A few words before the chapter. I gave Kagome’s mother “Ran” as a name. And Inuyasha’s mother, the queen, “Eri” as her name. They’re both names of characters from the anime Detective Conan, of which I am very much obsessed with *_*.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 3:
Destiny (Part 1)
The feast was held outdoors, since the weather was so great. The king’s table was placed in the center. Dozens of other tables filled with villagers and the royal family’s attendants circled the middle table. Most of the foods were brought in from the palace, including the sake. But some villagers contributed too.
Kagome sat with King Taisho, along with the queen, Kaede, her mother, Souta, Kikyo, Sesshomaru, and a certain hanyou prince that wasn’t too keen on speaking with her but still had to sit next to her.
After seven cups of strong sake, King Taisho’s speech was beginning to slur, but just a little. He rose, and everyone else rose too. He raised his cup to the air. “I have a couple of toasts to make. First, to my two queens, the first is gone but will forever remain in my heart, and the second,” he turned to Inuyasha’s mother, “still so young and beautiful, bearer of my second son, and the light of my life. Eri, I wish you will forever stay by my side.” The queen blushed scarlet. Her best friend, Kagome’s mother, who was sitting next to her, gave her a nudge and a wink.
“Next, to Kaede-sama,” Kaede bowed slightly, “the protector of Mura, of the Tama, of Kira, and ultimately, of our tranquil country, Nazo, thank you.” Kagome’s face beamed at how the king was praising her grandmother.
“To Ran,” Kagome’s mother seemed surprised to have her name mention, “so brave a woman. Ran, you raised a wonderful daughter, and I know your son will one day grow into a true warrior, protecting his home and country.
“Speaking of which, little Kagome and Kikyo, to the two of you. May you both one day grow into beautiful maidens and protect our country just as powerful miko would.” Kagome’s grin really widened, Kikyo just smiled politely. “Well, drink up, everyone! Kanpai!”
Everyone yelled “kanpai” and took sips from their sake cups. King Taisho sat back down, and everyone else sat a moment later.
“Ahh, Kikyo, Kagome, I trust that the two of you have been practicing your archery.” King Taisho said happily, rubbing his clawed hands together enthusiastically. “I told some of my men to set up a small archery course, after dinner, I want to see the two of you perform your skills.”
Kikyo nodded politely. Next to a still grumpy Inuyasha, Kagome gulped nervously. She has done nothing with her bow except for plucking the string a little. It would be a wonder if she didn’t make a fun of herself.
After the feast the peasants went back to their daily lives. The royal family, along with Kaede and the children and a few close servants, ventured to the edge of the village. The king, queen, princes, Kagome’s mother, and Kaede sat on clean cushions placed not far from the ground. Not far from them, a giant tree loomed over the vicinity. The Goshinboku was what it was called. Hanging from the tree’s trunk was a still wooden target, at about eye level with the girls’ height.
“Now girls, take turns,” King Taisho pushed them on, still a little drunk from the sake, “Uncle Taisho will give both of you rewards, no matter who does better. I just want to see my girls perform.” He laughed heartily while patting Queen Eri’s hand.
Kagome gulped for the second time. She tried looking onto Kikyo for help, but Kikyo has already positioned herself 10 meters in front of the target, bow and arrows ready. Everyone was silent as Kikyo pulled back her bow string. The little six-year-old girl’s body remained incredibly steady as she let the arrow loose.
Kagome gasped as she saw Kikyo’s arrow hit the target almost dead center with a small “thud”. The arrow was half a centimeter away from the exact center. Next thing she knew, the area exploded with applauds. Everyone except for a grumpy Inuyasha was beaming. King Taisho rose and personally guided Kikyo to her cushion. He kept on mumbling “excellent, absolutely magnificent” under his breath.
After a long time of fussing over Kikyo and her near perfect shot, everyone looked onto Kagome, as if expecting the same thing. Kikyo’s arrow was still stuck, the youkai servants wasn’t going anywhere near it, and the humans didn’t seem to want to pull it out. With such high expectations, Kagome walked shakily toward the spot where Kikyo was standing just minutes ago. She turned around and saw her mother waving with a grin, and King Taisho giving her a reassuring wink and a thumb up.
