AN: Warning folks, this gets a bit raunchy. I hope we won't have to change the rating. Is there a ratiung between PG 13 and R? I hope so! ---- Joke
Act Six: Scene One.
Kagome threw the letter she got from Manten into the fireplace, and stormed about, thinking desperately about what to do. A week had passed since that horrible visit, and after his reptilian visage had exited the premises, Kagome had written him a letter, explaining that she didn't need to marry him, since she was already a widow. It was the one thing she got from Kouga that turned out to be good.
But now, she was more distressed than ever. Eri and Keade walked, and asked what the matter was, and hadn't the letter worked?
"No!" Kagome fretted. "He says under the new laws, a marriage isn't legal until it's consummated."
"So?" Eri asked.
"So, Kouga died before he could get the job done," Kagome said, frowning. "If he weren't dead already I could just kill for that."
"If he weren't dead already," Eri said, "You wouldn't have anything to worry about."
Kagome looked at Eri, and slapped across the face for such a stupid comment. But then, she got an idea. If she were already married… But that wouldn't work. She only three single men; two of them were perverts, and the only gentleman among them was locked up and…'About to be executed.' Kagome thought. Her eyes widened, and her heart lifted from the ashes of despair. "That's it!" Kagome cried. "Sesshomaru!" Shoe looked down at herself. "But I can't go propose marriage dressed like this! I look like a servant!"
"You know it's not that bad a job," Eri said, snidely. Kagome ignored her, and looked around the room. Her eyes landed on the green and gold courtier curtains in the window. She ran over, and ripped them down from curtain poles.
"Quick Eri," Kagome ordered, draping the curtains about her shoulders, "Go get the sewing kit and box of dress patterns down from the attic. I'm going to Kyoto, and I'm going dressed like an Empress."
"Yes ma'am," Eri said, dashing off through the house.
"Who's going with you to Kyoto?" Keade asked Kagome, later as she was sewing up the dress.
"You are, of course. It simply wouldn't do for me to be seen in the company of Colonel Butler without a chaperone. " Kagome told her. "Especially if his brother Captain Inu-yasha Butler is in there with him. Those two brothers are finally going to be some use to me. I could just kill Inu-yasha for leaving me on that road alone with Miroku. Do you realize that I had to keep slapping his hands away from my privates the entire trip. I suppose we'll have to pay him a visit too, while we're in Kyoto, just find out how he's doing of course." Kagome said looking at herself in the mirror which hung over the fireplace. She would have to fix her hair, find some makeup, and hope that Sesshomaru was in the mood to be visited by a woman who was after more than just a single night of passion.
Act Six, Scene Two.
Sesshomaru sat in his cell reading the paper and eating some fresh rice and a little tea. That was all that they fed the prisoners there in Kyoto, even the more well to do prisoners. At least he had the news to read and that was full of new and interesting gossip now that there were no more free presses. Everything was controlled by the Emperor and no one really knew what was going on in the country so all there was to print were the Emperor's new decrees and gossip.
"Most interesting. So the Emperor thinks that the Westerners might attack us soon. That will be an interesting thing to watch. I only hope that I live long enough to see it. Who knows, the Emperor may request my services, and stay my execution." He said to the Guard who waited outside for him to finish.
"It is most interesting Lord Sesshomaru." The Guard said. "Perhaps I will have the honor of serving under your command. I heard that your unit suffered fifty percent casualties during the battle of Fuji. A very honorable last stand it was. I only wish that you had not allowed yourself to be taken prisoner. So disgraceful."
"Do not worry about it. Besides, I've never been a believer in that antiquated code of the Samurai. Death is something that no man should look for willingly but should accept as an inevitability. We all must die sometime. The battle of Fuji simply wasn't my time. Perhaps this time is, perhaps it is not. Either way, I am resolved to face my fate unafraid."
"Don't go planning for your funeral just yet, bro. I may have other plans for you and our money." Came Inu-yasha's voice from outside the cell. Sesshomaru got up and went to the small window and looked out through the bars.
"Inu-yasha, so you're not dead." Sesshomaru said pleasantly. "Have you really come to free me?" He asked.
"Not yet, but soon. I've worked out a little deal with the Emperor. The thing of it is though, I need access of our finances. The Emperor wants a hefty ransom for you." Inu-yasha told him.
"I see, so then it's impossible without drawing a draft from our accounts in Liverpool. Very well then, I shall have to write you out a draft and then you can send it along. Guard, bring me a pen and paper." He ordered. The guard went away and left the two brothers to converse. "How are our other ventures working out?"
"Just fine, I'm making enough money to live off of, but just barely. I've had to sell off some of our finer possessions though. The Emperor demands high taxes on property and our holdings here in Kyoto are quite extensive. I had to sell off a couple of the houses too. Our Palace outside of Fuji is just fine though." Inu-yasha explained.
"Well that is to be expected. Tell me though, what has become of the Lady Kagome? The last I saw of her, she was waiting in Songo's Aunt's home to be evacuated. Is she alright?" Sesshomaru asked.
