple kimono, but made of the finest of silks. She was amazed by the color; a rich indigo that looked darker and more bottomless than the raging ocean. She neatly squinted, staring at the cluster of stars on her sleeves.
Kagome craned her neck, looking at her mother behind her. She smiled. "Is this what I'm going to look like at my celebration?" Her mother nodded, and with a smile, turned her away from the mirror. "Of course, dear princess. Now, let me do your hair nicely..." Her slender fingers went to work untangling the wavy locks, and with a frown, her mother gloomed. "Kagome, you didn't brush your hair this morning, did you?"
Kagome's fingers fidgeted in her lap, lowering her small head, she stuttered. "I did not, Mother. But it hurts when I do it. I would rather cut it like a boy's." Her fine brows furrowed in distaste, and she cringed as her mother barked. "Your hair is what makes you a girl for now! If you had cut it, you could be mistaken for a boy!" Her voice softened, and her nimble fingers traced the outer shell of Kagome's ear. "You're the pride of our family, Kagome. These locks," Her fingers lifted the dark tresses to her nose, sniffing lightly. "Are only fit for a noble like you."
* * * * *
"Mother, do you see it? Look what I did!" Kagome pointed excitedly at a flower, yipping exuberantly. "This is the flower you told me to take care of! Do you remember? It has finally bloomed, and my, is it magnificent!" She tugged at the edge of her mother's sleeve, craning her neck to meet her mother's chocolate eyes. "Isn't it beautiful? Finally, after three years, it has bloomed." Kagome frowned; why was her mother's face so distraught? She gently prodded her mother in the hand. "Mother?"
Brought out of her thoughts, Kagome's mother lowered her gaze to Kagome, and smiled. "Yes, it is certainly beautiful. Now, you should go to your lessons, my dear. I must speak with your father." She ushered her daughter along, and with a frown, stalked off towards her husband.
* * * * *
"Milord, it has happened." With a sob, she dropped to the floor, tremors filling her body. Her husband stood up from his seat, and glided towards where his wife lay. He gently ran his fingers against her back, and caressed her face with the other hand. He bore into her dark eyes. "Milady, it was a prophecy. It was bound to happen." He cupped his fingers underneath her chin, and brought her lips to his own gently.
A sob bubbled from her throat, and with a shriek, she pushed him away from her trembling body, her hands placed over her raging heart. She seethed. "Why did you have to anger them? Why couldn't you had just worshipped them like asked?" He stared seriously into her eyes, his voice trembling. "I would never betray my Gods to worship some demons. Milady, shall I tell you the prophecy once more?" He approached her, his body caging her. She closed her eyes. "You might as well. It'll calm me, I suppose."
With a deep breath, he gently placed his petite wife in his lap, and he murmured. "When I was a mere lad..."
"Father! It is here!" A young boy stumbled from the underbrush to a small clearing in the forest. He ran in front, his brown eyes darting from tree to tree. He pointed. "Ah! There it is!" He ran towards a particular tree, and smiled brightly. "I'm sorry I had to abandon you. Were you lonely?" He scoured in his haori, pulling out a small bag of food.
He dug his toe into the dirt, head lowered in embarrassment. "I'm sorry it's not much. But I think my father can provide you more..." He looked up, only to find his father's face twisted into one of horror. The man stuttered. "Young Lord, that is no human, but a dem-" He could not finish his sentence, for the demon had swiped his head clean off his shoulders. The young boy shrieked. "Why do that to my father? You... You!" His snot and tears poured down his face while he blubbered angrily. The demon only shrugged his small shoulders, his response monotonous.
"I did not require your help, nor did I require your compassion. However, I guess if you did not possess such stupidity, you wouldn't have tried to help me in the first place-- Considering that I am a demon." The young boy snapped angrily. "You are wrong! I would've helped anyone in need, for that is my place as a Lord! To look after others!" The demon raised a finely arched brow. "Is that so? You're an intriguing specimen; I look forward to seeing you grow. Expect my presence again, young lord." With that, the young demon fled from the scene in a burst of light.
The lord furrowed his brows. "That was the first encounter, as you know. The next encounter was just after you gave birth to Kagome..."
"It is a pleasure seeing you once more, young lord. Though you have a family, now." The demon bowed in mock respect, his hair fluttering lightly with the movement. He was no longer a young boy, but possessed the features of a young man, although his stature was one taller than most grown men. His eyes burned into the lord's soul, making him shiver. "Yes, how long has it been since then? More than a decade, I suppose. You have been well?" It irked him to no end why he was being so civil--Though maybe it was because he truly didn't hate the demon before him.
