Author's Note: Konnichiwa! Sorry it's taken me so long to update! I've had a very busy schedule lately and have had oodles of finals. Actually this got updated like a earlier then I expected (you can all thank Jigglypuff25 for that). Thank you to all that read and reviewed! Mel-chan loves her reviewers so much! Enjoy chappy 5 minna! Ja ne!
Disclaimer: I don't own Inu-kun, however, I do own an adorable Kouga-kun gashapon doll which I love to huggles.
The Will of the Heart
Ch.5: Official Meetings
Kagome rose early the next morning with a new-found strength in her body. She dressed in a light-blue kimono, she assumed Lady Inutaisho had laid out for her, and exited her room for the first time, Kirara at her heels.
"Where should we go, Kirara?" she asked quietly, looking down the hall outside of her room.
Without waiting for a reply, she turned to her right and began wandering down the long corridor.
The castle was truly beautiful. Fresh flowers were placed around every corner, red velvet curtains hung from each crystal window, and tall slabs of polished marble formed entry-ways to the many unusual rooms that made up the castle.
Even in the morning, the palace was buzzing with activity. With every step she took, another castle-dweller would rush around one of the many corners of the corridor, flashing a quick smile towards her as they passed.
The princess continued on her way down the hall-way, finding her way to a tall staircase descending down to the first floor. She cautiously made her way down the stairs, still on slightly wobbly legs. When she had mastered the last step and put both feet back on solid ground, a strange flash of gold caught her eye; causing her to enter the open door of a nearby room.
Walking a few paces into it, she stopped and stared silently at the brilliant gold's source. A large, elaborate tapestry hung from the wall, bathed in warm, morning sunlight. (A/N: Bet you guys thought it was Inu's eyes. LoL. ) The golden thread sparkled brilliantly and seemed to come alive in the light.
Kagome gazed deep into the picture, captivated. It told stories of the bitter wars of the kingdom, how its people sacrificed and suffered to survive, the fall of their enemies under the rule of a fair Lord, and the heros, immortalized forever in golden stitch-work. She couldn't help but be awestruck. Even without words, Kagome could almost see the story play out.
The princess was so entranced by the tapestry, she didn't even notice when Lady Inutaisho entered the room and stood next to her.
"Beautiful isn't it, Kagome-Hime?"
The girl startled out of her trance and turned two bewildered eyes towards the queen.
"This tapestry has been in the Inutaisho family for generations. I've always admired it for its craftsmanship; whoever wove it must have very skilled. Sometimes I just come in here and stare at it for hours, trying to take it all in. I see you have the same captivation with it as I."
"It's so lovely," Kagome said, looking up. "It almost looks like some one from long ago was trying to leave a message behind for us."
"You think so too? My husband never did. He was always so wrapped up in the affairs of this kingdom, I suppose he never got the chance to really look at it. Then again," she said with a slight laugh, "maybe it's just something woman can see better than men."
Lady Inutaisho lightly turned and retreated to a chair towards the back of the room. "I didn't expect to see you up and walking so soon," she said, gently patting the chair next to her, "but, then again, you haven't ceased amazing me since you arrived. Are you sure you're up to it?"
"I feel fine," Kagome responded, taking a seat. "In fact, it really doesn't hurt anymore."
"Truly miraculous. I've never heard of anyone, outside of a Youkai, recovering from such mortal wounds so fast. You are really something my dear."
Kagome smiled, she really had no clue as to why she had healed so quickly. As far as she could remember, she had always recuperated from scratches and the occasional skinned knee in only a few minutes so it was only natural she should recover from more threatening wounds in a short time as well. Wasn't it?
The two woman sat peacefully, wrapped up in many, little conversations and getting to know one another a little better.
"This is going to be a good day," Kagome thought to herself. "I'm going to be happy and cheerful and I'm going to have a positive outlook. I'm sure everything will work out for the best."
Heavy footsteps drew near and a dark shadow suddenly appeared in the doorway. A cold chill swept through the room and the figure stepped forward from the darkness . . . . Inuyasha.
