Okay, so I know that I've procrastinated a LOT by taking forever to make this chapter, but in my own defense...I just suck at updating within a timely fashion...so here is the long awaited next chapter of Royal Love.

Chapter two: Kagome's Story


It has been almost a fortnight since Kagome had appeared at King Inuyasha's palace. The royal physician had come by to check on her every once and a while, and declared that her voice should be healed.

Inuyasha knocked on the door to Kagome's bedchambers, the room placed right beside his own. The hanyou king heard a soft, almost gravely 'come in' and he entered the room to see Kagome propped up against the many pillows on her enormous bed, looking out the large window that faced the gardens.

All this extravagance, for her. " How are you?" he asked. She turned to look at him and gave a slight shrug. " Better than before, but it still hurts a bit to talk." Inuyasha frowned a bit at her admittance of pain. Most of the Princess' more serious wounds had healed but some remained. The physician, an old human priestess by the name of Kaede told the King that if the Princess' pain in her throat persisted to rub a salve onto her neck and to summon her immediately if the pain did not go away. The King sat down on the Princesses bed and swallowed. What he was about to ask his intended could quite possibly break her. Still, he needed to know what happened.

" Now, I know it must be painful to remember, but what happened? You disappeared for four years with no explanation." Kagome swallowed a bit. " I suppose I should start from the beginning, no?" King Inuyasha gave no verbal answer, but his eyes told Princess Kagome all she needed to know. He did need to know what had happened, no matter how much it pained her to relive it.

However, no matter how the past had damaged her, Princess Kagome knew that running from her experiences would be futile. It would be easier and safer for her, and everyone else involved that she just accept what had happened, and speak of it to prevent drastic measures being taken in the future.

So, steeling her resolve, she took a deep breath and begun her tale. " It all started a few days after Lady Kaguya and Lord Menomaru came to visit the palace. It had seemed slightly amiss that Lord Menomaru and Lady Kaguya would come to visit our castle, yet my father and mother decided to allow them to be there, though they both kept a secretive watchful eye on the pair. After you had left for the remainder of your monthly visit, Lady Kaguya approached me in the gardens offering tea. I was confused but agreed nonetheless to be polite, but after I drank the tea I started to feel dizzy and tired." she swallowed again. Telling this must be the most painful thing the Princess has experienced, besides actually enduring it in the present, King Inuyasha silently deduced. Tuning back in quickly, the hanyou King was able to hear his dear friend continue with her traumatic experience retelling.

" I suppose I fainted because when I awoke I was in a dark cell-like structure with a chain attached to my ankle and the farthest wall. I was confused and more than slightly frightened. When I had looked down, I saw myself left in nothing but my undergarments and the door opened then Menomaru stepped in. He wore a smirk, one that told of evil things. I became more frightened and attempted to struggle with my binding but it was no use. He actually laughed. Then Lady Kaguya entered the room with a whip. They continually beat me, laughing when I cried out and making snide comments all the while. One night I tried to control my sobs from the latest punishment when Menomaru came in. He entered the cell, and locked the door behind him. Although..he was completely garmentless.." she started to choke on her own words.

If King Inuyasha hadn't learnt to restrain his temper, he would have raced over to the offending couple's castle and beaten them within an inch of their pathetic lives and then past that. But, he knew how to control his temper-to a degree-and he knew when to let it reign free. This was not the time for an outburst of emotion, not when his dear friend and intended, whom had gone missing without a trace, is retelling her experiences of the horror she faced while in captivity.

" He...He tried to-" a sob wracked her body and tears that had formed in her eyes began a steady trail down her face. " I am thankful that Lady Kaguya had rushed in the room before he could do what he'd planned. She had been quite angry him and the two began to argue. I took that moment of distraction to carefully sneak away." King Inuyasha could barely contain the hatred he felt for the scoundrels who dared to hurt his intended. The rage he felt was immeasurable, it could not be defined. Lord Menomaru and Lady Kaguya would face punishment. It may not be by his hand, but the punishment would be administered.

" I noticed at times that my more severe wounds healed faster than the others. It was terribly confusing but I hadn't focused on that when escaping. I managed to get a great deal of distance between myself and the castle where I'd been held captive for however long and I arrived at the front gates of this palace. The guards were not very forthcoming and grabbed me harshly-one had managed to grab one of the wounds on my shoulder and it bled more. The next thing I know I am thrown into a courtyard and I am faced with your face looking into mine with a expression I have not seen in much of a long time." she continued to cry and he awkwardly wrapped his arms around her.

