Disclaimer:
One day I wished upon a star
And asked, 'Inuyasha, please come from afar'
You can stay and I'll lend you shoes
All your friends are welcome too
But you didn't come and he's not mine
Yet, in the sky the star still shines.
Ack, how sappy of me! Anyway, what to say, what to say? I like to write… Tis
fun… I like snow… Tis cold…
Um. Yeah.
Story Time! Don't forget your popcorn! And PLEASE! Review for moi!
Akuchi- marshland (ref. to duchy)
Hinode- sunrise
Asobiaite- playmate. (Title of Kagome's advisor)
Kunshi- wise man (the head advisor for the King)
Keishi- Heiress (Kagome's official title)
Koukennin- Guardian (as of Kagome's fifteenth birthday, Inuyasha's official
title and status within the court)
Ringu- Apples (ref. to a town)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Act 3: Without Listening
'Listen to me, listen to me. You never listen to me, do you? Your heart is
listening, did you ever hear it? Did you ever stop to wonder the pattern it was
beating out? You can't think with your head, it will always get you in trouble;
what your heart tells you is impossible but we dream the unachievable every day,
you and I. Would you have me stop? Would you have my heart stop beating?'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh, of course my dear, ah…" Kagome mumbled the rest into her tea. Fuck! She
had forgotten whatever the hell this guy's name was. She really should have
written it on her hand, whatever Kumo said. Faint pink tinged her cheeks though
she tried to hide it by gulping down the rest of the tea. Tsk! Asashigake put
too much honey in the thing; it wasn't a wonder, the way she continued to stare
at Inuyasha. The girl really did loose her wits about the youkai and that was
strange enough- most people were utterly disgusted by his presence within a
human kingdom. But Asashigake seemed entranced by Inuyasha, in spite of his
claws, foul mouth, disconcerting amber eyes, weird silver hair, and fuzzy ears.
'The fuzzy ears really aren't that bad, though.'
Astonished at her thought, Kagome inhaled sharply and tried to drink tea
at the same time. The result was a wet and dismayed Duke of Akuchi. To her
side, Her Majesty Shinju Higurashi of the Eastern Hinode Lands slumped over,
putting her head into her hands. At least Inuyasha wasn't horribly appalled, he
seemed to be having a coughing fit- or was he just laughing at her! Hiding her
glare, Kagome slammed her tea down quickly on the table, and moved to the side
of the table were his Grace of Akuchi was attempting to mop Kagome's tea off his
satin tunic.
"Oh dear me!" Kagome said woodenly, not particularly upset at all at her
accident. "It probably won't come out of that beautiful shirt. What a shame."
She almost grinned maliciously: the tunic was appalling. A vivid orange and
baby-poop brown slashing their horrid banners across the front, matched together
by a blind man with velvet purple breeches.
A hoarse bark sounded from Inuyasha, who was unable to cover his mouth in
time to keep it in. Attempting to throw him a sharp reprimanding look, Kagome
almost started laughing herself. Inuyasha looked ridiculous- his face was as
red as the silk shirt he was wearing, his cheeks blown out and amber eyes almost
bulging from their sockets. Quickly, Kagome turned back to her poor Duke before
her face became as hard as stone. Her dear Duke was attempting to feel her up,
slipping his hand around her backside, moving it down, farther, toward her-
Inuyasha's sharp eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, abruptly forgetting
his previous mirth. Jumping up toward the duke with one hand on the sword
strapped to his side, Kagome sprang up from her seat both of her cheeks as red
as spring apples and practically dashed between the two men. She grabbed
Inuyasha's arm with a meaningful glare and dragged him toward the door, throwing
over her shoulder, "Duke, why don't Inuyasha and I step out while you change,"
and a curt "Your Majesty," to her mother. Slamming the door behind her, she
shoved Inuyasha away from her all but howling with bubbling anger. How dare
that man try to- to- to, well! And in front of Mother, her Majesty! And in
front of Inuyasha! Her cheeks were almost on fire, and her eyes stung. Furious,
Kagome scraped her knuckles against her eyes, distinctly aware that Inuyasha was
avoiding her eyes.
A second later hustled out Asashigake who demurely stood against the wall
next to Inuyasha, her head dipped in the "waiting" position. Kagome nearly
hissed at the slender woman to think of working on Inuyasha at a time like this.
Harsher than usual, Kagome addressed her handmaiden. "My mother, Asashigake, my
mother, is she coming or not?" She seethed.
The girl gave a small squeak, and her head turned imperceptibly and she
looked up. What the-? Had the girl really been looking a-at Inuyasha's- … No.
It wasn't possible. At her sides, Kagome's fingernails pricked the skin of her
palms. A blank, dazed look met Kagome's. "My 'mother', Asashigake!" She
gritted through her teeth; Inuyasha was regarding her curiously.
Asashigake's dense azure eyes widened in surprise- had Kagome ever thought
this girl was smart, or beautiful? "Her Majesty was talking with His Grace of
Akuchi, my Lady." The mouse haired girl dipped her head in acquiescence.
