Hello everyone again! long time no write hey? Well, I'm back and I'm here to write like mad. Some people have already read the first part of this story, so just skip to chapter 4. I've just worked on my grammar and rejiggled the chapters, so it was much easier to delete and start again then taking everything of and then messing around with it. Don't worry, I haven't given up :P
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, as much as I would like to, and so don't stick me in cuffs and cart me away please!
Enjoy the chapter folks xxx
Chapter 1: A little black and white
"AHHHHHHHH!"
A scream resonated down the hallways of the palace, disturbing the servants who were already going about their daily chores and waking the rest of the inhabitants. " What in the blazes of HELL have you done to my hair!"
The shrill voice continued to scream at who ever had upset the owner of the ruined hair. A servant who was passing the room shook their head in sympathy for the individual who had upset the mistress of the palace, but there was no way they were going to lend a hand to the unfortunate person.
Inside the room, where the screamed had issued from, a beautiful young woman was fuming. She had delicate features, melting hazel eyes and long, flowing black tresses, well... originally black but now an interesting mix of partially bleached white hair and original black, the reason for her current rage. The Hime was currently towering over a hunched figure who was shaking from head to foot with the effort she was using to control herself.
"What, do you think, gave you the right to do this to me?" The Hime's voice was frantic and infuriated. It was taking every ounce of the old maid's courage not to start laughing right then and there. " I happen to have an unimaginably important meeting in less then a hour," she took another step towards the servant threateningly, "the decision on whether I should be inspected for the Taiyokai's potential mate and you expect me," she was now standing directly over the shivering old maid, "to attend this important meeting with THIS?" she grabbed a chunk of her hair and shoved it into the maids face, emphasising her point.
The maid glanced at the princess's hair for a brief second, quickly looking away in fear of out right laughing at her Lady. " I thought you wanted to impress the Lord's men. You said you wanted to appear more like his idealistic mate…"
"Not by doing THIS!" the princess screamed at the maid, pulling at her hair, while the maid began to try and hide her growing laughter behind her hands. "I look like some sort of deranged Dalmatian!"
Suddenly there was a knock and the sound of a sliding door reached the pair of women.
"Kikyo, I swear that if you scream ONE more time, I'm going to hit y…." The voice broke away just as suddenly as it had started. A young woman, almost identical to Kikyo in physique, was standing in the door way of the room doing an excellent impersonation of a fish, mouth opening and closing in silent disbelief. Her crystal sapphire eyes, one of the few differences between the two, were wide and staring at Kikyo. Suddenly the peaceful silence was shattered when loud laughs erupted from the young woman's throat, stringing out into a continuous row.
The young woman doubled over as the force of her laughter left her throat. Tears started to creep down her cheeks. She wiped them away with a trembling hand, the strength of her laughter making her shake all over.
"W-what…the...he-h…hell…..hap-p-p-end?" she managed to voice, laughter breaking her question and making her wheeze. Kikyo shot her a sour look that could have killed.
"Shut up, Kagome, or I'll hit you first!" she turned her attention back to the servant, grabbing the front of her kimono, gazing at her pleadingly. "You have to undo it. NOW!" At this point Kikyo was almost in tears and was severely embarrassed, her splotchy hair hanging in front of her eyes to shield her red face.
"Well, I think the new hair really suits you! I always thought black and white should become the new thing." At this, Kagome fell into a fit of giggles again on the floor.
"I have to go greet the guests in less then an hour!" Kikyo was screaming at the maid again, who was now laughing uncontrollably behind her hands. She dived at the maid, shaking the old woman by her shoulders. "You HAVE to fix this. I can't be seen like this! Please save me... It's your fault you know!"
"What guests do you have to greet? I never knew anything." Kagome asked, curiosity lacing her voice.
"Some of Lord Sesshomaru's men at the gathering. All the eligible young women are going, so there's no way in hell I will even be considered with this... THING on my head!" Kikyo started to pull at her hair again, hard. "You've ruined my life! I'll never have a good mate and the family name will die with me and I'll become an old, withered, single hag….."
"Hey? I'm still here! And it was only a simple mistake, I'm sure she was only trying to help. You don't need to become a manic depressant because of it." Kagome gently chided, patting her sister on the shoulder briefly. She then quickly helped the older woman to her feet, who was having problems breathing due to her mirth. Kagome lead her out of the room so she could calm down and to remove her from Kikyo's way in case her twin lost her temper. "I'll just go find Kaede and see if she can sort it out for you, ok? Just don't do anything silly with your hair before I get back... Well sillier." She then closed the door and started to walk down the hall with the maid in tow.
