Disclaimer: I do not own the Titanic (or I'd be 200 years old right now .) and neither do I own Inuyasha.
A/N: Hello plz plz take a moment to read this. Everything I write in here is Non-Fiction, besides the Inuyasha characters and the plot. The scenery I depict is also true. If I put the name in italics that means the characters are real.
Chapter 1 is going to be detailed so please bear with me. I promise you'll like this. Just read and review. Thank you. P.S...I know this is loong...but its just cuz of the conversation…so please read it!
Chapter 1: Al' Aboard
Wednesday, April 10, 1912
Southampton, England
7 AM
Kagome Higurashi looked up at the ship of wonders-the Titanic. She estimated the length to be eight hundred and eighty-two feet, its four funnels standing like bodyguards. In the sunlight, it radiated, giving off an unearthly glow. So this was the ship she was going to be sailing to New York in? All she could say was, "It's magnificent!"
People called it "the wonder ship", "last word in luxury", and "the millionaires' special"? Go figure. Too bad what had happened earlier that morning was spoiling all the events. She knew she was going to get engaged...but to whom? She didn't know. And all the choices seemed to be pathetic.
Her mom had stated quite clearly, "We have a surprise for you."
"What is it?" Kagome had asked.
"You'll see tonight," Her mom had mysteriously replied.
Kagome furrowed her eyebrows in concentration. Who could it be? She would just have to talk logically to her mom later on and try to change her mind. She was only seventeen for Pete's Sake. She had no intention of getting engaged at this age. Let's just hope the engagement part isn't true, she thought.
"And it's not like the guy will love me for me...he'll only want me for my money," She shook her head sadly.
Her mom came up from behind her." Dear, don't do that, or you'll get wrinkles and we don't want to ruin your fair complexion, now do we?" Mrs. Higurashi smiled, standing arm in arm with her husband.
"Yes mother," Kagome sighed. "And be careful with that dress! We just bought it for you yesterday!"
Her mom walked past her, up the plank, to the ship's entrance on the promenade deck. Kagome was wearing a wide-brimmed hat that matched her traveling dress. It was peach, with short sleeves and came down to her ankles. The gloves were white and went in comparison to the boots.
They had traveled all the way from Tokyo to Southampton, just to travel on the greatest ship known to mankind. Kagome and her family was traveling in first class, something her mother had been looking forward to. Kagome on the other hand had been complaining that she'd rather stay with her cousins in Tokyo rather than move to polluted New York.
" 'We don't want to ruin your fair complexion, now do we?' "Someone mimicked from behind her. "Like you have a complexion to begin with." It was her brother Sota.
Kagome slanted her eyes. "Sota, dear, I suggest you put a sock in it, unless you want to be headless for the remainder of this trip," She said in a syrupy. She heard a squeak and Sota ran past her to walk with their mother.
Kagome turned around and took a deep breath of fresh, salty sea air. She was blocking the line, some passengers were even yelling insults at her, but she didn't care. She had always wanted to see England...but not like this! She glanced around at her surroundings.
First, second, and third class passengers were now boarding the floating palace called the Titanic. All of them had the same look on their face-one of utter excitement. She wondered if she looked like that. Steerage (3rd)had their own section and was boarding on the ship by small tugboats that carried them in large numbers. Second class was boarding right below first, on another gangway.
She wished she could be as carefree as them...but things were tying her down...and nothing could make her smile or laugh anymore. There were cafes' to her right and beautiful Victorian houses to her left. She thought about what her mother had said. Engagement? They couldn't be serious! She could always jump overboard afterwards, though.
Someone gently nudged her. "Kagome-Sun, you're holding up the passengers. Please quicken your pace," A deep voice urgently said.
She forced a fake smile on her face, and turned around. "Oh my...you are right. How silly of me! Thank you for telling me Kouga-Kun," she laughed. Kouga extended an arm to her and she took it reluctantly, mentally cursing her bad luck. They started to walk up the plank.
