Chapter Text
The woman ran through the cobbled streets, long dark hair whipping around her face as her hands held who was most precious to her. She could hear the rapid hoofbeats approaching behind her and ducked into a small alleywall, sending a silent prayer to the gods as her heart beat in time with the rain drops. Shivering as the guards sped past her, she looked around, big brown eyes wide in fear of getting caught.
A soft cry had her bringing her bundle close, whispering her love softly as voices called out to find her. Dashing through steady downpour, she headed for the place where gods formed sanctuary, the red torii a beacon of hope for her and her son. Spotting the familiar structure, she took off, her chest heaving with each breath.
Lightning flashed through the sky, highlighting each step of the stairs that led up to Kenchoji Shrine, when she felt a sharp tug on her hood, causing her to fall back, her head hitting the stone with a crack. Blood dripped down her temple, her head pounding as a shadow fell over her body. She gripped her child tighter, sending one last prayer up that he would be safe and happy as the world went black around her.
A man with sinister black eyes smirked at her now lifeless body, when he heard a soft cry from her arms. Frowning, he lifted the bundle, gasping at the deformed child’s face. Hiding the abomination to his chest, he spotted a nearby well. Pushing past his horse as the rain continued to fall, he outstretched his hand, the crying child hung over the darkness when a harsh cry came from the steps.
“Minister Naraku, stop!”
“Priestess Kaede, this is an unholy demon that I must send back to the depths of hell, where it belongs.”
“See the innocent blood you have spilled on the steps of the gods?” Kaede cried out, holding the bloodied head in her hands as her tears blended in the rain. A flash of lightning filled the sky and he could see the pool of blood dripping down the steps.
“My consciousness is clear. She ran.” Naraku spat.
“You can lie to yourself, but you cannot lie to the eyes of the gods, Naraku.”
A clap of thunder filled the air and Naraku feared for his immortal soul for the first time in his life. Grimacing, he turned to the old priestess, asking just what he should do.
“You must care for the child as your own. That is the only way to repay for the life you took.” Kaede gestured to two worshippers standing by to come pick up the woman’s body and bring her inside for a proper burial.
“It shall live with you then, on the shrine, since you deem it so worthy.” He sneered, thrusting it into Kaede’s arms and he leapt onto his horse, pulling on the reins as the storm raged on. “Just so it stays locked away where no one can see. The Gods work in mysterious ways and may have some use for me in the future.”
Priestess Kaede nodded, huddling over the bundle and bringing the blanket around him tighter, protecting his small, downy ears.
“Oh, and Priestess, his name shall be Inuyasha.”
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Inuyasha leaned against the wooden railing, the fur covered triangles atop his head flickering at the various sounds from below. He could hear the baker calling out, announcing to the morning crowds his fresh bread was ready and the horses carrying in new vegetables for the townsfolk, an elderly man preparing a bundle to give to an overwhelmed mother. I wonder what it would be like to greet the morning with a smile, like they all do, to have a purpose in everyday life. A soft chirp to his left caught his attention, Inuyasha glancing over to see Myoga, the old flea, jump from the blue bird’s back and bounce his way.
“Good morning, Inuyasha!”
“Hey Myoga, I’m surprised you’re here. Shouldn’t you be down there, ya know, sampling the morning goods today?” Inuyasha snickered, knowing the flea demon loved to feast on blood, especially humans.
“Am I not allowed to come visit my friend?” The tiny man crossed all four of his arms, almost pouting at the hanyou.
“Keh, you say that all the time, like it's supposed to mean something.” Inuyasha waved his hand, turning away from his favorite view to begin the daily chores. He unbuttoned his cloak, laying the heavy, red cloth on a small stool nearby. “And it’s the same, every single day.”
“You know the Akabane Baka Festival is soon, maybe you should venture out from the shrine?” Myoga asked softly, landing on his shoulder. And be ridiculed for being a monster? Sighing, he shook his head. The flea, even Kaede, suggested he visit every year. The townspeople celebrated this “feast of fools” as he called it each year, many dressing up in various costumes. There was food, drink, music and even dancers that turned the dreary town he lived in into this bright exciting place.
Each year, a series of gypsies performed and he had found a favorite, her image appearing in his mind. He didn’t know her name, but could spot the dark haired beauty in a crowd anyday. He often wondered where she went, always coming and going throughout the year, but always showed up for this specific festival, her little pet and some other girl always at her side.
