Disclaimer: aww…leave me aL0nE! G0 t0 the chapter before!

AN: Okay this is the chapter where the plot really shows itself!!!

SesshomaruLover: yes her bruises will heal, but when the King and Queen came she had just received them…so by now they are all gone! =)

***************

Chapter 4: Danger at the Court

Kagome woke up to nibbling on her ear. She swatted at the offending touches and received a sharp bite. She sat up and remove Takara from her shoulder.

"You know that's not the best way to wake some one up!" Kagome whispered in Takara's ear. There was a knock on the door and Kagome sat up, straightened her robe and nodded at Takara.

"Come in!"

Sango stepped in.

"Breakfast is being served in about an hour, you should get dressed, my Lady."

"Please Sango, just call me Kagome."

Sango hesitated a slight bit, then nodded.

"Alright Kagome, do you need help?"

"Oh no! I can dress myself…yet…can you help me tie the obi?"

"Sure!"

Kagome went over to the wardrobe, and looked over the kimonos. She finally picked out a black kimono with two silver dragons going up the sides. The inner kimono was silver and the obi was silver. Kagome slipped it on, loving the feel of the silk on her skin. When she was done she gave the obi to Sango, who tied it. She went over to the vanity and sighed. She had no idea what to do with her hair. It reached a little past her knees. She finally decided on braiding it into one braid. She then draped it over her shoulder. A few strands were left hanging to frame her face. She put on some silver eye shadow, and left her naturally pink lips alone. Unlike other girls, she hated a lot of make up. Sango handed her some black slippers which she slipped on.

"I will show you toward the dining hall. You will be dining with the royal family, and the rest of the girls."

"How many of them are there?"

"Well…if I have counted correctly…there are about 16 of you."

"Ah…"

Kagome followed Sango down various corridors. Suddenly in front of them appeared a female inu-youkai. She had dark raven hair, and black eyes. Her kimono was red, with darker red flowers. Her cheeks, lips, and eyes were colored red. Kagome stared at the girl. She almost looked like her, except the hair, and eye color difference.

"Lady Kikyo." Sango bowed. Kagome looked at the aforementioned girl who was currently glaring at her.

"So. You are the new girl. Hmph. Your not much to look at. I warn you do not get in my way, you will not like what happens to you." Kikyo walked down the corridor, with an arrogant stride. Kagome watched her go, and Sango continued walking, with Kagome trailing behind.

******************

Kikyo stood to the side, she watched Kagome and the servant pass by. She then retraced her steps, towards the Royal bedrooms. She went to the King's study and slipped in scent, covering her aura, and scent. She walked toward his desk and looked through the various items on it. She moved on to the bookshelf. Where is it? Where is the damn prophecies?!? She moved over to the walls, pushing on the panels, testing for any kind of secret compartment.

"Kukukuku…Kikyo, koi, you havent found it yet?"

Kikyo spun around. In front of her was a dark haired man, with even darker eyes. He was handsome in a twisted sort of way.

"Kuso! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"Kikyo, you are a disgrace to your race! You should have sensed me…" Kikyo sneered.

"I don't know where he has put the prophecies. If you can sneak your lil arse up here, why don't you look for them!?"

The man grabbed her throat and pushed her against the wall.

"If I have told you once, I have told you twice. Only INU-youkai can touch the prophecies. That's where you come in koi, if you don't find the prophecies soon…I will be forced to eliminate you."

"Fine Naraku, but you must give me time!"

"You have 2 months. That is all. If you do not give me the prophecy within that allotted time, I will…kill you!"

Naraku disappeared, and Kikyo rubbed her neck. She flexed her claws, and glared at the spot where Naraku had once been. She spit at the ground then continued her search.

What he needs these prophecies for I don't know…all I want is Sesshoumaru. Once I get this court under my influence, the Western Lands will have a new ruler. First I will kill the Queen, then I will force Sesshoumaru love me! Kikyo's eyes lit up with an unnaturally evil glow, her aura flared wildly. She calmed down slightly and exited the study quickly.

*****************

Kagome sat down in the third chair on the left. There were several girls filing in behind her. Kagome almost ran out of the room, at the sound of some of their voices. A particularly screechy voiced girl just happened to be sitting next to her. She giggled with the girl next to her, and smoothed out her hair. She pulled out a small mirror and looked over her face, which was covered with make up. Her kimono was a dark purple, as well as her cheeks, lips, and her eye shadow. Kagome looked at her for a minute. Isn't purple…for nervousness? Wait a minute… she went over in her mind what Sango had said. Oh…that's right! The essence of a person had different color meanings, than their emotions. So purple means… She was cut off from her thoughts by the squeaky voiced girl in purple.

"Hi! My name is Leiko, and you are…"

"Kag-"

"Nevermind, it's not important, you don't seem like real competition anyway."

Kagome started at the girl. Her name means arrogant…how fitting. THAT'S IT! Purple means arrogant! Kagome snorted, and the girl looked at her.

"Absolutely no manners." She huffed under her breath. But Kagome heard it. She bared her fangs slightly, then closed her eyes. She was already getting hyper! The doors opened again and Kikyo entered. Leiko started to glare at her and Kikyo smirked.

She will be the first I kill. Kikyo thought to herself. She spotted Kagome next to her and finally noticed her colors. Silver? Hmm…there is something about that girl, I don't like her… She glared at Kagome who's face remained impassive. Kagome sat down right in front of Kagome and continued to look at the young demoness in front of her.

Just then the double doors at the head of the room opened, and in stepped the King, followed by the Queen, then the Prince, who had caught everyone's eyes.

Everyone stood up and bowed, waited for the King and family to sit, then sat down. The food appeared before them and they waited for the King to take his bite. He did so and then Queen Sakura, and finally Sesshoumaru. Everyone then began to eat.

********************

AN: Whoa! I got it out! YIPPEE! IM SO HAPPY! PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!