Chapter Text
“My lady, your mother and father have requested your presence in the meeting room.” A short, elderly woman called from the open doorway. Blue eyes turned to the servant, just as the arrow’s light feathers brushed her cheek and flung towards a pile of hay. The arrow struck the center, causing the petite archer to smile ruefully.
“Thank you, Dorothy. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Yes ma'am.” She turned away, leaving Kagome to wander over the hay bale, yank the weapon from the bullseye and slide it quickly into her quiver. Humming a soft tune to herself, she began to remove her worn arm guard and finger tab. I wonder what they need, I never see them before dinner time most days.
She dropped her gear on a wooden bench and strode towards the open doorway; her long, wavy locks bounced against her back. She briefly wondered if she should change into something more appropriate before talking to her parents, glancing down at her dirt covered skirt. Shrugging, she headed towards the meeting room, running her fingers along the velvet walls. She could hear soft voices, her father’s rising to overpower her mother’s. Kagome frowned, anxiety gnawing at her stomach. Biting her lip, she rounded the corner and met her mother’s mournful gaze.
“Mother, Father, Dorothy said you needed to speak with me?” She stood straight, bringing her hands to fold in front of her skirt. Seeing her mother smile softly in return, she turned her gaze to her father and the paper he currently held. Taking a step forward, she watched silently as he waved for the servants to leave, the door shutting quietly behind her. This doesn’t look too good.
“Kagome, my dear. We have something important to discuss with you. Come, sit at your mother’s feet.” Lord Higurashi commanded. She swallowed, briefly nodding, and gathered her skirt to sit comfortably on the bottom step. She could feel her mother’s soft touch as she stroked her hair. Staying silent, she waited patiently for him to continue.
Lord Higurashi kneeled before her, glancing back at her mother, before returning his gaze to her. He gently reached for her right hand, squeezing it softly and smiled. Kagome felt calm, and she smiled at him.
“My dear child, you are of marrying age. It has been decided that you will marry the heir to the Yokai clan in the Western kingdom.”
She suddenly couldn’t breathe, her legs shaking as she stood swiftly, almost knocking her father over. Her chest heaved as the world spun around her and she ripped her hand from his, blinking away the oncoming slaught of tears. This can’t be... He wouldn’t do this to me. I can’t breathe... Oh kami, I need to get out of here!
“Kagome?” Her mother softly called.
She clumsily took a step back, nearly tripping over her skirt, as her parents stood to their feet, concern etched on their faces. Shaking her head, she felt hot tears streaming down her cheeks, clenching her fists tightly. Her mother reached out, her own tears falling, but Kagome continued to back up, until she felt the sturdy wooden door.
“Kagome, he’s a respectable man. Their kingdom, united with ours, will do wonders for our people. Lord Toga readily agreed and his son Inu.….”
Failing to calm herself, she blindly looked for the golden handle as his words fell on deaf ears. Once found, she whirled around, shoving the door open and ran as fast as she could.
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Gasping for air, Kagome braced her hands on her knees as her bright eyes darted around, checking to see if her parents followed. When she realized no one was coming after her, she took a steadying breath and leaned against the soft wall. Okay Kagome, five things you can see, count them. One: the carpeted floor, two: the candlestick, three: the door to the library, four: the hall table, and five: the stack of books on the small table. She closed her eyes and continued to breath in and out slowly. Four things you can touch, one: the soft fabric of my skirt, two: the lace on my bodice, three: the velvet wall, and four: my own skin.
As she finished her own personal method of calming herself, her shoulders sagged and she slid down the wall, bringing her knees up to her chest. More tears threatened to fall, but as she heard soft footsteps coming, she swallowed the lump in her throat and focused on her fingers in her lap.
“Kags?” A woman’s voice called from the far end of the hallway. She looked up to see her long time friend with a worried look on her face walk towards her. Schooling her features, she smiled wide and stood quickly, smoothing her skirt.
“Hey San, is everything alright?”
“I think I should be asking you that question. You’ve never been able to hide anything from me.” Sango crossed her arms across her chest, her sword jutting out against her hip. Kagome sheepishly shrugged, putting her own hands on her hips.
“Yeah, well, I, uh, I have no idea.” She laughed, throwing her hands in the air, Sango joining in. They both quieted down, but as soon as Sango looked at Kagome again, they both fell into a fit of laughter. Kagome grabbed Sango’s arm, intertwining hers through and began to pull her along.
“Sango, Father and Mother just told me I will be married off to some Lord! It’s outrageous! I mean I’ve never even met him, let alone heard of this Kingdom!” Kagome cried as they turned a corner, her face flushed and she held up her fist, shaking it angrily.
“Kagome? Isn’t this what the royal family does?” Sango asked quietly. “I don’t mean to overstep my place, but I thought your parents were an arranged marriage?”
Kagome’s anger deflated and she smiled sadly, looking down at the ground as they continued forward. She noticed they were headed to the garden and sighed, squeezing Sango’s arm gently.
