Kikyo spared Kagome a smile as her name was called before making her entrance. Kagome listened with a soft smile to the appreciative sighs and murmurs from the crowd, thankful her sister went first. The people loved her sister, so much so that Kagome hoped they would keep her eyes on Kikyo so no one would notice her.
Kagome then held her head high as she heard her name being called.
"Princess Kagome, daughter of King Aiko and Queen Harumi; sister to Princess Kikyo."
She took her first step out of the shadows, a gentle and warm smile lighting her features. Kagome looked out at the sea of people and couldn't help but wonder in awe at the number who had come to try and win her sister's hand. She was not at all surprised they wanted her Kikyo's hand, she knew her sister was a gorgeous person, but that there were so many available people! Kagome could have shaken her head in bewilderment, but instead drifted down the stair in manner that would make her old nursemaid, Kaede, proud.
She was able to detect a few murmurs from the sight of her, but thankfully not nearly as many as her sister had received. She reached her parents and gave bow, before standing at her sister's side. Looking out over the crowd in the hopes of seeing a familiar face.
Her father then stood to address the crowd,
"Lords and Ladies! I thank you for attending the festivities to find a suitable match for our daughter, Princess Kikyo. We hope you enjoy what we have to offer! Now please, let the ball commence!"
He finished with a smile, and a wave of his arms to the conductor cued the music. He then resumed sitting on the throne, as his wife patted his hand, silently congratulating him on a nice welcome to the guests.
Kagome was tempted to give Kikyo a pleading glance, for some sort of help so she wouldn't have to dance, and mingle - she had no luck finding a familiar face - but Kikyo would not tolerate that.
"Come now sister, lets go mingle," she said with a teasing smile, knowing what Kagome thought of mingling.
Kagome gave a smile, which to anyone other than her sister would have been seen as one of joy, "Yes sister. Lets go mingle."
Kagome glided out among the people - just because she didn't want to be here didn't mean she had to show it - as her sister was quickly whisked away from her being asked to dance. Kagome was on her own, as she knew she would be. After being asked to dance by Lord Kouga a couple of times - who seemed quite enchanted by the miko princess - she politely excused herself to sit and catch her breath. Taking the opportunity, she looked out over the crowd, amused by the everyone's actions.
The second son of the famous Inu no Taisho, the one with the adorable puppy ears, was obviously smitten with Kikyo almost instantly. He fell into obedient puppy mood so quickly from talking some one off, Kagome could have laughed until her stomach hurt, but that princess training had finally come in handy and she was able to refrain. Then there was Sesshoumaru, when having managed to ask someone discreetly just who he was she knew she couldn't have forgotten his name if she tried. Sesshoumaru. It was nice being able to put a name to the beautiful creature she had encounter early in the day, but now she had to keep her distance. Demons had go hearing after all and she couldn't afford to have him recognize her voice.
The Ice Prince is what he was rumored to be called. The reputation suited him Kagome realized after observing him a little while. Whenever any one tried to start a conversation with him he immediately turned away or coldly told them to, well, pretty much leave them alone. But when he did talk, it was in third person at times, and he said big words, and was very offensive while he retained his cold demeanor.
Kagome would have loved being so free as to be able to ignore others, and speak her mind. But being a woman, no, being a princess, she was not privileged to such a leisure.
She was startled out of her thoughts as a shadow fell over her face and a smooth voice asked if she cared to dance . She automatically placed a smile on her face as she accepted the offer, then looked into the man's face and could have given a growl if she was a demon. Almost would have growled even though she was human, but refrained.
Lord Naraku stood before her her, his trademark smirk on his face, his hand outstretched. Kagome grudgingly gave him her hand and could have shuddered at the cold feeling from the contact of his skin. He walked her out to the floor while Kagome silent berated herself. She really needed to stop daydreaming. Then she might have actually been able to pay attention to who was asking her to dance.
"Princess," he murmured, his voice attempting to take on a soothing tone, but it just gave her chills, "Is everything alright?"
Kagome gave a sickly, sweet smile. The churning in her stomach making it hard for her to relax her features. "Yes, I thank you for you concern but it is unnecessary." She was about to add, "and unwelcome" but bit her tongue.
"Ah, but that is not true Princess," he replied with a chuckle that rumbled through his chest, "It is my duty and my honor to be aware of your well fare."
"You are too kind Lord Naraku," Kagome murmured, while refraining from hissing at him.
He smirked while pulling her into his arms as the music for a new song started up. They started twirling about the floor, silent until Naraku spoke.
"Is something wrong Princess? You seem uncomfortable."
"No, it is nothing to worry of Lord Naraku, I am merely thinking."
Yes, Kagome was thinking all right, thinking of ways she could purify him. Not many seemed to be disconcerted Naraku, but that did not ease Kagome's nerves. She had never liked him, something about him was just vile, and it wasn't that he was a hanyou. Kagome was not like others mikos who were prejudice of demons and half-demons, she knew better. Yet, it seemed that it was her miko senses that were warning her of Naraku's dark heart.
She was thankful though that others did not know she was a miko, she was able to suppress her miko aura so it seemed as though she was just another powerless human. Yet, at the moment she would have been willing to expose her abilities if it meant she could purify the wretched hanyou holding her in arms.
Kagome could have given a wistful sigh, images of purification dancing through her head, but remained focus on Naraku who was tried to make conversation with her. She just smiled, and nodded, all the time wishing she was anywhere else.