The Seventh Wife by Kitten

Second Thoughts

Chapter 2

Second Thoughts

“Why Kagome?” My elder sister, Nanako, howled rather unladylike at our father during dinner. The whole family had gathered together to celebrate my engagement, and for obvious reasons, my elder sisters were not too joyous about the occasion.

“I will not be questioned about my decisions, Nanako,” My father said harshly before tak ing a sip of his tea.

Nanako, graced with our mother’s beauty and our father’s temper, slammed her hands down on the chabudai in a rage. “But father! Kagome is only fifteen! Surely one such as Lord Sesshomaru would appeal to one of us!” She swept her arm to herself and my other older sisters, Miyu and Akane.

“You mean to appeal to one more…seasoned, Nanako-nee-san?” My younger sister, Momoko giggled earning a reproachful look from our mother.

“Momoko!” My youngest sister, Rin, laughed. I could only keep quiet as our father scolded Nanako over her harsh words.

“Kagome, dear.” I turned to face my mother, whose soft spoken nature belied her true control over her household. “You know the reason for you being chosen for this, right?” I frowned in confusion before shaking my head, earning a soft smile from her. Whenever mother smiled like that, I couldn’t help but worry.

Bowing slightly at the chabudai , I turned to my father. “Honorable father, may I be excused? I seem to be feeling a bit under the weather this evening.” At my father’s gruff dismissal, I stood and left the table. I honestly hated to see my family fighting in such a way, and it hurt even worse knowing I was the cause.

Walking out onto the main grounds, I sighed as I looked up at the moon in the twilight. In the distance, I heard a crow making a fuss. My head turned down at the sound, no doubt a reflection of my family’s current state of unease. “What troubles you, nee-chan?”

I turned to see Miyu walking up to me from the main house. “I am starting to doubt such an arrangement, dearest sister.”

Cradling my head to her bosom like she used to do whenever I felt sorrow, I clung to her kimono in seek of comfort from my thoughts. “Things will turn around, fret not. I’m sure Lord Sesshomaru will be a perfect husband for you. Nanako is just jealous your suitor is more appealing than hers was.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at my sister’s words. Surely, she had to be right; she had a gift of foresight that not even a miko could decipher. But, even as my sister’s words rang in my head, the crow still cawed in the distance.

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Words: 443

Prompt: Crow

This drabble was done for Nisou Tenshi’s 14 Symbol Challenge.