Hurried Night by Tamasha Toko

Act 1

Title: Hurried Night

By: Tamasha Toko

Summary: When a village with unusual rules and rituals appoints Kagome Higurashi their leader she must confront her sin that she committed with a man by the name of Sesshoumaru.

Act I out of III

Scene 1: Promise Among Sisters

"Like the demon from hell himself," a village woman noted during the usual gossip that filled the market place, "how could we be so blind?"

"The devil wears disguises."

"That is true."

"Shall our town be plagued with promises of anarchy or will the devil be replaced with a saint that will keep us in the light?"

"Not a saint nor a devil, but an angel. Kagome Higurashi shares no blood or relation with Naraku."

"Kagome? She is just a child."

"A child with a white soul. This is a new dawning for our small village."

"Such a sweet girl, but her nomination must be false."

"Kikyo only has a heart of justice not for family. We must hush now for the trees hold her ears."

The whole village was speaking of what was discovered of their ruler, Naraku Senaka, and his sentence to death. At first he seemed like an honest man who would do the village good with his leadership, but more children went hungry during his reign and he had been seen practicing the demon art of shape shifting. He would be hung on the night of the new moon; for a night where he could not be touched by light was the night his soul would be forced into hell without any lingering.

Usually when a leader can no longer care for the village they are replaced with the oldest son, but when an offense is committed the one chosen to lead must have no relation to their predecessor for the blood line has been tainted.

The customs and traditions of their village, Tsubak, posed as a problem when Naraku was dismissed. Many wore the Senaka family crest since every generation of them usually consisted of at least twelve children. Almost everyone was, married to, cousin to, or in-law to a Senaka. The only ones who had no relation was Kagome Higurashi and a select few that had been disqualified because of their previous offenses. Kagome was the perfect choice since she was a pure maiden who had a sinless record in the theocracy.

Kagome Higurashi sighed after cutting a few dozen roses and placing them in her basket. She was but a simple 15-year-old flower girl, and yet so much was to fall on her shoulders. She would be the first female leader of her village, which many protested despite her clean blood. With such a high position in the village she would be expected to remain without sin and keep a clean bloodline, so due to the large number of Senaka she wouldn't be allowed to marry anyone. It was believed that since she was a woman she would fall to temptation easily and she would soon join Naraku in hell.

Thorns easily scratched her hands as she paid no attention to her physical self. She thought about how the villagers worried too much about what she could do than investigate what she had already done. A month ago she had lost her virginity to a man she was not married too, a crime that would condemn her to death if discovered.

"Flower girl stand!"

Kagome Higurashi dropped her flowers and stood without a second thought like she did to every command that had ever come from her sister's mouth.

"You will become Mistress of Tsubak," Kikyo Higurashi spoke coldly, "refusing this destined post will result in death. You understand?"

"I do Enforcer Higurashi."

For the first time the sisters had something in common, both were given duties they could not refuse. Kikyo's duty as enforcer had easily made her the most feared woman in Tsubak. An Enforcer was someone who was gifted with holy powers and was to kill sinners. The only way to avoid death by Kikyo's hands would be to confess all sins to her and only suffer physical punishment.

Like a good citizen Kagome had confessed her sexual activity expecting punishment, but she discovered her sister committing the same sin while already being married. Kikyo's deception to her beliefs knew no bounds for the one who assisted her in the adultery was Naraku. The corruption resulted in the two sisters pretending as though they did nothing.

"Your blood is pure, and it must remain so, understand?"

"I am aware of our traditions Enforcer Kikyo," Kagome said.

"Then you shall appear in the market place square tonight and make a holy oath to your people."

"It's a bit too much Kikyo."

"No one let me escape my destiny and you will not escape yours despite our relations."

"You can't allow me to accept the position. You keep memories of all sin."

"I keep them written in a book, and your name is not listed."

"It is not written down, but a building block in our promise to each other."

"It is not written down and you shall keep all words silent to prevent death. You are as pure as me and I still serve my people."

"I must speak with your husband Enforcer Kikyo."

"To save our good names from suspicion it would be best if you went no where near my husband."

"Only Inuyasha knows where I can see the man I seek."

