A/N: I do not own Inuyasha, but the fairy tale I am using is public property.

I recieved a question by a reviewer and I figured I would give a quick recap and answer the question as well.

This is based off the engish fairy tale of the same title, so far in the story, Sango was cursed to have the head of a cat, Kagome took off with Sango to find a cure, only to end up at the castle where Inuyasha is under a curse as well.

Now on to the story

Chapter 4

It was shortly before the midday meal when Kagome found herself gently awoken from the comfortable chair in front of the fire where she had drifted asleep shortly after the dawn. It was by a young man in holy monk's robes, of black and purple. "Dear, sweet lady, as much as I dislike waking one so beautiful from their slumbers, my lady Queen has insisted that you be introduced along with your companion before her." His black hair was pulled back into a small ponytail at the top of his neck, and his violet eyes twinkled with merriment. Kagome in her half-awake status could only nod and attempt to stand up. It was when the young man in front of her helped her to rise up from the chair and the hand that had supported her back slipped down to her rear that a jolt of energy shot through her fully waking her up as she screamed at the top of her lungs "PERVERT!" and slapped the face attached to the offending hand. Kagome's cheeks were enflamed with the embarassment that she was subjected to such lewd behavior.

A chuckle could be heard from the door way, where Kaede stood previously unobserved during this exchange. "I see you have met our resident letcher, Miroku," she said, her amusement apparent, "It seems that he likes you, but please do not take his advances seriously, he is mostly harmless"

"You wound me dear Kaede, I am only seeking someone to carry on my family line, you know that I am completely harmless" the monk siddled up to the old woman, like a child who was trying to get out of a punishment Causing Kagome to smile at the image of a much younger version of the man doing the same thing to get extra sweets from the kind grandmother like Kaede.

"Such a vision" the monk exclaimed when he turned and saw her smile, "would you do me the honor of bearing my child dearest lady" he was suddenly stuck in the side of his head with a small stool from the other room, knocking him out for the time being.

Kagome turned toward the originating point from the stool to find her cousin veiled and standing inflamed in the adjoining doorway.
"It seems like a good rest has restored your companions humor, if the poor monk unintentionally ruined again" Kaede spoke gently causing Sango's demeanor to shift to embarassment. "Come ladies, we will leave our letcherous friend here and see the Queen about you finding a place with us for the time being." Kagome nodded and with Sango followed the old woman down into the main throne room and out to a smaller sitting room. There were four chairs set up before the fire, one of which was occupied with a dark haired beauty that could have only been the queen. Her rich robes flowed around her as she was sitting and motioned for the others to join her.

Kagome sat in the empty middle chair, with Sango in the one farthest from the Queen, Kaede sat on a stool tending the fire leaving one of the chairs empty.

Queen Izoyia carefully looked at the two quiet girls trying to find a place. As the youngest one seems quite well mannered and had been able to tend to the prince the night before, she decided where she would be, but her companion who kept her head perputally covered Izoyia had a few concerns with. "I have been told that you two ladies are seeking a place for a time here" Izoyia began "Few come to us now a days, and your help would be needed, what are your skills young lady?"

Kagome bowed her head thinking about how to answer for a moment, "I was trained to help the sick and tend a large shrine, my sister here has the skills of a warrior, but alas her illness prevents her from doing much now."

"I was told of that, what kind of illness would cause her to hide her face," the Queen questioned.

"It was a disfiguring illness that causes her to hide her face and her loss of voice" Kagome answered quickly as they had come up with that to keep noisy townspeople away, "We are currently trying to find a cure for her condition and that has caused our journey to begin with"

Queen Izoyia looked deeper at the veiled young woman farthest away from her and sensed the truth of the previous statement. "Then I assume that you will speak for the both of you, my dear?" she asked Kagome

"Yes your highness, my sister and I are of one mind and I am to speak for the both of us" Kagome replied.

The Queen nodded at this statement, and a soft knock was heard at the door. "Ah, finally my nephew has awakened" she stated, and then called out "come in Miroku"

The door opened to reveal the young man who had accosted Kagome that morning. Kagome blanched and looked over at Sango, who while looking at her cousin shrank into her chair.

These movements were not missed by the Queen and Kaede, who both chuckled at their reactions. Miroku came in and bowed as graciously as you please and seated himself in the chair next to his aunt.

"Please forgive my tardiness this morning, I only just recovered from a sudden headache" he appoligized as he sat down.

Izoyia shook her head and smiled, "and was this brought on by a pot, pan or other flying object by someone who didn't appriacte your attentions?"

"Well," he began sheepishly, "The stool didn't help"

Both the older ladies broke out laughing at this.

Kagome only looked puzzled, and Sango started to unfold from her chair.

"Forgive our mirth," Kaede spoke up "did I not tell you he was our resident letcher, and often suffers as a consequence, it is a pity that he has yet to learn from these painful lessons"

"True, but what bliss" Miroku said wistfully.

Izoyia laughed again, "Miroku, one of these days we will have to get you a wife to curb your lichenous behavior"

"Buddha forbid" he replied in mock horror, "Unless" after a pause of a few heartbeats "she must be perfect, then I would consider it, after a year or so"

Kaede nearly fell off her stool and Izoyia doubled over in her chair.

When the laughter settled down, the conversations turned a bit more serious.

"Kaede, as you have spoken with these young ladies more what would you suggest for them," Izoyia asked.

"Your highness as your head of staff, I would recomend that young Kagome be kept as night aide for our dear prince, and with the accuracy and strength of her throw, her sister appointed as a guard" the old woman answered.

"Miroku, what would you suggest?" she turned to her secound adviser

"I agree with the guard notion for the cloaked young lady though her silence puts her at a slight disadvantage, but I would defer to Kaede for the recommendation for Kagome" he replied.

"and Kagome what do you feel about these suggestions" the queen turned to the visitors.

Kagome turned to Sango who nodded.

"If that is your wish, but I ask that if my sister and I learn of something that may cure her we be allowed to leave to pursue the cure"

"Thank you for your honesty, you would make a great addition to our kingdom, and I will not hold you back from following that which will cure your sister. Also you shall be paid in gold for every night you stay with us, with your sister acting as guard for our prince for the day, and you as nurse at night, are we agreed?"

All the others nodded their consent.