A corner of Inuyasha's mouth quirked upward, revealing one pearly fang.
"Probably trying to cover up for the international blunder you made." He tsked
loudly. "You ought to get your Nurse back to teach you how to swallow. At the
rate you're going the only suitor you'll get will be the seventh son of a goat
herder's cousin."
"You couldn't trip the soothsayer's 'prentice wench if she had four yellow
teeth, Inuyasha!"
Kagome didn't register the slap her mother gave her until a cool clawed
hand clasped firmly around her arm, steadying her. Leaning on the arm like a
piece of driftwood in a torrent, her Mother's arm buzzed in the background of
her head. "…after that despicable display in there, you have the guts to come
out here, in the public and spout such filth!" The tirade poured over her like
the monsoon over an impassive rock; Kagome didn't move, didn't turn to look at
her mother. She could picture her before her just fine, the intense gesture of
her arms, the livid flash of her eyes, the sneer in her mouth. Her grip on
Inuyasha's arm became tighter, past the point of pain, her shoulders curved to
weather the beating of the rain. If she was trembling, only Inuyasha would ever
know. If she was really crying, only Inuyasha would ever know. If the storm
cracked the rock's hard surface, there would only be Inuyasha to know.
The irritated exhale finally punctuated Her Majesty's harangue, before Her
Majesty's royal arm reached out to twist Her Royal Majesty's daughter around, to
face her. Her Royal Majesty leaned close to Kagome. "I don't care what the
hell you do this afternoon, but tonight I want you presentable, I want you
perfect, I want you resplendent and companionable for all the young dukes and
princes that will be attending dinner. I want you to learn their damn names,
daughter," The Queen fumed at her in a low voice. "I don't want any mistakes.
You only have a few chances to choose the man you want to marry, before 'I'
chose him for you. Do you understand!" The Queen marched off, jerking a finger
towards her Hiryuu guards to follow her. Until she had disappeared down the
curving hallway did anyone move.
Inuyasha moved first, toward Kagome, but abruptly Kagome took off in the
opposite direction of her mother, averting Inuyasha's outstretched arm.
Asashigake bounded immediately after her, like the proper servant, but always
lagging just a little farther behind than necessary- all the easier to be closer
to the youkai. Similarly behind her, Inuyasha's soft curse of, "Keh! Stupid
human bitches!" was strangely comforting.
They passed through several passageways and two stairwells before they
were any where near where Kagome wanted desperately to be. Her handmaiden
approached her, in short skips to catch up. "Your Highness, are you sure you
should be coming here? It will be troublesome to return in time enough to be
properly prepared for your debut tonight, your Highness. We are so far away
from your chambers." Asashigake said softly, unwilling to be seen as though
advising her liege-lady where anyone could witness it. Not that there were any
residents in this area. It was too out of the way to be useful anymore.
"Asashigake, you are dismissed from your post." The maiden stiffened as
though struck.
"Your Highness, a respectable lady must always have a custodian with her."
Asashigake said resolutely.
"Asashigake!" Kagome's voice took on the 'lording-lady' tone she rarely
used amongst her maids. "Is it not respectable for the Keishi to be in the
presence of her Koukennin?" Kagome said severely. It was not actually a
question and they both knew it.
Asashigake bowed her head in submission. "Of course, my Lady. Forgive
me."
Kagome lifted her head in her best imperial manner, pardoning her servant.
"Prepare my dining clothes. When I return I expect everything within in order
and my maidens prepared to serve at my side during supper and the feast. Go."
Asashigake attempted to curtsy while trying to keep up with the quick pace
of her lady. It ended that she nearly fell over and Kagome didn't even wait for
her. "What the hell was that about, bitch?" Inuyasha growled as he caught up
to her when the maid sped off.
"Inuyasha, if that ever happens again, I would like you to try 'not' to
kill the man."
"Kagome, the guy was like… well, you know. And, in front of your mother
too. I mean, even if I wasn't the Koukennin, that's reason enough to get
angry." When Kagome didn't say anything in reply, Inuyasha gave a short growl
and asked curtly, "Where the hell are we going, onechan, and why did you just
get rid of Asashigake?"
Kagome came to a sudden halt and pointed a shaking finger at the youkai.
"Number one, youkai, I'm not your sister so don't call me it! And where exactly
do you get off telling me what to do about my handmaidens? Just shut up,
Inuyasha!" She cut him off before he could get the words out of his open mouth,
and took off faster than before up the third stairwell.
There was a slight exhale behind her. "Ah, so this is where you want to
go…" He murmured. The stairwell was longer and thinner than any others in the
castle, also the oldest with stone steps that cracked on the edges. It
corkscrewed around three times before opening up into a small ridged platform.
The wind whipped incessantly here, only partially impeded by the waist-high
stone railing. It was, in fact, the highest tower of the castle, the best place
for stargazing, the best place for solitude.