"Good morning, dear!" Lady Inutaisho smiled. "How did you sleep?"
The Hanyou looked up. He had dark circles under his eyes and did not look one bit happy.
"Am I allowed to kill women?" he drowned, lifting his head slightly up.
As if on cue, Kagome turned her own head to look at the newcomer. Their eyes met and instant recognition flashed, then all hell broke loose.
"YOU!!!!!!!!" they both gasped at the same time.
"So you've met." Lady Inutaisho smiled, clapping her hands together happily.
"THAT'S THE BITCH THAT ATTACKED ME!!!"
"NANI!!!????"
"Huh?" Lady Inutaisho blinked, confusedly. "Am I missing something here?"
"Get her out of the palace now or I'll rip her to shreds!"
"Inuyasha! How dare you treat our guest so rudely! This is princess Higuarashi, Kagome. Kagome-hime, this is my son, Inuyasha."
"WHAT??!!"
"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha was incredulous. "Her? She can't be a princess! No way in hell is that her!"
"Excuse me?!!" Kagome gasped, her temper, as well as her voice, rising.
"Oh look!" Lady Inutaisho cut in desperately. "It's time for breakfast! Come now you two, we don't want to be late!"
"There ain't no way I'm sitting at the same table with that psycho," Inuyasha objected, pointing wildly towards Kagome.
"Inuyasha," Lady Inutaisho hissed, dangerously lowering her voice, "let us go to the dinning room."
"No wa . . ." Inuyasha stopped. His mother's sharp look demanded he come or else. He gave up his argument and sulked over to her.
Kagome got up from her chair to follow. She couldn't believe this ignorant, selfish, rude, stubborn, stuck up, mean, loud, un-respectful, mutt-faced, neanderthal was supposed to be her "body guard". For heavens sake, she was sure he'd rather kill her than protect her. She hadn't even been awake a whole day and already they had gotten into two fights and something told her, this wouldn't be their last one either.
The princess followed behind the two Inutaishos, trying not to get to close to the irritable Inuyasha. Entering through a stone doorway, they reached the dinning room. A large table stood in the middle of the adorned with a dark blue tablecloth. The room was strangely empty and Kagome briefly wondered if anyone else would be joining them.
"Kagome-Hime, please have a seat here," Lady Inutaisho said, motioning to a seat between Inuyasha and herself.
Reluctantly, Kagome took her seat; all the while trying to ignore the angry snarls and death glares Inuyasha was sending her way.
Within a matter of minutes servants were busily moving around the room and a large breakfast had been spread across the table. Kagome ate her food slowly, trying hard not turn to the side and strangle Inuyasha. She was just about to get up and excuse herself when a new addition entered the room.
"Morning!"
"Good morning, Miroku," Lady Inutaisho exclaimed.
A man with a small, black ponytail and dark, purple robes stood in the middle of the room. A devilish grin lingered on his handsome face and it was all directed at one person, Kagome.
"No one told me I would be dinning in the presence of a lovely, young lady this fair morning," he said with every ounce of cheesy charm he could muster.
"Miroku this is Princess Kagome."
"THE Princess Kagome?" Pushing Inuyasha out of his chair, he seated himself next to the girl, grasping her hands. "I know this whole experience must be excruciating for you. If you ever need some one to comfort you on those COLD, LONELY nights, my room is . . . ."
- -WHACK- -
A large bump revealed itself on the Houshi's head as Inuyasha retracted his arm.
"Ouch," he said, cocking his steaming head to the side.
Kagome just sat there. Blushing, slightly, in stunned silence.
"You'll have to excuse Miroku, my dear," Lady Inutaisho said with a sigh, "He has some . . . . bad habits."
"That's an understatement," Inuyasha scoffed.
The rest of breakfast was relatively quite. Lady Inutaisho made gentle conversation with Kagome, rubbing her temples every few minutes, Inuyasha resumed scowling at the girl, and Miroku gently pouted in his seat.
"Do you enjoy watching swordplay?" Lady inutaisho asked, desperately trying to find a common bond between her son and the princess.
