Kagome woke extra early that morning. The sun hadn't yet risen and no birds sang to welcome the new day. Kagome quickly bathed then changed into her black maid's attire.She decided that it was best not to over dress for her job at the creepy Lord's manor. When she was finished dressing, she went to the kitchen to find her mother already making her breakfast.
"Good morning Kagome!" Came her mother's cheery voice.
"Morning Mom. What are you making?"
"Oatmeal, Bread with grape jam and warm milk. I know it's not much, but you'll need something to keep you warm on your way to Lord Sesshoumaru's."
Kagome nodded and sat at the table.
"Should I take the horse or maybe walk?" Kagome asked shakily.
"Take the horse dear. I won't be going anywhere. Your brother, grandfather and I will be here doing chores or fixing something or another. Don't worry Kagome, you'll do fine." Kagome's mother said, sensing the nervousness radiating off her daughter.
Kagome only nodded as her mother sat a bowl of brown sticky oatmeal in front of her. She quietly picked up the spoon and began eating her meal.
"Good Morning Higurashi's." Came a rough voice.
"Morning Grandfather." Kagome said without even looking back.
Her brother followed behind her grandfather and sank into the chair next to her.
"Morning Souta. You going to school today?"
Souta shrugged.
"Maybe. I might stay and help mom today."
Normally, for a person in the Higurashi house to skip school they had to be near death. But since everyone was a jumble of nerves thanks to the creepy Lord's personal visit last night, it was being allowed.
"I wish I could stay home. But no I have to go serve Lord Creeps-Me-Out!"
"Kagome Higurashi! Do not speak of him in such manners. He would have you killed on spot for such language against him! He is showing us a great courtesy by allowing you to work for him like this." her mother said in her 'mother tone'.
Kagome visibly swallowed and turned back to her bowl which was now empty. Getting up she handed her bowl to her mother.
"I'm sorry mother. I just don't like the guy. He's creepy" She said throwing her hands in the air.
"Yes well, just remember your place in his household. I don't want anything to happen to you because you couldn't hold your tongue." Her mother said sternly.
"I promise mother. I will. I'd better get going."
"Have a good day Kagome. I'll see you later!" Delilah shouted happily after her daughter.
Kagome walked to the door and grabbed her coat off the hook. Slinging it over her shoulder, she stepped into the brisk cold morning air. Walking towards the stable, she shoved her arms into the sleeves of her jacket, cursing herself for not putting it on before leaving the house. She pulled open the large doors to the stable and stepped in.
"MIROKU!!" she yelled as loud as she could.
Seconds passed and no one answered. She frowned slightly and walked to the tack room just to her right. There, sprawled out on a thin sleeping bag was the boy she was looking for. Quietly she walked up to him and kneeled next to him. He wore a loose purple shirt and heavy dark blue pants. His hair was tied back with a few stray strands poking out here and there. His ears where adorned with three earrings in the left ear and two in the right. His mouth was wide open and his tongue hanging from the corner of his lips.
Kagome snickered and shoved him over. Instantly he sat up and banged his head on a large pail hanging from a hook overhead.
"Lady Kagome?! What brings you hear at this time of morning?" Miroku said, trying to gather his bearings.
"I have to go to Lord Cre-Eh, Sesshoumaru's today."
"Oh? What for?"
Kagome sighed.
"He came here last night and said if we didn't pay what we owed, we where out on our butts."
Miroku got up and dusted his clothes off.
"Do not worry Lady Kagome. You know that if you get kicked out, I'm going with you."
"Well aren't you just the most loyal stable boy ever!" She said grinning.
"Anything for a beauty such as yourself." He said stepping closer.
Kagome was about to comment when a hand connected with her bottom. Before poor Miroku could blink, she turned blood red and hit over the head with the same pail he'd hit his head on before.
"I almost forgot how much of a pervert you where! Get the horse ready for me will you?!" She said dropping the pail near a swirly eyed Miroku.
"As you wish Lady Kagome. He'll be ready in a moment." he said slowly getting up and rubbing his head.
Kagome watched as he pulled a bridle and saddle from the corner in the tack room and went over to the horses stall. He went inside and laid a blanket over the horses back and set the saddle on top of it. Quickly strapping all the belts and clips, he moved to the horses head, slipping the bit in it's mouth and pulled the rest of the bridle over his head, strapping the leather belts and clips.
