SORRY to all Kikyou haters. I don't like her either, but in this story
she's gonna be mentioned a couple of times. But she's dead already, if that
makes it any better...
* * * *
Kouga's Entrance
She had to stop this. Inuyasha was trailing kisses down her neck, his hands running along her sides. But Kagome couldn't help but feel hurt... Inuyasha thought she was Kikyou... And doing this to her...
"Inuyasha!" Kagome had to shout. It had to end. Surprised by the sudden outburst, Inuyasha loosened his grip on her for a moment. That was all it took. In two seconds Inuyasha found himself on his rear on the ground.
"Hey, what was that for, wench?" he grumbled as he shot Kagome a glare. Kagome held the glare despite the red tinting her cheeks. It took Inuyasha a while to register into his mind what had just happened between the two of them. His face darkened in color considerably.
"Care to explain?" Kagome asked, struggling to control her temper.
"..."
"Well?" Kagome put her hands on her hips. "You just sexually harassed me and you don't have a single word to say?"
"..."
Kagome huffed. Did she have to spell it out for him? "Who is Kikyou?" she demanded. "And what does she have to do with me?" she added as an afterthought.
Inuyasha stiffened. "That's none of your business," he said quietly.
"Well it's becoming my business. I need to know Inuyasha," Kagome prodded, her tone softer now, as if talking with a small child. "A minute ago you were kissing me to death and muttering Kikyou in my ear! Don't you think I DESERVE an explanation? If I'm gonna get sexually harassed I might as well know why!"
At last, Inuyasha relented. "You look so much like her," he grumbled, not looking at Kagome. "And when you said those words..."
Kagome finally understood. So Inuyasha had mistaken her for his lover... Or former lover more like. It was clear that something serious had happened between Inuyasha and this Kikyou girl. Inuyasha's eyes looked so painful when talking about her.
* * * *
"Kikyou?" Sango asked. "I know a little about her. Why?" Kagome sat down on Sango's bed.
"Inuyasha was all over me and –"Kagome began, only to be interrupted by Sango's gasp.
"All OVER you?" Sango shouted, eyes wide.
Kagome quickly added, "While moaning Kikyou's name in my ear, yeah."
Sango lifted an eyebrow. "Kikyou, eh? Well, I've only been working at the palace for a year, so I don't know a lot... But I've heard the cook gossip around the other servants. Kikyou was Inuyasha's girlfriend two years ago or something."
"Well, obviously," Kagome rolled her eyes. "He was smothering me while calling Kikyou's name."
Sango continued, "I also heard Kikyou's dead. She died two years ago, just two months after meeting Inuyasha. And the cook says that Inuyasha and Kikyou... They were in love."
As Kagome thought on this, the door opened. She muttered, "Hey Miroku."
"Er..." Sango's voice was quiet. "Lady Ayame!" At this Kagome looked up. The queen was in the doorway, clearly puzzled by Kagome's name for her... Kagome got up. What was she supposed to do now? Curtsey? Say 'Your highness?' She settled for a curtsey.
"So you're Inuyasha's new maid?" Lady Ayame's voice was pleasant. "Look up, dear." Kagome lifted her head. For some reason, Lady Ayame's expression blanked out for a second upon seeing Kagome's face. 'Must be about Kikyou again,' Kagome thought.
"I'm Higurashi Kagome, Your Highness," Kagome managed to say humbly.
"Oh, you can just call me Lady Ayame," the queen said kindly. "So has your family been informed that you are now staying at the palace, child?"
Kagome replied, "I don't have a family anymore."
Lady Ayame shook her head sympathetically, "I'm sorry to hear that. Make yourself at home here, all right? If Inuyasha troubles you, tell me. That boy... Ever since his father's death years ago... His bringing up's been rough."
Kagome held her breath. She'd heard of the king's death when she was a little girl. But she'd had little sympathy to spare, as Naraku had killed both her parents around that time as well. Kagome sighed. She couldn't think about her parents' death without dipping into depression.
* * * *
Inuyasha paced restlessly around his room. 'What the hell have I done?' he asked himself. He couldn't describe the mixture of feelings he had right then. He could scarcely believe that he'd actually kissed Kagome... He didn't think of her that way yet! ... Or did he? Inuyasha managed a growl of frustration.
He had taken Kagome for Kikyou... And he had seen a look of disappointment and hurt in Kagome's blue eyes. But those words she had said... Almost as if daring him to kill her... Inuyasha shook his head. It seemed once she'd said those words, he had slipped into a trance. Suddenly, it was Kikyou's face and not Kagome's, and Kikyou's lips that spoke : "Are you gonna kill me, Inuyasha?"