"Kagome," Kikyo spoke with only pure coldness, "I forbid you to go to him. If you do I shall record your sin."

"Do you not worry I will announce yours?"

"You wish death upon your own sister? A pure maiden like yourself?"

"Just because my heart isn't black to the world doesn't mean I am pure. I am capable of worse. Before my death I shall tell Inuyasha that his love meant nothing to you."

"I love my husband."

"Then why are you married to him, but yet still carry the Higurashi name? When we parted ways the night of your adultery did you not say we did what we did because Eve was weak? If Eve is so weak why do you act as an independent woman Kikyo? Ever since word of me managing Tsubak has spread I keep hearing about how woman are only here to serve men. This whole village believes that and I believed it until being inspired by you. You are ideal for this place or your husband."

"I cannot leave my position or this village."

"I know you dream of it. You dream of truly loving your husband and leaving this place to live happily; you know that if Inuyasha knew of your dream he would jump all over it. That's why you are so stubborn and treat him coldly."

Kikyo just looked down not wanting to show emotion to the analysis her little sister had just given, "Just honor my words Kagome. You are too young to be hanged."

"Inuyasha's mother was older sister to Naraku," Kagome continued, "you and Inuyasha are now bound to each other by holy law making you a Senaka."

"That is correct. Due to my husband's blood line you are only to speak to as a Mistress would to an Enforcer."

Kagome knew Kikyo's words were true. Kikyo and Kagome were half sisters and since Kagome came from only the father's side of sisterhood Tsubak holy doctrine did not consider her an in-law to Inuyasha, which was why she was left in a destined position. Kikyo on the other hand was marked as a Senaka and now that Naraku was to die Kagome could only speak to Kikyo professionally and had to look down at her any other time.

"It shouldn't matter not for we have never had a sister to sister relationship because of your duty, so might we share words in a different way this day."

"Very well, but you may not speak to my husband."

"Hear me out Kikyo! Though my sin is not recorded it weighs on my shoulders and I cannot hold a position with that."

"Do you believe speaking with the man who took your flower will ease that pain? It will do nothing."

"I don't even know what I would say to him, but that is what I believe."

"You are such a dreamer Kagome. That is probably why I have kept my distance, because you are just so foolish. Do as you please, because I know even if the bond of heaven was upon my lips and they remained close you would still find yourself dead."

"If I must be put to death and sent to hell I would rather it be with an unburdened heart."

"I guess you are ready since those are not words I would expect to hear from our flower girl. Speaking of which you should pick what you can before the snow falls and the ground's beauty fades."

"These are the last roses."

"And they are the most beautiful. Be ready for your oath this coming night."

Kagome gathered her flowers when Kikyo left knowing this would be the last time gazing upon their dew colored petals. Ever since she could remember she had always loved flowers, because she felt like one. A plant such as a rose were pretty and brought joy, but yet they were defenseless and prey to all those who wanted to pick them. She had been one of her roses a month ago, and an unmarried traveler by the name of Sesshoumaru Murashu was the one who picked her.

Scene 2: Meeting Between In-Laws

Living on the outskirts of Tsubak was Inuyasha Murashu, husband to Kikyo and half brother of Kagome's fellow sinner. In the cruel theocracy that Kagome had been raised in it wasn't hard for her to consider the story of Inuyasha and Kikyo's marriage a true romance. Too bad she wouldn't be able to think of it in that way, because now she would think about Kikyo being on top of Naraku pressing herself up and down.

Since his mother's death Inuyasha had always been the rebel type who was always trying to speak low of their way of life in the village. The only reason he stayed in such a place was because he wanted to protect his mother's grave from being vandalized since she was hung for tempting a married man into adultery after Inuyasha turned seven and no longer needed to be cared for.

In his attempt to share his belief about Tsubak Inuyasha had broken many laws over the years, but not wanting to die like his mother he made sure to confess every one of them to Kikyo whenever no one was listening. Since he had to undergo many punishments him and Kikyo spent a lot of quality time together and in the end they had fallen in love and wed.

Kagome knocked on the door and was told to enter. When she arrived she found Inuyasha sitting at the dinning room table leaning back in his chair with his feet on the table.

