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Royal Dangers
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Chapter Seven
Melting
"Then he came and rescued me. Those horrid men didn't know what had hit them." Kagome finished. She had entered the conference room where Kikyou and Prince Sota were talking and was immediately greeted with hugs and tears, mostly from her tutor. When they were finished, she was asked to explain what had happened. Kagome complied, telling why she had left and that it was of her own free will, no force from anyone, and where she had gone for so long.
Sota crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. "It is lucky for those men that Lord Sesshoumaru took care of them. If I had the chance, those ruffians would have had a much less merciful end, that's for sure."
Kagome nodded with a smile. It soon faded when she remembered what happened next. Quickly she looked at her brothers. "Then there was a man... a young man, a little older than you, Hojo, with black hair and red-hazel eyes. Such a cold, evil looking man. He said his name was... was..." She tried to think, but it had escaped her. "Well, he said he was sent to find me, and that Father was waiting here for our return. I knew he was lying, and he grew angry and attacked me. Lord Sesshoumaru protected me from him, too. That was the last thing I remembered, before waking up in his castle."
Kikyou shivered. "You have had enough excitement to last a lifetime, I should think." She said, her face relieved the young princess was safe. Hojo and Sota were looking at each other strangely, whispering something.
Curious, Kagome asked, "What are you talking about?" The two brothers looked at her.
"We think we know that man you described. His name is Lord Naraku."
Instantly Kagome recognized the name and she nodded emphatically. "That's him! Now I remember. And I remember Lord Sesshoumaru saying something later about him. He is some sort of hanyou, half-demon."
Kikyou gasped, and the brothers looked even more concerned. "This does not bode well. If he is a... Hanyou, you said? If he is that, then he is probably more powerful than we thought." Hojo said, beginning to pace.
Sota nodded. "Exactly. What I don't understand is why he would have told us that bit about Lord Sesshoumaru." Seeing the curious look on his sister's face, he explained. "During your disappearance, this Lord Naraku came before us and said he had seen the Western Prince attack and carry you off."
Kagome was dismayed. "What? Lord Sesshoumaru did no such thing! He came to my rescue, not for the first time either. If it wasn't for him, I might not even be alive." She glanced around the room, noting everyone's reaction. "You have to believe me!"
Her tutor placed a hand on her shoulder, patting it encouragingly. "Of course we believe you." She glanced up at Prince Hojo, who had paused behind Kagome's chair. "What are we to do about that Lord Naraku? It is clear that he lied to us about Lord Sesshoumaru to cover his own intents. Who knows what else he may have lied about?" Kagome nodded in agreement, looking imploringly at her brothers.
The elder Prince sighed thoughtfully. "I know. We will have to act fast. One thing is certain." He gave his brother a pointed look. "That treaty has to be finished. I have a feeling this Naraku does not wish for it to take place, which would explain why he lied about our future ally."
When the others agreed, Hojo turned his attentions back to his sister. "As for other matters... Kagome." Startled, she met his gaze with wide eyes. "You cannot leave the castle grounds unless accompanied by one of us or a guard. If Lord Sesshoumaru had not come across you, who knows what could have happened? Promise me, Kagome, if you only do one thing I tell you, that this will be it. Do you promise?" She nodded quickly, satisfying her brother's wish. He sighed.
"I am saying this because I do not want you ever to be in a situation like this again. And if war is indeed coming, there is a greater chance you will face this kind of predicament in the future." His face softened, his gray eyes focused on the princess. "We have already lost our parents. I don't wish to lose you as well."
Kagome felt her eyes water, but she nodded and refused to let the tears fall. The Princes bid the others a good night and, after giving Kagome another grateful hug for returning safely, went off together to work on the treaty while the last hour of light was still visible.
Kikyou stood and her pupil followed suit, walking with her down the corridors to the Princess's bedchambers. As soon as the doors shut behind them, the young teacher launched herself at Kagome, surprising the younger woman very much. "Never, never do that to me again! I was so worried!" The princess felt a guilty pang in her heart as she returned the hug.