At that point, he'd utterly broken down. He just couldn't stand it anymore. Taking Kagome as Kikyou, he poured out everything he thought he owed her. But Inuyasha couldn't block out the little voice in his head that reminded him, 'You knew Inuyasha... Part of you knew it was Kagome you were kissing... And you enjoyed every moment of it.'
Inuyasha finally stopped his mindless pacing to drag himself into his bed. Lying down, he couldn't stop the thoughts pouring into his head... How soft Kagome's lips had been... And her sapphire eyes, capable of so much emotion... Something Kikyou had lacked...
* * * *
"RISE AND SHINE!"
"ARGHHH!" Kagome growled as something small and furry pounced onto her stomach. Opening her eyes, she found a small boy, looking about three or four years old. He had a fluffy tail behind him, something Kagome had never seen on a kid before. "Awww... a squirrel boy! You're so cute!" Kagome squealed, sitting up and amusing herself by squeezing the life out of the little kid.
"Let go of me!" the boy protested. "I'm not a squirrel boy, either! I'm a kitsune," he added, proudly. "My name's Shippo! Sango told me to 'wake up Kagome.' You are Kagome, right?"
"Yes," Kagome answered, absentmindedly petting Shippo's tail.
Suddenly -
"Kagome!" Sango rushed into the room, out of breath. Her hair was down; obviously she had just woken up.
"Thanks for the wake up call, Sango," Kagome said sourly, gesturing to Shippo, who scowled.
"Yeah, whatever," Sango brushed that off. "Guess what?"
Kagome guessed, "Chicken butt?"
Sango rolled her eyes at her friend. "Inuyasha's getting crowned king tomorrow, since he's reached the age (seventeen btw)!"
"Good for him?" Kagome offered.
"The day after he's crowned, he's going on a vacation/celebration sort of thing," Sango took a breath, "and we get to tag along for free!"
"That's great!" Kagome exclaimed. 'I sooo need a vacation...'
"Oh, and one more thing," Sango smirked mischievously. Uh-oh, don't like the sound of that! "In youkai tradition," Sango explained, "when a youkai, or hanyou for that matter, gets crowned king, his mate is supposed to carry the crown up the aisle and give it to the priest, who then does all the vows of loyalty to country and stuff. Since Inuyasha doesn't have a mate yet, you'll be doing all the things his mate would have to do... So you'll be acting as Inuyasha's mate for the day. Cause you're his PERSONAL maid and all..."
"Oh yeah," Sango added. "Then there's that kiss you have to give him..." Kagome's eyes narrowed. "...On the forehead," Sango completed.
"That's not so bad, I guess..." Kagome muttered.
"Oh yeah, and I got permission from Lady Ayame," Sango said excitedly. "We can go to the attire room, where they've got all sorts of clothing. You'll be sure to find something suitable to wear for the coronation there!"
* * * *
Sango was right. Kagome stared in wonder as she stepped into the ::hall:: of attire. Clothing of all kinds was on display; it was like at the mall, but a lot fancier. Formal attire for men, women, children, everything was there...
Kagome found her eyes on a lilac evening gown. It was such a beautiful dress... Simple, but breathtaking. Kagome stepped forward and touched the fine silk fabric the dress was made of.
"Are you gonna get that one?" Sango asked, noticing her friend lingering in one spot.
"Yeah, I think so," Kagome replied. "What about you? Did you find one yet?"
"I think I'll try this one," Sango said. "What do you think?" She'd chosen a dress of forest green velvet. It had a golden sash at the waistline, giving it a European look.
"It fits your skin tone," Kagome commented. "It looks great!" Sango smiled.
* * * *
The coronation assembly was titanic. (I've always wanted to used that word! ^_^) The assembly hall was crammed with people. Kagome was surprised a walking aisle had been possible.
"You sit in the back over there," Sango told Kagome loudly, trying to override the many other voices in the hall. "Cause you have to walk up the aisle later. See that bald man there? With the frown? That's Myouga. He'll give you the crown. He's holding it for you right now."
"Er, okay," Kagome said. She was just a little nervous. She'd never participated in something as important as a coronation before, and she was afraid of messing it up.
"I'll be over there," Sango pointed a few rows back, "if you need me."
"With Miroku?" Kagome stated dryly, sending her friend a smirk. Sango blushed, and then hurried off.
Kagome made her way towards Myouga, who looked just slightly on the unfriendly side. When she reached him, he scowled at her. Kagome scowled right back. So much for good manners. "Hey, do you have the crown?" Kagome asked. "Cause I need it." At the look on Myouga's face, she added, "I have to bring the crown up to Inuyasha later."