Kagome was shaking all over as of now. Inside her head, she was berating herself for not practicing like Kikyo. Taking out an arrow, Kagome placed it with a shaky hand upon her bow. She breathes several times just to get the spots out of her eyes. Now, focusing on the target before her, Kagome pulled on the bow with difficulties, and the small hand released it a bit too early.
Kagome held her breath as she saw the arrow going off without her permission. It landed too soon, about 3 meters in front of her, flat on the ground. No one behind her made a sound. And Kagome was too embarrassed to turn around and see their expressions. In a matter of seconds, she heard a loud cackling laugh, turning around, she wasn’t surprised to find Inuyasha rolling on the ground, holding his stomach, laughing as though it caused him pain.
King Taisho got up in a flash and went over to pick up Inuyasha by the collar. Inuyasha’s laugh was cut off both by the lack of air, and the frightening stare from King Taisho. “Sit still,” King Taisho ordered him and placed Inuyasha on his cushion again. Then he walked over to the blushing Kagome and patted her on her head. “It’s okay, little Kagome, try again.” He flashed her one of his nicest smiles and went back to his cushion.
Kagome glanced around and noticed her mother’s eyes on her. Ran took Souta’s little hand and waved it as though to imitate Souta waving at Kagome. She smiled at her daughter as if nothing has happened. Then Kagome’s eyes fell upon Kaede, who simply nodded at her. Kaede’s eyes showed no disappointment. And that reassured Kagome more than anything else.
The young Kagome went and picked up that same arrow. Like last time, she steadied it on her bow. And she pulled it back with all the strength her skinny little arms can offer. This time, she made sure not to let go too soon at all cost. In her mind, her mother’s smile, King Taisho’s smile, Kaede’s eyes, and Inuyasha’s crude laugh all flooded into one. And as she shouted “iku!”, she released the arrow.
It seemed like eternity as the arrow traveled through the air. About half-way through, the arrow started to glow pink, then soon it was completely devoured by the pink light. Kagome gasped at the sight, but the lights were gone as soon as the arrow hit the target, dead center, it was even more accurate than Kikyo’s.
For minutes, everyone was silent. This time, no one clapped for her, and Inuyasha didn’t laugh again. Instead, as Kagome turned around nervously moments later, she saw everyone had rose up and their eyes were still focusing on the arrow she shot. But only Kaede’s eyes were on her. And though she hasn’t noticed, so was Kikyo’s.
“Kaede-baachan,” Kagome’s voice came through with a squeak, “did I… do something wrong?” When she saw everyone’s eyes focusing on her, and still no one spoke, Kagome drew up all her strength and asked, “What was that light?”
“Kaede-sama, was that what I think it was?” King Taisho was not looking at Kagome, his voice was slightly cracking up, but it was clear that he was no longer drunk.
Kaede nodded slowly, her eyes still focusing on Kagome. “Hai, I believe so. Come here, child,” she beckoned Kagome to her side and bent down to be on eye level with the girl.
“Child, how did you managed to do that?”
Kagome quivered, still not sure whether she’s done something bad or not. She shook her head like crazy, “It wasn’t my fault, Kaede-baachan, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Oh, don’t be afraid, little Kagome,” King Taisho cut in, “you did nothing wrong.”
“Ran,” Kaede turned to her daughter, “take the children back to the hut.”
Kagome’s mother led the way. Following behind her were Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, Kikyo, and a scared Kagome.
After seeing the children going away, Kaede and the king both sat back down. Queen Eri faced them with a still surprised expression. The three adults began their discussion.
“Had Kagome…” King Taisho began, but wasn’t sure how to ask, “Has she ever been able to shoot a miko arrow before?”
Kaede shook her head. “I had expected this, but not this soon. She’s at too young of an age to use such high level miko power. Even if it is possible, I would’ve expected Kikyo be the first to do it. To tell the truth, Kagome hasn’t touched her bow before today.”
“So it’s clear then,” Queen Eri spoke, “you’re choosing Kagome as your successor?”
Kaede paused before speaking softly, “I cannot decide everything just by this. It might be an accident. Kagome herself did not seem to know what she did. Besides, Kikyo excels at everything else, while Kagome gives no heart for the position as miko protector of Kira.”
There was silence for a few minutes, then King Taisho spoke with a smile. “Well, no matter what, it’s still a reason for celebration. Little Kagome’s first miko arrow. And I still owe them their present.”