Calming down slightly, Kikyou pulled away and held the girl at arms' length. "I am serious, Kagome. You don't know how worried your brothers and I were." Her sad brown eyes threatened to tear, and the princess prayed she would not do so. "I understand why you left. If you had just told me, I would have been happy to come with you. I want you to talk to me from now on, understand? If anything happened to you..." She trailed off, seeing Kagome's own trembling face.
She was shaking her head quickly, trying to hold back tears. With a sigh, Kikyou drew her friend into another hug. The younger woman smiled wanly. "I... sorry." She murmured quietly, wiping her eyes. Her tutor merely shushed her with a final squeeze before releasing the princess.
They lingered a few minutes longer, talking quietly as the rest of the castle prepared for the night. Kagome promised never to leave the castle alone again, not that she would be going anywhere for a while, knowing the false Lord Naraku was out there somewhere. When she voiced this fear to her teacher, the elder maiden smiled. "Your brothers will take care of that man. You mustn't worry too much. Now get some rest, tomorrow will be here before you know it."
She bade the princess good night and left her alone to change. Kagome sat for a while, her face thoughtful as she brushed her long hair. It is good to be home. She paused, wondering about the Western Lord. I hope he returned safely. Oh, of course he did. He is a demon. With a small grin, Kagome placed her brush on the dresser top. Now that she thought about it, he did move much faster than she did. He must have slowed to match her speed when they were walking back.
Yawning, Kagome rose and walked to her soft bed. The warm quilts and comfortable mattresses looked inviting, and the young maiden needed no persuasion to crawl under the blankets. In no time at all the princess had fallen asleep, dreams of a certain aristocratic figure filling her mind.
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The next few days proved just as confusing as Kikyou predicted. Kagome knew her brothers were distracted with the treaty, now that the final stages were being drafted. As for herself, the princess spent most of her free time with her tutor outside, at the stables, or in the gardens.
It was late one afternoon when Kagome and Kikyou stood in the grand stables. Petting her white mare softly, the younger woman paused. "Kikyou, when do you suppose it will be safe to leave again? To visit the village, I mean," She added hastily, seeing the wary look on her friend's face.
The woman sighed, her dark eyes thoughtful. "At the present, it would be wise to remain within the castle grounds until the treaty is taken care of." Sending a quick glance at the young Princess, she sighed once more. "For safety reasons." Kagome attempted a smile, her heart not really in it.
The dappled gray stallion, Hojo's favorite horse, neighed happily when Kikyou fed him a piece of carrot. Instantly Kagome's mount turned toward the tutor, reaching for a treat of her own. This brought a smile to the princess's pretty features, and she began to giggle when the mare turned sad eyes to her owner. "Poor Grace." With another laugh she reached into her dress pocket and pulled out a carrot, which Grace ate thankfully. As the horse ate, Kagome took a soft breath. "I understand... I just wish I could go out again."
Kikyou nodded knowingly. "I promise, once the treaty is signed, I will take you out myself. I'm sure the horses would like to get out for a while as much as you do." Surprised but happy, the young woman threw her arms around the tutor. Her sapphire eyes shone as she thanked her laughing friend.
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Two piercing eyes watched the two maidens carefully, noting all they said. "You will soon find your plans must be altered, dear Princess." He murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I do not have the time to wait for you. That treaty will never be signed, I will see to that. But you..."
Satisfied, the man flicked his hand and the mirror went dark, falling into his hand. Now only his own reflection could be seen, and he smirked at himself. "You will be mine soon enough, Princess Kagome. Then I'll never let you go."
A soft click made him turn his head, revealing a young woman by the door. "Kagura, good." The woman folded her arms, elegant fingers resting on the silk fabric of her dress. Her eyes shone with undisguised dislike as she drew into the gloomy room.
"Naraku." She did not bother saying his title, and he ignored the sarcastic barrier her tongue held. Ebony hair was swept up in a twist, held in place with a feather pin. Her form-fitting dress, made of magenta and cream-colored silk, accented her slender body. The woman paused a few feet away from the man, who remained seated. "You called?"