"Here to give me flowers?" Inuyasha asked when Kagome arrived, "Kikyo got enough last month."

If Kikyo hadn't declared she was in love with Inuyasha she would have certainly killed him for just sitting there. All village men were to required to work until night fall every day caring for their acres of crops and selling them come harvest time, but not a seed had been buried on Kikyo's property since her father had died, and Inuyasha was helping that legacy live on.

"When spring was upon us shouldn't you have been planting? Sloth is a sin."

"Kikyo is still punishing me for it, so no sense in becoming a gardener now," he smirked.

"How have you managed to say alive in Tsubak this long."

"Grunt work that no one else can do, but me and Kikyo think I should relax a bit more. It will help us create a child."

"I never thought men could give birth to a child."

"It will be Kikyo going through that, but she says I am not potent, because I am not relaxed."

"If you haven't been relaxed all these years I don't want to see what you do when relaxed."

"Judging by your insults it looks as though you have not come here to sell me flowers."

"Buying some wouldn't be a bad idea," she put on her first sweet smile in a long time, "this will be my last batch."

"Give me a rose then. I guess some more can't hurt Kikyo."

Kagome thought of the scene between Kikyo and Naraku again when Inuyasha spoke of her being some kind of angel. If Inuyasha ever found out about Naraku it would crush him no matter how stubborn he acted. Kagome made sure to give him a rose with the finest petals she had.

"So what do you need from me Kagome?" he asked admiring the rose he was given, "you know I am taken so don't expect a marriage proposal from me."

Kagome forced a laugh though she didn't find his comment very humorous. Two years ago when she was quite young her and Inuyasha were a couple and thought about marrying, but he found himself with another woman and then another woman after that and that's when he started confessing his sins to Kikyo.

Kagome sat down at the table next to him, "did Kikyo tell you?"

"Yes, and to be honest no matter how much I hated Naraku I would rather have him making our decisions than you."

She hadn't even started imagining the things she had to do when she became Mistress of Tsubak. She would have to evaluate how many crops would be available during winter time after the harvest, solve land disputes, revise the laws following the guideline of their doctrine, and many other things that a flower girl wasn't capable of.

"Yes, I admit I am worried. Inuyasha can you tell me about your half brother."

"Not this again! Kagome I want to keep you secret, so I pretend he and didn't do anything do anything, but obviously you need a definition of a one night stand."

"I can't care for this place fairly with all that guilt. If anyone finds out I ruling impurely I will be hanged."

"Then shut your mouth about it! What do you expect my brother to do about it? Swoop in and marry you before your oath and live happily ever after? He probably doesn't even remember you."

Kagome didn't want to believe his words no matter how true they could possibly be. When being around Kikyo, forced to watch executions, and being in a relationship with Inuyasha she knew how the men only after one night stands treated girls. They did it in a humorous way to make it clear they had no other interest, but Sesshoumaru was different. He didn't say much when he did it or made anything clear.

"Inuyasha please! I wish to speak with him."

Inuyasha's eyes wandered as though his mind was going somewhere else that wasn't good, "Kagome I was born a bastard girl and not really allowed around my own father's family. If any of them, including my old man, came to the village they were to turn their backs on me and not look down for was a result of sin."

"What you speak is a lie Inuyasha. Your father committed adultery and he was forced to look down upon you?"

"He was not a member of the village, so he didn't die like my mother did. It felt like he abandoned her so I had no desire to look upon him either. He could die for all I care."

Kagome then still kept a false hope about Sesshoumaru, "but Sesshoumaru came to your wedding."

"When my mom was still alive father gave her a gift that got passed down to me. It was some kind of antique sword, and it must have value because Sesshoumaru came to the wedding to ask for it."

"You refused."

"He can't ignore me all these years and home to my happy night to ask for something. Of course I told the ass no."

"Obviously you will not be helping me with this, so I will just have to find him myself."

"How many times have you actually gone to the city."

"A few times to sell flowers, why?"

"Those times you have been accompanied by me or your sister. If you go alone someone will hurt her. The city swallows innocent girls like you up."

"Don't speak of me in that manner Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru made me a woman."