With a cough, he spoke once more. "Tell me, why have you arrived?" The demon before him raised his head, his nose turned towards the ceiling. He spoke. "To satisfy my curiosity. Never have I met such a strange creature like you. I anticipate how you're daughter will be like. Will she be like you, I wonder?" He sniffed the air, and narrowed his eyes. "I must bid you farewell, however, we will meet again before the third year of your daughter's life. If you fail to arrive, there will be consequences."
With a smirk, he stepped away from the lord, stepping towards the door. He backed away slowly, and upon opening the door, a light breeze gently embraced him. He murmured. "Such a specimen like you does not belong here."
The lord curled his fingers into fists, the stench of sweat thick in the air. He gritted his teeth angrily. "You must remember this part well. If I had done this differently, maybe I could've saved our lives... Or doomed us sooner..."
He approached the oak doors slowly, following close behind the messenger demon. He was intrigued; why would the demon from his past send someone to retrieve him? His boots made a light scuffling noise, and when the bat demon swung the doors open, he gazed inside only to see many demons sitting at a long table centered in the middle of the room. He stepped in slowly, seeing the demon he knew at the first seat on the right; situated next to a demon who looked much stronger and taller in stature. However, he could clearly see the family resemblance. He bowed low in respect.
"My, there are many demon nobles here." The demons immediately went into a hushed murmur, muttering phrases such as, "what a human! No fear exudes off of him!" or, "he must be an idiot to not think he's unsafe with us." The young lord stood still, waiting for permission to speak. The large demon at the front of the table boasted. "Human! What is thy name?" With a bow, he replied suavely. "Lord Hoshi, Sir."
The demon raised an eyebrow, and looking towards his right, he spoke. "Son, this is what you took interest in? A human noble?" The son did not move, only staring straight at his childhood intruder. He scoffed. "Hn." The larger demon shook his head in laughter, and beckoned to the seat directly across from him. Somehow, he made the atmosphere even larger and more oppressive. It sent a signal to lord Hoshi that said, "He’s making it seem like he's a God. Snooty bastard".
Lord Hoshi sat down, uncomfortable. Something was going to go wrong. He watched as the demon shifted in his seat nonchalantly. What would be described as an ungraceful gesture looked like a celestial dance to Lord Hoshi. He was brought of his stupor by the baritone voice across from him. "My son has told me for a long time that you were unlike most humans, choosing to not care if the person they were helping was demon or human." Lord Hoshi nodded, and the demon smirked widely.
"Then, because of this, I believe that you are worthy." Lord Hoshi questioned; confusion apparent in his tone. "Worthy of what?" With that, the demon's smile widened even more, threatening to rip his handsome face in two. He boasted. "To be the first worshipper of our religion. You will worship demons as you would the Gods."
Lord Hoshi's face trembled; the mere memory angered him. He was compassionate to every living being because that is what the Gods permitted. He would not be prejudice against anyone. He hated when people mistook his kindness for something else. He looked at his wife, and smiled. "As I was saying..."
Lord Hoshi scoffed. "I refuse! I am a follower of the Gods, hence why I am nice to every living being, because that is the will of the Gods." He started to rise from his seat, and stopped mid-rise when the demon's voice rang throughout the room. "You have made a mistake. Son, escort him out. He was, after all, your guest." Lord Hoshi followed the demon from his childhood out of the room, the larger demon's sentence ringing in his mind. "You have made a mistake."
"Take this seed. It's enchanted, and when it blooms, that signifies that we will be there in seven days. You have disgraced me, I should end your life now, but that would be unbefitting of me. The timing is not right. Go, young lord. Your time is short. Remember, that when it blooms, it'll be seven days until we arrive. We will be there right when the sun sets. Live wisely." In an instant, he was gone; the only knowledge of him ever being there was the small seed in Hoshi's palm.
Hoshi smiled, and kissed his wife's eyelids closed. The stench of salt soaked the air. He whispered. "I believe we should celebrate our daughter's birthday soon. We will not live to see the actual day." He smothered his face in her untied hair, breathing deeply and unevenly. If his wife had known better, she would've known that he, too, was shedding tears.