Smirking, the man's dark eyes leveled with hers. "I have a job for you, Kagura." The corners of his mouth rose slightly, and a low chuckle escaped his lips. "And I have a feeling you will enjoy it immensely."
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"I suppose we are done for this evening. Wonderful job, Princess." Kikyou took the textbook from her student and found its place on the correct shelf. She turned back, a happy expression on her face. The younger woman yawned prettily as she stretched her arms above her head.
"Thank goodness. I might have fallen asleep right here, and that just wouldn't do!" Kagome teased, giggling when the nineteen-year-old stuck out her tongue in her direction. Before she could return the motion, a swift knock interrupted. "Come in." She called.
The door opened and a servant girl entered. Curtsying, she smiled at the young princess. "The Masters request your presence, Your Highness." Her dark curls bobbed as she waited for a response.
Kagome nodded quickly, sending Kikyou an excited glance. "Thank you." The servant delivered another curtsy and left. Immediately the younger girl jumped to her feet. "They must have finished the treaty!" Both women hurried out the door and down the corridors to the meeting chambers, where the two Princes awaited them.
Beckoning them in, Hojo beamed at his sister, then her teacher. "We have finished all we can. Now it is up to the Western Lord to come and review it, and once he's signed it the pact will be placed in effect." Kagome let out a joyful cry and hugged her oldest brother, then ran around the table to attack Sota. When she finished, she turned back to Hojo and Kikyou, who seemed quite flushed in the face. Kagome sent her tutor a questioning look, but the elder girl quickly interrupted with a question of her own.
"When will the Western Prince arrive, Hojo?"
The man smiled as he gazed at both women. "We have sent a messenger only this morning. I expect we'll be seeing the Lord no later than this afternoon."
Kagome turned at this, surprised. "So quickly? It took us the better part of two days!" She remembered all to well how long those days had seemed, and how the Western Prince had so patiently waited for her to catch up.
Sota chuckled. "Demons can move much faster than humans, Kagome." She nodded, thinking about the time she first saw Sesshoumaru. Yes, much faster.
"In any case," Hojo started, getting the princess's attention. "He will be here soon. I suggest you continue with your studying until then."
Kagome sighed teasingly, glancing over at her friend. "If I must." Before Kikyou could react, the young woman grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room, closing the door quickly behind them. Her brothers looked at the door and chuckled.
"Think she's excited?" Hojo smiled lightly.
"Perhaps a little bit."
Outside the room, Kagome released her friend's hand. "Kikyou, is there something going on between you and Hojo?" The tutor opened her mouth, her brown eyes wide. When she could not find the right words, Kagome giggled. "I knew it! You love him, don't you!" Finally, Kikyou broke from her stupor and smirked.
"And what was that look when Hojo said Lord Sesshoumaru would be arriving soon? Do I detect a little something between you two?" She was pleased when a light blush graced Kagome's face.
The younger woman started to play with her hair, twirling the dark locks in her fingers. "There's nothing. I just..." She looked up at Kikyou and her blush deepened. "Nothing."
Kikyou laughed. "Well, we aren't going to get any work done if we are standing around. Come on." The two women hurried toward their quarters, and Kagome immediately headed to her dresser. Picking up her hairbrush, she combed through her smooth dark locks with ease.
Kagome brushed her hair quickly. "When is he coming, Kikyou?" Her tutor smiled, standing by the door.
"Soon. Don't you think you are worrying too much about this?"
The princess put down the brush slowly. "I don't know..." Kikyou laughed at the soft pout gracing the maiden's face, which only made her pout more. "Maybe I do… oh, this is silly. I barely know him." She hid her face in her hands, hiding the rising blush that graced her cheeks. Her teacher nodded, smiling.
"Things like this can move quickly, Kagome. That is the beauty of love." Her smile widened coyly as the princess instantly released a cry of protest. "Now, your brothers wish for you to finish your studies before we meet your guest, so let us return to business." She laughed as Kagome scrunched up her face at the mention of the word studies, but she quickly changed her young pupil's mind when she reminded her that the sooner her lessons were completed, the sooner she could get ready to meet the daiyoukai. As the young maiden read her chapter, Kikyou's mind drifted. Such innocence… what love is better?