She hated having to be so formal! She'd rather drop her politeness and be her normal self. But then her parents would probably disown her. Or her mother would give her a lecture about how to "act like a lady" and she hated THAT more than anything. She was getting bored out of her mind when Kouga spoke again.
"I suppose J .Bruce Ismay and Mr. Andrews did an exceptional job on the ship, but I've seen better," he announced royally.
Kagome rolled her eyes. What a...a...rich, snobby...SLOB he was! They were childhood friends...but since he 'grew up'...out in public he could act so...old.
"Well I think they did a kawaii job," she piped up. "And I heard all these rich people like John Jacob Astor and his wife are boarding the ship too!"
"No, not 'rich people'," Kouga corrected her. "That sounds rude. A better name would be 'wealthy business men'."
Wealthy businessmen my butt...who died and made you boss? Kagome thought as they handed the steward their tickets.
"Ah, mister and missus, your luggage is already in your staterooms. And I will be your steward for the remainder of the trip. You can call me Hojo. This way, please," He smiled and started to walk.
"Finally," Kouga grumbled.
"Don't mind him," Kagome whispered to Hojo. "He's cranky in the morning." Hojo grinned.
While walking Kagome admired the beautiful red carpet, the gorgeous ivory walls, the golden chandelier overhead and the tinkling of China as people started to have breakfast. With each step she took, she became even more entranced by the Titanic's décor.
She passed the A'la Carte Restaurant, where passengers could wallow in soothing drinks and food, the first class dining saloon, the Turkish Bath, the gymnasium they each had their own elegances. All doubts of ever leaving the ship swept from her mind.
She almost fainted when she saw the Grand Staircase. It was divided into 2 parts and in the middle was a statue of cupid holding a light fixture. The wood was polished Mahogany, there was a clock in the center and overhead was a glistening dome which let warm sunlight stream through. They climbed it, with Kagome trying to get everything captured in her mind. On the top they passed suites and staterooms of every kind.
"Quit your gawking. It's not nice," Kouga hissed out of the corner of his mouth at Kagome who's jaw had dropped open as she had seen a stateroom with a balcony equipped in it.
"Here we are, miss," Hojo stopped in front of a white door which gold letters saying B-1.
"Kouga, your not my father so quit trying to act like him," Kagome threateningly remarked. To Hojo she stated, "Thank you Hojo. And just call me Kagome." With a final glare at Kouga she opened the door, went inside, and shut it briskly in their face.
As soon as she entered her room she squealed with delight. Everything was so...green! It was her favorite color and reminded her of the forest! She had a 4-poster bed, with velvety green draperies; she had a stationary desk with green writing paper and green pen. There was a green light fixture above her head, and two vases filled with flowers on either side of the room. She had her own bathroom with light green towels and to top it all off...her own balcony!
Rushing to the balcony, she twirled around in it. "Ahh...its so...bee- u-ti-ful here!" She singed. The ship was still anchored. Some seagulls past by, chirping, which was music to her ears.
She came inside and looked around. Suddenly her stomach grumbled. She realized she hadn't eaten anything since four am that morning. "Stupid trip...stupid engagement...stupid life!" She moaned out of nowhere.
SHHHHHHHIIKKKAAAA! The four funnels on top started to blow steam. They were finally embarking.
Deciding she would check up on her parents and eat later; Kagome went up to the promenade deck. To her surprise, barely anyone was there. The only ones she could see were honey-mooning couples holding hands, or crewmen. Kagome shuddered.
Not from the cold, but from disgust. Three months from now that would be her, holding hands…yeah right. Rich people, no, my bad...'wealthy businessmen' don't even know the meaning of that, Kagome quoted Kouga.
Suddenly she heard people start to yell and shriek around her. A small tugboat, the 'New York' was going to collide with them! She watched in horror as it came closer and closer to the Titanic. What if it hits us and we sink? She thought in fear. We haven't even left the harbor!