Solitude. The word was strange on her tongue and quickly captured by the
wind before her own ears could catch it. Within the castle, there was always
someone near her, watching over her, careful to make sure she couldn't be hurt
or get hurt or hurt herself. Making sure she couldn't live. Out of the corner
of her eye, she saw Inuyasha heave a dramatic sigh and slide down the side of
the railing, out of the wind. Some still grabbed at his long silver hair and
sent it thrashing in the air. Kagome turned into the wind, conscious of
Inuyasha's strange eyes on her, even with her own closed. There was something
magical and soothing about the wind, violent as it was.
"Oi. Kagome. Come away from the edge there."
Viciously, she wheeled on him, and spat, "I don't need 'you' along with
everyone else telling me what to do!"
Inuyasha just watched her, as impassively as the stone in the walls.
"Your mother would get pissed just knowing you were up here."
Sighing dejectedly, Kagome slid down next to the Koukennin who was
peacefully sitting with his eyes shut now, pretending to meditate. "You used to
be fun. You used to hang me over the edge of this tower, Inuyasha."
He quirked an eye at her. "You didn't always used to twist the facts,
princess. As I recall, you were pulling on my ears and wouldn't stop, and I was
threatening to throw you off the side of the castle." He shut his amber eye
again. "Was your mom pissed after that little episode." Ah, his fluffy ears,
her own weakness. Just being reminded of them, Kagome's hands twitched. She
let one of them catch his left ear- the top of which had been cut off some time
long ago, in some strange incident Inuyasha would never explain- for it was
being flattened against his head in the wind, and scratched it lightly. She let
it go after a second. Inuyasha hadn't moved; usually she did it just to get a
rise out of him.
Silence stretched on in the cozy tower top, except for the howling wind.
Finally, Inuyasha said, "You know, Asashigake is right. You should always keep
another woman around, bitch. For your reputation."
Kagome's eyes narrowed and her nose twitched. "You're just sad that she
left, bastard, so you couldn't have someone fawning all over you."
Both his amber eyes opened slowly and turned piercingly on her. "Huh?"
She sneered at his façade of ignorance. "Don't play at stupid, Inuyasha.
You're good enough without having to fake it. Oh come on, you had to have
noticed Asashigake! You… you didn't?" Inuyasha watched her with that peculiar
face. "Ah! Stupid youkai!" She snarled, but inside, her heart was pounding
rapidly. He hadn't noticed? She had just given Asashigake away, not that she
would really mind, the wench, she thought wretchedly. No, it was impossible;
the youkai 'would' pretend something like that.
More silence. "Inuyasha?" she began quietly.
No response. "Inuyasha!" she said louder.
The boy started. "Eh? What, Kagome?"
"…Nothing." He shrugged and closed his eyes again.
Quiet, except for the wind. "Inuyasha?"
"What, bitch?"
"… Why did you do that?" She asked, vaguely.
"Because I have to."
"…Oh."
More silence. "Inuyasha."
"Eh, Kagome?"
"Let's go back now."
"If you say, Kagome."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The journey back was quiet, but Inuyasha kept next to Kagome's side until they
reached her chamber doors, where she entered without a goodbye. She smiled
inwardly when she heard the expected, "Keh! Bitch!" Inside, her maids bombarded
her, practically ripping her hair out as they fretted about the horrible tangles
in the windblown hair. Although they had hours before the feast, her maid's
only pleasure in life seemed to be pampering their lady. At least it was a way
to stay in favor with her. And of course Enkou need her training. Of course,
Kagome thought sardonically. If everything else in her life went horribly wrong,
she could always count on having a maid who could pamper her into old and very
fat age.
While they proceeded to undress her- a very long project that could, with
some of the more complicated outfits, require over an hour- Kagome waved Kumo
over. "Send for Asobiaite."
Asobiaite was actually her advisor, appointed to her since her fifth
birthday, a gift from the Kunshi as tradition required. Luckily, the
appointment was a fortunate one for Kagome, for Asobiaite was a very wise and
compassionate woman. Kagome wasn't completely sure how old Asobiaite was, nor
exactly her history, but she appeared to be in her middle age, probably ten
years older than Kagome. The rules guiding the relationship between an
Asobiaite and Keishi were excruciatingly rigid and specific; even if they could
have been friends, those rules would have prohibited it. Kagome had learned
that the hard way, when she asked for Asobiaite to be her friend, or even just
her older sister. Her reaction had been heart wrenchingly cold to a small,
lonely six year old; but Asobiaite could have done nothing else. It was best if
she kept telling herself that.
Kumo hurried out, just as the Enkou, Toroi and Sassou began work on their
lady's corset. It would have to be replaced for the whale-bone one. How she
despised the whale-bone cage they put her in for these blasted things.
Asashigake pulled the vile contraption out of the closet and set it on the
vanity table, in front of Her Highness. Kagome stared at it with hateful eyes.
"Toroi," she said softly. The woman answered from just beside her, busy with
the laces of the skirts. "Your Highness?"
"Perhaps the corset is not necessary tonight."