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Kagome waited with her brothers, fidgeting with her crown. "Stop messing with it, you will ruin your hair," Kikyou whispered. The younger woman sighed.
"I am not used to wearing this silly thing. It does become a nuisance." Still, she left the circlet alone, her fingers now occupied with her locket. Kikyou sighed in exasperation, and Kagome shrugged. "What? It relaxes me," she whispered back in protest. Before her tutor could say otherwise, Hojo drew their attention to the gates.
"Our visitors have arrived."
Through the iron bars of the towering gate, they could see two figures, the familiarly white-clad demon prince and another dressed entirely in red. The guards opened the gates slowly, and the guests entered the Eastern grounds. Kagome was surprised to see Inuyasha had accompanied his brother, but she smiled as the two made their way to the royal family.
Holding his sword firmly to his side, Hojo bowed respectfully, followed by Sota and a gentle curtsey from both women. As the two brothers returned the courtesy, Hojo smiled warmly. "Welcome back to the Eastern Kingdom, Lord Sesshoumaru." He paused, and his attention turned to Inuyasha. "I do not believe we have been introduced," he said, somewhat apologetically.
Inuyasha grinned, his golden gaze as bright as ever. "Call me Inuyasha." He said, giving his name informally. Kagome glanced over at her tutor and saw her giggling behind her hand. Catching her eye, the princess mouthed, "I told you."
After the remaining introductions had been made, Hojo clapped his hands together. "I know you both have come a long way, so I suggest a small respite before we start with our business. Agreed?" The demon princes nodded, and arrangements to meet in an hour were made.
Sota and Hojo dismissed themselves, leaving the two women outside with their guests. After a moment of silence, Kikyou suddenly turned to Inuyasha. "Why don't you come with me inside? I will show you around." Surprised, the young man agreed and together they started to walk away, the teacher commenting on the demon's "adorable puppy ears" as the pair disappeared inside.
Kagome giggled merrily, then turned her attention back to the silent Western prince. He did not change a bit in the two weeks it had been since their departure. His silvery tresses waved slowly in the light breeze, catching glimmers of sunlight on the long strands. He did not wear the emotionless mask as before, but he was hard to read. Even his eyes, the warm honey-gold of his eyes confused her. What was he thinking?
She looked a vision, a new gown of white silk accented with a sapphire-blue sash, complimenting her eyes nicely. The off-shoulder sleeves, trimmed in blue, flowed loosely down her arms, stopping in tight circlets around her wrists. For the first time, the lord saw her wearing a circlet of silver on her head, the official symbol of her royalty. Gazing at the young maiden, he bowed, breaking the gentle silence between them. "Princess."
Smiling, Kagome returned the bow with a curtsey. "Lord Sesshoumaru." Returning to her regular stance, she glanced around, seeing only the two guards on duty by the gates. The maiden folded her hands and looked back at her guest with sparkling blue eyes. "Would you care for a walk?"
He nodded, walking slowly beside the princess as she started around the castle, leading him to a stone pathway. As they walked, Kagome's natural chatter started up. "It has been a while, Lord Sesshoumaru."
"Indeed it has." She smiled at his simple words, motioning him to turn left at a marble pillar up ahead.
"I kept my word." Curious, Sesshoumaru glanced at the maiden, waiting for her to explain. She paused, standing in the entranceway to a large courtyard full of flowers and plants of all sorts. "I haven't gone back to the Forbidden Forest." She stepped onto the soft grass, making her way to a lovely pink rose bush.
Sesshoumaru resisted the urge to smile. "Good." His eyes followed the young woman as she walked, the hem of her gown barely trailing a few inches above the lush grass. She turned back to him, and he moved his gaze back up. In her hands was a single rose, and she began to play with the soft petals.
Kagome's gaze softened as she touched petal after petal. "I haven't gone anywhere much, actually. I am not allowed outside the palace walls anymore." She grinned half-heartedly.
The demon lord remained motionless, watching her closely. "Your brothers are protecting you as they see fit." Sesshoumaru noted softly. "They are doing what is best."
