Chapter 8

Shazeer was waiting for them outside the room, and after he saw them come out, he bowed and said,

"Please, follow me." The two followed him down a maze of hallways and passages. They reached a door and Shazeer held it open for the two ladies. They entered. Shazeer stayed at the door.

"I shall send a servant down to see if you are in need of anything." Kagome nodded her head in thanks as Shazeer closed the door behind him.

Sango went and plopped down on the bed. "Ah, it feels good to sit on something soft after that long ride."

Kagome smiled. "Don't get too comfortable. We shall have to go soon." Then she realized that their saddle bags were still with the horses. Sango did too, for she uttered a low groan.

"I guess we shall just have to wait until a servant comes and ask him to bring them to us."

Kagome nodded. "I hope it is soon." With that she headed over to the little wash basin that stood on the vanity desk that was right across from the bed. She splashed her face with some of the cold water that was in the jug next to it. She then went and sat down on the bed, drawing off her boots and stretched out her legs. In the meantime, Sango came and sat behind her, taking Kagome's hair and began to brush it.

"How far do you plan to go tomorrow?" Sango inquired.

Kagome sighed. "I want to get through the oak forest south of here and to the town just beyond it. It will take us two days to get through the forest. Then we will reach the town. There we shall spend the night, and then keep traveling for two days till we reach the port city of Mayker. There we will see when we can get a ship to take us across the ocean to the desert land of Sianne, and then go from there."

Sango kept on brushing. "So you say it will take two weeks to get to our destination." Kagome nodded slowly, as to not have her hair pulled out. As Sango finished braiding her hair and hiding it under Kagome's hat, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," called Kagome. The door creaked open and in entered a young man, about eighteen or nineteen, with black hair that was tied back in a small ponytail. He bowed his head.

"My lady and lord, I have brought you your belongings. I thought you may need them for tonight's festivities." Kagome smiled at Sango and nodded her head. Sango immediately jumped off the bed and quickly moved to the door. She put her hand beneath his chin and lifted his head up to be at eye level with her.

"We thank you." She said sweetly. "What is your name?"

A light blush crossed his cheeks. Kagome could see that his eyes were blue. They had a kind look. "Miroku, my lady," he said. He then quickly turned around and picked up the saddle bags that were laying on the ground behind him. Kagome's eyebrows rose. Impressive. She knew them to be heavy, and yet he lifted them as if they were pillows.

Suddenly, Sango gave a soft cry. She quickly grabbed her saddle bag from the man, and after laying it down gently on the bed, opened the top to allow Kilala out. However, the bag contained no Kilala. Sango gave an angry hiss.

"Who handled these bags?" She asked, giving a venomous stare in the direction of the window.

"Only I. If you are looking for the cat that was closed in there, she jumped out when I was grooming the horses. She is down in the kitchen, drinking a bowl of milk. I hope you don't mind that I did not bring her up, but she would not let me touch her." Sango's anger melted away, and was replaced with sudden relief.

"Where is the kitchen?" She asked in sugary voice. His face brightened, now that Sango was not peeved at him. "I'll show you if you wish." He couldn't take his eyes off her. Kagome smiled to herself. Sango nodded readily in agreement.

"Only give me a minute to wash my hands. Please wait outside the door." Miroku bowed his head as he back out the door, closing it behind him.

Sango walked over to the small basin and splashed some water onto her face.

"Yes Sango, get all the dust off your face so that he can admire your beauty," Kadome teased.

Sango blushed as she quickly wiped her face. "I don't know what you're talking about," she replied, making Kagome laugh.

"He is handsome," she said, and chuckled to herself as Sango stared at her wide-eyed. Kagome smiled at her. "Go snatch him up before I do." After giving a small shy smile, Sango bounded out of the door, nearly slamming it behind her.

Kagome uttered a long sigh as she stretched out on the bed. She thought of home, of Souta, Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, Kohaku, and Rin. Inuyasha was probable teaching Souta to duel, while Rin was standing at the sidelines yelling at him to be careful while Kohaku and Sesshoumaru sat off to the side laughing at the whole scenario. Well, Kohaku would be laughing. Sesshy would just be sitting there, watching.