Myouga snorted. "Are you Prince Inuyasha's mate?" he asked doubtfully.
Kagome blushed slightly, much to her embarrassment. "Um, no," she began, "but Inuyasha doesn't have a mate yet, so I have to fill the role for today." Myouga looked suspicious. "I'm his maid," she added. That seemed good enough for the old man, who handed her a wine colored velvet pillow that was cushioning a golden crown.
Kagome looked at the crown in awe. It was intricately designed with war scenes. It seemed every line was refined with a needle. Suddenly, Kagome noticed that the hall had quieted down quite a bit. Looking around to find out why, she saw Inuyasha, clothed in a suit at the front of the hall.
Kagome caught Sango gesturing for her to walk up the aisle. Blushing, and obviously realizing the assembly must've been waiting a while for her entrance, she stumbled inelegantly into the narrow aisle. Straightening up her dress, she started to make way towards Inuyasha. To relieve herself from nervousness, Kagome focused her eyes on Inuyasha only, blocking everything else out. Somehow, that helped a lot.
Walking up the two or three steps onto the stage, Kagome thought she heard something brush against her. Ignoring it, she looked at Inuyasha. The priest standing solemnly to the side accepted Kagome's offer of the crown. Inuyasha knelt down on the velvet carpet.
"From this day forth you are the servant of your country," the priest began in a monotonous voice, "Your loyalty belongs to your country. Your priority will be your people...."
Kagome tuned him out.
When the priest was done with his speech, Inuyasha said, "I accept." Kagome watched as the priest lifted the crown out of its cushion and placed it on Inuyasha's head. Kagome stared. Inuyasha looked so hot and strong with that crown on! Somehow she felt it was the time for her kiss.
After the priest had retreated to the side, Kagome walked over to where Inuyasha was now standing. Blushing slightly, she planted a chaste kiss on his forehead. As she backed down, she giggled, on finding Inuyasha's cheeks to have tinged pink as well.
"You bastard!" a voice suddenly yelled. Everyone turned to watch as a boy wearing strange armor coated at the shoulder with fur appeared before them. His long black hair was wound up in a ponytail, and his eyes were narrowed at Inuyasha. In a flash, he was by Kagome's side, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Kouga?" was all Kagome could say. "What...?"
Inuyasha watched the scene. So Kagome already had a lover...
* * * *
Kouga's Entrance
She had to stop this. Inuyasha was trailing kisses down her neck, his hands running along her sides. But Kagome couldn't help but feel hurt... Inuyasha thought she was Kikyou... And doing this to her...
"Inuyasha!" Kagome had to shout. It had to end. Surprised by the sudden outburst, Inuyasha loosened his grip on her for a moment. That was all it took. In two seconds Inuyasha found himself on his rear on the ground.
"Hey, what was that for, wench?" he grumbled as he shot Kagome a glare. Kagome held the glare despite the red tinting her cheeks. It took Inuyasha a while to register into his mind what had just happened between the two of them. His face darkened in color considerably.
"Care to explain?" Kagome asked, struggling to control her temper.
"..."
"Well?" Kagome put her hands on her hips. "You just sexually harassed me and you don't have a single word to say?"
"..."
Kagome huffed. Did she have to spell it out for him? "Who is Kikyou?" she demanded. "And what does she have to do with me?" she added as an afterthought.
Inuyasha stiffened. "That's none of your business," he said quietly.
"Well it's becoming my business. I need to know Inuyasha," Kagome prodded, her tone softer now, as if talking with a small child. "A minute ago you were kissing me to death and muttering Kikyou in my ear! Don't you think I DESERVE an explanation? If I'm gonna get sexually harassed I might as well know why!"
At last, Inuyasha relented. "You look so much like her," he grumbled, not looking at Kagome. "And when you said those words..."
Kagome finally understood. So Inuyasha had mistaken her for his lover... Or former lover more like. It was clear that something serious had happened between Inuyasha and this Kikyou girl. Inuyasha's eyes looked so painful when talking about her.
* * * *
"Kikyou?" Sango asked. "I know a little about her. Why?" Kagome sat down on Sango's bed.
"Inuyasha was all over me and –"Kagome began, only to be interrupted by Sango's gasp.
"All OVER you?" Sango shouted, eyes wide.
Kagome quickly added, "While moaning Kikyou's name in my ear, yeah."
Sango lifted an eyebrow. "Kikyou, eh? Well, I've only been working at the palace for a year, so I don't know a lot... But I've heard the cook gossip around the other servants. Kikyou was Inuyasha's girlfriend two years ago or something."
