Okay, I'm back for another update! I'm glad to see a lot of people liked the last chappy. Oh my, what a lot of reviews! Thank you everyone! Haha, a lot of you people seem to know what kind of advice Kagome wants from Kaede…well you're WRONG!! (most likely) A/N:
1) Nope, don't own Inuyasha.
2) The following chappy might be a little confusing (you'll see why later). PLEASE don't hesitate to ask if you're confused over something!
And now, the story:
~~~***~~~
Morning came slowly. To my relief Sesshoumaru was sleeping peacefully when I checked on him. I looked at his wound—already he was starting to recover. This reassured me, so I changed clothes in the bathroom and slipped outside.
Some guards nearby looked at me questioningly. "Where are you going, Lady Kagome? You don't usually awake at this hour."
"I'm, um…" Why couldn't I tell them the truth? "I'm going to visit Kaede right now. You may escort me if you wish…"
They nodded and started down the hallway with me. On the way outside I ran into Rin. She looked upset—and who could blame her? After all, Sesshoumaru was badly wounded! I began to play my role as a mother and comforted her. "Rin, what're you doing up at this hour!? You should be asleep!"
She sniffled. "I couldn't sleep, Mommy! Will Daddy be okay?"
I smiled. "Don't worry, Mommy checked him just now and he's making a good recovery. He's going to be just fine, okay?" She nodded, slightly happier, and I patted her away. "Please, go back to bed, Rin." She nodded again and ran down the hall. Looking at her, I wondered what happened to Rin that caused us to adopt her. 'Poor thing.' I thought. 'What parent would ever leave Rin? I bet something happened to them…' I decided not to dwell on it anymore—Kaede would know. I turned back to the door and continued through the castle to outside.
~~~***~~~
I ordered the guards to wait somewhere outside, then walked up to her cottage and knocked on the door. "…Kaede? Are you in there? It's me, Kagome." For a while there was no answer, but finally Kaede opened the door.
"Ah! Yee have returned! Quicker than I imagined!" She exclaimed cheerfully. "I was tending to my garden in the back. Would yee care to join me?" She held up a watering can.
It wasn't exactly what I had planned to do, but I agreed anyways. She led me to the back. Her garden was very lovely—it had a variety of flowers and vegetables, including carrots, tomatoes, and lettuce. There was even strawberries! She sat down and began to knead at some dirt. "Yee have a better garden in the royal courtyard, I'm afraid." Kaede remarked sadly after a few moments.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that." I replied politely.
After she put down the spade, Kaede sat up and looked at me. "Now then, what could be troubling yee? What advice can I give?"
I thought for a little. "Kaede, you used to be my personal advisor in the castle, right?" She nodded. "Well then, you probably know me a lot, correct? Or at least, the Kagome you're familiar with."
She nodded again. "Yes, I could more or less recall anything about the Kagome I know. Yee would frequently come to me for help, and I also made my own observations inside the castle during my stay there."
"Good." I replied. "So you could describe to me an event that happened in my past?"
"Yes." She said. "But why would yee want that…?"
I took a deep breath. "Kaede, I need you to tell me…what happened in my past that caused me to fall in love with Sesshoumaru."
She smiled and turned back to the garden. "Ah." Kaede said knowingly. "Yee wish to know the story behind the King and Queen of the human land?" I nodded. "Very well." She replied. "I will tell yee the tale of Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Kagome…"
~~~***~~~
A/N: Okay, I can feel that some of you are already confused. Kaede is about to tell Kagome of how she and Sesshoumaru fell in love and got married and all that good stuff in this world. But it never happened. Thusly, the love story that never was. Hehehe…also, the narrative perspective will change. It's not really from Kaede's point of view, but for story purposes she's the one telling it.
"Kagome, this is my last hour."
She sniffled. "Mother…"
"Kagome, after I'm gone, you will be the new Queen of this castle. I have taught you much…remember? You will make a very fine leader. Never forget your values." Kagome nodded slowly, trying to understand.
The doctor laid a hand on her shoulder. "I'm afraid it won't be much longer. The Queen doesn't have much left…"
Kagome would not listen to this. She would pretend it was not true. "Mother, please hold on…I…I am too young to rule this kingdom…please, not yet…" The Queen began to close her eyes. Kagome shook her desperately. "Mother!? Mother!"
She opened her eyes again and looked at her daughter. "Kagome…please, take care of the jewel half we possess. No one must take it under any circumstances." The Queen smiled. Breath had left her.
~~~***~~~
Sesshoumaru looked around. His brother still had not come back. Inuyasha was SO irresponsible. He continued to grumble to himself. Thankfully, he would be inheriting his father's throne instead of Inuyasha.
Sesshoumaru had much admired his father. Because of his leadership, the demon land was able to maintain peace with the land of the humans. As a token of their appreciation, Queen Higurashi had presented them one half of the Shikon jewel. "Our friendship will forever endure." She said in a speech the same day. "May the human and demon kingdoms remain in peaceful days!" He smiled at the success the demons had remaining fiends with the humans.