She wanted to see them, but it was nice to have a small moment alone to herself. Slowly she got up and walked to the saddle bags that had been placed next to the door. She picked them up and placed them on the vanity desk beside the bowl and pitcher. She then took out a pair of black pants, a white shirt, and a black vest with deep green embroidery. She took off her riding shirt and vest, followed by the pants, and then realized that Sango was not there to help her put on the corset that flattened her chest, so as that no one could tell that she was a women. She had not needed it before, because her clothing had been very loose. Her good clothing was however tighter, and any curves would be visible.

No matter, she thought with a sigh. She had prepared for such a situation. She had brought along of few feet of fabric that she could wrap around herself. It was hard to get the cloth tight enough, and it made her look like she had a swollen chest, but under the vest it would look better. When she was done, Kagome slipped on the pants and shirt, followed by the vest. She put her hair back under her hat and then surveyed her work in the mirror. She was satisfied.

Kagome was just slipping on her boots when the door swung open and Sango bounded, in carrying Kilala. Sango jumped onto the bed and nestled Kilala into the soft pillows. She then bounced off the bed and took a look at Kagome.

"How in the world did you get into the corset all by yourself?" Sango asked, her head tilted and a confused look on her face. Kagome pulled a corner of the cloth out from under the shirt for Sango to see.

Sango scrunched up her nose. "Cheat," she remarked, and Kagome laughed.

"Now at least you can get yourself all prettied up," Kagome replied. Sango laughed and went over to her own saddle bags. She pulled out a pale green dress that she lay down on the bed. Kagome went over to the window and looked out. "So, where's strong, dark, and handsome?" Kagome asked.

Sango was in the process of pulling her riding skirt over and off her head, so the answer was rather muffled. "He'll be here. He just stopped to talk to someone and said he would be up right away." Kagome sighed. As she looked over the courtyard she could see people starting to arrive for the festivities. Ladies dressed in colorful gowns, men wearing their best. The stable boys had their hands full, taking horses away from the arrivals and leading them to the stables.

Kagome turned away from the window to look at Sango. Sango was just pulling the gown over her head. She already had a corset on from her riding dress, so she needed no help. Pale green was her best color.

Sango spun around. "How does it look?" she asked.

"Perfect," Kagome replied. She went over to Sango who was standing now in front of the mirror, straightening out the neckline so that it would come as low as possible.

"Don't want Miroku's eyes wandering to any other maiden, now do we?" Sango asked in a low voice. Kagome shook her head, giggling. Sango wore a gold chain around her neck with the crest of Torquillia as it's pendant.

Kagome rummaged through her box until she found two little gold hair clips. She placed them into Sango's dark hair on either side of her face. "There. Ready." Sango smiled at her friend. Then there was a soft knock on the door. Sango jumped a little at the unexpected sound, but quickly y regained herself.

"Enter." Kagome called out. The door creaked open and in stepped Miroku.

"My lord and lady, the dinner is about to-" He stopped mid-sentence, catching a first glimpse of Sango. "Umm...d-dinner is about to start. Sh-shall I ecsort...I mean, escort you to the hining doll...uhh, dining hall?" Kagome had to turn away to hide her face. She had to do everything in her power to not burst out laughing.

Sango kept her cool gaze though, although her face turned slightly pink and she seemed to gain three inches. "Yes, that would be good. Come brother, shall we go?"

Kagome turned around and smiled at Sango and then at Miroku. "Yes, let us go. Come sister dear." Kagome extended her arm which Sango accepted. Miroku's shoulders sagged a little when he saw this, but held the door open for them. They walked out and Miroku followed, shutting the door. He then quickly trotted in front of them as to lead the way.

They walked down more series of halls and corridors. Soon they could hear music and cheerful talking and laughing. They soon rounded a corner that lead into a huge room lined with tables. People were sitting and conversing. At the far end of the room sat Draid at the high table, between his wife and daughter. His little girl Hitomi was only six. As they entered, Draid saw them and called for them to join him at the table.

"Kohaku, Sango, come and sit." They walked to the table and took a seat to the left of Hitomi. Kagome sat right next to her. Hitome looked extremely bored. She merely gazed down onto the table. In her hands, she clutched a small stuffed rabbit.