"He's ready for his Majesty, Lady Kagome!" Miroku smiled.
"Thank you Miroku. You can probably go back to sleep now. Mother won't be out here for a while yet."
"Nah that's okay. I have to clean out this stall and re-arrange some things." He said handing her the reigns.
Kagome pulled the horse over to a stepping block and quickly jumped on. She never did like horses much.
"What's this horses name Miroku?"
"I don't know. We never named him, remember?"
Kagome sighed. What an awful way to live. Nameless.
"Hmm. How about we call you Inuyasha?" She whispered to the horse.
"Where did you come up with THAT kind of name Lady Kagome?"
"Eh? No idea. Sounds kind of familiar though."
Miroku nodded and turned back to the stall.
"I'd better be on my way, don't want to be late."
She said a quick goodbye to Miroku and left the stable. Turning the horse south she saw that the sun still had not risen. Good on her part.
"Let's hurry up now Inuyasha. I don't want to be late on my first day!" She told the horse cheerfully.
The horse tossed his head and began to gallop towards town, where hardly anyone was out. Kagome passed through the town quickly and quietly. Galloping over a hill, the Manor of the cold hearted Lord appeared slowly. Only the top and first, then as she approached further, the rest came into view. She had never really looked at the manor before. It was beautiful. The closer she got, the more nervous she got. Finally, she stopped Inuyasha in front of the large double doors leading into the manor. A footman came and held the reigns as she dropped off the horse.
"Are you expected Milady?" He said quietly.
"Yes Sir. I'm Kagome from the Higurashi Farm house."
"Ah. I see. Milord is awaiting you in the main library. The woman, Sango, will see you to him" he said walking off with her horse.
Kagome walked up the large stone steps that lead to the thick metal doors above them. She reached the doors and knocked lightly. A girl the same age as Kagome, opened the door and let her inside.
"Are you Sango?" Kagome asked shyly.
"Yes. I'm Sango. I assume your Kagome?" Sango asked.
"Yes. Lord Sesshoumaru told me to come this morning to start working off the debts that my family owes him."
"Ah. Understood. Lord Sesshoumaru is in the Library. He wishes to see you there. Follow me."
Kagome nodded and followed her down a short hall. When they came upon a set of Mahogany door, Sango stepped back and allowed Kagome to pass.
"He's in there somewhere. Just wait by the table." Sango said closing the doors once Kagome stepped in.
Kagome looked around the vast library and saw no one around. There was a table towards the back of the room with a book laying open on it. Curiosity got the better of her and she walked slowly to the table and picked up the book. Unaware of the golden eyes that followed her every move.
Kagome read a few lines of the book and was instantly captivated by what she read. The few lines where written in an older style hand writing. The lined spoke of a Miko and a Hanyou. The Miko fell in love with an Inu Hanyou and promised him a scared jewel that would turn him into a human so that they could be together. The pair was tricked by another Hanyou named Naraku. Ultimately the two killed each other.
'Such a sad story.' She thought to herself.
'It's not such a sad story if you think about it' A voice inside her head made her jump.
Kagome slammed the book back on the table and stood from the chair that she had unconsciously sat in while reading.
'What was that? I think I'm losing it. Great that's all I need!' Kagome thought, mentally slapping herself.
"Your mental condition is sufficient, Human Girl."
Kagome spun around and nearly stumbled backwards as she came face to face with 'Lord Creepy' himself. Sesshoumaru became amused as she straightened her clothes and began to bow.
"Good Morning My Lord Sesshoumaru!" She said cheerfully.
Sesshoumaru's lips twitched in amusement.
"Human girl. I wish know. What are your abilities?"
"Um, Well, I can cook, clean, do laundry, anything you wish Milord." Kagome mumbled.
"That is not what I meant Wench!" he spoke sternly.
Kagome frowned and looked him in the eye.
"Then what exactly did you mean My Lord." She said tensely.
Sesshoumaru moved to the table and picked up the book that now lay closed on it.
"I wish to know about your Miko abilities. Tell me now!" he commanded.
"My W-What?" Kagome stuttered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, there's Chapter 2. What do you think? I don't know much
about Horses and all the accessories they require, so if I
screwed that up, please overlook it for now. Review for me okay.
I need your opinions and encouragement to keep going with this.
^_^
Ja
~Angel~