* * * * *
"Mother! We are having my birthday celebration tomorrow?" Kagome furrowed her brows, she didn't know why they pressed her to have it tomorrow, but that was the will of her parents. She thought sourly. My birthday is only in four days, anyway. Kagome looked at her mother, who only nodded solemnly. "Yes, my dear child, it'll be better that way. Then we can spend your actual birthday together." She smiled softly, all the while her mind in a daze. Only four days left until our death. Kagome nodded, accepting the answer. "Okay! That's much better, anyway. I can't wait for tomorrow." Kagome smiled; her eighth birthday was going to be a big one.
"Happy birthday, young lady Kagome!" The sound of claps could be heard as Kagome shuffled through the gardens. Her hair was set into a loose braid, trailing at the back of her knees. She smiled; her hair was the longest in all of Japan; reaching just above her ankles. It was the pride of the Higurashi home. Kagome’s eyes fluttered closed; the lashes fanned across her cheeks. She stepped forward with grace, and let her dark kimono trail behind her, falling in ripples. She opened her eyes finally, and smiled at the crowd before her. They all stared at her in awe, and with outstretched arms, and a voice too old for her age, boasted.
"Let the celebrations begin!"
* * * * *
Kagome was very happy with how her celebration planned out. She had finally played with children her own age, and met a boy named Akitoki who was absolutely gorgeous. According to rumors, he had thought she was cute, too. Kagome ran towards her father, allowing herself to be swept into his strong arms. She giggled. "Good morning, Father! Guess what today is?" She flashed a row of pearly teeth. He tapped his head in thought. "Hmm, well, I don't know, could it be your birthday?" She nodded in agreement, giggling all the while. "I am finally eight, Father! Can you believe it?" He shook his head. "No, Kagome, I cannot. Now, let's go greet your mother, hmm?"
Hoshi sighed as he approached his wife's door. It was the last day of their lives. He flicked the door open slowly, Kagome's small hand clasped tightly around his large, bronze one. He entered the large room. "Good morning, my sweet." She turned to meet his gaze, smiling sadly. "Is it really a good morning?" Hoshi scoffed. "Of course! It is Kagome's birthday." He looked to the tiny girl at his right. "Our pride and joy, remember?" His wife stood up, sighing. "Of course I do. Now, Kagome, how would you like to spend your birthday?" And the anniversary of our deaths?
* * * * *
Kagome sat in between her father's and mother's body, not understanding why there were screams outside and flames in the distance. She watched as her mother sobbed and shivered violently, and watched the sweat droplets slide down her father's tanned cheek. She whispered. "Father, what is going on?"
He shook his head, breathing heavily. "Kagome, your mother and I will die tonight. I am going to pray for your life, and when you live, promise to live happily and healthily." He stroked the sticky hair away from her face, whispering sadly. "I am sorry that I will not be able to see you grow into a beautiful young woman. Don't live with regrets. No matter what happens, remember that you're a noble, and always will be. Do what you please." He pressed a kiss to her sticky forehead, and in that instant, the door flicked open to show the demon he knew from his childhood.
Lord Hoshi smiled sadly. "I am glad you will be the one to end my life. However, I have one last request, and think of it as her birthday present." He patted the hair on his daughter's scalp. "Let her live, please. She's only eight years old, she does not deserve this fate, and neither does my wife, but if you must, slay her and spare my only flesh and blood. We have lived our lives, and will not beg for it." He looked to his wife, bringing her close to his chest.
With pleading eyes, he whispered. "Please, friend. Spare her." The demon nodded his head in acknowledgement, preparing his clawed hand to strike. Lord Hoshi closed his eyes. "Kagome, I love you. Live well. My beautiful wife… Let us die together, in each other's arms." Pushing his daughter Kagome away from his arms gently, he enveloped her mother fully, his head placed in the crook of her neck.
With a murmur, the demon released his attack. "As you wish, friend." In an instant, their hearts were pierced, and little blood was spattered on the walls. He looked to the young girl once, and in an instant, fled the house. It was quite possible that he would forget her, and believe that she died in the forest shortly after.
However, for Kagome, she could never forget that man. His cold, calculating amber eyes, the shining silver hair, and the crescent moon upon his forehead that bore itself into her memory forever. With a new determination, Kagome knew the reason for her life from now on. Vengeance will be mine. Her indigo eyes narrowed; the innocent twinkle gone from her eyes forever.
Happy eighth birthday to me.
A/N: Well, there you have it! If you've read my other stories, (and if you haven't, please go check them out!), I haven't abandoned them, I have the chapters ready to be worked on... ^^; I had writer's block, and this was the outcome. I kind of like the product though, huh? Read & review, please! :D I'd like constructive critisicm, as well. SO PLEASE, HELP ME TO IMPROVE. :o