Questions In The Heart by Raychel

A Traveller and a Gift

A Long time ago, when kings ruled and people thought with their hearts instead of the weight of their purse, there was a young girl. She thought she was ordinary, but from the moment she turned three, she was found to have a gift. If you asked the girl a question, a single, specific question, she would seem to tense up, her eyes before flat, before the answer fell from her lips, whispered softly as though the words of some secret spell.

Her father, normally a farmer, a poor trade in the times when war was long gone and population low, took advantage of her gift, and called upon his neighbours, telling them about the wonders of his kami blessed daughter. Kagome, the girl, did not mind. She was content with knowing that, in her own way, she was helping someone, which in turn helped the world go round.

She was called a witch by some, her powers said to be a curse from the devil, while some called it a gift from the all powerful gods in the heavens, blessing this young girl to save the world from misery and pain with their answers to every question and idea. The father of the girl, however, just thought of her as an investment, something he could use to built up the weight of his coffers and pocket while his daughter was forced to meet daily with strange men and women whom she had never seen, head of, nor met ever before in her short life. She had a secret hanging on her shoulders, and she would not utter it for fear of her father no longer loving her.

It was one normal autumn day, however, when that world was tilted off of it's axis. A man, dressed as though her were slightly richer than the weavers, tailors and butchers of the town, was riding through, and his ear was caught with the sounds of the gossip of normal men.

"Yes, I did hear. Kenta has been getting his daughter to answer the most terrible of questions lately. The people that visit from outside could easily find out ways to attack our town if they just asked. Kenta is a fool, to be so obsessed with money. His daughter is a fine, beautiful girl, she should be off marrying a handsome young man now, not working so her father can sit in luxury while she sits in darkness."

"Aye, the girl doesn't realise that what she is doing is a sin against the kami. Her heart is pure, that is sure, but her mind and soul? I do question the purity of the rest of her, if I dare speak such words to such men," The traveller turned his horse around, and followed the lane that lead to Higurashi manor.

The house was certainly larger that the rest of those within the towns. There were many more windows, showing many more rooms, and the curtains and fabrics that could be seen from the outside seemed to be of high quality, and we paid for, most likely, from the workings of the Higurashi daughter. The traveller wondered if the girl had a mother, because surely no mother with a heart could put her daughter through such trials without feeling some kind of remorse or guilt in the process.

Walking up the cobbled path that lead to the fine door, the traveller gazed upon the house. Before he could raise a hand to knock, however, the door opened and a young girl rushed out, promptly bumping into him, and falling upon the floor, the clothes she was wearing, he was certain, were not effected by the dirt upon the ground. It seemed as though she had not changed clothes in weeks. He leant down, and gracefully took her hand, pulling her to her feet.

The girl seemed to be about sixteen, with wonderful dark hair and blue eyes that shimmered like a star. The traveller thought, mindfully, that if he were a few years younger and she a few older, he would have taken her to be his bride. But his age had caught up with him, and young ladies such as she no longer looked upon him with an approving eye. Instead, they would nod and smile in respect, unless they knew exactly whom he was, then their reaction would be different. The girl, with her bright eyes, beamed at him, making him almost want to smile in return.

"I am sorry for running into you sir. Can I help you?" The traveller nodded, finally allowing himself to smile. So polite.. If only his youngest was as kindly as this girl..

"Yes, little one. I have come to speak to Daughter Higurashi. Is she at home at this moment?" The small giggle from the girl made his sentence trail off with a slight wonder. Raising an eyebrow, a family trait, he looked at her questioningly.

"Begging your pardon, sir," The girl said softly. "But I am Daughter Higurashi! But, seeing as you seem to be such a nice gentleman, you may call me Kagome. May I ask why you are visiting me?" The traveller looked at her closely.

"Yes. I am here to see if the rumours about your talent are true. I have heard that many think of you as a child of the devil, little one. What say you to this accusation?" Kagome laughed innocently.

"My father is no devil, Master Traveller! Come, you should meet him if you wish to ask me something. Depending on the question, there is a cost. Papa says that all the money helps someone in the world, that's why the price is so high," The traveller mentally scoffed.

'And who is this someone, Master Higurashi? Would it per chance be the one that owns this fine mansion and beautiful daughter?' But, seeing as he was within another's house and therefore must be polite, he kept his mouth shut and allowed the girl to lead him, which also allowed him to take a closer look at her.

She was tall, probably due to her long legs. Her hair was also long, down to her hip, but was tatty and tangled. The girl - Kagome, he remembered - probably had escaped a brushing that day. Her dress, though pretty and plain, a nice emerald green colour fluttering as she ran, was dirty. If she was the Daughter Higurashi, as she said, should her clothes not be finer? Still, he followed and did not comment, until they came to a door, the initials K. H. inscribed upon them in a fine handwriting.

Dragged in, the traveller was sat on a expensive looking cushion as Kagome ran through a screen door, her dress fluttering around it, and soft voices were heard behind it. Then Kagome returned, sitting on a less fine, more worn cushion, a man following and sitting upon the pillow opposite the traveller.

The man, quite obviously Kenta Higurashi, seen from the traits he shared with Kagome, looked at him with a stern, yet kind look upon his face, and then bowed slightly, introducing himself swiftly and with care.

"Good day, Master Traveller. I am Kenta Higurashi, and this is Daughter Higurashi, Kagome. She told me that she bumped into you upon our doorstep. I presume you wish to ask her a question?"