Kaede rose with a slight grunt, the king and queen followed. “You spoil them too much, your majesty.”
The king laughed his usual hearty laugh. “Nothing is too good for my girls.”
*~*~*~*~* Back in Kaede’s hut *~*~*~*~*
“Hello, girls, come here.” King Taisho said cheerfully as they entered the shabby hut. He opened his arms wide as Kikyo and Kagome walked to him. His hands closed so he wouldn’t accidentally scratch them with his poison claws. “Now, for that present I promised you.”
King Taisho took a seat along with Queen Eri. He placed Kikyo and Kagome on each of his laps and called his sons over. “Now, with Eri, Ran, and Kaede as my witnesses, and with Ran and Kaede’s consents, at the age of 16, Kikyo shall be wed to Inuyasha, and Kagome with Sesshomaru.”
“Your Majesty!” Kagome’s mother exclaimed, in both surprise and happiness. Kaede’s previously stern expression faded away, and was replaced with a wrinkled smile. Queen Eri couldn’t help but clap her hands together, she was on the verge of tears.
The king laughed once more. “I know there are some age complications. Since Kikyo is older than Kagome, it would be sensible for her to wed Sesshomaru. But how can there be peace if I put Kagome and Inuyasha together?”
The adults were too busy laughing to notice it, but Kikyo winced at that comment. Meanwhile Inuyasha was steaming that his father was already thinking about his marriage plans. Sesshomaru’s attention shifted between his brother and Kagome. He was both the oldest and the calmest of the children. And all this time, the clueless Kagome kept looking up at King Taisho in confusion.
“Ano…” Kagome tugged on the king’s sleeve, “Uncle Taisho, what are you talking about?”
King Taisho laughed more at Kagome’s question. When he finally caught his breath, he answered with the widest smile. “Little Kagome, how would you like to marry your Sesshomaru-niisan?”
Kagome paused, “but Uncle Taisho, I already told Hojo-kun yesterday that I’ll marry him when we grow up.”
The king looked onto Kaede with a confused expression. The old miko chuckled slightly. “Hojo is a neighbor’s boy, the same age as Kagome. I believe he doesn’t know the meaning of marriage, it’s just a childish promise.”
“Ahh, I see.” The smile returned to King Taisho’s face. “Little Kagome, do you understand what it means to marry someone?”
Kagome shook her head. The king continued. “Do you like your Sesshomaru-niisan?” This Kagome answered without hesitation. Her little head nodded furiously. Queen Eri found to her delight that Sesshomaru was blushing with his head down.
“Well, if that’s the case, you’d have to break it off with Hojo-kun. Because from now on, you are betrothed to Sesshomaru, and your Kikyo-neesan is betrothed to Inuyasha. Do you like that idea? You and Kikyo will be both cousins and sister-in-laws.”
Kagome took this into consideration, but it wasn’t like she actually understood everything the king meant. But she nodded happily. This caused King Taisho another fit of laughter.
“Then let it be proclaimed through the land, and let all my people share our joy!” King Taisho turned to Kaede. “From now on, I’ll tell Ran to take the boys here regularly, ten years will pass by in a flash.”
With a last “your majesty” from Kaede and a few words of good-bye, the royal family went back to their carriages and left for Nazo.
The day of festivities has taken a toll on the children. Kikyo and Kagome went to sleep without eating dinner. King Taisho allowed Ran to stay for a couple more days before going back to the palace.
After thanking her mother for the bedtime song, Kagome yawned and drifted into sleep in no time. And with it, came the same dream from the night before.
::It was still very wet, but Kagome was no longer floating. She was sitting, on something cold, like a rock. The shades that were moving before all gather in one place. They weren’t as agile anymore. They were crying, all of them. But one female voice was most clear to Kagome’s ears. She was crying the loudest, and sounded the saddest. ::
:: Kagome was confused, something was missing, something was very wrong. She felt someone’s arms around her, just as wet as herself. And then, without knowing why, she began to cry as well. ::
The dream came back every night for an entire year. The five-year-old girl was haunted with the same nightmares. But knowing some things about demons and bad omens, Kagome was afraid to tell her mother or Kaede about the dream. And so she suffered every night, for a whole year, before the dream started to make sense. And it would turn out to be one of the worst days in her life.
Date Started: June 22, 2003
Date Finished: June 27, 2003
Word Count: 2424
Next
Back