Kagome turned to the old maid when they were some way down the hall. "What exactly WERE you trying to do?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"I was trying to get my Lady's hair to the same of that of the western Lord's, as milady asked if I could help her fit in more with the Youkai crowd, she's very concerned about being rejected, but the black in her hair made it very difficult to get the colour she wanted." The old maid was looking at the floor in embarrassment. "I told milady it may take a few tries to get it to the desired colour, but she…"
"Refused to listen?" Kagome finished for the maid. It was obvious from her shame that she felt dreadful for what she had just done to Kikyo... well, to Kikyo's hair.
"Don't worry," Kagome reassured her "she gets like that a lot and I think you did a stunning job with the hair by the way!" Kagome praised the maid, laughing lightly.
"My Lady! You should not joke about such things …." The maid chuckled.
"Don't worry. I'm her sister, remember, , and although I don't act as such, I am still a Lady of the house, so I can say what I want." Kagome winked at the maid, smiling wickedly, extra fond of the little old woman because of her experiment with Kikyo's hair. "Now I need to get back to my training and find Kaede so I suggest you hide from Kikyo and find some other work to do."
Kagome then took off down the halls, beaming all the way to the kitchen. Another scream was issued from Kikyo. That made her smile even more.
'Ahh' she thought, 'this is going to be a good day!'
Kagome made her way through the palace to the kitchens, taking the long way round so she could calm herself. Even before entering the kitchens, she could smell the delicious scents of breakfast and the ever present smell of ash that was coming from the fire place. Kagome loved the kitchens. When she was a child, she often hid in there when she was in trouble with her father or one of her tutors, garnering sympathy from the servants and quite often a cookie or two. Kagome peered round the door, seeing if she could find Kaede to help Kikyo with her little… problem.
An elderly lady was bustling round the huge room, moving pots to correct places and checking on various pans, which were hopefully cooking Kagome's breakfast. The woman's face was creased with laughter lines and one of her eyes was covered with an eye patch; an attack from a lesser youkai years ago had resulted in her losing an eye.
Hearing the door creak slightly, the woman lifted her gaze and met Kagome's. A warm smile instantly light her face. "Kagome-chan, child, what brings yer here? Yeh ain't in no trouble now are yeh?" Kaede inquired, amusement clearly visible in her one good eye.
Kagome walked over and embraced the older woman, bending to reach her height. "Not yet, Kaede ba-chan" Kagome laughed. "No, it's Kikyo who needs you." Kagome could feel the beginnings of laughter bubbling in her throat. She couldn't wait to tell Kaede!
Kaede noticed the slightly mischievous smile that was spreading across Kagome's face. "Gods child, what's gone and happened now then?"
Kagome couldn't help the snigger that left her. Kaede gave her a dubious look. "Kikyo needs a bit of help. She had a slight…. accident."
"Nothing that's hurt her I hope."
"No! Well.. maybe her pride. She tried to bleach her hair, to impress Lord….. what's his name ….?"
"Lord Sesshomaru" Kaede filled in for her.
"Yeah, him, and... lets just say she isn't happy with the end result." At this point Kagome was out right laughing. Kaede had a very worried look on her face, but underneath that Kagome could see her anticipation to see Kikyo's new hair.
"Give me a minute to collect me things, child. I'll go straight to her."
"Wait!" Kagome stop her retreating form quickly.
"What is it child?"
"Umm…" Kagome gazed longingly at one of the pots on the cooker. "You don't think any of those are ready, do you?"
Kaede gave her a frank look and rolled her oneood eye. "Help yer self, child," she said while smiling fondly. " I made yer and Kikyo's favourite today, seeing how's it's a special day fer Kikyo and all."
Kagome hugged the woman fiercely. "Oh, Kaede ba-chan, you're the BEST!" she squeaked, rushing to grab a bowl from the other side of the kitchen.
"Just make sure you leave some fer Kikyo. She's gonna need it by the sound of things!"
Kagome laughed and ran to the pot with her bowl in hand, lifted the lid, and sighed in shear bliss at the heavenly smell that came from inside it. "Hmmm... Ramen!"