"Is Her Majesty in the moon-cy-"
"No! Nothing like that!" Kagome blushed roses.
"Your Highness…" Toroi said gently.
Kagome's lips trembled, though the rest of her face remained emotionless.
"Fine. Fine. Bring the corset." Kagome promised herself she would not cry out
this time. Not when Asobiaite could appear at any second.
Asashigake sashayed forward in her embroidered skirts. Perhaps the girl
was getting to full of herself. Perhaps it was the fine dressed she always gave
them for parties; Kagome put it on her mental list to consider their presents
for next time. Perhaps the little wench would be put in her place without her
pretty costumes.
When they were done with the corset, a few tears had fallen, but to her
pride, she had not cried out. She had not made a sound. Even when Toroi had
insisted it be taken in another inch. Regaining her breath on her bed's post,
she was in fact only leaning against it, it did not at all appear as though she
was hanging onto it, Kagome did not raise her raven head, nor move at all when
she heard the door open and two sets of feet pad quietly into the chambers.
Three sets of hands helped her move back to the stool and step onto it. Her
vision was blackening slightly around the edges: she just had to adjust herself
to the corset was all.
"Your Highness, I have brought the Asobiaite." Kumo's voice lilted
through the air, at her back. The bodiless hands were forcing her arms through
a black and red embroidered dress- her favorite, wasn't it? With red leaves
lacing up and down on it, and blossoming into vivid little flowers randomly
about.
"That is a beautiful dress, Keishi. Excellent choice for the feast." That
cool voice, always so calm, always so collected. Kagome could just picture the
woman who owned it, standing like a carved goddess, delicate long-fingered hands
clasped tightly behind her. Looking down her extended nose at everything. She
didn't need to look. It was all there, perfectly engraved in her mind.
Kagome was to the point. As the Keishi should be. "I did not ask you
here to gossip fashion like the cooking servants in the kitchen." She said
curtly.
"Well then, Keishi, what 'did' you call me here to talk about. I, whether
you might realize it or not, child, do have real work to do here. Apart from
counseling you about your unimportant and menial daily affairs do work in the
Hinode Kingdom Library, and if it has ever crossed your self-centered brain, am
one of the leading researchers in future technology. In addition, I happen to
have several papers due within the-"
"Be quiet, servant!" Snapped Kagome, writhing inside at having to say it.
A Keishi and an Asobiaite had strict rules; the Keishi must control the
Asobiaite, even if she hated herself for it. Friends? What friends did she
have? This woman who called herself "Playmate" was just another tool to train
her, train her, train her!
"I have called you here for your counsel on the suitors. Of course you
have reviewed all of them that would be attending tonight's feast. I expect
your report now."
Duly chastised, the Asobiaite lowered her fierce black eyed gaze. Kagome
could feel the act. The Asobiaite's intelligence radiated from her hawk-like
black eyes like flames of a bright fire, rippling heat through the air wherever
they turned. "Of course, Your Highness." Asobiaite agreed, then taking a breath,
continued. Her footsteps clacked on the floor; she always wore boots- it was an
oddity of her that made her so distinct amongst people. Kagome could see her,
walking back and forth, in her mind's eye.
"The Duke of Akuchi, whom you have already met, is the ruler of
approximately 50 acres of lands- a small duchy in which lies the town of Ringu.
It is a prominent town bordering the coastal kingdom of Kairiku and Yamiyo, not
to mention a strategic town-"
"Asobiaite!" Kagome practically shouted it, causing more black spots to
dance before her eyes. "I have neither the patience nor the time for your
insignificant drivel. Just tell me who my parents want me to approach, or
leave!"
In a cold voice, Asobiaite said, "Keishi, it is important for you to know
this information when you become Queen."
"Then put it in writing and give it to one of my handmaidens for me." She
sneered at the other woman.
After a short pause, Asobiaite said flatly, "The Asobiaite would suggest
to the Keishi that she approaches the Prince of Shinsetsu, who hails from one of
the Northern Kingdom provinces. He will be in attendance tonight."
"Dismissed."
The Asobiaite's heels clicked as she made her own way out, the door
closing softly behind her.
Kagome swayed on the stool suddenly, watching the black dots accumulate in
front of her eyes before her knees gave out beneath her, and she fell onto her
side, breathing heavily. "Kagome-hime!" Toroi cried, dropping to her knees next
to the girl.
"Help me up, help me up, Toroi," she whispered weakly. "Help me up, I'm
fine. Just do it!" She snapped suddenly, seeing their anguished faces. "I
don't expect word to get around that the Princess of the second most powerful
kingdom collapsed in her dressing room," she said warningly, but breathily.
'Prince Shinsetsu. Ah, shall I throw myself at you like a tavern whore?'
Her eyes followed the sashaying movements of Asashigake. 'After all, I learn
from the best.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yowza, that's another one down! Yes! Hurrah!
Ah, thank you for reviewing, Kikyo-sama! I hope you will continue to enjoy the
story.
Remember guys: Peace! Love!