"Well, obviously," Kagome rolled her eyes. "He was smothering me while calling Kikyou's name."
Sango continued, "I also heard Kikyou's dead. She died two years ago, just two months after meeting Inuyasha. And the cook says that Inuyasha and Kikyou... They were in love."
As Kagome thought on this, the door opened. She muttered, "Hey Miroku."
"Er..." Sango's voice was quiet. "Lady Ayame!" At this Kagome looked up. The queen was in the doorway, clearly puzzled by Kagome's name for her... Kagome got up. What was she supposed to do now? Curtsey? Say 'Your highness?' She settled for a curtsey.
"So you're Inuyasha's new maid?" Lady Ayame's voice was pleasant. "Look up, dear." Kagome lifted her head. For some reason, Lady Ayame's expression blanked out for a second upon seeing Kagome's face. 'Must be about Kikyou again,' Kagome thought.
"I'm Higurashi Kagome, Your Highness," Kagome managed to say humbly.
"Oh, you can just call me Lady Ayame," the queen said kindly. "So has your family been informed that you are now staying at the palace, child?"
Kagome replied, "I don't have a family anymore."
Lady Ayame shook her head sympathetically, "I'm sorry to hear that. Make yourself at home here, all right? If Inuyasha troubles you, tell me. That boy... Ever since his father's death years ago... His bringing up's been rough."
Kagome held her breath. She'd heard of the king's death when she was a little girl. But she'd had little sympathy to spare, as Naraku had killed both her parents around that time as well. Kagome sighed. She couldn't think about her parents' death without dipping into depression.
* * * *
Inuyasha paced restlessly around his room. 'What the hell have I done?' he asked himself. He couldn't describe the mixture of feelings he had right then. He could scarcely believe that he'd actually kissed Kagome... He didn't think of her that way yet! ... Or did he? Inuyasha managed a growl of frustration.
He had taken Kagome for Kikyou... And he had seen a look of disappointment and hurt in Kagome's blue eyes. But those words she had said... Almost as if daring him to kill her... Inuyasha shook his head. It seemed once she'd said those words, he had slipped into a trance. Suddenly, it was Kikyou's face and not Kagome's, and Kikyou's lips that spoke : "Are you gonna kill me, Inuyasha?"
At that point, he'd utterly broken down. He just couldn't stand it anymore. Taking Kagome as Kikyou, he poured out everything he thought he owed her. But Inuyasha couldn't block out the little voice in his head that reminded him, 'You knew Inuyasha... Part of you knew it was Kagome you were kissing... And you enjoyed every moment of it.'
Inuyasha finally stopped his mindless pacing to drag himself into his bed. Lying down, he couldn't stop the thoughts pouring into his head... How soft Kagome's lips had been... And her sapphire eyes, capable of so much emotion... Something Kikyou had lacked...
* * * *
"RISE AND SHINE!"
"ARGHHH!" Kagome growled as something small and furry pounced onto her stomach. Opening her eyes, she found a small boy, looking about three or four years old. He had a fluffy tail behind him, something Kagome had never seen on a kid before. "Awww... a squirrel boy! You're so cute!" Kagome squealed, sitting up and amusing herself by squeezing the life out of the little kid.
"Let go of me!" the boy protested. "I'm not a squirrel boy, either! I'm a kitsune," he added, proudly. "My name's Shippo! Sango told me to 'wake up Kagome.' You are Kagome, right?"
"Yes," Kagome answered, absentmindedly petting Shippo's tail.
Suddenly -
"Kagome!" Sango rushed into the room, out of breath. Her hair was down; obviously she had just woken up.
"Thanks for the wake up call, Sango," Kagome said sourly, gesturing to Shippo, who scowled.
"Yeah, whatever," Sango brushed that off. "Guess what?"
Kagome guessed, "Chicken butt?"
Sango rolled her eyes at her friend. "Inuyasha's getting crowned king tomorrow, since he's reached the age (seventeen btw)!"
"Good for him?" Kagome offered.
"The day after he's crowned, he's going on a vacation/celebration sort of thing," Sango took a breath, "and we get to tag along for free!"
"That's great!" Kagome exclaimed. 'I sooo need a vacation...'
"Oh, and one more thing," Sango smirked mischievously. Uh-oh, don't like the sound of that! "In youkai tradition," Sango explained, "when a youkai, or hanyou for that matter, gets crowned king, his mate is supposed to carry the crown up the aisle and give it to the priest, who then does all the vows of loyalty to country and stuff. Since Inuyasha doesn't have a mate yet, you'll be doing all the things his mate would have to do... So you'll be acting as Inuyasha's mate for the day. Cause you're his PERSONAL maid and all..."