"She's fine as far as I know. I last saw her in the company of my good friend Miroku Kennedy on the road leading back to Edo. With any luck, she made it home alright. I can't see Edo suffering much since the former Emperor surrendered his forces before the Current Emperor's army ever got that far. The Wind Demons he used as his forward guard might have done some damage though. They plundered and pillaged the countryside for weeks before the battle of Fuji."
"Then there is still some hope that she still lives. I'm glad to hear it." The guard returned then and handed Sesshomaru the paper and inkwell. A feather pen was all that he had to write with. Brushes were expensive and they used too much ink which was also expensive now a days. "Here you go, Inu-yasha, I expect you to return with my pardon in hand before too much more time passes."
"Don't worry Bro, I won't let you down." Inu-yasha folded up the draft and put it in the right breast pocket of his red kimono. He left Sesshomaru then to await either the day of his execution or the day of deliverance. Either way, he was stuck in that deplorable cell, with nothing but time on his hands.
As Inu-yasha was leaving the Jail he saw a rather odd looking carriage pull up next to his own. The curtains were drawn and the short heavily cloaked driver was unfamiliar to him. Then he notice the driver had a fox's tail sticking out from underneath his coat.
"Oh no, It's not her. It can't be her." He said and then knocked on the side of the carriage. The curtains shot open and inside he saw her. "OH NO!" He exclaimed. "NOT YOU!"
"INU-YASHA!" Kagome screamed and bashed him on the head. "How dare you leave me on the road like that you varlet." She smacked him and bashed him until he finally had sense enough to move out of reach.
"Hold on, what are you hitting me for?" He asked, surprised.
"You know perfectly well what for." She said, getting out of the carriage with Keade following. "You left me with Miroku on that lonely highway in the middle of the night. I was so afraid." Kagome began to cry.
"Hey, hey, what's the tears for. You're okay, I didn't leave you. I stayed there on the road to protect you. If not for me, the Wind Demons would have come up the road , and who knows what they would have done to you." Inu-yasha said putting his arms around her. "It's okay." He held her there for a moment while Kagome composed herself.
"Well, I suppose that you're right." She said, sobbing. "But just why did you never come see me again after that?" She asked him.
"I had to find my brother and try to get him out. That's why I'm here, I just saw Sesshomaru, and he's waiting for me to get him out of here." Kagome didn't like the sound of that.
"Get him out, Inu-yasha, you're not going to do something rash are you?" She asked him, faking concern.
"Of course not, I'm going to draw a draft from our accounts and buy his freedom from the Emperor, only it may take a while for me to get the money. They might kill him before then." He told her. Kagome sighed with relief. Not for Inu-yasha, but for the possibility that her plan might yet work. If she married Sesshomaru and he didn't die, then things could get might complicated. She would mind being married to him, and yet there was still the fact that she was still in love with both Hojo, and Inu-yasha. She still had to sort out those feelings before she could make any kind of commitment to any man. "Say, what are you doing here?" Inu-yasha suddenly asked.
"I came to see Sesshomaru as well." Kagome told him. "You see there is this little problem that I need his help with and I need to see him." She said, not giving away too much.
"Well, tough luck." Inu-yasha said. "The only people who come in and out of this jail are prisoners and Officials on business." This was terrible, Kagome thought, how could she see Sesshomaru if the only two kinds of people who could get in were…
"Wait, how did you get in?" She asked Inu-yasha.
"Huh, oh, well I've got a pass signed by the Emperor." He said holding the paper up.
"Oh please let me barrow it, Inu-yasha. I promise that I'll give it back as soon as I'm done with it. I only need it for a little while." She said appealing to his fondness of her. She rubbed up against him like a cat and placed his hands firmly on her hips. Poor old Keade could barely stand to watch as Kagome threw herself at Captain Butler. It was such a disgraceful thing to be doing out in front of a jail and with someone who she knew to be a varlet and scallywag.
Inu-yasha felt of her underneath the bright green dress she wore and she was still so slim, and firm, and… He couldn't resist.
"Okay." He said.
"Oh thank you Inu-yasha." Kagome reached up and kissed him on the lips.
"Such a tease." Came a laugh from inside of Inu-yasha's carriage. Kagome turned around and came face to face with the infamous Kikyo who sat laughing at her in the cab of Inu-yasha's carriage with her white velvet sleeve hiding the smirk on her face.
"And who might you be?" Kagome asked, as if she didn't already know.
"Kagome, this is Kikyo, my uh…uh…um."
"His acquaintance, and you must be the darling little tart who keeps his heart wrapped around her little finger. My you are dressed nice for a..."
"For a what?" Kagome asked Kikyo angrily.
"For a child. Yes, that's what you are, a child. No woman could make his heart flutter at the bat of her eye. Believe me, I've tried, and the only thing that I can get out of him anymore is… Well, you know who and what I am. I'm only a concubine compared to you. You're his night and his moon and his stars in the sky." Kekyo laughed again.
"Hey, that's not true." Inu-yasha said. "You know I've only got eyes for you babe."
"Oh if that were only true." Kekyo said. "But you mustn't worry about my feelings dearest Inu-yasha. This beautiful little girl needs your kindness more than I do at the moment." Kikyo turned away then and Kagome turned back to Inu-yasha.