Donuts!
One day I wished upon a star
And asked, 'Inuyasha, please come from afar'
You can stay and I'll lend you shoes
All your friends are welcome too
But you didn't come and he's not mine
Yet, in the sky the star still shines.
Ack, how sappy of me! Anyway, what to say, what to say? I like to write… Tis
fun… I like snow… Tis cold…
Um. Yeah.
Story Time! Don't forget your popcorn! And PLEASE! Review for moi!
Akuchi- marshland (ref. to duchy)
Hinode- sunrise
Asobiaite- playmate. (Title of Kagome's advisor)
Kunshi- wise man (the head advisor for the King)
Keishi- Heiress (Kagome's official title)
Koukennin- Guardian (as of Kagome's fifteenth birthday, Inuyasha's official
title and status within the court)
Ringu- Apples (ref. to a town)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Act 3: Without Listening
'Listen to me, listen to me. You never listen to me, do you? Your heart is
listening, did you ever hear it? Did you ever stop to wonder the pattern it was
beating out? You can't think with your head, it will always get you in trouble;
what your heart tells you is impossible but we dream the unachievable every day,
you and I. Would you have me stop? Would you have my heart stop beating?'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh, of course my dear, ah…" Kagome mumbled the rest into her tea. Fuck! She
had forgotten whatever the hell this guy's name was. She really should have
written it on her hand, whatever Kumo said. Faint pink tinged her cheeks though
she tried to hide it by gulping down the rest of the tea. Tsk! Asashigake put
too much honey in the thing; it wasn't a wonder, the way she continued to stare
at Inuyasha. The girl really did loose her wits about the youkai and that was
strange enough- most people were utterly disgusted by his presence within a
human kingdom. But Asashigake seemed entranced by Inuyasha, in spite of his
claws, foul mouth, disconcerting amber eyes, weird silver hair, and fuzzy ears.
'The fuzzy ears really aren't that bad, though.'
Astonished at her thought, Kagome inhaled sharply and tried to drink tea
at the same time. The result was a wet and dismayed Duke of Akuchi. To her
side, Her Majesty Shinju Higurashi of the Eastern Hinode Lands slumped over,
putting her head into her hands. At least Inuyasha wasn't horribly appalled, he
seemed to be having a coughing fit- or was he just laughing at her! Hiding her
glare, Kagome slammed her tea down quickly on the table, and moved to the side
of the table were his Grace of Akuchi was attempting to mop Kagome's tea off his
satin tunic.
"Oh dear me!" Kagome said woodenly, not particularly upset at all at her
accident. "It probably won't come out of that beautiful shirt. What a shame."
She almost grinned maliciously: the tunic was appalling. A vivid orange and
baby-poop brown slashing their horrid banners across the front, matched together
by a blind man with velvet purple breeches.
A hoarse bark sounded from Inuyasha, who was unable to cover his mouth in
time to keep it in. Attempting to throw him a sharp reprimanding look, Kagome
almost started laughing herself. Inuyasha looked ridiculous- his face was as
red as the silk shirt he was wearing, his cheeks blown out and amber eyes almost
bulging from their sockets. Quickly, Kagome turned back to her poor Duke before
her face became as hard as stone. Her dear Duke was attempting to feel her up,
slipping his hand around her backside, moving it down, farther, toward her-
Inuyasha's sharp eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, abruptly forgetting
his previous mirth. Jumping up toward the duke with one hand on the sword
strapped to his side, Kagome sprang up from her seat both of her cheeks as red
as spring apples and practically dashed between the two men. She grabbed
Inuyasha's arm with a meaningful glare and dragged him toward the door, throwing
over her shoulder, "Duke, why don't Inuyasha and I step out while you change,"
and a curt "Your Majesty," to her mother. Slamming the door behind her, she
shoved Inuyasha away from her all but howling with bubbling anger. How dare
that man try to- to- to, well! And in front of Mother, her Majesty! And in
front of Inuyasha! Her cheeks were almost on fire, and her eyes stung. Furious,
Kagome scraped her knuckles against her eyes, distinctly aware that Inuyasha was
avoiding her eyes.
A second later hustled out Asashigake who demurely stood against the wall
next to Inuyasha, her head dipped in the "waiting" position. Kagome nearly
hissed at the slender woman to think of working on Inuyasha at a time like this.
Harsher than usual, Kagome addressed her handmaiden. "My mother, Asashigake, my
mother, is she coming or not?" She seethed.
The girl gave a small squeak, and her head turned imperceptibly and she
looked up. What the-? Had the girl really been looking a-at Inuyasha's- … No.
It wasn't possible. At her sides, Kagome's fingernails pricked the skin of her
palms. A blank, dazed look met Kagome's. "My 'mother', Asashigake!" She
gritted through her teeth; Inuyasha was regarding her curiously.
Asashigake's dense azure eyes widened in surprise- had Kagome ever thought
this girl was smart, or beautiful? "Her Majesty was talking with His Grace of
Akuchi, my Lady." The mouse haired girl dipped her head in acquiescence.