The princess sighed as she made her way to a stone bench, falling heavily upon it. "I know. I am glad the treaty will be finished soon. Perhaps my life can continue when everything is settled and done with."
Nodding in agreement, the prince returned his attention to her small hands as she gently pulled off one rose petal, then another. She did this slowly, rhythmically. His gaze rose back to her face, pausing before as her locket came in view. "Why do you wear that?"
Kagome blinked, surprised by the sudden question. Glancing down at the trinket, she lifted it slowly. "It was my mother's. It's all I have of hers." Her face softened. She looked up to see her companion nod, motioning her to go on. "She died when I was young. I don't remember her very well, but I can still picture her and this locket." A thought suddenly occurred to her, and she unclasped the necklace. Holding the silver jewelry in her palm, she began to toy with the heart's small clasp. Finally, she succeeded in opening the locket, and she held the chain out for Sesshoumaru to see.
The inside held two small pictures, a man and a woman each looking toward the center as if gazing at one another. The Western lord recognized the young man as King Higurashi, which meant the woman must be Kagome's mother, the late Queen. Glancing from the tiny portrait to the young princess, Sesshoumaru saw the resemblance. "You look just like your mother," he spoke quietly, handing back the precious trinket. As Kagome fastened it back around her slender neck, he added, "You have her eyes."
Kagome looked up at him, a smile brightening up her soft features. "Thank you." She hesitated, then offered him a seat on the bench beside her. He took it without pause, and they continued to talk for the better part of an hour.
Inside, Kikyou watched from around the window. "Do you suppose he likes her any?" She asked airily, watching her friend in the garden below laugh at some unknown conversation.
Inuyasha glanced out, shrugging. "Beats me. Usually the Ice Prince doesn't like anybody, especially humans." He crossed his red-clad arms, one puppy ear twitching as he overheard what was said below.
The teacher kept watching the two royals. "Whatever you say. I know my Princess has taken a certain fondness to your brother. She may melt his heart yet."
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Her soft laugh traveled on the light wind even as she tried to stop. "You and your brother never cease to amuse me." Her sapphire eyes twinkled as she said this, more so as the demon lord allowed a small smile to grace his lips. Suddenly she gasped, jumping from the bench. "Oh, it's already been an hour! You must not be late, I am sorry, it is all my fault." Her white skirts whirled with her as she spun to see him, already on his feet. "Here, I will show you to the meeting hall." She motioned gently for him to follow, then lead the way through the stone corridor into the castle, constantly apologizing as she hurried up the stairs and down yet another corridor.
Sesshoumaru followed the ebony-haired princess, watching with amusement as her crown fell slightly to one side, unknown to its wearer. They finally paused outside a pair of solid doors. "Here we are," Kagome murmured breathlessly, her cheeks flushed. Bowing slowly, Sesshoumaru did not go straight into the hall. Before the maiden could ask why, his clawed hands lifted to her head, setting the circlet of silver atop its perch properly.
"I'll meet you afterward at dinner." With that note, he entered the room, allowing the heavy doors to close behind him.
Kagome blushed softly, her fingers brushing against her crown where Sesshoumaru had fixed it. "Wow," She whispered to herself, blushing even more. Silently, she made her way back down the hallway, leaving the four men to their work. She returned to the gardens with a book, where she curled under the large sakura tree, reading quietly as she waited patiently for the meeting to draw to a close.
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Kagome: Aw, what a sweet chapter!
Sesshoumaru: Humans are all too easy to please.
Kagome: You might be making fun of me, but you are still very sweet. *hugs him*
Star: *gawks* Is he... blushing?
Sesshoumaru: *growls* This Sesshoumaru does not blush.
Star: Oh, right. *winks* Well, you are getting a lot sweeter. Maybe that girl is good for you.
Sesshoumaru: *walks away grumbling*
Star: Oh, well, before I go bribe the great daiyoukai to not kill me, let's close. Thank you for another chapter, please review! Maybe Sess will be in a better mood if you do--believe me, you want him in a good mood after the next chapter. But please, no flames, nothing makes a demon angrier than being scorched by reader's flames.