Striding over to his work table, he spotted an unfinished carving, gently picked it up, and turned it over in his hand. The tiny wooden figurine was almost complete, all but her face a perfect replica. Her skirt, this vibrant purple that had these intricate patterns at the bottom, matched perfectly with a white, off the shoulder shirt and a teal corset that formed around her thin frame.
She wore this gold chain around her hips that jingled with every step and matching jewelry on her arms and ankles. Her hair, dark as midnight, hung in wild waves down her back and he wondered if it was as soft as it looked. Running his thumb over the smooth wood, a small area that her eyes would be, he often wondered if they were a strange color like his. Yeah right, no one that beautiful could look like a monster.
“You could wear a costume and sneak in and out, before anyone finds out.” Myoga suggested. And have people run away screaming in fear?
Scoffing at the thought, he heard the faint sound of footsteps approach the shōrō he resided in and frowned. Kaede shouldn’t be visiting this early, she should still be in morning prayer. Straightening when the only other option could be his master, he shook his shoulder, catching Myoga’s attention.
“Old man, my master is coming. Ya better hide.” He gruffed, slipping his handiwork in his pocket. His amster already frowned upon his hobby, but allowed him to indulge in it anyways. A soft squeak was all Inuyasha heard before the flea lept away, seeking out a hiding spot. His master made it very clear early on in Inuyasha’s life that he disliked demons, hanyou, even gypsies. Pretty much anyone who isn’t like him.
Grabbing a worn cloth, he walked over in front of the bonshō and began to dust the bells, waiting for Naraku to arrive. Don’t mention the festival, Master doesn’t like it. He reminded himself as the wooden door creaked open and his master entered the room. Dropping his gaze to the ground, Inuyasha remained silent until Naraku greeted him, their visits always starting off the same.
“Good morning, Inuyasha.” He sneered, unable to hide the disdain in his voice.
“Go-good morning, Master. Shall we have some breakfast?” He gestured to a small table nearby, covered in a dark plum cloth, with a vase of water sitting on top.
“Gather the cups and we will enjoy a light meal.”
Nodding, Inuyasha set down the rag, quickly grabbed two tiny clay cups and returned to his master’s side. Silently pouring water for his master, then himself, he settled awkwardly in his tiny chair. He had outgrown the furniture years ago, now taller than his master himself, but Naraku never cared. He really only sat here when his master visited anyways, so he dealt with the uncomfortableness and never spoke up about it.
“How is your little village coming along?” Naraku asked, removing a handful of grapes from the woven basket he brought along. Inuyasha eyed some bread in there as well and hoped he would leave the rest for him. He never went hungry, Kaede often bringing him food throughout the day, but Naraku always seemed to bring him the bare minimum, as if he was doing him a great service.
He knew deep down that Naraku hated him, that he despised who he was, but was always so confused when his master gifted him things, like his clothing and the wood to create his figurines. He always spoke of how he allowed Inuyasha to live, giving him a home when many others would just cast him for his looks alone, often reminding him of the monster he was.
“I’m, uh, currently working on the shrine building.” Inuyasha mumbled, keeping his gaze down and his ears hidden in his hair, trying to make himself as small as possible. He figured out long ago that if he minimized his abnormal features, his master was less angry. A loud crash below had Inuyasha wincing, so he glanced out from under his lashes to see Naraku staring out the wide window, his attention not on him and his fists clenched so tight, his knuckles white. Biting the inside of his cheek, he sent a silent prayer to the gods that Naraku wouldn’t take his anger on him.
“Vile gypsies.” Narkau mumbled, his red eyes flashing in hatred. “Inuyasha, do you know why I despise the gypsies the most? Even over demons and hanyou?”
Shaking his head, Inuyasha ground his teeth, waiting to hear the answer. Please let him go soon, the bruise on my side just healed from last time.
“They stand for everything this world is against, being so free spirited and open to all kinds of creatures.” Naraku spat, rising to his feet and waved to the bustling town below. Swallowing, Inuyasha kept still, listening to his master’s known dislike as he kept his gaze down. “They encourage things like love and acceptance and have overrun this city, just like all the others.”