"Here." he said handing her the pass. "Just remember where you got it." Kagome took it and then walked away. Inu-yasha would wait while she went to see his brother then he would take Kikyo home. He felt so guilty at times for being with her and not being in love with her. Especially when the woman he really wanted was Kagome.
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Act Six. Scene Three.
Sesshomaru was finishing up his supper when Kagome came in to see him. She presented "her" pass to the guard and he let her in to see him. Needless to say, Sesshomaru was surprised to see her there and looking so splendidly.
"Lady Kagome." He said taking her into his arms. "It is most wonderful to see you alive and looking so fit." He kissed her hands and her forehead and held her so close that Kagome could barely breath.
"Oh Lord Sesshomaru, this is such an unexpected welcome I'm receiving from you." She said to him.
"Forgive me." He said. "I was simply overtaken by your great beauty." He told her. "Please tell me how it is that you've come to see me."
"Well, it was Lord Inu-yasha who you must thank. I came here to see you and he gave me his pass. It was so gentlemanly of him don't you think?" Kagome asked him, playing sweetly.
"Oh my brother is many things but not a gentleman. You mustn't confuse his flirtations with having an honorable soul. But let us not speak of such things. How is Edo?" He asked her. "Tell me of your friends and your family and anything else that's been going on. I get so little real news about what is going on in the country in here." Kagome sat down beside him on the bunk bed, and held hands with him like a lady does with her betrothed.
"What's to tell, everything is so well at Edo that I barely have time to worry about politics and such. What with all the young gentlemen coming to court me and my sisters and all. Why just this past week I received an invitation of marriage from a fellow named Manten, who is said to be one of the Emperor's favorite Tax Collectors." She admitted that much.
"So then there is no worry from the new law that the Emperor has passed." Sesshomaru said, guessing at what was really going on there in his little cell. "With so many wonderful suitors waiting in the wings there can not possibly be any way that you'll loose Edo." He got up and walked over to the door. "Now, tell me the truth, Kagome. Tell me why you're really here to see me. Everyone in Kyoto knows that Manten the Taxman is an ugly Son of a b&%#" Kagome was caught. Oh well, now she could come right out with it, and not beat around the bush.
"Okay, Manten's after Edo." She told him. "He says that if I don't marry him then he'll buy the property out from under me. I need a husband quick to take over ownership of Edo until…"
"I see. Since I am to die soon, you thought of me. We'd have a quick wedding in the cell, consummate the relationship all on one night and then when I die, all my property and wealth will be yours. Including Edo."
"You once said that I'd make a fine edition to your family." Kagome said, looking down in shame. "And… It wouldn't just be for one night. With the pass Inu-yasha gave to me, I could come an visit you. I could bare you a son, if we tried hard enough before they hang you."
"And what if Inu-yasha manages to secure my release?" Sesshomaru asked her. "What then?"
"Please." Kagome began to cry for real. "I'd do anything to keep my family from being turned out on the street."
"Even marry a man whom you do not love. Why not Manten then, he's asking." He told her. "Go now and leave me alone. I dare not see you now as I am very tempted to take you up on your offer." Kagome started to speak again but knew it would do no good. She left the jail and returned to her carriage where Inu-yasha was waiting for her.
"So he wouldn't go for it?" He asked.
"Go for what?" She demanded.
"For whatever it was you came here to get out of him. I know you." He said taking back the pass. "You wouldn't have come just to see my brother, 'cause you're not in love with him. You're only in love with one man, and that's Hojo Wilkes. Well, at least I got to cop a feel of you." Kagome got really mad at him just then and smacked his face with her fan.
"That's all you'll ever get out of me you varlet." She told him and climbed into her carriage. Shippo drove her and old Keade away from the Jail and on to Miroku's house where they would stay the night until they could make the long trip back to Fuji the next morning and from there they would go home to Edo.
"Don't worry child, there is still hope." Keade said to her, seeing that all had not gone well inside the jail.
"Oh what hope is there for me if even a dieing man won't marry me." Kagome said to her in despair. "If only Inu-yasha weren't with that woman, that Kikyo, I'd marry him and then at least I'd be a little happy."
"Don't be mad at Kikyo for telling you the truth child. You are very young still, too young to have been widowed and too young to be out looking for another husband already." Keade told her, laying a comforting hand on Kagome's shoulder. The carriage bumped and jostled on the dirt road leading from the jail to the square where Miroku's store was. The carriage stopped just in front of it and Kagome got out.
"Bless my retched soul, can it be Lady Kagome?" Came a familiar voice. She turned around and found Miroku standing on the curb. "It is, and looking as lovely as ever." He came over and laid an hand on her rump. Kagome was about to smack him away but then she got an idea. Maybe there was still hope after all. It would mean doing the unthinkable, which was to marry a pervert like Miroku, but then there was the alternative.
"Oh Miroku." Kagome said, putting her arms around him. "It's been such a long time. I haven't seen you since the day you left home and we have all missed you." She said. At first Miroku didn't know what to think. He had his hands on Kagome's butt and she wasn't slapping him away. In fact, she was hugging him. This was a joyous day in deed.