"Kagome, I've been looking for you." A man's voice called out behind her, making her head twist to see who was speaking. Her father was standing in the doorway of his study, smiling gently at her. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, kind face void of wrinkles, but for the occasional silver strand in his black hair which was pulled up into a ponytail which revealed his true age.
"Oh, how comes?" Kagome turned to face her father. She had just been on her way over to the dojo to practice archery skills. Kagome was a Miko in training, hoping to become strong enough to help heal in the village when she was proficient enough, however, her father wished her to become a skilled warrior as well; the manor was known to be attacked often by stray Youkai and having a powerful Miko living there would help greatly to deter attacks in future.
"Let's talk in my study." Her father stepped out of the way, ushering Kagome into the room. Taking a seat behind his crowded desk, he gestured for her to take a seat opposite him. Kagome obediently took a seat on the cushions, glancing at her father's desk, over flowing with papers and documents. All though her family were humans, her father owned a small area of land, raising him to the status of Lord, a rare position among humans. As such her father was constantly busy, working on peace treaties with other minor Lords and peoples' requests and complaints. Kagome looked up to her father with great respect. He always strived to achieve peace and to keep the people happy, and succeeding on the most part, even though he was treated harshly by the other minor nobles. Most nobles were Youkai, however, the few human nobles that did exist disregarded him as an eccentric due to his continuous attempts at bringing peace between the two races. Kagome looked at her father's face, noticing the strain and fatigue.
"Father, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Kagome," her father smiled sadly, "I think you should look in on Kikyo quickly, she hasn't been acting herself recently."
"I saw her a couple of hours ago, she looked… well maybe not normal…" she sniggered, "but she seemed normal enough." Kagome gave her father a questioning look, wondering what he was talking about.
"She may appear to be fine on the outside," he raised his hand, stopping Kagome from saying anything, "No witty remarks please," he chided, shooting her an amused look. Kagome slouched down in the pillows with a pout, "but I believe she needs you more then ever. She's scared, Kagome, as I believe anyone would be who was facing potential marriage with out even knowing their partner. The importance of this alliance can not be described . She's been looking for the best prospective husband, has been training for it, for most of her life, to secure herself a good life as well as helping to ease the gap between our two races. She is honouring our family, as well as assisting our race. It is a lot of responsibility for one to bear on their own. I know you understand her burden as you bear one yourself. She has to be nervous, leaving her family and her childhood life. Anyone would be, so go and check on her. Make sure she knows she has support."
"Why did you not go yourself?"
He gave her a knowing smile. "Because you two have a special bond. She can talk to you far more easily. Also, I think she may not be too keen on me at the moment because of all of this."
"No, father, she loves you as much as ever." Kagome knew her father did not mean to sound cruel, using Kikyo's life as a way to gain political influence and to help in the over all idea of creating peace, but it was still unfortunate that her sisters happiness had to be sacrificed. "It's unfair on Kikyo,though, to push such a large burden on her. I should be the one being potentially bargained of to this Lord, seeing as I'm the oldest," Kagome stated. Her father shook his head, chuckling humourlessly.
"We've had this discussion before, Kagome. A Youkai mating a human is one thing, but a Taiyoukai taking a Miko as a mate is impossible. You are a Miko powers would conflict with his youki greatly, it could never work..."
"You don't KNOW that!" she protested, standing up and banging her fists on the desk, "NO one does! It's never been done before, sure, but that's not to say it's impossible," Kagome continued vehemently. "Surely I could go in her stead, she has her whole life before her…"
"NO," her father exclaimed. "She has spent her life trying to achieve this, Kagome. You should appreciate and understand that, instead of trying to write it off as you have spent yours training to become a Miko. You are much more use to everyone here, helping to heal and protect," her father reprimanded. Kagome sunk back into the pillows with her arms crossed tightly and a pout gracing her lips.
"I just think you should look in on Kikyo," her father repeated, "just to see if she is ok. She seemed a little off when I last spoke to her about it."
Kagome thought back on Kikyo's recent behaviour. Her twin HAD been acting a little out of the norm recently. She had actually being quiet for more then a minute at a time.
'But really,' Kagome thought, sobering, 'he's right. She hasn't been herself lately.'
"Has she got back from her meeting… thing?" He nodded. "OK, I'll just go find her," Kagome announced after a few minutes of quiet, "but she better appreciate it. I'm gonna miss archery because of her!" Kagome walked out of the study to the sound of her father's amusement, closing the door behind her quietly.
