end only to begin again

‘…’Thoughts
“…” Speaking
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Italics and bold - Writings
Italics - flashbacks
Youkai - Demon
yokai's - Demon energy
Houshi - Monk
Taijiya - Demon Slayer
:: Tessaiga Sword talk::


Chapter 11
Asiko’s New Position


Kagome sat, still trying to find the correct way to word her letter to the lords. She felt like ripping her hair out, it was frustrating to say the least. She needed to be careful what she wrote, she also needed to sound intelligent, usually not a problem considering she had a more advanced education than any of the other lords. She also had her knowledge of the future and her knowledge from Inu Tashio.

She should be confident with her knowledge, but confidence was not a word in Kagome's vocabulary. That small fact could prove a problem, good thing she was an excellent actress.

Looking down at the clean parchment she decided to write to the Northern Lord first.


Lord Of the Northern Lands,

She looks at the greeting while debating on were to start the letter. Deciding to start from the beginning she began her next line in the letter to the Northern Lord.

It is my responsibility to inform you of Lord Taski's demise.

Tapping the end of the quill against her bottom lip she continued.

He met his end while in battle. The details are not important but will be explained if necessary during the meeting of all the Lords and Ladies, for the introduction of the new Lady of the Eastern Lands.

Gently biting her bottom lip she thought about when the meeting should take place and where.

You are cordially invited to this meeting which will be held at the Eastern Palace the second full moon from this day. This shall allow ample time for your arrival to the Eastern Lands. The meeting will commence the morning after the arrival of all the remaining Lords and Ladies. The festivities will start the following day around noon to alert the minor Lords of the new ruler ship. Please R.S.V.P. with the number of guest that will be accompanying you to the Eastern Palace so their accommodations can be made.

Reading over what she had written so far she nodded her head in satisfaction and began her sign-off of the letter.

May all the Kami be with you,
Lady Kagome of the Eastern Lands


She wrote two other letters only changing the greeting to suit whomever it would go. Sealing each letter with a Eastern Lands seal.

She called for Asiko to come to the study via a mental link. A few moments later a knock could be heard. "Enter." Kagome said in an even tone.

Asiko was in the old Lord's chambers cleaning when she received the call from the mental link Kagome sent. 'I hope I did not do something wrong.' she thought nervously while she stopped what she was doing and ordered another to finish. She went to the study as fast as she could, knelt then knocked.

Kagome watched Asiko walk timidly into the study. She felt bad for her. 'Poor thing I must have scared her.' she thought while keeping her face indifferent. "Asiko send a messenger to the study to see me right away. Once you retrieved the messenger return here." Kagome said waving a hand of dismissal at the servant.

Asiko bowed low to her Lady. "As you wish Milady." she said as she scurried out do to as her mistress wished.


Fifteen minutes later Asiko and a falcon youkai entered the study. "Milady this is Kaman the messenger." Asiko stated to Kagome.

Kagome looked at Kaman. "Kaman I want these delivered to the Lords of the North, South, and West. Do not dally I want you to return as soon as possible." Kagome stated while handing the letters to the falcon. "Pack whatever previsions are needed to make your journey. You may leave now."

Once the messenger left Kagome turned back to Asiko. "Sit Asiko there are things I wish to discuss with you." she said motioning to a seat in front of the desk. Kagome watched Asiko take the seat she specified and fidget nervously. "Now what I wish to discuss with you is your position within the Eastern palace. What are your duties here?" she asked looking at the servant.

Asiko took a calming breath before answering her mistress. "I am a servant of no high place within the palace. My duties consist of mainly cleaning the dinning area, guest rooms, courtyard, and any other common living spaces." she answered while looking at the desk submissively. It was an honor to be bid to clean her mistress' room; it is a job for only the most trusted of servants. Usually it goes to those within the palace the longest. She hoped her new mistress would not regret asking her to clean her room; she was doing her best to make it satisfactory. The chance the new lady gave her to prove her worth was not one that servants see very often. Now it looks like she will be taken off that task and it was depressing.

Kagome looked at the sullen form of the servant. "Ok Asiko, this is important you must listen closely because I am not one for repeating myself understood?" Kagome asked looking at the servant.

Once she was sure she had her attention Kagome continued, "Do you know how to read and write?" it was an important question if she was to do the job she was to be assigned. Kagome sighed as she watched the girl shake her head.

Asiko shook her head then said "I can only read a little. Servants are not taught to read or write. Only those whose assigned jobs require it know how to read Milady."

Kagome nodded in understanding, she knew that education was not important here, like in her era. "Okay then, you will start to learn how to read and write starting tomorrow. It will be required for your position as my new vassal. I will not have someone who will represent me be un-educated."