Kagome forced a smile, "I suppose."
"Wonderful! Inuyasha is very skilled with a sword. Maybe he could show you his techniques sometime."
"Keh! Yea, right," Inuyasha mumbled under his breath.
"Inuyasha . . ."
"That's alright my lady," Kagome cut in, "I am perfectly content without Prince Inuyasha's company."
Inuyasha opened his mouth to retort something, but the queen was quicker, cutting him off.
"Um. . . . tell me about your family, Kagome-Hime."
Kagome winced, but slowly repeated the resolution she had made this morning, in her head.
"Oh no!" Lady Inutaisho, mentally slapped herself. In another one of her desperate attempts to change the subject, she had, inadvertently, hit a nerve with the girl.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly, "I didn't mean to . . ."
"No," Kagome said, shaking her head. "It's ok. I don't mind." Taking a deep breath, she began. "I come from a long line of Mikos. In fact, almost all of the Higuarashi women, through the generations, have been one. We are highly regarded for our spiritual powers and arching abilities."
"I have a little brother named Souta and an older sister named Kikyou. Souta is a little coward and a bit shy, but we usually get along pretty well. My sister on the other hand . . ." Kagome stopped, quietly watching Kirara sip some milk from her little bowl on the floor. "I guess we're just different."
Inuyasha watched the conflicting emotions on the girl's face. She was trying to hide it, but he could see the pain that dwelled ever so subtly in her dark brown eyes. He couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit of sadness for the princess.
"Gomen!" Kagome exclaimed, as the room became silent. "I didn't mean to bring everyone down."
Lady Inutaisho looked up with a smile. "Not at all my dear. Everything will be alright. Sesshoumaru will be back soon and I'm sure he'll bring with him good news!"
"Don't count on it." Inuyasha stood up from his seat, turning around.
"Inuyasha!" his mother snapped.
"I'm going back to my room; don't bug me."
"Sit down! Last time I let you get away with just up and leaving, but this time is different. We do have a guest."
"Do you think I care? Bye!"
"Why must I have such a thick headed son?" Lady Inutaisho asked herself. "Inuyasha! What about your job?"
"What job?"
"Well, for starters, you are going to take miss Higuarashi on a walk around the castle."
"What?! No way in hell!"
"No is not the correct answer. I control whether you get the Tetsusaiga or not, so I suggest you do what I say."
"Shit!" For a moment he just stood there shocked and snarling, then grabbed Kagome's arm. "Get up girl- -"
The princess looked up eyeing him suspiciously. "Excuse me?!!"
"We're going for a damn walk."
/./././././././././././././.
Kagome followed a careful distance behind the steaming Hanyou, walking next to Miroku, who had insisted on coming along. "Inuyasha not such a bad guy once you get to know him." he said with a smile. "He's a pain, but not a bad guy."
"He sure has a horrible temper," she replied dryly, "plus, he absolutely despises me."
"Let's test that theory, shall we? Hey, Inuyasha!" Miroku yelled, raising his hands to his mouth. "Do you really hate Kagome-sama?"
"Keh!" Inuyasha said, spinning around, "what do you think?"
"He loves you!" A small sweat drop appeared on the girl's face. "Don't worry." Miroku smiled, swiftly bringing Kagome's hands up his face," I could never hate you."
The princess was just about to thank him and pull away, but felt a strange, foreign object, slowly, working its way down her back and stopping on her- - well, you get the picture. Her eyes popped open.
"HENTAI!!!!!" Kagome screamed and slapped Miroku as hard as she could on the face.
"But, Kagome-sama, you have . . ."
The girl didn't even wait to hear what he had to say, turning her back and running as fast as she possibly could after Inuyasha. Suddenly, the Hanyou didn't sound like such bad company.
Reaching Inuyasha, she slowed to a stop. Through her whole little ordeal, he hadn't even batted an eye. She guessed he was probably used to Miroku's perverted nature by now, the only problem was she wasn't.
She could almost feel the negativity bouncing off him. From the way he carried himself to the way his arms rested tensely in the sleeves of his Haori, it wasn't hard for her to see that he didn't want her around.