A corner of Inuyasha's mouth quirked upward, revealing one pearly fang.
"Probably trying to cover up for the international blunder you made." He tsked
loudly. "You ought to get your Nurse back to teach you how to swallow. At the
rate you're going the only suitor you'll get will be the seventh son of a goat
herder's cousin."
"You couldn't trip the soothsayer's 'prentice wench if she had four yellow
teeth, Inuyasha!"
Kagome didn't register the slap her mother gave her until a cool clawed
hand clasped firmly around her arm, steadying her. Leaning on the arm like a
piece of driftwood in a torrent, her Mother's arm buzzed in the background of
her head. "…after that despicable display in there, you have the guts to come
out here, in the public and spout such filth!" The tirade poured over her like
the monsoon over an impassive rock; Kagome didn't move, didn't turn to look at
her mother. She could picture her before her just fine, the intense gesture of
her arms, the livid flash of her eyes, the sneer in her mouth. Her grip on
Inuyasha's arm became tighter, past the point of pain, her shoulders curved to
weather the beating of the rain. If she was trembling, only Inuyasha would ever
know. If she was really crying, only Inuyasha would ever know. If the storm
cracked the rock's hard surface, there would only be Inuyasha to know.
The irritated exhale finally punctuated Her Majesty's harangue, before Her
Majesty's royal arm reached out to twist Her Royal Majesty's daughter around, to
face her. Her Royal Majesty leaned close to Kagome. "I don't care what the
hell you do this afternoon, but tonight I want you presentable, I want you
perfect, I want you resplendent and companionable for all the young dukes and
princes that will be attending dinner. I want you to learn their damn names,
daughter," The Queen fumed at her in a low voice. "I don't want any mistakes.
You only have a few chances to choose the man you want to marry, before 'I'
chose him for you. Do you understand!" The Queen marched off, jerking a finger
towards her Hiryuu guards to follow her. Until she had disappeared down the
curving hallway did anyone move.
Inuyasha moved first, toward Kagome, but abruptly Kagome took off in the
opposite direction of her mother, averting Inuyasha's outstretched arm.
Asashigake bounded immediately after her, like the proper servant, but always
lagging just a little farther behind than necessary- all the easier to be closer
to the youkai. Similarly behind her, Inuyasha's soft curse of, "Keh! Stupid
human bitches!" was strangely comforting.
They passed through several passageways and two stairwells before they
were any where near where Kagome wanted desperately to be. Her handmaiden
approached her, in short skips to catch up. "Your Highness, are you sure you
should be coming here? It will be troublesome to return in time enough to be
properly prepared for your debut tonight, your Highness. We are so far away
from your chambers." Asashigake said softly, unwilling to be seen as though
advising her liege-lady where anyone could witness it. Not that there were any
residents in this area. It was too out of the way to be useful anymore.
"Asashigake, you are dismissed from your post." The maiden stiffened as
though struck.
"Your Highness, a respectable lady must always have a custodian with her."
Asashigake said resolutely.
"Asashigake!" Kagome's voice took on the 'lording-lady' tone she rarely
used amongst her maids. "Is it not respectable for the Keishi to be in the
presence of her Koukennin?" Kagome said severely. It was not actually a
question and they both knew it.
Asashigake bowed her head in submission. "Of course, my Lady. Forgive
me."
Kagome lifted her head in her best imperial manner, pardoning her servant.
"Prepare my dining clothes. When I return I expect everything within in order
and my maidens prepared to serve at my side during supper and the feast. Go."
Asashigake attempted to curtsy while trying to keep up with the quick pace
of her lady. It ended that she nearly fell over and Kagome didn't even wait for
her. "What the hell was that about, bitch?" Inuyasha growled as he caught up
to her when the maid sped off.
"Inuyasha, if that ever happens again, I would like you to try 'not' to
kill the man."
"Kagome, the guy was like… well, you know. And, in front of your mother
too. I mean, even if I wasn't the Koukennin, that's reason enough to get
angry." When Kagome didn't say anything in reply, Inuyasha gave a short growl
and asked curtly, "Where the hell are we going, onechan, and why did you just
get rid of Asashigake?"
Kagome came to a sudden halt and pointed a shaking finger at the youkai.
"Number one, youkai, I'm not your sister so don't call me it! And where exactly
do you get off telling me what to do about my handmaidens? Just shut up,
Inuyasha!" She cut him off before he could get the words out of his open mouth,
and took off faster than before up the third stairwell.
There was a slight exhale behind her. "Ah, so this is where you want to
go…" He murmured. The stairwell was longer and thinner than any others in the
castle, also the oldest with stone steps that cracked on the edges. It
corkscrewed around three times before opening up into a small ridged platform.
The wind whipped incessantly here, only partially impeded by the waist-high
stone railing. It was, in fact, the highest tower of the castle, the best place
for stargazing, the best place for solitude.