He wanted to comfort her, but even after all this time, his weakness was a crying woman. He hated to see a woman cry, especially Kagome. The only other woman he couldn't stand to see crying was his mother. Inuyasha would do anything to keep those two from crying. " How did you lose your voice?" Kagome coughed lightly, her voice was still a bit rusty because of it's period of forced rest. " They had attempted to kill me one day, and had stabbed me in the neck. I bled profusely, and when they supposed I was dead, they left leaving the door open. I chose then to run. A few days later, I was thrown into the courtyard and saw your face." Inuyasha wiped the tears from her cheeks and let her grab hold of him.

King Inuyasha knew she needed comfort, but even now after four years, he was still terrible at offering the support she needed. Kagome eventually fell into a dreamless slumber, and before the Hanyou King left, he pressed a soft kiss to her brow.

He called Miroku to his study and when the royal-yet perverted at times-advisor was then immediately ordered to send a invitation to the castle...for Lady Kaguya and Lord Menomaru. It was surprising yes, because his highness had never shown interest in the two before. Regardless, the pervert had an invitation sent to their residence and returned to his Majesty's study.

" Your Majesty, I have sent the invitations. Is there anything else you require of me?" the silver haired King shook his head and gave the advisor his mandatory break, to go spend some time with the Head Guard, Sango.

The King snorted. Yeah right, more like he was going to grope her. Now, the king began to think. He must find a suitable way to plan this meeting between the three of them. And make it known, that no one was to touch his claim on the pretenses of a painful and drawn out death. Now he himself, would not proceed with said style of killing, but he would order it done.

After all, he had made a vow to never end a living creatures natural life. While his demon side lusted for blood, his human side knew the difference between right and wrong and after Kagome disappeared, the then Prince made a vow to never kill another living creature. And if he did, he was to pray for the soul.


Meanwhile, back in Princess Kagome's quarters, the Head Guard and one of Princess Kagome's long time friends, Sango of the Youkai Slayer Clan was tending to the princess, after she had woken up. " His Majesty is quite pleased that you arrived. He had missed you dearly." the slayer commented as she helped the princess stand. Kagome was going to take a stroll in the gardens that Sango had told her about. The slayer wrapped a deep purple kimono around Princess Kagome's sleeping yukata and provided a pair of comfortable zori, then the two exited the room, their destination being the gardens. " I have missed him as well." Princess Kagome stated as she daintily cleared her throat and sat down on one of the garden benches.

The two were enjoying the nice weather when Miroku, the Royal Advisor showed up. " Good afternoon, Princess, My Lady. How are you both fairing?" he asked them. Sango eyed him for a minute. " Hello, we are doing fine, thank you." Kagome stated. " Excellent." he nodded calmly, settling himself on the ground, molding his hands into a meditation pose. His shakujo lay on the ground as well, but not forgotten.

" Houshi-sama, why are you meditating at this time?" Sango asked after several minutes. The monk was quiet for a short while before he finally opened his mouth. " I am simply meditating as a way to keep my spiritual energy from losing effectiveness. This is good practice. Also, I have noticed a change in your aura, Princess." the young Princess looked shocked.

" A change? How?" she asked, clearly wishing to know, whilst still staying polite. " I believe that you have spiritual powers as well. I suspect that you are a Miko." the Princesses eyes went wide, as did the Head Guard's. " Houshi-sama, what do you mean?" the monk smiled. " I can feel Lady Kagome's spiritual presence. I am pleased to say that I have never felt an aura this strong or pure. Not even the legendary priestess, Lady Kikyo had spiritual powers this strong." the monk was telling the truth. He had never, not once in his life, felt powers that strong.

" By the way, upon His Majesty's orders, Lady Kaguya and Lord Menomaru have been summoned to the castle. I thought it pertinent that you were told." Princess Kagome was trying to make sense of what was just told to her. The people who had abducted her, were summoned here? By Inuyasha? " Why would His Majesty summon Lord Menomaru and Lady Kaguya to this palace?"

The monk was not able to answer her question. Even he did not know what his King had planned, and the lecherous monk had known his King since he was but a child. " I know not, My Lady. I do know that King Inuyasha has always had a plan, and everything will be fine." these words did nothing to soothe the Princess. She couldn't help but feel as though something drastically big was going to happen in the near future.


And that wraps up chapter two! Sorry it's so short, figured I'd give a Easter present and actually update for once. Okay, so chapters of lots of things are to come, as soon as I can find a way to make all these ideas work. Or put ones that won't be used for a while into some other place.

Please bear with me, I know I suck. Not literally though.

-Always,

FireHanyou16-