She could hear the captain of the 'New York' shouting orders to his crewmen. Some put towels or carpets on its starboard side to make the collision softer. Kagome could see the third class passengers watching on in awe. But just as they were about to hit the 'New York' Captain E.J. Smith of the Titanic took charge. He ordered his crew to reverse the engines.
When that had been done they were several feet away from the tugboat. Smith put the ship in full gear and they went sailing out of the harbor. Kagome hadn't realized that she had been holding her breath, and quickly let go of it. All around her people started to cheer, but some looked nervous.
" 'Tis a bad omen, 'tis," A Scottish woman with a fur stole nervously wringed her hands.
"I'm getting off this ship!" A man with a bushy mustache commented. "Don't want to sink in the middle of the ocean...and get frozen to death."
Kagome froze. What was that? Sink? What if they did? She gulped and recalled what her dad had said earlier.
"Not even god himself could sink this ship!" He had laughed joyously.
"Yeah...nonsense! I mean...it's so...huge!" She re-assured herself, half-heartedly. "And why waste so much money on a ticket if you're going to chicken out of it?"
Passengers were waving flags to their relatives and loved ones on land, bugles were being blown, confetti being thrown and children trying to stand on the railings to get a better view. She took a good look around. Nothing but the sea to keep her company now. Southampton's shore was like an ant in the distance.
"Man...am I going to be bored," Kagome stifled a yawn. "Aristocratic life is soo dull!" The next stop was Cherbourg, France, where they would arrive at 6 pm. She looked at her clock around her neck.9 am...dangit! Nine hours to kill...well there was plenty to do around here...
"Maybe I'll make a new friend!" She smiled. "Or maybe even a French friend! I always wanted that!" Her smile turned to a frown as she recalled something.
"I almost forgot, Kikyo's going to be boarding at Cherbourg along with her sister, Kaede." They were cousins. Kagome didn't mind Kaede...it was Kikyo who was a pain the neck. Another thought occurred to her.
"I wonder if she knows about the surprise."
She shrugged. This time her stomach growled louder than ever and she decided it was time to get a bite to eat.
Cherbourg, France
5:30 Pm
After that panicky start, the rest of the trip to Cherbourg was going smoothly. Kagome had gone to the first class dining saloon and eaten a hearty meal of Haddock Almondine with a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice. And now she was sitting in the reception room by the Grand Staircase, dreading Kikyo's arrival. Whenever she was around, she would try to make Kagome look bad.
-Flashback-
Kagome and Kikyo were playing dollhouse. "Hey Cassandra let's make some yummy food!" Kikyo said in a high, squeaky voice like a doll's.
"Alrighty then! Let's bake a cake!" Kagome squealed. When they had finished Kagome said, "I'm going to put on the sprinkles!"
Kikyo pouted. "No, I want to put on the sprinkles!" She pushed Kagome. "EAT MUD, RATFACE!"
"It's not fair, Kikyo! You always get to do everything! "Kagome cried.
"That's because I'm better than you are! You always mess everything up! "Kikyo stuck her tongue out.
"You're a bad-bad girl!" Kagome sniffled. She grabbed a bunch of mud and made a move to throw it at her. Just then her mom came around the corner.
"KAGOME-CHAN? What are you doing!" She cried. "And just look at you! You're a mess!"
Kagome looked down at herself. She had dirt smudges on her face, her knees were scraped up, her blue dress was covered in mud and she was barefoot. "But mummy! Kikyo-"
"BUT NOTHING! And don't tattle on other people. It's not polite," her mother sighed. "Why can't you try to be more like Kikyo? She's the perfect little girl!"
Kagome stared at Kikyo who was clean as soap and had an angelic smile on her face.
-End Flashback-
She growled at the memory. No doubt Kikyo would try to do that again, even IF she had grown older. Probably would try to put a crab in my underwear.
"Yeah right...like she has the guts to touch animals...heck she's even afraid of bunnies!" Kagome snorted.
"Well 'lo there, girlie! Watcha doin' sittin' al' by your weeself, eh?" A loud pompous voice boomed from ahead of her.