"Hey, Inuyasha?" she asked softly.
The boy continued his silent pace, pretending she wasn't behind him.
She tried again, "Inuyasha?" For a moment, she considered giving up, until- - .
"What wench," Inuyasha growled.
"Um. . .well I'm probably going to be here for awhile, so don't you think we can at least try to get along?"
"Right."
Kagome sighed, "Geez, you sure can hold a grudge. Look Inuyasha, I'm sorry about knocking you out, but you really ticked me off."
Inuyasha whirled around, "Well you ticked me off too and you didn't see me throwing statues at your head!"
A wide smile spread across Kagome's face and she started to giggle.
Inuyasha stood there dumbfounded. "Hey, why are you laughing?!!!"
The princess lifted her head. Her eyes sparkled happily and a lovely smile graced her soft features. "I'm sorry," she said, still laughing slightly, "but you have to admit, it was funny."
"IT WAS NOT!!!" he yelled. However, his tight lips twisted and turned into the smallest, little smile.
"Ah ha!" Kagome exclaimed, smiling triumphantly. "See, it is funny!"
Inuyasha turned around sporting a slightly embarrassed scowl. "Feh, leave me alone!"
"Oh come on Inuyasha. Why can't we be friends?"
The Hanyou simply snorted and continued walking. They were now nearing main gate, guarding the castle. The sun was shining brilliantly and the air was thick with the wonderful sounds and smells of mid-day.
"It's such a nice day," Kagome thought. " If only I didn't have to spend it with such stick in the mud."
She sighed and muttered the next sentence without even thinking, "You are supposed to be my bodyguard."
Inuyasha's ears swivelled back and he spun around to face the girl. "Look," he said, "despite what you might have heard, I have absolutely no intention of being your little lackey. I have much better things to do, than hang around with an annoying girl like you!"
"And do you really think spending time with you is my idea of fun?!! Believe it or not, you're not the most likeable person in the world."
Both stood there, ready to bite the others head off, when another argument overruled their own.
"Please! If you only let me take a look, I'm sure I can find her!"
"I'm sorry miss, but the castle is strictly off limits to people with unofficial business. I'm not permitted to let you enter."
"But sir . . ."
"Keh!" Inuyasha scoffed. "Stupid peasants; thinking they can come and go from the castle as they please."He looked over at Kagome, expecting her to share the same disgusted look, however it was a different one spread across the princess' face. She stood there, a distant, unknown emotion lingering in her cheeks; all her attention having turned in the direction of the front gate and the conversation at hand.
Without a word to the confused Hanyou, she took off running as fast a she could; in the direction of the castle wall.
"Eh? Girl."
Kagome ran through the courtyard, hoping, pleading that her ears had not deceived her. That voice. She couldn't be mistaken; could she? Speeding down the path, she breathlessly rounded the corner, coming face the face with the gate-guard.
Desperately scanning the grounds, she turned, forcefully to the man, through the gate. "Where is she?!!"
"She? You mean that woman that was just here?"
Kagome's eyes became watery. "Where?"
The guard gazed at the woman, she was on the brink of tears. Looking up, he pointed a finger to a solitary figure departing down the road.
"SANGO!!!!" Kagome screamed, finally catching sight of her friend.
The woman lifted her head, turning her body to face the gate. "Kagome-chan?!!"
In an instant, the girl was dashing down the road, full speed, her giant Hiraikotsu in tow. "Kagome!" she yelled latching onto the girl's arms through the iron bars of the gate.
"Sango! Thank Kami, you're alive!"
"That's my line!"
Tears pooled in the two women's eyes and suddenly both were sobbing uncontrollably. For a minute or two the girls cried incomprehensibly into each others arms until they slowly pulled apart, permitting Kagome to turn to the guard. "Could you open the gate, please?"
The man looked at the princess, "I'm sorry, but I can't do that."
"What!!!" Kagome gasped, "why not?"
"I'm really very sorry miss, but my orders are to not accept orders from anyone other then my superiors or the royal family themselves."