"From this moment on you take orders from me directly and no one else. You will learn the duties needed of your position to run this palace and keep everything in check".

"This position while a big jump from where you were previously stationed is important. You will also go to the dojo tomorrow at dawn to begin your defense training."
"When you leave here go send for a tailor. I want them here no later than an hour. When they arrive I want you to bring them here personally."

"While you are waiting for the tailor to arrive gather a few servants you trust, because if their job is not done correctly it will reflect poorly on you. Have them start in my new chambers and scrub the scent of the old lord out. I want a new bed placed in that room as well."

"Once it is cleaned then start doing the same in the guest rooms for the visiting lords. I want everything ready for when they arrive in two moons. Understood?" Kagome asked coolly looking at the now excited Asiko.

Asiko sat on the cushion as she was bid. When she heard her new lady tell her of her new position within the palace she could not help the bubble of pride that formed in her chest. This was a far better job then she could have ever dreamed being given.

She was still worried about disappointing her mistress she said "Milady, I am honored you would give this position to your lowly servant, but don't you think it would be better to give it to someone who could already read and write well?" she asked hoping not to change her mistresses mind but she had to voice that question so she knew there were others who could perform it better.

Kagome looked at the servant she was a young youkai who had no idea of her potential. "Yes I am sure. This type of position requires I give it to someone I can trust. Do not worry, if you take your learning and training seriously you will not disappoint me. You have potential, in fact you remind me of me a little. Are you mated Asiko?" Kagome asked the youkai who was beaming at her.

Asiko could not believe her ears her mistress just gave her the ultimate compliment. She knew they would get along great. She heard her question. "Yes Milady I am mated to a soldier within your army. We have two children and we live in the small village for servants three miles away from the palace." she stated pride evident in her voice when she spoke of her mate and pups. Asiko was a black inu-youkai.

Kagome smiled sweetly, "I would love to meet your mate and pups sometime; after we have settled in. Now you have good news to tell your mate and pups. When the tailor gets here you will be fitted for kimonos befitting your new station."

"I am aware that you are not paid because you live for free in the servants' village but I see fit to give you a small allowance to repay your loyalties to the Eastern lands." she saw Asiko start to shake her head, "I will not take no for an answer. You will need the allowance to do your job. As my vassal you must always be clean, bathing everyday, clothes washed regularly. I will supply you with three kimono but after that you will be responsible for them yourself, this is why the allowance is important."

"If you wish I can have a hut built in the corner of the castle grounds for your home, so you can be closer if needed. A vassal is required to live within the palace but since you have a mate and pups I think your own hut will be fitting for privacy reasons."

"I also expect you to consult with your mate about the move, if he does not wish to move then it is not needed. I can always have someone else do the things needed whilst you are out of the palace. I am also aware that your pups once of age will be employed within the castle, they will be taught to read and write while they are still young. The young of those who serve me will be educated in at least reading and writing, so they can have a brighter future. This program will start once everything is settled. That will be all, thank you Asiko." Kagome finished dismissing her new vassal.

Asiko once dismissed was so happy and excited about her new position in the palace she went about completing her tasks as fast as she could. She sent for the tailor and told them they had to be at the palace no later than half an hour, the Lady demanded it. Then she went to speak with her mate, he was in the training fields with General Riko.

Walking on to the training grounds she was easily noticed as she was the only person there who wasn't a soldier. She scanned the area trying to spot her mate when she noticed him walking towards her, with a worried expression.

"Asiko what is wrong why are you out here?" her mate asked in a hurried tone. He too was a black inu-youkai; he had a scar across his left cheek.

Asiko looked at her mate and smiled excitedly. "I could not wait to tell you, I have wonderful news. You are aware the new ruler of the Eastern Lands is a female? That she was the one who killed Lord Taski for trying to force mate her. I was there, I saw her with my own eyes she is a marvelous fighter!"

He had heard the rumors, but had no idea is mate was there to witness it. Now he was curious as to what news she could offer. "Yes, I heard the rumors about the new lady. Though I did not know you witnessed the demise of the old lord." he said to her while she picked up and held his hand in hers.

"Well Lady Kagome, changed my position within the castle. I am to learn how to read and write as well as to defend myself properly. She wants me to be her vassal!"

"She is providing me with some clothes because she says that she wants me to look my station. She also said that if you agree then she would have a hut built in the castle grounds for us, so I would be near when I am needed."

"She said it is not necessary to move if you do not agree. She also said that our pups are to be educated. She wants all the young to know how to read and write!" she said barely containing her excitement.

Her mate looked at her, pride bubbling in his chest. The lady had just arrived and already his mate had one of the highest stations a servant could hold. "That is great news Asiko! The new lady is smart to have noticed what a value you could be in the palace. Finally someone else knows how great you are!" he said proudly to his beaming mate.