"Please won't you come into my store and tell me all about what's going on at home?" He asked Kagome. She smiled and placed her hands on his bottom then too.
"I would just love to." She told him. Once again, poor old Keade had to watch as Kagome threw herself at yet another man. By the time they had visited for a while, talked about home, old times, and family, why Kagome had Miroku dropping to one knee. She'd let him grope her and feel her up like she was his personal love slave and all the while she'd acted like it was a pleasure.
"Kagome, I shouldn't hope that I could ever be good enough for you, but could, that is to say, would you consider marrying me?" He asked her there in front of all his customers.
"Oh, of course I'll marry you my dear sweet Miroku." She said, nearly gagging. She put her arms around his neck again then prayed that all this aggravation would be worth it. For now she was officially engaged to Miroku and there wasn't anything that could be done about it.
"Don't worry Kagome, I'll try to keep in the custom you deserve, and I know that once we're married, I'll be a fine husband to you. Our wedding night will be so spectacular, I'll have fresh flowers cut for you and…" Kagome cut him off just then.
"Yeah about the wedding night, I can't wait for such a long time to be in your arms my darling. So can we get married today?" She asked him. Miroku grinned from ear to ear as he rushed about the shop, hurrying customers out.
"Sorry, " He told them. "The store is closing early today, see you bright and early tomorrow, bye" Once his store front was all locked up and closed down, he and Kagome rushed down to a little shrine on the square where the people would go to pray for their new Emperor, which was now mandatory. Everyone must pray for the Emperor twice a day whether they be at home or in town on business. So the shrine was always open for business. They sold prayer scrolls, lucky charms, and preformed hurried weddings for a small fee, which Miroku was happy to fork over. Old Keade and little Shippo were their only witnesses and they could only sit back and sigh as they watched Kagome get married for a second time.
"Let's hope that this one sticks." Keade said to Shippo. He looked up at Kagome who was kissing Miroku firmly on the lips now. The service was over and they were married.
"Now let's get to the honeymoon!" Kagome declared as she took Miroku's hand and ran out of the Shrine. His whole face had turned into one big grin. Now, after all his flirting, his philandering, he was finally going to get some!
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Act Six: Scene Four
The letter came just days after Kagome had left. Ayumi clutched it in her hands, and ran into the house, bawling. "It's not fair! It's not fair! I'm gonna be an old maid!"
"What's happened?" Songo asked as she, Hojo, Eri, and Yuka came running out of the many rooms in the palace. Ayumi threw herself into her sister, Yuka's, arms, screaming.
"She's a horrible traitor! She's a thief! A home wrecker!" Ayumi cried on her sister's shoulder.
"Who is?" Hojo asked the girl.
"That rotten, evil Kagome! That's who!" Ayumi answered.
"WHAT!?!" They all exclaimed. "What did she do?" Songo asked, serious.
"She's gone and married him behind my back! She married My Miroku!"
"WHAT!?!!?" They all shouted again. They couldn't believe their ears. Songo grabbed up the letter, and read it herself. She was flabbergasted. In total shock!
"It's not fair, it's not!" Ayumi cried again. "She's had two husbands… And I'm gonna be an old maid!!" She started to whine and sob as her loyal sister held her, and tried to get her to calm down. Songo looked at Hojo, and sighed.
"I had expected better from her," Songo said. "But then again… her Edo was in danger. And at least with Miroku, she won't have to worry about him taking over and destroying this place."
"She won't have to worry about us getting turned out into the streets, either," Hojo said, cradling baby Souta in his arms. "That's why she did this. She did this for her sisters and our family."
"Oh, you think she's so noble!?!" Ayumi cried, turning to them. "She's a harlot! She just went out and got married so she wouldn't be a virgin the rest of her life!"
Songo glowered at her, and slapped her across the face. Ayumi stopped crying instantly. Then, Songo said sternly, "You shouldn't say things like that about your sister, who provided for you, and protected you when both your mother and grandfather were dead. Think of what would have happened to you if she'd had to marry Manten. He would have had us all turned out into the street! We'd be destitute, starving, and homeless. Then who would end up being harlots? You two, that's who. If only to get enough money to feed yourselves, I have no doubt that's what you two would have done. You're not worth the sacrifices that Kagome's made for you two. At least with marriage, she keeps her honor! Now go up to your rooms, and pray that your hearts will be more grateful." The girls didn't dare talk back to Songo. She rarely got mad, but when she did, she brought such a fury that even the strongest of creatures would cower. And she didn't need to raise her voice to do it.
As the girls headed up stairs, Songo took her baby boy in her arms, and thought about her friend. Her dearer than sister. She hoped that Kagome knew what she was doing this time.
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Act Six: Scene Five
Kagome lay in bed, thinking about what she'd done that day. She was actually in bed, sleeping next to the snoring Miroku, who was now very tired. The expression on his face- a look of pure joy- did not begin to express the feelings of satisfaction he obviously had for his conquest.
But Kagome was feeling other things entirely. As she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but feel her heart ache with regret and sorrow. Then, as sleep took her, it wasn't Miroku whom she pictured by her side. It was instead a strong, and handsome man with long, soft silvery white hair that brushed her bare shoulders and back as he breathed slowly next to her…
Act Six: Scene One.