"Sesshoumaru made you a fool. He runs a kerosene plant in the city."

When Kagome walked out without another word she made sure to leave behind her roses this time not taking them to the city full of sinners, "Thank you."

Scene 3: Reunion Between Friends?

Kagome made her way through the Emerald Forest knowing that if she walked with haste it would only take her three hours to get to the city, so if she wanted to make it back in time for her oath, which she would have to if she didn't want to die, she would have to make her meeting with Sesshoumaru as short as possible. That would be difficult since she didn't know what she would say to the man.

After their night of passion in her bed she thought of nothing of him. She often punished herself, because it was her who was the whore and let him take her even though she was unmarried.

Things had changed, and now she could only think about directing anger towards him. It was him who should have known she could be punished with death for keeping such a horrible secret. Everyone from the city knew Tsubak was a clean village that used strict punishment and reward to keep it that way, so the women of the village couldn't be touched by an outsider let alone in a premarital way. He probably knew full well, but he still made an advance on her.

After hours of being accompanied by her foreign hateful feelings through the forest Kagome entered the city in search of the kerosene plant. Winter was approaching and the cold winds were proof of it, so to escape it and get directions the flower girl entered a small pub.

Kagome had always been a quiet girl who kept to herself unless it was with someone she knew, so the city was always a scary place for her. No one in the pub had acres beside her family's property or had small talk with her in the market place, so she knew she would have a tough time asking for directions. To build up her courage she ordered a hot cup of tea and sat down at a table quietly drinking it.

She had tea the night of Kikyo and Inuyasha's wedding ceremony. She had been drinking it that night to build up her courage as well. Kagome and Kikyo had always lived in the same house since it was left to them by their father, but wanting to give the knew married couple some privacy she knew she would have to leave and probably become a maid to someone to get a place to sleep.

Not only that, but the thought of Inuyasha being out of her reach for good left her a bit scared. It was when the tea wasn't do it's job that she looked across the table and noticed the golden eyes of Sesshoumaru staring at her. When Inuyasha and Kikyo said their vows to one another Kagome noticed how cold his eyes were, but when they looked at her that moment they felt warm and inviting.

"Well if it isn't the sweet out of town flower girl," a male voice chuckled from behind her.

"Hey Kouga," Kagome replied to her friend who took the unoccupied seat across from her, "taking a break?"

Kagome had met the kind Kouga Wolf two years ago when he came to Tsubak to sell some much needed lumber since many men were out sick and unable to cut wood. Wanting to be more help to the village then just cutting flowers Kagome helped him split logs and the two established a friendship.

"A much needed one," Kouga told her as he placed his axe and collected firewood under the table, "so what brings you here? Usually you are with that foolish man."

Kagome tried not to let out a sigh about it, but Kouga hated Inuyasha more than anything. Kagome was 13 when she thought Inuyasha was seeing other woman, so she felt insecure and told Kouga everything. After a few more days of hard work Kouga claimed to have fallen in love with her and kissed her promising that everything would be okay. Inuyasha spotted the two and put a curse on Kouga even though the kiss wasn't anywhere near romantic like Kouga probably wanted it to be.

"His wife has him relaxing," Kagome responded trying to sound as uncaring about it as possible, "they wish to have children."

"Relaxing?" Kouga seemed to growl out, "that man was never good for you Kagome and he never will be. You need a workingman who will do anything to support you and make sure you are secure."

"A strong lumberjack like you?" Kagome questioned knowing what he was getting at.

"Back then during that time when you accused me of only having a one sided love you pressed your lips against mine after I had done the same upon you. I believe you did so, because someone like me was what you needed."

"I will probably never have the answer for any of my actions, but I know I didn't do so for my liking."

When Kagome thought about returning that kiss it made her feel worse about what went on between her and Sesshoumaru. How could she blame things like insecurities and nervousness when it could all be summed up to her being a slut? She couldn't sulk about things that were her doing.

"So what is it that brings you here?"

"Business," she told him not wanting to reveal to him that she was a whore.

"Flower business? You humor me."

"Just business."

When Kouga saw that her cup was emptied he ordered another one for her and a mug of beer for himself, "such a bitter tone. There was a time Kagome when you told me everything."