“Inuyasha, you sit in this tower all day long, whittling away and ringing bells so that you don’t see the filth that is below.” Naraku sighed, his anger dissipating, leaning on the wooden rail, his back hunched over and Inuyasha almost felt sorry for the man. “Then, you have these demons and their children moving in and it is I who must calm the people’s fears.”
He turned around, rubbing his forehead in frustration, and rejoined Inuyasha at the table. Stretching out his left leg under the table, Inuyasha pushed through a small cramp and waited for Naraku to begin eating. If he did before, his master often called him a slew of colorful names for being so impatient and punished him for having no manners.
Raising his gaze a little to see Naraku plop a grape in his mouth, Inuyasha sighed, his mouth watering in anticipation. Plucking the sweet fruit into his mouth, he kept his focus on their conversation. Naraku was still going on about demons and gypsies and how their little festival was a disgrace, bringing out the worst kinds of people, especially the dancers. At Naraku’s remark about the dancers, Inuyasha’s interest piqued and a flash of dark hair filled his mind.
“As it is, I will be returning in a few days, once the festival is over with.” Naraku rolled his eyes, Inuyasha guessed that he hated these little visits more than he let on. Inuyasha nodded as Naraku rose once more and glided towards the door, his black clothing shimmering in the morning light as he ran his slender fingers across the closest bell. Grimacing at the layer of dust on his finger, Inuyasha winced, hoping he wouldn’t comment. “Good bye, Inuyasha.”
“Ha-have a good d-day, Master.”
“And do not forget, you are deformed, you are ugly. Be faithful and be grateful. This is your sanctuary. Do as I say, obey and stay in here.”
“Ye-yes m-master, thank you.”
Taking a deep breath, Inuyasha’s shoulders sank as the wooden door shut behind him, leaving the room silent. Raising his ears, he waited for the footsteps to recede from the shrine to stand, groaning when his knee popped. I feel as old as Kaede. Grabbing a small piece of bread, he took a quick bite, heading to dust the bells before it was time to signal the morning service. One day, when Naraku is dead and gone, maybe, just maybe I’ll be able to leave this tower and live one day out there.
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“You leave town for a few years and they change everything.” The man, wearing golden armor grumbled, a frown marring his face.
“We didn’t steal it.” A sharp feminine voice caught Miroku’s attention and folding his map, he searched for the woman. Spotting two soldiers nearby, he also noticed two women and was that a small fox? Never getting used to seeing demons out and about, he patted his noble steed beside him, listening to their conversation. The petite woman, a gypsy he presumed, clutched a small sack and glared at the soldiers, while the other, who had his full undivided attention, blocked the soldiers’ view from the small fox behind her.
Her brown hair, in a high ponytail, hung down her back, allowing her chestnut eyes to shine in the sunlight as it rose above the buildings. Her cheeks flushed as she gasped, shrinking back into the shadows as the other woman arguing continued. The urge to protect them overwhelmed him and he stepped forward, determined to do just that.
“For your information, we earned it!”
“Gypsies don’t earn money. Maybe a day in the stocks will teach you a lesson.” The taller man spat, lunging forward to grab her arms. Suddenly, before Miroku could draw his sword, the tiny fox rushed forward, shooting out a blue flame, startling the guards.
“Shippo!” The woman with chestnut eyes shrieked, her hands reaching out for him. A fox demon child ? Miroku stared, watching Shippo leapt back into the other woman’s arms and together, the three of them took off running. When the two guards made to go after them, he was quick to act and pulled his steed forward, blocking their path.
“Why you, you will not-” The taller man, who grabbed the young woman earlier, snarled, hand ready on his sword.
Miroku drew his blade, the silver reflecting in the morning light, and his cloak revealed his armor, complete with the Emperor’s seal. Smirking at the two guards, he asked, “Now, I know you have a lot on your mind right now gentlemen, but if you don’t mind, the Palace of Justice?”
“Yes, Captain.” They stuttered in usion, gulping. All swords were returned to their sheaths and the guards proceeded to guide him towards his destination, giving up on chasing the gypsy women. Glancing behind him for one more look at the beauty, Miroku missed the kind eyes that watched him in the shadows, her cheeks still flushed.
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“You requested my presence, sir?” He questioned, keeping his gaze firm and indigo eyes hard.