"That is not all of it either." she said with a bigger smile.

Her mate lifted an eyebrow, "There is more you wish to tell me?"

"Yes, she said that I am to receive an allowance to help with the household and to provide myself with the things I will need to continue my position to her satisfaction, like kimonos. She said she will provide me with three to start me off but I will be responsible for any after that. This would include kimonos I might need for festivities and what not. She also stated she wanted to meet you and the pups!" she said as she watched her mate's eyes widen when she told him about the allowance, because servants do not get paid.

This would be the first time a servant is paid, and it honored his family that his mate was the first to receive pay for her duties. This new lady must be a wonderful woman indeed. He hugged his mate, "That is great news dear, she sounds wonderful!"

"Don't let this fool you; she can be ruthless when needed. The troops may soon find out just how tight she keeps her control." she said vaguely.

"What do you mean Asiko?" her mate asked cocking his head in confusion.

Asiko giggled slightly, "I saw a list of things she had to complete on her desk while we were in meeting. I did not mean to see it but it was out in the open. One of the things on that list was for her to check on how the soldiers are trained. It also said she would train them if they weren't good enough. The men are about to get beat by a female and half will have never seen it coming."

"I see, that will be a sight to behold! I cannot wait to see the men's faces when they are beaten!" he said while chuckling at the mental image he created in his mind.

Asiko paled, "No, don't tell anyone. I think she wanted to just show up. So she can see how they are when they have not expected her. So you cannot tell anyone, I might get in trouble. Also what should I tell the lady about the hut? Do you wish to stay in the village or have a hut built on the castle grounds?" she asked expectedly.

Her mate did not need time to think, the village stunk and they could have a bigger hut built. The one they now were living in was not big enough. The children all stayed in the same room as them which left them with no private time. If they accept, the hut will be new and decent looking. It had to be if it would stand in the palace grounds. Also at the very least they will get two bed chambers, one for the pups and one for themselves.

He was all for it especially because it will leave them in high honor with the new lady, giving him the opportunity to advance as well. Who knows maybe if they prove their worth she might make him into a minor lord over a section of land. He could realize his dreams all thanks to his mate; he could not be any prouder then he was at that moment. "Yes we can make the move. I feel that this is not only a good chance for you now, but in the long run it may benefit us later if we can prove our worth. You as a vassal and I as a warrior." with a rueful smile he continued. "Who knows, maybe one of these days she will make us into minor lord and Lady. Only those highly trusted would be appointed a minor lord. If we can prove ourselves worthy of the title that may be her next step. We could be moving from a hut to a mansion. Our pups would have their own chambers, you wearing the finest kimonos and no longer cleaning up after other people." his smile fading from his face he took on a serious look. "I was taught never to let a good opportunity pass me up, so try your best as will I to prove we are capable of handling the position should she so choose to give it. Go now I must return to the training fields." her mate finished while turning back the direction he came.

Going back into the palace Asiko gathered six of the best and most trusted of the servants. She told them of her position with in the castle and bid them to do as the mistress ordered. Starting with the lady's new chambers and retrieving a new pallet for her bed. She made it clear to them that the scent of the previous lord was to be scrubbed out completely; she wanted nothing to remain of his scent in her chambers when finished. She then told them when finished to continue to the guest chambers and scrub them clean. Once the guest chambers where finished then they were to clean the dinning hall and any other common living space in the palace. She also remembered her lady saying something about how she was suppose to be clean at all times, so she figured that the mistress was a bath person and ordered two of the six to do scrub the hot springs while the others cleaned her chambers. She then told the two she chose that once they finished with the springs area to join the rest of the group and finish the cleaning. Once she finished instructing them she turned to meet the tailor she knew was coming.

Once at the doorway she turned, "Once finished with the chambers send someone to get me to inspect it. Everything must be to her specifications and I wish to insure it is." she finished while she felt the first joy of her job -ordering others around-. That was one thing she could get used to.

Hurrying outside she met up with the tailor Kina, who was holding an arm full of kimonos. Apparently she already knew the ladies tastes, or at least thought she did. While walking towards her she began to think of the words to greet her with, this would be the perfect time to practice her abilities of being the head vassal of Lady Kagome. She did not want to disappoint her lady so she began, "Hello Kina welcome to the Eastern palace. Lady Kagome bids you welcome and thank you for making it here with haste. If you would follow me I will take you to her. Allow me to help you carry some of those." she finished with a slight chuckle and a smile.

Kina looked at Asiko, she knew her to be a common servant so she was surprised to see who greeted her. She was even more surprised when she spoke. She sounded fairly intelligent she mused while she followed Asiko to the study.

The Objective completed was: one and seven.

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