His thoughts were interrupted by his father's entrance. "Good afternoon, Sesshoumaru. Has your brother come back yet?"
His son frowned. "No, Inuyasha hasn't returned. He's as reckless as always. He probably picked a fight again with another demon. Don't waste your time dwelling over him, father." Sesshoumaru gazed out the window in annoyance. His brother had NO respect for what he was. As the son of the Emperor here he had certain responsibilities, which Inuyasha ignored.
"I will send some riders to go find him, then." The older demon said. He sat down at the table and looked at Sesshoumaru. "I have heard some tragic news today. The Queen has died not an hour ago."
He gasped. "You mean, Queen Higurashi? Of the human land?"
His father nodded. "Yes, it is…a sad loss for us all. But now, I have a task for you, my son. The Queen has a daughter, named Kagome. She will resume the throne now that the Queen has passed. I want you to travel into the human land and talk with her. Express this kingdom's sadness over her mother's death. She will need to hear it in her conflicting emotions over what has happened. Make it clear that we will still hold our alliance."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "Kagome…" Had he seen her before? His father and her mother were great friends, and he often came along with their negotiations. "Very well, father. I will go." The older demon smiled, and Sesshoumaru left.
He went outside and grabbed a nearby horse. When he got on, he noticed a close presence. "…What have you come here for?" Sesshoumaru asked calmly. Behind the shadows, Naraku revealed himself. "…Haven't you bothered us long enough?"
"You are traveling to the human land, hm?" Naraku said, smiling.
"…What about it?"
"I suppose you have heard? The Queen is dead. This would be the perfect time to take their Shikon jewel half-"
"-Our alliance with them has lasted for decades. I do not intend to break it." Sesshoumaru flexed his claws. "Now, get out of here before I slash you in two."
He chuckled. "Think of it, Sesshoumaru. Think of all the power that could be gained if we had that last half…"
Agitated, the demon lord jumped from his horse toward Naraku, claws raised. He struck through him, but, as he suspected, it was only a puppet. Sighing, he once again climbed onto the horse and rode off, thinking about what was said.
~~~***~~~
Kagome looked around. Her room was an absolute mess. So much had went on for the past few days that she forgot to keep things tidy. Sighing, she went outside to the balcony in her room and looked down at all before her.
Far off, Kagome noticed the gates into the castle were being opened. Someone stepped through. She squinted—he appeared to have long white hair and a mark on his forehead. She realized it was Lord Sesshoumaru, the Emperor's son. Kagome gasped. What was he doing here!? Would she have to make a speech today? If so, it would be her first one. Panicked, Kagome scrambled for some nicer clothes. Unfortunately, all she could wear was black…
There was a knock on the door. "My Lady, there is a visitor here for you. Will you be able to see him?"
Kagome nodded. "Yes, I can—just…hang…on…" She threw on a gold necklace and walked outside. The maid led her into the royal conference room, where Sesshoumaru stood. Kagome cleared her throat, and he turned around, looking at her.
Their eyes locked, and something passed through them. Kagome stood still, gazing at him. Sesshoumaru had stopped breathing for a moment, though he couldn't explain why. He had seen plenty of humans in his time, but none were quite as beautiful as her. In fact, they didn't even come close.
The spell was broken when they heard a door shut behind them. "If you need anything, My Lady, please tell us." Kagome heard a guard say behind the door. She turned back to the Emperor's son nervously. She was all alone with a strong, albeit cute, demon. Not knowing what else to do, she motioned for him to sit down. He smiled politely and took it.
Kagome cleared her throat. "Now then…er, Sesshoumaru, was it?"
He nodded. "I know you are not used to these sort of things, Lady Kagome." He began softly, in an understanding manner. "The Demon Land is, indeed, saddened by your loss. My father has sent me over here to make it clear that we intend to keep our alliance." Sesshoumaru couldn't help but gaze at her wonderingly as he spoke. There was something about her…
"Oh." Kagome said. "Well, that's good news. Thank you for telling me this." She felt like she ought to say something more, so she added, "Your father is a very wise leader. I'm glad we're such good friends with him."
Sesshoumaru nodded in agreement. "Yes. Because of his leadership, my father was able to settle differences between demons and united them into one nation. It was…a difficult task."
She smiled. "Well, tell your father that he has my thanks."
Sesshoumaru leaned closer to her and whispered, "Lady Kagome, there is something I think you should know. It's an urgent matter." He suppressed an inward sigh. Her scent was intoxicating at this distance.
Kagome looked at him with concern. "…Something urgent I should know? What is it?"
"It's…a demon within our land. His name is Naraku, and I think he plans to steal your Shikon jewel half, and the one that my father possesses as well. Please…be careful. Guard it well." Sesshoumaru said sincerely.
She nodded. "Thank you, I will." Great, her first week as Queen and already problems had arisen!
Sesshoumaru rose. "That is excellent news." He did a little bow. "I suppose I must go…in fact, I have taken up enough of your time…"
Kagome stood as well, smiling. "Oh—oh, don't think that at all! It's no trouble. In fact-" She stopped herself.