"It shouldn't be a surprise for the mouth to run when one is working in the freezing cold breaking logs apart."

"It is my job, but I have never relied on another and opened up. I wish you would open up to me again Kagome. Lately your heart has been as closed as the people of Tsubak's heads."

"My village I admit may seem extreme to you, but compare your city's murders and theft with that of Tsubak's."

"True, but while some here commit crimes and are destined for hell others live without the fear of being hanged for every little thing, but I have thought about leaving this place and becoming a citizen. There is much more woodland there that isn't owned or fought over."

"There is only hanging for sins, and...you should stay in the city. The new village leader isn't very experienced or good."

"Girl, are you saying Naraku has been replaced?"

Kagome shuddered a bit when she was called a girl. Girls were innocent and only knew how to love and care for others, and Kagome was a woman who fell to temptation.

"That he has. He has been accused of being a demon."

"See what I mean? Demons do not exist! Supernatural beings can't come into this world, but Naraku was a brainless man and deserves to hang. I must become a citizen soon to laugh in his face when it happens."

It was true Kagome was an idiot who used tax money to benefit his large family, and condemned many for sin when he was with a married woman the day after her wedding. When Kagome thought about it how was it that only her, the Enforcer, and other Senaka lived a fine life while others in the visit starved? Had Naraku been showing favoritism to Kikyo since the beginning?

"So Naraku is going to be replaced? And not by a Senaka?"

"That he is."

"Is it going to be your sister?"

"It will be me."

"You? A flower girl?"

"Yes. I told you it would be someone unworthy and inexperienced."

"Try not to doubt yourself too much," he said before smirking, "I guess I can worry though. I can't see you doing paper work or organizing that village."

"Why do you smile? I know I can't do any of that, but I have no choice."

"I believe things are different for a girl though."

"I don't know our laws word for word."

He kept his smirk, "if you marry the male takes over the job."

"Everyone is a Senaka and I cannot marry outside of the village."

"Didn't I say I was going to become a villager?"

Kagome who had been taking a drink from her tea choked after his statement, "what are you asking me Kouga?"

"Something I have been wanting to ask you for the last two years now. Kagome you don't need a sloth like Inuyasha, but someone who will take care of you. You are too fragile to face the world alone. I love you, and now that the hanyou is out of your reach you can realize you need me and will love me too."

Kagome wanted to scream out that she was a whore and wasn't worthy for him, but she didn't wish to be killed this early on, "you must love me."

"I do, and if we work on it maybe it won't remain one sided. Kagome I want you to be my woman. I just want you to take this offer in mind that way I can ask again in a truly romantic way."

Kagome stood up, "Kouga you have brought to my attention that many men might ask me the same thing to rule over their village, but I know you truly want to love me, so I will consider it, but I won't be good for you. I don't love you."

"We can work on it."

"I am considering it, but don't do anything romantic till I come back to this city and remind you. I have to confront something."

"Anything you say my love."

Kagome turned around and faced him one more time, "assist me one final time and tell me where I can find a kerosene plant."

"North of here," he said, "you can tell because all the dirty workers live around it. Sesshoumaru is the owner of it I believe. What would a girl like you want to do there?"

"Sesshoumaru took one of my flowers that he had no right touching," Kagome muttered to herself as she left another man to go out in search for Sesshoumaru.

Scene 4: The Confrontation

It was hard to recognize Sesshoumaru Murashu for he stood above all the workers in the plant and managed to keep any speck of dirt off of his clothes. Though the workers were becoming exhausted and the equipment was dangerous he still looked down upon them with nothing but coldness in his eyes. That was the look Kagome had noticed in his eyes during his half brother's wedding and before he left her bed to never return.

It took a good while for the man to notice there was a young woman among his underpaid servants, but he didn't recognize her for his glance didn't stay upon her for anymore then a few seconds, "woman I hold no responsibility for any injury you acquire here."

Kagome looked down at the floor with disappointment since Inuyasha was right, "you don't recognize me?"

He turned his back and didn't glance up, "now that I hear your voice I do, which is unusual. What is your business here? I do not hire women."