Kagome threw the letter she got from Manten into the fireplace, and stormed about, thinking desperately about what to do. A week had passed since that horrible visit, and after his reptilian visage had exited the premises, Kagome had written him a letter, explaining that she didn't need to marry him, since she was already a widow. It was the one thing she got from Kouga that turned out to be good.
But now, she was more distressed than ever. Eri and Keade walked, and asked what the matter was, and hadn't the letter worked?
"No!" Kagome fretted. "He says under the new laws, a marriage isn't legal until it's consummated."
"So?" Eri asked.
"So, Kouga died before he could get the job done," Kagome said, frowning. "If he weren't dead already I could just kill for that."
"If he weren't dead already," Eri said, "You wouldn't have anything to worry about."
Kagome looked at Eri, and slapped across the face for such a stupid comment. But then, she got an idea. If she were already married… But that wouldn't work. She only three single men; two of them were perverts, and the only gentleman among them was locked up and…'About to be executed.' Kagome thought. Her eyes widened, and her heart lifted from the ashes of despair. "That's it!" Kagome cried. "Sesshomaru!" Shoe looked down at herself. "But I can't go propose marriage dressed like this! I look like a servant!"
"You know it's not that bad a job," Eri said, snidely. Kagome ignored her, and looked around the room. Her eyes landed on the green and gold courtier curtains in the window. She ran over, and ripped them down from curtain poles.
"Quick Eri," Kagome ordered, draping the curtains about her shoulders, "Go get the sewing kit and box of dress patterns down from the attic. I'm going to Kyoto, and I'm going dressed like an Empress."
"Yes ma'am," Eri said, dashing off through the house.
"Who's going with you to Kyoto?" Keade asked Kagome, later as she was sewing up the dress.
"You are, of course. It simply wouldn't do for me to be seen in the company of Colonel Butler without a chaperone. " Kagome told her. "Especially if his brother Captain Inu-yasha Butler is in there with him. Those two brothers are finally going to be some use to me. I could just kill Inu-yasha for leaving me on that road alone with Miroku. Do you realize that I had to keep slapping his hands away from my privates the entire trip. I suppose we'll have to pay him a visit too, while we're in Kyoto, just find out how he's doing of course." Kagome said looking at herself in the mirror which hung over the fireplace. She would have to fix her hair, find some makeup, and hope that Sesshomaru was in the mood to be visited by a woman who was after more than just a single night of passion.
Act Six, Scene Two.
Sesshomaru sat in his cell reading the paper and eating some fresh rice and a little tea. That was all that they fed the prisoners there in Kyoto, even the more well to do prisoners. At least he had the news to read and that was full of new and interesting gossip now that there were no more free presses. Everything was controlled by the Emperor and no one really knew what was going on in the country so all there was to print were the Emperor's new decrees and gossip.
"Most interesting. So the Emperor thinks that the Westerners might attack us soon. That will be an interesting thing to watch. I only hope that I live long enough to see it. Who knows, the Emperor may request my services, and stay my execution." He said to the Guard who waited outside for him to finish.
"It is most interesting Lord Sesshomaru." The Guard said. "Perhaps I will have the honor of serving under your command. I heard that your unit suffered fifty percent casualties during the battle of Fuji. A very honorable last stand it was. I only wish that you had not allowed yourself to be taken prisoner. So disgraceful."
"Do not worry about it. Besides, I've never been a believer in that antiquated code of the Samurai. Death is something that no man should look for willingly but should accept as an inevitability. We all must die sometime. The battle of Fuji simply wasn't my time. Perhaps this time is, perhaps it is not. Either way, I am resolved to face my fate unafraid."
"Don't go planning for your funeral just yet, bro. I may have other plans for you and our money." Came Inu-yasha's voice from outside the cell. Sesshomaru got up and went to the small window and looked out through the bars.
"Inu-yasha, so you're not dead." Sesshomaru said pleasantly. "Have you really come to free me?" He asked.
"Not yet, but soon. I've worked out a little deal with the Emperor. The thing of it is though, I need access of our finances. The Emperor wants a hefty ransom for you." Inu-yasha told him.
"I see, so then it's impossible without drawing a draft from our accounts in Liverpool. Very well then, I shall have to write you out a draft and then you can send it along. Guard, bring me a pen and paper." He ordered. The guard went away and left the two brothers to converse. "How are our other ventures working out?"
"Just fine, I'm making enough money to live off of, but just barely. I've had to sell off some of our finer possessions though. The Emperor demands high taxes on property and our holdings here in Kyoto are quite extensive. I had to sell off a couple of the houses too. Our Palace outside of Fuji is just fine though." Inu-yasha explained.
"Well that is to be expected. Tell me though, what has become of the Lady Kagome? The last I saw of her, she was waiting in Songo's Aunt's home to be evacuated. Is she alright?" Sesshomaru asked.