"Oh yeah," Sango added. "Then there's that kiss you have to give him..." Kagome's eyes narrowed. "...On the forehead," Sango completed.
"That's not so bad, I guess..." Kagome muttered.
"Oh yeah, and I got permission from Lady Ayame," Sango said excitedly. "We can go to the attire room, where they've got all sorts of clothing. You'll be sure to find something suitable to wear for the coronation there!"
* * * *
Sango was right. Kagome stared in wonder as she stepped into the ::hall:: of attire. Clothing of all kinds was on display; it was like at the mall, but a lot fancier. Formal attire for men, women, children, everything was there...
Kagome found her eyes on a lilac evening gown. It was such a beautiful dress... Simple, but breathtaking. Kagome stepped forward and touched the fine silk fabric the dress was made of.
"Are you gonna get that one?" Sango asked, noticing her friend lingering in one spot.
"Yeah, I think so," Kagome replied. "What about you? Did you find one yet?"
"I think I'll try this one," Sango said. "What do you think?" She'd chosen a dress of forest green velvet. It had a golden sash at the waistline, giving it a European look.
"It fits your skin tone," Kagome commented. "It looks great!" Sango smiled.
* * * *
The coronation assembly was titanic. (I've always wanted to used that word! ^_^) The assembly hall was crammed with people. Kagome was surprised a walking aisle had been possible.
"You sit in the back over there," Sango told Kagome loudly, trying to override the many other voices in the hall. "Cause you have to walk up the aisle later. See that bald man there? With the frown? That's Myouga. He'll give you the crown. He's holding it for you right now."
"Er, okay," Kagome said. She was just a little nervous. She'd never participated in something as important as a coronation before, and she was afraid of messing it up.
"I'll be over there," Sango pointed a few rows back, "if you need me."
"With Miroku?" Kagome stated dryly, sending her friend a smirk. Sango blushed, and then hurried off.
Kagome made her way towards Myouga, who looked just slightly on the unfriendly side. When she reached him, he scowled at her. Kagome scowled right back. So much for good manners. "Hey, do you have the crown?" Kagome asked. "Cause I need it." At the look on Myouga's face, she added, "I have to bring the crown up to Inuyasha later."
Myouga snorted. "Are you Prince Inuyasha's mate?" he asked doubtfully.
Kagome blushed slightly, much to her embarrassment. "Um, no," she began, "but Inuyasha doesn't have a mate yet, so I have to fill the role for today." Myouga looked suspicious. "I'm his maid," she added. That seemed good enough for the old man, who handed her a wine colored velvet pillow that was cushioning a golden crown.
Kagome looked at the crown in awe. It was intricately designed with war scenes. It seemed every line was refined with a needle. Suddenly, Kagome noticed that the hall had quieted down quite a bit. Looking around to find out why, she saw Inuyasha, clothed in a suit at the front of the hall.
Kagome caught Sango gesturing for her to walk up the aisle. Blushing, and obviously realizing the assembly must've been waiting a while for her entrance, she stumbled inelegantly into the narrow aisle. Straightening up her dress, she started to make way towards Inuyasha. To relieve herself from nervousness, Kagome focused her eyes on Inuyasha only, blocking everything else out. Somehow, that helped a lot.
Walking up the two or three steps onto the stage, Kagome thought she heard something brush against her. Ignoring it, she looked at Inuyasha. The priest standing solemnly to the side accepted Kagome's offer of the crown. Inuyasha knelt down on the velvet carpet.
"From this day forth you are the servant of your country," the priest began in a monotonous voice, "Your loyalty belongs to your country. Your priority will be your people...."
Kagome tuned him out.
When the priest was done with his speech, Inuyasha said, "I accept." Kagome watched as the priest lifted the crown out of its cushion and placed it on Inuyasha's head. Kagome stared. Inuyasha looked so hot and strong with that crown on! Somehow she felt it was the time for her kiss.
After the priest had retreated to the side, Kagome walked over to where Inuyasha was now standing. Blushing slightly, she planted a chaste kiss on his forehead. As she backed down, she giggled, on finding Inuyasha's cheeks to have tinged pink as well.
"You bastard!" a voice suddenly yelled. Everyone turned to watch as a boy wearing strange armor coated at the shoulder with fur appeared before them. His long black hair was wound up in a ponytail, and his eyes were narrowed at Inuyasha. In a flash, he was by Kagome's side, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Kouga?" was all Kagome could say. "What...?"
Inuyasha watched the scene. So Kagome already had a lover...