“Ah, yes. Home from the war with such a prestigious honor, Captain Miroku.” Naraku smiled, turning away from the prison guard dealing with a man. “I hoped your travels went well, since Japan is in its darkest hour. It will take a firm hand to put this country back into shape.”
A sharp crack of a whip had Miroku grimacing, the loud cry echoing in the stone halls around them. He had no command over someone’s punishment, but it still didn’t sit right with him. He would rather thieves and tax evaders be disciplined in a much more peaceful way, rather than this . Taking a deep breath, Miroku kept his back straight, waiting for Naraku to give him his order.
“Follow me and I will explain.” The man beckoned, the painful cries quieting as they walked along palace walls. This place was bigger than expected and Miroku wondered if any of the taxpayers money went to anything helpful. “I expect nothing, but the best from you. My last captain was a bit of a disappointment to me.”
“A tremendous honor, sir.”
“The people are being misled by demons, hanyou and gypsies. They must be stopped.” Naraku spat, gesturing down to the people below. Looking down, he spotted the children playing in the streets, gypsies performing for the townsfolk and the shops bargaining with the shoppers. It looks peaceful, not like a war zone at all. When Naraku’s words registered in Miroku’s mind, he had to remind himself to not reveal his anger.
“You summoned me to take care of families and fortune tellers?”
“I have been taking care of the vermin, but I have recently learned that they have a hidden spot, a place the townsfolk call “SafeHaven”, that even my most skilled assassins have failed to discover.”
“What is it you plan to do once you’ve discovered this place, Minister?” Miroku asked, almost afraid of the answer. Naraku grinned, his eyes twinkling in amusement as he spotted a long bug crawling up the side of the wall. Using his thumb, he promptly squashed the tiny insect, and met Miroku’s gaze, daring to question his authority. Swallowing, he nodded, though his heart clenched at the beautiful maiden from before, succumbing to this man’s evil.
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“Kagome! You have to be more careful. We could’ve been killed for even talking back to the guards.” Sango shook her head, petting the small kitten’s hair as she sat in her lap. They had successfully escaped from the beating she was almost sure they would get, but that one man stopped them, the guard with the golden armor. Kagome had seen her dearest friend look back at the one who saved them and knew she was intrigued. Kneeling down, she smiled and joined in petting Kirara, who mewed at the attentioned.
“I know Sango, they just make me so mad sometimes. We earned that money fair and square, they can’t just call us thieves for something we didn’t do.” Kagome sighed, frowning at the injustice. Her people were being hunted and prosecuted more and more each day, especially for things they didn’t do.
“I know, just be careful. If anything happened to you, I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Same goes for you. I saw the way you were staring at that guard.” Kagome giggled at Sango’s blushing, continuing to tease her. “You know, the one with the interesting shade of eyes. What is it with you and people with weird eye colors?”
“Oh hush, you know yours are one of a kind and that’s why men are drawn to you, especially with your beauty. The color of your eyes are even less common than Shippo's.” Sango pushed her shoulder, causing her to fall on her behind, laughing at the fake insult. She isn’t wrong. “ You know, I heard someone saying that women with strange eyes were witches and that if they ever caught your gaze, they would be under your spell.”
“If that was the case, the guards would be a lot nicer.” Kagome laughed, shaking her head. She had the bluest eyes she had ever seen, their color so unique that people often thought she was from another land, because humans here only had various shades of brown.
Demons and hanyou were different, most with a variety of colors, but still never the same shade of hers. It often made the townsfolk uncomfortable, so Sango was the one who usually did their shopping. I wish someone would get to know me, other than my looks and see me for who I am.
“Speaking of Shippo, where is he?” Sango asked after a moment, looking around. Shrugging, Kagome figured he was playing with the other children who had stayed in the haven today.
“He’s probably fine. He knows not to leave without one of us, so I wouldn’t worry too much.” Kagome fiddled with her skirt, her fingers finding a small hole near the bottom. “Oh no, I need to fix this before the festival.”
“Grab my kit and we can fix it up. Can’t have you looking like some regular old gyspy at the Akabane Baka Festival.” Sango smirked.
“It’s a festival of fools, but whatever you say mom .” She laughed, jumping to her feet as her anklet jingled with each step as she searched for her friend’s sewing kit.