"But, I am of royal blood," she said, using her ace in the whole, "Higuarashi blood, but royal blood. She will cause no harm to the castle, you have my word. Please just let her in!"
"Miss like I told you, I- - "
"Open the gate!"
A different voice cut the man off, causing him to swirl around. All three of them looked up to see a certain Hanyou, leaning casually against a stone pillar.
"Inuyasha. . ." Kagome said slowly.
The guard dropped to one knee and bowed his head deeply. "Your highness, this woman is trying to enter the palace ground and- -"
"And what? Didn't I say to let her in?"
The guard stared up at the prince, a little shocked, then stood and reluctantly opened the gate.
Sango rushed inside catching Kagome in another embrace. "I knew it! I knew you were here. I wasn't going to leave! In another second, I would have hopped the wall and came looking for you."
The princess looked at her friend and smiled. She then turned lightly over to the Hanyou. "Thanks Inuyasha!"
A pure, loving smile radiated sincerely on her face. Without warning, and to his surprise, a wave of heat swept through his cheeks, causing him to whirl around to hide it. "Keh!"
"Eh? Kagome-sama? Inuyasha?" From behind the bushes, a familiar voice sounded. Pushing the leafy branches out of the way, Miroku stumbled out.
"There you two are. I was beginning to think you ditched me to go m . . ." he stopped as his eyes landed on Sango's petite form. "Hello my lovely lady."
'Oh no,' Kagome and Inuyasha both thought, watching as Miroku's lust-filled eyes made their way up and down the Taijiya's body.
As if in slow motion, the Houshi walked over to the girl. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure of making you're acquaintance," he said, flashing one of his "charming" smiles. "My name is Miroku."
/./././././././././././
Author's note: Yea! An incredibly small cliffy! I think everyone knows or can guess what Miroku will do next though. Well, Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, and Sango have all officially met, so I wonder what will happen next. Fluff? I'm not telling. Read and Review and you'll get to find out way sooner. Don't forget, without reviews to keep my spirits up and keep me going I get VERY VERY lazy. Ja ne 'till next time! Love, Mel-chan P.S.-I am currently HATING the new "Quick Write" on FF.net!!!! They aren't letting me change anything! Sorry about the weird spacing and stuff, blame it on them!!!!
My Super, Special, Happy, Wonderful, Loving Reviewers:
Jigglypuff25- Oh! Thank you so much. I've gotten the total opposite response of what I thought I'd get to the whole Kagura and Sesshy thing! Support!!!
Aranath-Oh wow! Thank you! I felt really honored when I read your review.
Redroses-Yes! People actually like my pairings! Thank you for your review.
Remix-69er-Thanks for always reviewing. It means a lot to me!
The Forgotten Child-Glad you liked that part! Sometimes Inuyasha is just asking to get hit on the head.
Kuro-Tanuki- Nan-chan! Thankies!!! I wouldn't go as far as to say that, (I'm no THAT good of an author) but that is the sweetest thing ever! Thank you for always cheering me on w/ your nice long reviews! I treasure them sooooo much!
Purity-Starz- I'm very sad to say I don't know Japanese. I wish I did, but I don't. TT I know bunches of random words and phrases, but not enough to form a complete sentence. I watch A LOT of Japanese Inuyasha & Anime.
Pinksakurablossom04- Thanks for the review! Finally, after 4 long chappies Inu and Kagome met -officially-. Sorry about the long wait.
WolfKeeper989- Oh! Thank you for the review!
Soul of Kagome- I just love reading your reviews! They always make feel so good to be a fanfic writer. Regarding the number of reviews. I feel humbled to just get them. I know that the people that do review are way cool and I love them, but the ones that don't are still . . . Ah screw it! Everyone REVIEW or I'll kill you!!!
THAT WAS MEANT TO BE A JOKE!!! I DON'T WANT ANYONE REPORTING ME TO FANFICTION. NET FOR "THREATENING MY READERS"!!!!! REVIEWS OR NO REVIEWS I LOVE YOU GUYS!