Author's Note: Please forgive me; this is kind of like filler before I get to the next revelation in the story. I hope it'll tide you over for a bit, though. Of course, I didn't answer any questions; I only brought in new ones for you to ponder! Mwahahaha! I'm so evil. I hope you don't hate me.

The Untouchable
Chapter 4: The Tense Dinner
About Inuyasha: he isn't mine.

Kagome followed Sir Ookoumori silently and briskly through the castle hallways as he led her to the dining area. Although Kagome was taller than most girls her age, the youkai guard was taller; she had to hold her gown off of the floor so that she would not trip while trying to keep up with his long strides. She felt distinctly awkward in such formal clothing, and she was glad that Sango had the foresight to give her flats instead of pumps – Kagome was most certain that she would not be able to walk at all in high heels. As it was, her footsteps echoed sporadically off of the walls as she struggled to find a constant, comfortable pace, and the she sincerely hoped that Sir Ookoumori would not chide her for being unladylike.

Not that he would be wrong in his assessment, Kagome thought dryly. After all, she was as far from being a lady as a female could get. She just did not want to be reminded of it. She was nervous enough already.

After a few minutes, the pair emerged into a grandiose room with a long, rectangular table in the center. The wood was so generously polished that it bore the reflection of everything on and over the table, including the three glass chandeliers that must have held over two dozen candles each for the room to be so brightly lit. Tapestries depicting beautiful scenery adorned the walls, each hung in between a pair of intricately carved stone columns that stretched all the way up to the ceiling. Kagome wasn't left long to look at the ornate decorations, however, because Sir Ookoumori stepped forward and bowed to those who were already seated at the table.

"I present Lady Kagome," he announced, and it sounded to Kagome that he had to force out the title he had used before her name. She silently agreed with him; it did not belong there.

She stood still for a moment before realizing that her hosts were looking at her expectantly. Feeling too awkward to speak, she made her way to the one empty seat at the table. She noticed briefly that she would be sitting next to Lord Inuyasha, but she thought nothing of it because she was too busy noticing the many pairs of curious eyes that followed her as she walked across the room and sat in her seat. She made sure she sat with her back straight, but her eyes were downcast and she could feel a flush creeping into her cheeks. It was fairly obvious that everyone wanted to say something, but was holding it back out of politeness. Kagome was fairly good at picking up that sort of thing, because she encountered similar situations just about every day of her life.

As a servant entered the room and began to place plates of salad in front of the diners, Kagome allowed herself to glance up and down the table and look at the others who were seated. Most seemed to be members of the royal guard, and besides Lord Inuyasha, there seemed to be only two members of the royal family. Remembering all that was said since she had entered the castle, she was able to put names to their faces: Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Kikyou.

She had not yet touched her salad, as it seemed to her that it would be impolite to start eating before all the plates had been passed out. At least, that is what she thought everyone was waiting for, because no one else had started eating, either. Then the servant left the room, and Lord Sesshoumaru picked up his fork; she let a small grin creep to her face as others followed suit. She had been correct.

Kagome looked down at her own plate. There was more than one fork there, and Kagome did not know what to make of it. With a cursory glance around the table, she noticed that none of the forks looked out of place at anyone else's seat; however, it could not be denied that they were all eating their salads with a fork. She held her breath and reached towards her silverware, aware of the eyes that followed her actions. She tried to look confident as she picked up the outermost fork, and signed in relief when Lord Sesshoumaru gave her an approving glance before he resumed eating his salad. She began to do the same, proud that she had figured out how she was supposed to be eating. She would be sure to watch more carefully when the next part of the meal came out so she could copy the actions of the others more fluidly.

Soon the plates were collected, and small bowls of soup were given to each of the diners. Again, Kagome mimed what the others were doing, and was able to find the proper piece of silverware. Before she began to eat her soup, the newcomer observed the woman across the table take a few spoonfuls, not only to see how it was to be eaten, but to get a better impression of what she looked like. If she was going to spend a month in the castle with Lady Kikyou, it would be important to know as much about her as possible.

The priestess was elegant, with long, ebony tresses tied back with a ribbon and flowing down in a long stream that almost reached her backside. A lock of hair on each side of her head hung down in front of each ear briefly before being tucked behind them, forming hoops that nicely framed her dainty, pale face. As if suddenly aware of being under the scrutiny of the untouchable, Lady Kikyou lifted her head, her gaze meeting Kagome's own. Her eyes were gray – the color of thunderclouds – and seemed as if they were icy cold. Kagome caught a hint of surprise in those eyes as Lady Kikyou looked at Lord Inuyasha's guest closely for the first time. Kagome almost decided to speak to her, but then thought better of herself, realizing that no one else at the dinner table had spoken at all.

And then the main course was served.

It looked simply scrumptious, and Kagome was certain she had never seen anything as delectable as the plate of food that was set before her. Her mouth watered as she closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of the tender steak, sizzling vegetable medley, and creamy mashed potatoes. She could feel eyes on her again, and she thought wryly that she must be able to sense them simply because no one ever bothered to look at her before. She opened her eyes and caught the gaze of a young man who was standing behind Lady Kikyou with a serving dish in his hand. His pupils widened in surprise, much the same way Lady Kikyou's eyes had when she first thought to examine Kagome more closely. The lowly girl shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she fell under his scrutiny.

"Hey, you and Lady Kikyou look a lot alike!" the man said with a jovial grin. "You could be sisters, or something!" Kagome was aghast; there was no way that she looked anything like the graceful, elegant queen that sat before her.

A ringing sound filled the air as Lady Kikyou dropped her fork onto her plate. "Please excuse me," she said softly, her head lowered so her expression could not be read. Lord Sesshoumaru gave a slight nod, and the priestess pushed away from the table, stood, and swiftly left the dining area. Kagome noticed that many of the guard were glaring quite nastily at the servant, while others were shooting her a similar stare. She hadn't time to contemplate why, however, for Lord Sesshoumaru spoke.

"Miroku, you had best remove yourself from the presence of this Sesshoumaru," the Lord said coldly. Kagome could not help but notice how his long, silvery hair shimmered down his back in a way that was so like (and yet so unlike) Lord Inuyasha's hair. His face and figure were slender, and though his irises were as filled with gold as those of his half-brother, they were also filled with the same cold, calm expression that Kagome had seen in Lady Kikyou's eyes. Simply put: Lord Sesshoumaru was the most beautiful, frightening man that Kagome had ever laid eyes on.

"Yes, my Lord," the young man replied, and obediently exited the chamber. Lord Sesshoumaru calmly picked up his fork and resumed his meal. Out of the corner of her eye, Kagome saw Lord Inuyasha peer at her with a worried countenance before he followed suit. Those who were glaring at Miroku returned to their meals, and the others…continued to glower at Kagome. No one spoke for the rest of the meal, and the young woman was left to her thoughts.

And so, in the silence that was heavier than silence, the meal continued, and eventually ended.