"I wish to speak with you."

"I am busy."

"Please Sesshoumaru, I cannot spare any other time. I have to be somewhere soon."

"We all have our problems, and I do not know you personally, so do not call me by my first name so casually."

Kagome couldn't believe how rude he was being! Here she was traveling to the city, a place that was dangerous for a girl like her, after dealing with two men she had once loved in an almost poetic way before confronting him, and he was turning her away because he was busy standing!

Not wanting to accept this she grabbed his sleeve, "how can you speak you like that Sesshoumaru! You say we do not know each other, but we broke bread and drank whine after your brother married."

"Never touch me again wench," he spoke calmly as he jerked his sleeve free of her, "you seem hesitant to mention I temporarily made you mine in your bed. I would think a woman would use that as the most binding thing against me."

Kagome looked around hoping no one from her village worked at the plant or anyone who would visit, "Please keep a quiet voice. That did not happen."

He arched an eyebrow, "You want to hide this? Interesting. I have work to do though and I do not want to deal in your frivolous problems."

Kagome practically lost it, "It might have been me who was the whore but you had a hand in ruining my life!"

Many who were working were alarmed by the woman's screaming and was about to stop to witness what was taking place, but after being given a dangerous glare from their boss they quickly started moving at a faster pace.

"I should kill you where you stand for interrupting any of my work process," he spoke, "but it shall serve as entertainment to hear how you are a whore and I ruined your life. Meet me in my office."

Kagome was pointed towards a quiet room with a desk where she sat on a hard bench. At least she finally got the man to speak with her, but he didn't seem to carry. The response he gave her before sending her to his office was not one she was expecting though. He said he wanted to hear about how she was a whore as though she wasn't one.

She had to have been a slut for doing what she did on the night of her sister's wedding. After gazing into his eyes constantly at the table that night he probably assumed she wanted to pleasure him. That was why he followed her home and touched her. The whine she drank and how his hands moved on her skin tempted her into lying in her bed and allowing him on top of her.

The door to the office slammed open and Sesshoumaru entered, "I am a penniless man in debt Miss. Higurashi, especially when someone like you causes a scene and slows down production time, so if you are using our night as an excuse to get riches from me you are wasting your time."

She looked up at him with her deep brown eyes, "I didn't know anything about the kerosene until your brother told me."

"He is not my brother but a bastard," he spoke coldly, "why do you track me down, and why do you deny our night?"

"With all do respect you are the one denying it. You didn't even remember me there for awhile."

"You are just a girl and I see many girls everyday."

"A woman! You took my virginity."

"The way you yell I assume to be a girl, and it would be gentlemen of me to apologize for deflowering you, but you never denied me. Now is that all?"

He noticed Kagome's eyes were turning a shade of red and watering, "Girl you experienced a hurried night. You wanted intercourse and so did I so it happened. Nothing more nothing less."

"I was that," she cried out, "but I needed someone to talk to. My life is in danger."

"In a village like Tsubak I hold no surprise. Can you just confess your premarital sex to Kikyo and serve a punishment?"

"I attempted, but this has all turned into something greater. I am to become Mistress of Tsubak, and if anyone found out about me being a whore then I will be hanged."

"And how will talking to me help you? You appear to be a girl, but you are capable of your own decisions and you chose this path."

"So you cannot help me?"

"What is done is done, so even if I could do anything I would not. I have a business to run."

"You will abandon me?"

"I was never with you in the first place. It was just a hurried night, so now leave me. Time is money."

Kagome clenched her hand into a fist as she stared at him with hate again. She had known they weren't in love, but it didn't fell that way that night. When he was inside of her kissing down her neck and rubbing her breast something made her feel save and loved unlike the way she felt being an innocent sinless girl.

"Are you deaf girl? I must return to work."

Kagome got up and almost kicked the door open, "you changed me into a whore and I will die for it. I hope you burn in hell!"

"You blame me for your troubles, but yet you call yourself a whore. You are no whore."

"I had sex with a man who feels nothing for me! I am a whore!"