Solitude. The word was strange on her tongue and quickly captured by the
wind before her own ears could catch it. Within the castle, there was always
someone near her, watching over her, careful to make sure she couldn't be hurt
or get hurt or hurt herself. Making sure she couldn't live. Out of the corner
of her eye, she saw Inuyasha heave a dramatic sigh and slide down the side of
the railing, out of the wind. Some still grabbed at his long silver hair and
sent it thrashing in the air. Kagome turned into the wind, conscious of
Inuyasha's strange eyes on her, even with her own closed. There was something
magical and soothing about the wind, violent as it was.
"Oi. Kagome. Come away from the edge there."
Viciously, she wheeled on him, and spat, "I don't need 'you' along with
everyone else telling me what to do!"
Inuyasha just watched her, as impassively as the stone in the walls.
"Your mother would get pissed just knowing you were up here."
Sighing dejectedly, Kagome slid down next to the Koukennin who was
peacefully sitting with his eyes shut now, pretending to meditate. "You used to
be fun. You used to hang me over the edge of this tower, Inuyasha."
He quirked an eye at her. "You didn't always used to twist the facts,
princess. As I recall, you were pulling on my ears and wouldn't stop, and I was
threatening to throw you off the side of the castle." He shut his amber eye
again. "Was your mom pissed after that little episode." Ah, his fluffy ears,
her own weakness. Just being reminded of them, Kagome's hands twitched. She
let one of them catch his left ear- the top of which had been cut off some time
long ago, in some strange incident Inuyasha would never explain- for it was
being flattened against his head in the wind, and scratched it lightly. She let
it go after a second. Inuyasha hadn't moved; usually she did it just to get a
rise out of him.
Silence stretched on in the cozy tower top, except for the howling wind.
Finally, Inuyasha said, "You know, Asashigake is right. You should always keep
another woman around, bitch. For your reputation."
Kagome's eyes narrowed and her nose twitched. "You're just sad that she
left, bastard, so you couldn't have someone fawning all over you."
Both his amber eyes opened slowly and turned piercingly on her. "Huh?"
She sneered at his façade of ignorance. "Don't play at stupid, Inuyasha.
You're good enough without having to fake it. Oh come on, you had to have
noticed Asashigake! You… you didn't?" Inuyasha watched her with that peculiar
face. "Ah! Stupid youkai!" She snarled, but inside, her heart was pounding
rapidly. He hadn't noticed? She had just given Asashigake away, not that she
would really mind, the wench, she thought wretchedly. No, it was impossible;
the youkai 'would' pretend something like that.
More silence. "Inuyasha?" she began quietly.
No response. "Inuyasha!" she said louder.
The boy started. "Eh? What, Kagome?"
"…Nothing." He shrugged and closed his eyes again.
Quiet, except for the wind. "Inuyasha?"
"What, bitch?"
"… Why did you do that?" She asked, vaguely.
"Because I have to."
"…Oh."
More silence. "Inuyasha."
"Eh, Kagome?"
"Let's go back now."
"If you say, Kagome."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The journey back was quiet, but Inuyasha kept next to Kagome's side until they
reached her chamber doors, where she entered without a goodbye. She smiled
inwardly when she heard the expected, "Keh! Bitch!" Inside, her maids bombarded
her, practically ripping her hair out as they fretted about the horrible tangles
in the windblown hair. Although they had hours before the feast, her maid's
only pleasure in life seemed to be pampering their lady. At least it was a way
to stay in favor with her. And of course Enkou need her training. Of course,
Kagome thought sardonically. If everything else in her life went horribly wrong,
she could always count on having a maid who could pamper her into old and very
fat age.
While they proceeded to undress her- a very long project that could, with
some of the more complicated outfits, require over an hour- Kagome waved Kumo
over. "Send for Asobiaite."
Asobiaite was actually her advisor, appointed to her since her fifth
birthday, a gift from the Kunshi as tradition required. Luckily, the
appointment was a fortunate one for Kagome, for Asobiaite was a very wise and
compassionate woman. Kagome wasn't completely sure how old Asobiaite was, nor
exactly her history, but she appeared to be in her middle age, probably ten
years older than Kagome. The rules guiding the relationship between an
Asobiaite and Keishi were excruciatingly rigid and specific; even if they could
have been friends, those rules would have prohibited it. Kagome had learned
that the hard way, when she asked for Asobiaite to be her friend, or even just
her older sister. Her reaction had been heart wrenchingly cold to a small,
lonely six year old; but Asobiaite could have done nothing else. It was best if
she kept telling herself that.
Kumo hurried out, just as the Enkou, Toroi and Sassou began work on their
lady's corset. It would have to be replaced for the whale-bone one. How she
despised the whale-bone cage they put her in for these blasted things.
Asashigake pulled the vile contraption out of the closet and set it on the
vanity table, in front of Her Highness. Kagome stared at it with hateful eyes.
"Toroi," she said softly. The woman answered from just beside her, busy with
the laces of the skirts. "Your Highness?"
"Perhaps the corset is not necessary tonight."