"Your bunny looks like it's just as sad as you." Kagome said to the little girl.

The little girl looked up at her with her big brown eyes. "I'm not sad. Just a little bored. Mommy said the lady with the pretty voice will come soon. She will sing."

Kagome smiled down at her. "Ah yes. I'm sure that will be much fun. Do you have any preferred songs?"

Hitomi nodded and a smile lit the young face. "Uh-huh. Lot's of 'em. My favorite one's the one with the pretty fairy princess that falls in love with the prince from a distant land."

Kagome laughed. "Would you like to be that fairy princess?"

Hitome nodded again, looking happy that she had someone to talk to. "Yup. That would be fun. Did you know I have a drop a fairy blood in me? Or at least, I imagine I do!"

Kagome looked at her as if she were appraising her. "Really? No wonder you look so pretty!" Hitomi. had a streak of blush run across her cheeks.

"Thank you. All I need to do is find a prince from a far away land." My brother lives far off and is a prince, Kagome thought to herself. They would be so cute together! She let the thought drift out of her head as the food was brought in.

The evening was fun, but Kagome wanted to retire early, so she excused herself to the King at a fairly early hour.

"Leaving so soon? Very well, as you wish. Come see me before you leave in the morning however," Draid said as she was leaving. Kagome nodded in agreement and with that she left the room. Sango had decided to stay behind for a while longer, since she was the centre of attention of nearly all the young gents in the hall.

Kagome walked down the halls and soon reached her room. She opened the door and slipped in. She had just taken off her vest when there was a soft knock at the door. She walked over to the door and opened it. In front of her stood Hitomi, looking up at her with her eyes.

"I saw you leaving. I asked daddy if I could come after you. Is that ok?" She looked worried that Kagome might get mad at her.

Kagome smiled. "No, I don't mind. Come on in, my princess." She bowed her head and swept her hand into the room. Hitomi looked pleased that she was being treated as a princess rather then a little child. She walked over to the bed and sat herself down on the edge. She looked up at Kagome expectantly.

Kagome came over to her and sat on the bed. "Would you like me to tell you a story?" she asked. Hitomi nodded her head, and climbed further onto the bed to the pillows. Kilala was still sleeping there, and woke up when Hitomi discovered her.

"Is this your kitty?" She asked, and started to pet Kilala softly across the back. Kilala started to purr.

Kagome shook her head. "No, it's my sisters cat. I'm amazed that she is not having a panic attack that someone she doesn't know is touching her." Hitomi settled herself into the pillows with a soft smile on her face. Kagome came and sat beside her and put her arm around Hitomi. The girl snuggled in closer and leaned against Kagome.

Kagome started to tell a story of a man who was a traveler, and how he was poor, but thanks to the help of friends, gained an immense fortune. When she was done, Hitomi looked at her.

"Can you tell me another?" Kagome smiled down at her. She told her of a girl who often disguised herself as a man for the purpose of helping others and keeping herself safe. It ended with the girl showing her true identity to everyone.

Hitomi sighed and looked at Kagome again. "When will you show everyone who you really are?" she asked.

Kagome sucked in her breath. "What do you mean little one?"

Hitomi smiled. "I know you're a girl. You're too pretty to be a man. Besides, you have soft hands." Kagome laughed.

"A man can have soft hands as well." She said. Hitomi smiled.

"I know. But daddy said I could go after you. He would never let me go with a man that I didn't know."

Kagome nodded her head, and then looked seriously at Hitomi. "You cannot tell anyone though. Understand? No one can know." Hitiomi nodded, obviously liking the thought of having a secret.

"What's your real name?" she asked.

"Kagome. Kagome Higurashi." Kagome replied, using her regular voice.

"That's a pretty name."

"Thank you." After that Kagome told Hitomi one last story and then sent her off to bed. Hitomi ran out the door happily, still dragging her bunny behind. Kagome let out a slow sigh. She got undressed and then crawled into bed, savoring the feel of the soft sheets against her skin. Soon, she fell asleep.

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A/N: Ahhhh, another chapter done! Nest one should be up very soon. I'm glad that the people who are reading this and actually reviewing are enjoying it, it makes it so much more fun to write! Anja.