Sesshoumaru looked as though he was going to walk right past her and return to work, but the back of his hand went across her face leaving a red mark, "your body told you to engage in a sexual activity and you did as did mine. You are not a whore. I do not act with whores. I will take my leave now just like I did that night without another word and leaving you to the rest of your life without another care."

And he left her just like he did that night with a mind full of confusion. Kagome could not hate Sesshoumaru for it was her decision, and there was nothing he could do about the matter. It was her fault, but yet he didn't want her to think of herself as a whore. In Tsubak a woman who was tempted into sex was a whore that was all there was to it.

Scene 5: The Oath

"You were almost late," Kikyo noted when her sister returned to the village by nightfall, "Inuyasha tells me you went to see the man."

"I have and I have made my peace with it all," Kagome admitted though she still felt guilt and confusion, "I will never speak of it again sister."

"And I rejoice," Kikyo said though she did not show it, "now Tsubak can experience a revolution."

"I do not want to take my oath though."

"And why is this? I thought you were over the guilt and were prepared to live out your life till a natural case takes you."

After confronting the three men who had made Kagome feel like a slut she had made a decision. Instead of acting upon her heart like she did when she searched for Sesshoumaru she was going to focus on what she and Tsubak needed. She was not a good choice for Mistress of the village and it needed to go to someone who could rule it fairly, so she would marry.

"I want my life as well Kikyo," Kagome continued, "does doctrine state if I was to wed the power would be transferred to my spouse?"

"Yes for a man holds more holy power."

"Kouga Wolf has given me a marriage offer today."

"And you wish to take it?"

"That I do."

"Then I rejoice for you once again. What made you cast away the unrecorded sin and gave you hope of settling down?"

"The village needs a good leader, and I need someone to support me while I do the same for them by giving them children and knitting."

"How noble of you, and I assume this Kouga Wolf is an outsider who wishes to join us."

"I can't think of any sin he has committed and he was of great help to us two years ago when he gave us a bargain on wood."

"The one who kissed you?"

"That's the one. He is exactly what you need Kagome, but you must still take your oath. Kouga becoming a citizen and you becoming married will take time, so just do it and sit tight for awhile."

"I can do that."

Kikyo then wrapped her arms around her sister into an embrace for the first time ever, "I am proud of you my sister. Carrying such burdens and responsibility must have been difficult but now you will be rewarded."

Kagome's eyes widened. Never had Kikyo held in such a way or spoke to her as a sister. Even after their parents had died they looked out for each other. And as Kagome remained in her sister's arms many of her questions had been answered.

After their father had died and the two young girls were left to fend for themselves it was expecting they would die. Nobody wanted to adopt the girls, because it was believed that the family was cursed since every woman their father had ever married died. The girls did their best working out in the fields from dusk until dawn, but they never harvested enough to live off of, and when trying to sell it they were often cheated.

That hardship they experienced as a child was what led Kikyo to becoming a cold woman and taking up the harsh job as Enforcer. Kikyo had done what she did to help the two get by, because an official of Tsubak was granted what ever the village could offer to make life long for the family.

When Kikyo was given the duty of Enforcer she was only fourteen while Kagome was eight, and Naraku was ruler back then. Obviously Kikyo had a relationship with the married Naraku long before being wedded to Inuyasha, so giving Naraku pleasure was what she probably did to get the Enforcer position.

"You have done so much for me Kikyo," Kagome said softly, "and I treated you coldly this morning. Can you forgive me?"

"Just continue to do what you are doing sister."

"I shall."

"There is one more thing I must warn you of Kagome and that I will try to take care of."

"And what is that Enforcer Kikyo."

"As you know you will no longer be living with me and Inuyasha because you have been granted the home Naraku has been keeping. Naturally his children have been forced out, so the oldest daughter Kagura has been speaking ill of you."

"I do not blame her, and I do not want the house. I can love somewhere else."

"It is tradition that you must reside in that mansion, but with the threats that have come out of that women's mouth it would be best if took caution. If I find that she plans to harm you I will see to it that she hanged to with her father."

"Do what you will Enforcer Kikyo, is the ceremony to start?"

"Yes stand upon the scaffold."