"Is Her Majesty in the moon-cy-"
"No! Nothing like that!" Kagome blushed roses.
"Your Highness…" Toroi said gently.
Kagome's lips trembled, though the rest of her face remained emotionless.
"Fine. Fine. Bring the corset." Kagome promised herself she would not cry out
this time. Not when Asobiaite could appear at any second.
Asashigake sashayed forward in her embroidered skirts. Perhaps the girl
was getting to full of herself. Perhaps it was the fine dressed she always gave
them for parties; Kagome put it on her mental list to consider their presents
for next time. Perhaps the little wench would be put in her place without her
pretty costumes.
When they were done with the corset, a few tears had fallen, but to her
pride, she had not cried out. She had not made a sound. Even when Toroi had
insisted it be taken in another inch. Regaining her breath on her bed's post,
she was in fact only leaning against it, it did not at all appear as though she
was hanging onto it, Kagome did not raise her raven head, nor move at all when
she heard the door open and two sets of feet pad quietly into the chambers.
Three sets of hands helped her move back to the stool and step onto it. Her
vision was blackening slightly around the edges: she just had to adjust herself
to the corset was all.
"Your Highness, I have brought the Asobiaite." Kumo's voice lilted
through the air, at her back. The bodiless hands were forcing her arms through
a black and red embroidered dress- her favorite, wasn't it? With red leaves
lacing up and down on it, and blossoming into vivid little flowers randomly
about.
"That is a beautiful dress, Keishi. Excellent choice for the feast." That
cool voice, always so calm, always so collected. Kagome could just picture the
woman who owned it, standing like a carved goddess, delicate long-fingered hands
clasped tightly behind her. Looking down her extended nose at everything. She
didn't need to look. It was all there, perfectly engraved in her mind.
Kagome was to the point. As the Keishi should be. "I did not ask you
here to gossip fashion like the cooking servants in the kitchen." She said
curtly.
"Well then, Keishi, what 'did' you call me here to talk about. I, whether
you might realize it or not, child, do have real work to do here. Apart from
counseling you about your unimportant and menial daily affairs do work in the
Hinode Kingdom Library, and if it has ever crossed your self-centered brain, am
one of the leading researchers in future technology. In addition, I happen to
have several papers due within the-"
"Be quiet, servant!" Snapped Kagome, writhing inside at having to say it.
A Keishi and an Asobiaite had strict rules; the Keishi must control the
Asobiaite, even if she hated herself for it. Friends? What friends did she
have? This woman who called herself "Playmate" was just another tool to train
her, train her, train her!
"I have called you here for your counsel on the suitors. Of course you
have reviewed all of them that would be attending tonight's feast. I expect
your report now."
Duly chastised, the Asobiaite lowered her fierce black eyed gaze. Kagome
could feel the act. The Asobiaite's intelligence radiated from her hawk-like
black eyes like flames of a bright fire, rippling heat through the air wherever
they turned. "Of course, Your Highness." Asobiaite agreed, then taking a breath,
continued. Her footsteps clacked on the floor; she always wore boots- it was an
oddity of her that made her so distinct amongst people. Kagome could see her,
walking back and forth, in her mind's eye.
"The Duke of Akuchi, whom you have already met, is the ruler of
approximately 50 acres of lands- a small duchy in which lies the town of Ringu.
It is a prominent town bordering the coastal kingdom of Kairiku and Yamiyo, not
to mention a strategic town-"
"Asobiaite!" Kagome practically shouted it, causing more black spots to
dance before her eyes. "I have neither the patience nor the time for your
insignificant drivel. Just tell me who my parents want me to approach, or
leave!"
In a cold voice, Asobiaite said, "Keishi, it is important for you to know
this information when you become Queen."
"Then put it in writing and give it to one of my handmaidens for me." She
sneered at the other woman.
After a short pause, Asobiaite said flatly, "The Asobiaite would suggest
to the Keishi that she approaches the Prince of Shinsetsu, who hails from one of
the Northern Kingdom provinces. He will be in attendance tonight."
"Dismissed."
The Asobiaite's heels clicked as she made her own way out, the door
closing softly behind her.
Kagome swayed on the stool suddenly, watching the black dots accumulate in
front of her eyes before her knees gave out beneath her, and she fell onto her
side, breathing heavily. "Kagome-hime!" Toroi cried, dropping to her knees next
to the girl.
"Help me up, help me up, Toroi," she whispered weakly. "Help me up, I'm
fine. Just do it!" She snapped suddenly, seeing their anguished faces. "I
don't expect word to get around that the Princess of the second most powerful
kingdom collapsed in her dressing room," she said warningly, but breathily.
'Prince Shinsetsu. Ah, shall I throw myself at you like a tavern whore?'
Her eyes followed the sashaying movements of Asashigake. 'After all, I learn
from the best.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yowza, that's another one down! Yes! Hurrah!
Ah, thank you for reviewing, Kikyo-sama! I hope you will continue to enjoy the
story.
Remember guys: Peace! Love!
Donuts!