Kagome set of in the direction of her and her sister's joint room, guessing she would be in there after she had returned from the 'meeting'. Walking down the halls gave her time to think about the imminent future. If her sister WAS sent of to be inspected by the Western Lord himself, she may never come back. Kagome stopped in the hallway at this revelation, shocked. She and her sister had always been together, had never left each others side ever since their mother died.
'She probably won't be asked to go any way,' Kagome thought, 'not with all those demoness to chose from. We're just human. It's not like she'll get any attention from Lord watchamacalim…. I still can't remember his name!' At this, Kagome felt bitter. Although she didn't want her sister to leave, she still didn't want her to be pushed aside just because of her race.
Kagome reached Kikyo's room in record speed, practically running there to see if her sister was all right. Flinging open the door, she marched into the room, bare feet slapping on the wooden floor. She quickly noticed Kikyo sitting on the floor, a bowl of rice in her hands and Sora sitting across from her, one of the younger servants in the house. Kikyo quickly put her bowl down, looking alarmed at how flustered Kagome was.
"Kagome, are you all ri….."
"KIKYO!" Kagome ran over and grabbed her sister by the shoulders. "Are you alright? " Kikyo gave her a confused look.
"Uh…yes?" she answered, making sound more like a question.
"Oh thank GOD!" Kagome sighed loudly in relief, still holding onto her sister. "I was SO worried that you'd get kidnapped or die or leave and not see me ever again or'…"
"KAGOME!" Kikyo yelled, laughing at her sisters lunacy. Kagome took a deep breath.
"What?" she panted, still trying to regain her breath.
"You were rambling. And WHY, exactly, did you have to run all the way here?" Kikyo questioned, trying to keep a straight face.
"I like dramatic entrances!" Kagome provided helpfully.
A sharp laugh brought both girls back to reality. Sora was sitting on the floor, laughing behind her hands at the sisters' antics. Kagome looked at Kikyo questioningly, before both began to join in.
"So, Kikyo, do you know what's happening now that the meeting is over?" Kagome asked once she regained her breath.
Kikyo sobered immediately, losing the cheerful look she had regained briefly. She looked at the floor, wringing her hands. Kagome became concerned. Sora noticed the change as well.
"If you don't need me any longer, I'll take the stuff back to the kitchen," she offered, standing and collecting the forgotten bowls.
"Thank you, Sora," Kikyo said quietly, the words only just reaching the servant who was retreating from the room.
Kagome looked at her sister, worried by her abrupt change of mood. "Ne, Kikyo, are you ok?" she asked, concern for her twin clear in the tone of her voice. She stood and sat directly in front of her sister, grabbing hold of Kikyo's hands to get her attention. Kikyo nodded, her hair swishing slightly, now back to it's original midnight black shade.
"I'm fine, just a bit nervous." Kagome gave her a sceptical look.
"Just a bit?" she pushed, seeing straight through her sister's obvious lie.
"Alright, maybe I'm a little scared. Excited, but scared."
"Do you want to talk about what happened?"
"I had no idea what was going on. All I did was stand there whilst father's adviser talked to the men there." She glared at the floor, hating her lack of control over her life. "They were so rude, Kagome! I'm glad father wasn't there. They looked down on me just because I was human! If that's what his men are like, I'd hate to see how Lord Sesshomaru acts!"
"THAT'S his name!" Kagome suddenly exclaimed, slapping her forehead. At Kikyo's questioning expression, Kagome chuckled. "What? It's a long name!"
"A bit of an ominous name if you ask me." Kikyo muttered.
"Come on, stop being pessimistic. I can't have my only baby sister upset now, can I?"
Kikyo looked affronted. "Only by FIVE minutes! Hardly enough difference for you to be calling me baby," she huffed.
"That's more like the Kikyo I know," Kagome smiled, glad her little plan had worked. Kikyo let a small smile grace her lips. "So, when do you find out what's happening?"
"A week or so, maybe less. According to Lord Sesshomaru's adviser, the West is in the middle of a very important negotiation with the Southern Taiyoukai, meaning I'm free for at least a few more days," she provided with a weak smile.
"Well then," Kagome yawned, stretching her back and arms till her back cracked with a satisfying click "we'll just have to make the most of it then, won't we!"
Thanks for reading xxx
Hope you enjoyed it!
;P BBC