"She's fine as far as I know. I last saw her in the company of my good friend Miroku Kennedy on the road leading back to Edo. With any luck, she made it home alright. I can't see Edo suffering much since the former Emperor surrendered his forces before the Current Emperor's army ever got that far. The Wind Demons he used as his forward guard might have done some damage though. They plundered and pillaged the countryside for weeks before the battle of Fuji."
"Then there is still some hope that she still lives. I'm glad to hear it." The guard returned then and handed Sesshomaru the paper and inkwell. A feather pen was all that he had to write with. Brushes were expensive and they used too much ink which was also expensive now a days. "Here you go, Inu-yasha, I expect you to return with my pardon in hand before too much more time passes."
"Don't worry Bro, I won't let you down." Inu-yasha folded up the draft and put it in the right breast pocket of his red kimono. He left Sesshomaru then to await either the day of his execution or the day of deliverance. Either way, he was stuck in that deplorable cell, with nothing but time on his hands.
As Inu-yasha was leaving the Jail he saw a rather odd looking carriage pull up next to his own. The curtains were drawn and the short heavily cloaked driver was unfamiliar to him. Then he notice the driver had a fox's tail sticking out from underneath his coat.
"Oh no, It's not her. It can't be her." He said and then knocked on the side of the carriage. The curtains shot open and inside he saw her. "OH NO!" He exclaimed. "NOT YOU!"
"INU-YASHA!" Kagome screamed and bashed him on the head. "How dare you leave me on the road like that you varlet." She smacked him and bashed him until he finally had sense enough to move out of reach.
"Hold on, what are you hitting me for?" He asked, surprised.
"You know perfectly well what for." She said, getting out of the carriage with Keade following. "You left me with Miroku on that lonely highway in the middle of the night. I was so afraid." Kagome began to cry.
"Hey, hey, what's the tears for. You're okay, I didn't leave you. I stayed there on the road to protect you. If not for me, the Wind Demons would have come up the road , and who knows what they would have done to you." Inu-yasha said putting his arms around her. "It's okay." He held her there for a moment while Kagome composed herself.
"Well, I suppose that you're right." She said, sobbing. "But just why did you never come see me again after that?" She asked him.
"I had to find my brother and try to get him out. That's why I'm here, I just saw Sesshomaru, and he's waiting for me to get him out of here." Kagome didn't like the sound of that.
"Get him out, Inu-yasha, you're not going to do something rash are you?" She asked him, faking concern.
"Of course not, I'm going to draw a draft from our accounts and buy his freedom from the Emperor, only it may take a while for me to get the money. They might kill him before then." He told her. Kagome sighed with relief. Not for Inu-yasha, but for the possibility that her plan might yet work. If she married Sesshomaru and he didn't die, then things could get might complicated. She would mind being married to him, and yet there was still the fact that she was still in love with both Hojo, and Inu-yasha. She still had to sort out those feelings before she could make any kind of commitment to any man. "Say, what are you doing here?" Inu-yasha suddenly asked.
"I came to see Sesshomaru as well." Kagome told him. "You see there is this little problem that I need his help with and I need to see him." She said, not giving away too much.
"Well, tough luck." Inu-yasha said. "The only people who come in and out of this jail are prisoners and Officials on business." This was terrible, Kagome thought, how could she see Sesshomaru if the only two kinds of people who could get in were…
"Wait, how did you get in?" She asked Inu-yasha.
"Huh, oh, well I've got a pass signed by the Emperor." He said holding the paper up.
"Oh please let me barrow it, Inu-yasha. I promise that I'll give it back as soon as I'm done with it. I only need it for a little while." She said appealing to his fondness of her. She rubbed up against him like a cat and placed his hands firmly on her hips. Poor old Keade could barely stand to watch as Kagome threw herself at Captain Butler. It was such a disgraceful thing to be doing out in front of a jail and with someone who she knew to be a varlet and scallywag.
Inu-yasha felt of her underneath the bright green dress she wore and she was still so slim, and firm, and… He couldn't resist.
"Okay." He said.
"Oh thank you Inu-yasha." Kagome reached up and kissed him on the lips.
"Such a tease." Came a laugh from inside of Inu-yasha's carriage. Kagome turned around and came face to face with the infamous Kikyo who sat laughing at her in the cab of Inu-yasha's carriage with her white velvet sleeve hiding the smirk on her face.
"And who might you be?" Kagome asked, as if she didn't already know.
"Kagome, this is Kikyo, my uh…uh…um."
"His acquaintance, and you must be the darling little tart who keeps his heart wrapped around her little finger. My you are dressed nice for a..."
"For a what?" Kagome asked Kikyo angrily.
"For a child. Yes, that's what you are, a child. No woman could make his heart flutter at the bat of her eye. Believe me, I've tried, and the only thing that I can get out of him anymore is… Well, you know who and what I am. I'm only a concubine compared to you. You're his night and his moon and his stars in the sky." Kekyo laughed again.
"Hey, that's not true." Inu-yasha said. "You know I've only got eyes for you babe."
"Oh if that were only true." Kekyo said. "But you mustn't worry about my feelings dearest Inu-yasha. This beautiful little girl needs your kindness more than I do at the moment." Kikyo turned away then and Kagome turned back to Inu-yasha.