"Good evening, Ms. Molly Brown!" Kagome smiled, trying to sound as polite and mannerly as her mom had taught her. She had taken a liking to this big, kind lady. "I was just thinking about going up to watch us approach Cherbourg," She stood up.
"Aw, that's too bad! I was hopin' to play a game of card with ya!" Molly grinned widely.
"Would you care to join me?" Kagome grinned back.
"Nope…sorry no can do, got a game of poker to play with your father, but thanks for the offer!" Molly shook her head, making her berry-filled had jiggle all over. "Take care now!"
And with that she left. "You too!" Kagome smiled even though Molly couldn't see it.
She started to climb up the Grand Staircase to the Promenade Deck, where the first-class passengers would be boarding. Kagome had, earlier in the day, gone to check-up on her parents, but not to her surprise they hadn't been in their state-room.
She had changed out of her peach dress into a comfortable white-knee length one, leather boots, tied her hair up and put a blue hat on. All day long she had kept missing her parents. Whenever she would arrive somewhere they would disappear. It was as if they were avoiding her. And she had wanted so much to talk to them about the engagement!
Finally she reached the deck. This time everyone was gathered there. She saw many lights on Cherbourg's shore. Kagome sighed peacefully.
"Wow...its so kawaii here! Even more than...Japan," she sobered down. The Titanic probably looks like a floating castle from ashore...I wonder what Gramps would say.
"No...nothing is gonna get this ol' man on that huge metal junk thing...don't wanna drown at this young age!" She could just hear him barking. Her eyes flooded with tears. He had decided to stay in Tokyo to take care of the family shrine.
"I miss you gramps!" She wiped at the tears dripping down her face. In the horizon the sun had started to set, sending a fiery glow across the waters.
THUD! They had docked on Cherbourg's harbor.
As they lowered the gangway, the first of the first-class passengers began to board, looking like different-colored candies. Kagome spotted John Jacob Astor and his wife Madeleine, who were the first ones on board.
"Awww...how sweet! She's pregnant!" Kagome cooed. "I wonder if it's a boy or a girl."
"KAGOME...HEY KAGOME!OVER HERE!" Shrieked a little girl's voice from behind Mr. Astor. Kagome jerked her head and saw that it was Kaede. The girl was waving flamboyantly, beckoning Kagome to come towards her.
"Hi Kaede!" She rushed over and hugged her. "How are you? Had fun in France?"
"Yup-dee-do!" Kaede smiled brightly. "I got to eat a lotta candy! Mm, it sure was good!"
"AHEM," someone coughed behind them. "Perhaps I should tell you, but it is considered rude if you don't acknowledge the presence of your elders when they are right before you."
Oh god...it's her, Kagome groaned inwardly. She stood up. "Kikyo," she nodded.
"Little cousin," Kikyo patted her on the head.
Kagome fumed. "We're only 6 months apart!" She raged.
"So? Still makes me older! Oh by the way...nice dress," Kikyo smirked. She herself wore a dazzling indigo gown, diamond studs and glass slippers.
Kagome narrowed her eyes. Just like Kikyo to judge people by their clothes.
"Miss, can you please move aside?" A crewman said. "You're blocking the passage."
"NO!" Kagome snapped.
"Kikyo," She hissed. "I swear-"
"Miss please-"
"-one more wisecrack outta you-"
"-hurry, they're getting-"
"-and I'll kill you!"
"-angry!"
Then a deep voice growled from behind Kikyo, "MOVE IT, wench! We're not going to give you any money so go beg somewhere else! Sheeesh...servants these days! Can't find any decent ones! I mean look at this...this...scum!"
I know this isn't really good right now…but this is how I wanted the first chappie to be. Romance is on its way in the upcoming chapters... If you're confused or have any questions about this fic or the Titanic please feel free to e-mail me PLEASE R&R! Tell me what you think! Until next time...toodles…lol...
P.S. If you see any typos please tell me. My grammer isn't the best…actually...it's not the best at all…so..yeah, just notify me in your review and I'll change it.