He looked at her quizzically. "…Yes?"
"Er…in fact, you can come back again whenever you want, Lord Sesshoumaru." She finished nervously.
He smiled. "Ah." He took her hand and pressed his lips to it gently. "Well then, I just may do that." He bowed almost apologetically and left the room, with Kagome in a stunned silence.
~~~***~~~
After a few moments, she gathered herself together and left the room. As she walked down the hall, she noticed Kaede was waiting for her.
The old woman chuckled. "…Yee have a different look on the face, Lady Kagome." She observed. "The eyes are…glazed over. What happened to cause that?"
Kagome sighed. NOTHING could get past Kaede. "Well, um…I was talking to the Emperor's son just now…Sesshoumaru, have you head of him? He's really nice…"
Kaede smiled. "Yes, I have heard about him. After his father dies, he will inherit the throne. But do yee take a liking to him…?"
She blushed furiously. "Kaede! I only just met the guy!"
"Ah, then that is a no…?"
Kagome chose not to answer that. Instead, she walked away calmly into the royal dining room; where she sat down to eat dinner. 'Why do I feel this way?' She thought to herself. 'And what DO I feel anyways!? I shouldn't dwell too much on him…I mean, it would never work, right? He's a demon after all! I bet he already forgot what happened!'
~~~***~~~
Sesshoumaru unhappily took his horse and started the journey back home. What an idiot he was! Her mother's grave was still freshly dug! This was no time to be romancing her daughter, and a human at that! How could've he done such a thing!? Sesshoumaru sighed, and remembered the perfect picture of Kagome in his mind. She smiled at him gently and extended her hand towards him, as if to allow him to kiss it once more. He sighed and quickly shook this thought out of his head. Thinking about Kagome would cause him to go mad if he didn't stop.
~~~***~~~
Kaede paused from her tale and looked up. I followed her gaze and noticed my guards had come around to the garden in the back of her house. "We're sorry if we're interrupting anything, My Lady." One of them said. "But it's time for your daily archery lessons, remember?"
I sighed. "Can't it wait? Kaede is explaining something to me…"
The old woman chuckled. "Come back tomorrow. I will continue the story from there."
I pouted. "But…but it was getting so interesting! The best part was probably coming up! Are you sure?"
But she persisted. "It's no trouble at all. I'll still be here." She waved an impatient hand at me and turned back to the garden.
I nodded, got up, and followed the guards on the path back to the castle. I sighed in annoyance—but alas, I was a Queen in this world after all, and Queen can leave somewhere in a moment's notice, right? As we continued to walk, I found myself wondering if the Sesshoumaru I knew could ever be the one that everyone else here knew. And the thing I needed to question myself was, did I really want him to turn into that? Did I want Sesshoumaru to love me? Kaede showed me that he was indeed capable of communicating such feelings. But here…I just didn't know. Had he already showed me them, but I make no response? I sighed. I was definitely thinking too hard into it. I rubbed my head in irritation. In the end, it would be better if I stopped dwelling on it. After all, I had a kingdom to run, right?
Review Responses:
BabyTil14: Oohh yes. However, keep in mind at this point she's still not very sure about him.
Skitzoflame: Haha, yeah they 'kinda' are, aren't they? =D
Vegetas4Life: Okay, here you go. ^_^
Robin5791: Lol, actually you just R&Red a day before the next chappy was given. Heh.
Shadow39: Arigato! Hope you luff the update!
Peanut Gallery - Alaska's Own: Uh…there is? Well yeah, probably…lol
Satu-Chan: Ah, well I can't make his character perfect…I mean, if he was absolutely his TRUE self then there'd be no story, ne?
ChibiTenshi5: *major blush* Aww…*hugs* arigato! I'm glad you like it—hope you can read this update!
Moon-n-Universe-Goddess: Heh, yeah I guess you do…
Rabid-Inu-Girl: Yes, yes there will be…I keep my promises! A lemon will come soon enough! Patience, patience! Lol
myself: O_o an interesting name…er, hooray?
Shley-Sama: Alrighty, I'll hurray to finish it! Promise!
bloodbunny: *sigh of relief* Yay, the bunnies are safe…well if you like this fic maybe they will as well, ne?
bOa_BoA679: Gaahhh…I was afraid it was OOC…well tell me in what way and maybe I can fix it…
~Inuyasha~Lover~: Yay, you like the '~'s too…^____^…anyways, that's a good question. No, Kagome is not in the castle and with her brother at the same time—she's in the castle, but sometimes Kagome will remember things that happened in the past, like that thing with her brother. I know it sounds out of place now, but it'll all come together in the end. =D
fruity: o_O Woah…love/hate relationship, ne?
Madwren: Umm…Fluffy isn't in this fic…*runs in corner to hide*
…And that's all. Again, I hope you enjoyed this update! R&R! Are you happy? Mad? Sad? Confused? Thought-provoked? Has your entire life changed after reading this chappy? Lol, hahaha…I'd be scared if that happened. Ja ne!