"Here." he said handing her the pass. "Just remember where you got it." Kagome took it and then walked away. Inu-yasha would wait while she went to see his brother then he would take Kikyo home. He felt so guilty at times for being with her and not being in love with her. Especially when the woman he really wanted was Kagome.
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Act Six. Scene Three.
Sesshomaru was finishing up his supper when Kagome came in to see him. She presented "her" pass to the guard and he let her in to see him. Needless to say, Sesshomaru was surprised to see her there and looking so splendidly.
"Lady Kagome." He said taking her into his arms. "It is most wonderful to see you alive and looking so fit." He kissed her hands and her forehead and held her so close that Kagome could barely breath.
"Oh Lord Sesshomaru, this is such an unexpected welcome I'm receiving from you." She said to him.
"Forgive me." He said. "I was simply overtaken by your great beauty." He told her. "Please tell me how it is that you've come to see me."
"Well, it was Lord Inu-yasha who you must thank. I came here to see you and he gave me his pass. It was so gentlemanly of him don't you think?" Kagome asked him, playing sweetly.
"Oh my brother is many things but not a gentleman. You mustn't confuse his flirtations with having an honorable soul. But let us not speak of such things. How is Edo?" He asked her. "Tell me of your friends and your family and anything else that's been going on. I get so little real news about what is going on in the country in here." Kagome sat down beside him on the bunk bed, and held hands with him like a lady does with her betrothed.
"What's to tell, everything is so well at Edo that I barely have time to worry about politics and such. What with all the young gentlemen coming to court me and my sisters and all. Why just this past week I received an invitation of marriage from a fellow named Manten, who is said to be one of the Emperor's favorite Tax Collectors." She admitted that much.
"So then there is no worry from the new law that the Emperor has passed." Sesshomaru said, guessing at what was really going on there in his little cell. "With so many wonderful suitors waiting in the wings there can not possibly be any way that you'll loose Edo." He got up and walked over to the door. "Now, tell me the truth, Kagome. Tell me why you're really here to see me. Everyone in Kyoto knows that Manten the Taxman is an ugly Son of a b&%#" Kagome was caught. Oh well, now she could come right out with it, and not beat around the bush.
"Okay, Manten's after Edo." She told him. "He says that if I don't marry him then he'll buy the property out from under me. I need a husband quick to take over ownership of Edo until…"
"I see. Since I am to die soon, you thought of me. We'd have a quick wedding in the cell, consummate the relationship all on one night and then when I die, all my property and wealth will be yours. Including Edo."
"You once said that I'd make a fine edition to your family." Kagome said, looking down in shame. "And… It wouldn't just be for one night. With the pass Inu-yasha gave to me, I could come an visit you. I could bare you a son, if we tried hard enough before they hang you."
"And what if Inu-yasha manages to secure my release?" Sesshomaru asked her. "What then?"
"Please." Kagome began to cry for real. "I'd do anything to keep my family from being turned out on the street."
"Even marry a man whom you do not love. Why not Manten then, he's asking." He told her. "Go now and leave me alone. I dare not see you now as I am very tempted to take you up on your offer." Kagome started to speak again but knew it would do no good. She left the jail and returned to her carriage where Inu-yasha was waiting for her.
"So he wouldn't go for it?" He asked.
"Go for what?" She demanded.
"For whatever it was you came here to get out of him. I know you." He said taking back the pass. "You wouldn't have come just to see my brother, 'cause you're not in love with him. You're only in love with one man, and that's Hojo Wilkes. Well, at least I got to cop a feel of you." Kagome got really mad at him just then and smacked his face with her fan.
"That's all you'll ever get out of me you varlet." She told him and climbed into her carriage. Shippo drove her and old Keade away from the Jail and on to Miroku's house where they would stay the night until they could make the long trip back to Fuji the next morning and from there they would go home to Edo.
"Don't worry child, there is still hope." Keade said to her, seeing that all had not gone well inside the jail.
"Oh what hope is there for me if even a dieing man won't marry me." Kagome said to her in despair. "If only Inu-yasha weren't with that woman, that Kikyo, I'd marry him and then at least I'd be a little happy."
"Don't be mad at Kikyo for telling you the truth child. You are very young still, too young to have been widowed and too young to be out looking for another husband already." Keade told her, laying a comforting hand on Kagome's shoulder. The carriage bumped and jostled on the dirt road leading from the jail to the square where Miroku's store was. The carriage stopped just in front of it and Kagome got out.
"Bless my retched soul, can it be Lady Kagome?" Came a familiar voice. She turned around and found Miroku standing on the curb. "It is, and looking as lovely as ever." He came over and laid an hand on her rump. Kagome was about to smack him away but then she got an idea. Maybe there was still hope after all. It would mean doing the unthinkable, which was to marry a pervert like Miroku, but then there was the alternative.
"Oh Miroku." Kagome said, putting her arms around him. "It's been such a long time. I haven't seen you since the day you left home and we have all missed you." She said. At first Miroku didn't know what to think. He had his hands on Kagome's butt and she wasn't slapping him away. In fact, she was hugging him. This was a joyous day in deed.
"Please won't you come into my store and tell me all about what's going on at home?" He asked Kagome. She smiled and placed her hands on his bottom then too.