As a half moon took over the sky Kagome walked to a wooden platform that was home to three ropes. The oath ceremony was to take place upon this platform for it was the place the people of Tsubak were to fear most especially the leader. Seeing the three ropes that were meant for ending people's lives made Kagome feel worse for that's where she was suppose to be right now and all the people that stood in the crowd looking upon her would be the ones she would see if she were to be executed.

Kagome stood there in silence for a long while before Kikyo came up upon the stage with a cup in hand, "tonight is the oath ceremony for our Mistress Kagome Higurashi. Her soul is pure and so is her heart, and she shall serve us well."

As expected some of the villagers were going on how about how a woman would fail them and Kikyo intervened, "Kagome cares about Tsubak so much she will only watch over us temporarily. She has told me this night that she wishes to serve a man by giving him heirs and allowing him to rule over us. So don't worry about our pure angel falling into temptation."

There were a few cheers for Kagome before Kikyo continued, "as you take your oath you must drink this."

Kagome held the cup and took a look at the crimson liquid inside assuming it to be whine, "I shall drink."

"The drink is blood that has been taken from several important villagers to remind you that their blood rests in your hands."

Kagome paused and held the cup away. There was blood in it? Why didn't anyone tell her that the ceremony required her to drink blood? Naraku became village leader before she was born, and just the thought of watching someone else drink it made her want to throw up.

"Don't worry," Kikyo whispered in the same light voice she had used when she confessed her adultery verbally, "I emptied the blood and replaced it with whine."

"You always have my back Kikyo," Kagome replied before swallowing the cup and returning it.

There were more cheers for her and Kikyo began the part of the ceremony where she used her spiritual powers to detect Kagome for sin. Obviously the powers had been manipulated so it wouldn't react to what she had committed a month ago.

"Our angel is pure," Kikyo announced, "now she will recite the oath to her village before the tasks is asked of her future husband."

Kagome recited an oath from a book, and it actually took her an hour to say. She had to promise to do many things for the village, stray from sin, punish sinners, and forever stay loyal to Tsubak. By the time she had finished she would have drank blood to keep her mouth moist.

"I hereby grant you as Enforcer the Mistress of Tsubak," Kikyo placed a sliver tiara upon Kagome's head, "may you rule fair and long."

There was a quiet applause for Kagome before the villagers parted to return to their homes and dinner. Kagome sat on the edge of the platform and was joined by Kikyo. Kagome noticed that the last one to leave was a young woman who gave a look of pure hate before parting. It was Naraku's oldest daughter Kagura.

"So you are worried about her?" Kagome asked.

"Yes I am, and the situation has become difficult."

"What do you mean?"

"Kagura knows that I was with Naraku," Kikyo whispered.

"Does she know about me?" was the first thing Kagome asked.

"She might. I told Naraku about you and Sesshoumaru because I felt it would be a fair trade since you knew of his adultery. He could have told Kagura for all I know. I don't know what is going to happen Kagome, but if she tries to hurt you and I try and punish her she would reveal my secret and I would die."

"You should have told me this before Kikyo. I could have hid in the city. Too many people know about us."

"Inuyasha would ever say anything, anything that comes from Naraku's mouth will be dismissed as words influenced by the devil, and for all we know the same could happen for Kagura since she is so closely related. So Kagura is questionable and then there is Sesshoumaru."

"Sesshoumaru will probably forget who I am. Trust me he doesn't care."

"All for the better then."

"So that's it? I am no longer Kagome the flower girl?"

"Before being allowed to move into your new house you have to spend the night with me. Tonight you will not sleep, because you are to repeat a prayer fifty times for a good life of ruling."

"Will it really take me all night to recite the prayer that many times?"

"It is lengthy, but isn't it that time of the month you are to pray to Eve as well."

Kagome stood up in a panic. How could she have forgotten about her prayer to Eve? Every month for five days when blood came out of her womanhood she was to recite a prayer to Eve, but she totally spaced it. Why did she forget it so easily? It must have been because it had been four days into what was suppose to be her time of the month, and there was no blood, which was unusual for she had never been late before.

"Let us return home one final night Mistress Kagome."

Kagome stood up and followed Kikyo knowing that in the morning her life would change forever.

ACT 1 ends...