“They are, but they also fell in love before they found out they were to be married to each other. My mother would tell me the story of how she knew he was the one, how they met as young children and grew up together. It’s a beautiful beginning to be with the love of your life, which I want. All that fiery passion, seeing your soulmate when you wake in the mornings and all that.”
“So what’s wrong?” Sango and Kagome sat on a far bench, nestled in a garden of lilies. It was her favorite spot, one that she had frequented many times over the last years with a good book. It was the spot her mother joked she could always find her, especially on sunny days.
“I want a life outside of these palace walls. I want to go on adventures, I want to visit the beach before I get married and settle down with some schmuck who only speaks to me when he wants to make an heir.” Kagome rolled her eyes, sighing heavily.
“Ya know, Kags,” Sango smiled, arching her brows and Kagome glanced at her long time friend. “You said you’ve never met him. So, what if he is just like you and wants those same things? You don’t know anything about him, maybe he wants to go on adventures and live a fiery passionate life?” Sango elbowed her in the ribs and she laughed, shoving her back.
“I don’t even know his name, but I doubt he’s even remotely interesting.” She rolled her blues eyes, earning a soft giggle from her friend.
“So, what are you going to do?”
“I have no idea, but I’ll think of something.” Kagome frowned, looking up into the cloudless sky. I have to, I refuse to be unhappy for the rest of my life.
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It wasn’t long before dinner was ready and she was being called into the dining room. She and Sango had spent the afternoon together, talking about silly things and she made Sango promise that no matter where she lived, she would come with. Dinner was an awkward affair, no one really speaking during the meal until she was almost finished with her roast.
“Kagome?” Her mother asked softly. Kagome looked up from her plate, setting her fork on the maroon tablecloth. “I understand how you must be feeling, you know your-”
“I know the story, but this,” she gestured, standing abruptly from her chair, “is not the life I want! I dream of seeing the roaring ocean, I want to see the sun setting over the mountains! I don’t want to be shut away in some palace, gossiping with the court about who’s involved in the latest scandal with a man I don’t know!”
She knew she shouldn’t be raising her voice, but once she started talking, she couldn’t help it.
“Daughter.” Her father stood, shutting her up instantly. She lowered her head, her chin trembling. She began to fidget with her fingers in front of her skirt, feeling hot tears stream down her cheeks. “You will not talk to your mother like that.”
She muttered a yes, nodding quickly.
“Now, the decision is final. You will be marrying the next heir to the Inu Yokai Clan on the Summer Solstice.”
“Yes, Father.” I know what I need to do.
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Kagome puffed as she searched under her bed for a specific cloak. What did I do with it? She rummaged around, shoving a box of knick knacks she had accumulated over the years, huffing about this damn cloak. She knew she wasn’t going to be able to sneak past the guards without it. Moving another small box out of the way, she smiled happily when she felt the rough fabric of her brown wool cloak.
Yanking it out, she quickly rose to her feet, tossing it on her bed. She hurried to her bag, going over the contents inside. A change of clothes, her travel brush, some jewelry in case she needed money, her coin purse, some fruit she had managed to snag from the kitchen before bedtime. I think that might be everything, I just need to change, before the changing of the guards at sunrise.
She grabbed the pile of clothing and headed behind her folding screen, hastily striping, when there was a knock on her door. She froze, eyes wide and ran back to her bed, throwing the bag and cloak under her blanket, before climbing and pulling the covers up high.
“Come in.” She cleared her throat, acknowledging whoever it was. She felt her stomach do a little summersault when her mother stepped in, closing the door gently behind her.
“I just wanted to check on you, I know today has been rough.” Lady Higurashi smiled softly, sitting on the edge of the bedding, patting Kagome’s foot. “Are you alright, my love?”
Kagome was careful about her answer, not wanting to give her mother any suspicion. She nodded, turning to her side and keeping the covers high.
“I’m okay. I think I just need some time to come to terms with my future.” She murmured, unease settling in her stomach. She hated lying to the person she told everything to.
“That’s completely understandable. Take all the time you need.” She patted her foot once more, and bent to kiss Kagome on her forehead, wishing her sweet dreams. Once her mother left, she sprung from her covers, rushing back to change. Once she was able to secure the bodice around her linen shirt, she braided her long hair down her back, tying the end off with a tie.
Taking a deep breath, she walked over to her desk and settled in her cushioned chair. Reaching for a quill pen, she hesitated, biting her lip. Is this really what I want? When images of a life in some dull boring castle flooded her mind, she made her decision and grabbed the pen and began to write.
Settling against the back of the chair, she imagined her life riding horseback across the countryside, picking herbs in the forest, skipping through the shoreline and falling in love. She knew this was going to hurt her parents, break her mother’s heart, but if she wanted to live the life she yearned for, she needed to leave.
Folding the sheet of paper, she leaned it against the ink pot and finished packing her bag. Once she tightened the knot, she slid the bag under her bed and crawled under the covers, ready to leave this life behind.