"I would just love to." She told him. Once again, poor old Keade had to watch as Kagome threw herself at yet another man. By the time they had visited for a while, talked about home, old times, and family, why Kagome had Miroku dropping to one knee. She'd let him grope her and feel her up like she was his personal love slave and all the while she'd acted like it was a pleasure.
"Kagome, I shouldn't hope that I could ever be good enough for you, but could, that is to say, would you consider marrying me?" He asked her there in front of all his customers.
"Oh, of course I'll marry you my dear sweet Miroku." She said, nearly gagging. She put her arms around his neck again then prayed that all this aggravation would be worth it. For now she was officially engaged to Miroku and there wasn't anything that could be done about it.
"Don't worry Kagome, I'll try to keep in the custom you deserve, and I know that once we're married, I'll be a fine husband to you. Our wedding night will be so spectacular, I'll have fresh flowers cut for you and…" Kagome cut him off just then.
"Yeah about the wedding night, I can't wait for such a long time to be in your arms my darling. So can we get married today?" She asked him. Miroku grinned from ear to ear as he rushed about the shop, hurrying customers out.
"Sorry, " He told them. "The store is closing early today, see you bright and early tomorrow, bye" Once his store front was all locked up and closed down, he and Kagome rushed down to a little shrine on the square where the people would go to pray for their new Emperor, which was now mandatory. Everyone must pray for the Emperor twice a day whether they be at home or in town on business. So the shrine was always open for business. They sold prayer scrolls, lucky charms, and preformed hurried weddings for a small fee, which Miroku was happy to fork over. Old Keade and little Shippo were their only witnesses and they could only sit back and sigh as they watched Kagome get married for a second time.
"Let's hope that this one sticks." Keade said to Shippo. He looked up at Kagome who was kissing Miroku firmly on the lips now. The service was over and they were married.
"Now let's get to the honeymoon!" Kagome declared as she took Miroku's hand and ran out of the Shrine. His whole face had turned into one big grin. Now, after all his flirting, his philandering, he was finally going to get some!
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Act Six: Scene Four
The letter came just days after Kagome had left. Ayumi clutched it in her hands, and ran into the house, bawling. "It's not fair! It's not fair! I'm gonna be an old maid!"
"What's happened?" Songo asked as she, Hojo, Eri, and Yuka came running out of the many rooms in the palace. Ayumi threw herself into her sister, Yuka's, arms, screaming.
"She's a horrible traitor! She's a thief! A home wrecker!" Ayumi cried on her sister's shoulder.
"Who is?" Hojo asked the girl.
"That rotten, evil Kagome! That's who!" Ayumi answered.
"WHAT!?!" They all exclaimed. "What did she do?" Songo asked, serious.
"She's gone and married him behind my back! She married My Miroku!"
"WHAT!?!!?" They all shouted again. They couldn't believe their ears. Songo grabbed up the letter, and read it herself. She was flabbergasted. In total shock!
"It's not fair, it's not!" Ayumi cried again. "She's had two husbands… And I'm gonna be an old maid!!" She started to whine and sob as her loyal sister held her, and tried to get her to calm down. Songo looked at Hojo, and sighed.
"I had expected better from her," Songo said. "But then again… her Edo was in danger. And at least with Miroku, she won't have to worry about him taking over and destroying this place."
"She won't have to worry about us getting turned out into the streets, either," Hojo said, cradling baby Souta in his arms. "That's why she did this. She did this for her sisters and our family."
"Oh, you think she's so noble!?!" Ayumi cried, turning to them. "She's a harlot! She just went out and got married so she wouldn't be a virgin the rest of her life!"
Songo glowered at her, and slapped her across the face. Ayumi stopped crying instantly. Then, Songo said sternly, "You shouldn't say things like that about your sister, who provided for you, and protected you when both your mother and grandfather were dead. Think of what would have happened to you if she'd had to marry Manten. He would have had us all turned out into the street! We'd be destitute, starving, and homeless. Then who would end up being harlots? You two, that's who. If only to get enough money to feed yourselves, I have no doubt that's what you two would have done. You're not worth the sacrifices that Kagome's made for you two. At least with marriage, she keeps her honor! Now go up to your rooms, and pray that your hearts will be more grateful." The girls didn't dare talk back to Songo. She rarely got mad, but when she did, she brought such a fury that even the strongest of creatures would cower. And she didn't need to raise her voice to do it.
As the girls headed up stairs, Songo took her baby boy in her arms, and thought about her friend. Her dearer than sister. She hoped that Kagome knew what she was doing this time.
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Act Six: Scene Five
Kagome lay in bed, thinking about what she'd done that day. She was actually in bed, sleeping next to the snoring Miroku, who was now very tired. The expression on his face- a look of pure joy- did not begin to express the feelings of satisfaction he obviously had for his conquest.
But Kagome was feeling other things entirely. As she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but feel her heart ache with regret and sorrow. Then, as sleep took her, it wasn't Miroku whom she pictured by her side. It was instead a strong, and handsome man with long, soft silvery white hair that brushed her bare shoulders and back as he breathed slowly next to her…