"Yes," The traveller replied softly, bowing in return. "However, I am not a man prone to believe anything. Would it be possible to ask a single question free of price and charge so that I might be certain? It would ease my mind."

"Of course, Master Traveller, ask away. Kagome, please." The young girl turned to face the traveller, a smile upon her face, awaiting the question. The man looked at her. Was there not something she must do at first before she was asked? Obviously not. Nodding, he smiled comfortingly at her.

"I would ask you a single question, Daughter Higurashi. I wish to know, what be the ages of my two sons this coming season?" Kagome seemed to go into a trace.

Her back because straight, as though a log was shoved down her dress, and her eyes became distant and cold, just like the travellers eldest son. Her hands tightened, and suddenly, something whispered, two soft words, and she was back to normal, her hand lifting to rest on her chest, her heart fluttering.

"I am sorry, Daughter Higurashi. Could you repeat those words, my ears are not what they might have been some years ago."

"Yes, sir. I said 'seventeen and nineteen'. One of your sons is to be seventeen this coming year, and the other nineteen." Kagome smiled at the shock on the travellers face. She had known the answer, and that trance was not face. No one could fake the look of utter joy when her hand was pressed over her heart. The traveller nodded.

"Aye, I must say she has a gift. Not many know of which year each of my sons were born it, for it is a close kept secret. I would ask her two more questions, and then pay you, sir, if that would be acceptable to you?" Higurashi nodded, and the traveller once again turned to the girl, a half-smile upon his face.

"Now, girl, I wish for you to tell what happened to both my wives," He asked softly. Again, Kagome's back stiffened, her eyes became like his sons, and whispered words fell from her lips. Looking up, she smiled at him, a mix of pity and utmost joy.

"One of your wives, the first, has left you, and the second.. Was murdered. I am sorry for your loss," Bowing slightly, Kagome smiled a little brighter at the man's cheerful nod.

"You are correct, Daughter Higurashi. Now, I have one last question for you. Who am I truly?" At that, Kenta Higurashi looked confused, but Kagome went back into her trace, her mind set on using it's gift to answer the man's question. When it was over, and whispered words were said, Kagome looked upon him with wide eyes, moving herself before him and bowing, her forehead touching the floor.

"My King Touga," She said under her breath, in awe and respect. "I did not realise. Please, forgive me for my stupidity," Kagome was shocked when she felt a touch to her head, and let herself look up, into the smiling gaze of the king who sat innocently before her.

"Nay, child, be at peace. I hid my identity to suit my reasons. Now, seat yourself. I have some very important questions concerning you to ask your father, Daughter Higurashi, and you are part of those questions. Please, be calmed," Kagome sat down, her head still bowed slightly. She didn't want to seem rude before her king, after all. Touga turned to Kenta, a new, more hopeful half-smile on his face.

"I would like to buy your daughter, if you please, Kenta Higurashi. I would not mind having her in my palace. She would help my sons, and my servants, and she would be immense help in defending the country from attacks. I would offer you a large sum of money, such that would keep you living in this house and splendour until the day you die. I am sure that I can look after her, and one day, find her a suitable husband. Is this offer acceptable, Higurashi?"

Kenta Higurashi looked thrilled. He should have thought of taking his daughter to the king before this! Nodding, he smiled at Kagome, gesturing for her to go to the king.

"There is no need to fear for clothing or other such things," Touga said. "I will provide for you. All I ask is if Kagome has a horse or piny, or even a mule to travel on. My own beast is not big enough for us both." Kagome nodded, and told the two men she would go and get her pony ready while they sorted out bits and pieces that were undecided. When she left the room, Touga turned back to Kenta.

"If you are sure about this, then I will leave as soon as Kagome is ready. You are free to visit her whenever you have mind to, and she can visit you, but she must have a guard with her. Your daughter is special, Kenta Higurashi, and it would please me if you would remember such. Thank you," Rising, Touga nodded his head as Higurashi stood and bowed, before leaving the room and walking outside. As he expected, there was Kagome talking to her pony, a pretty black beast with a star upon it's forehead.

"It's true, Michiyo! We are to be living with the king! Is it not a wondrous thing? Father always said that I would be useless to anyone but the people here in our village, but he was wrong! I have always wished to travel, perhaps we might get to see some wild beast!" Touga laughed, startling Kagome slightly. She turned and blushed.

"Sorry, my king. My mind gets carried away with it's self, and sometimes my body can't keep up with it!" Michiyo whinnied in agreement, making Kagome give the mare a heartbroken look. "Even my horse thinks that I think too much. The world much be coming to an end!" Touga laughed, and patted Kagome's head lightly.

"Come along then, dear, let us be off. There is not much time before nightfall, and at a steady pace we should get to the palace before the sun sets, allowing you to meet my sons," The last part was said with a twinkle in the king's eye. Oh, he would love to have Kagome as a daughter-in-law...

Kagome smiled, and hopped upon her horse, patting the beasts neck lovingly.

"Come on then, Michiyo, lets go! Imagine, you living in such a grand stable as the king much have.. Wonderful, don't you think?" Kagome laughed, and the pair, with their horses, began to ride off towards the palace.

As they sat in a companionable silence, Kagome began to think to herself. Many things she had not wondered about suddenly came to mind in a single moment.

What would happen to her in the castle exactly?

Would the king's sons mind her?

Why was her father so eager to sell her?

Where was the castle exactly?

Who were the kings sons?

And more noticeable.. Would she be happier there than with her father?

Rate and review, please? Next chapter will come as soon as I can write it =0

-Rachel 3