A/N: OK!! FINE I UPDATED!! HAPPY YOU MEANY??!!(Glares evilly at Koga's-Woman)
Quick Recap
"Bell?.......Oh my God! No! This isn't happening. No! I have got to find a way out."
I turned as a the large man in black came into the hallway yelling, "Line up in a fashionable order. Yar priest will be here soon! I want today to go smooth."
All the prisoners groaned, as did I. I wanted out. I didn't want to be here anymore. What did it take to not make these people mad?
The bell rung a second time.
Was there no hope? Would I really die today? Heaven help me.
Falling Into the Toilet
Chapter 9: Rags to Riches
The bell rang again, and it sounded louder, more ominous. The prisoners were taken out of their cells and lined up in a disorderly line. Some were crying, others were trying to free their necks of the metal cuff, and some were passed out on the floor.
Me, I was sitting on my haystack in the cell, knees tucked in with my arms wrapped around them. I couldn't think of anything to get me out of this situation. What could I do?
Through the bars of my cell I had first row seats to the hangings. I had no intention of watching people get murdered, but I wanted to see what my future looked like. I got up and stuck my head through the iron bars.
There was a hanging post, and three ropes attached to it. Already there were three people lined up next to the ropes, no doubt uttering their last words and prayers. The crowd was jeering on and throwing food at the prisoners. The ropes were placed around the prisoner's necks.
By then I had turned away, listening to the wood drop. I was crying. I didn't want that to happen to me. No one even knew who I was or cared to know. No one would even give a second thought of me back in my own world. I was disappointed; because in all my life I had not yet touched someone's heart enough that even one person would even remember me. Maybe it was my personality, or maybe I was just so cold to everyone, and never seemed to warm up. But that didn't matter now, did it.
I shrunk back to my knees-tucked-in state, still crying. There was a tap through the metal prison door. "Miss? Are you ready to repent of your sins and ask the forgiveness of God?"
The priest...I didn't answer him...
"Miss?"
I wouldn't answer him. I had done nothing really reproachable. Besides, I didn't believe in hell.
"Pardon me miss." The door swung open gently, and an oddly dressed man walked in. He had smooth black hair, with just enough length to pull into a small ponytail in the back. His robes were purple, and he carried a silver staff and a bible. He was actually kind of cute. Perhaps I would have thought more so of him had he not been here to clean out my closet, my shameful sad past.
At first he was silent, then when I looked up, his face looked confused, and then very shocked. "Miss- Miss- Miss Kikyo?!?!?!?!?!? What in God's name are you doing in this prison? I know Prince Inu Yasha doesn't like you, but really he has gone much to far this time. And why are you in rags? Did he think I wouldn't notice your features?"
"But I'm not K-"
"Don't say another word. The King will be furious. I do not believe this! Please except my humble apologies Miss Kikyo on behalf of Lord Inu Yasha, for, I am sorry to say this, but we both know he shall never apologize."
"But I'm not Kik-"
"We shall get you out this instant! Guard, come, and make haste!"
There was a shuffle of footsteps before the man who had locked me up the previous night came to my cell. "Yes Master Miroku?"
Why did that name ring a bell?
"Release this woman at once!"
The man looked at me funny. "But Master Mir-"
"Now! Do you not see who she is? She is Lord Inu Yasha's fiancé!"
Wait a second. Did he say fiancé?!
The guard looked at me, and he showed no look of recognition.
"Surly you know her?"
"Of- of course Master Miroku."
Liar... He just didn't want to admit he was stupid.
The guard reached inside his enormous black robe and shuffled around until he found his keys. He quickly walked over and undid the neck cuff, giving me a wicked look before backing off.
"My apologies, Miss Kikyo." His tone was very calm and mild, but the looks he kept giving me as I walked away were filled with venom.
Walking out of the prison, I noticed I had forgotten my shoe. I don't know how I could have forgotten it, but I didn't want to walk around with only one shoe. "Miroku-" He gave me a weird look at the address. "I forgot my other shoe in the prison, I would like to go fetch it."
"Yes milady."
He allowed me to go back. I walked back into the cell, and the guard man was still there, holding out my shoe. "You know, Miss Kikyo, I wonder why you did not tell me who you were last night. Surly a noble woman like yourself would say something."
I didn't stay to answer him, but I stuck up my nose in the air and walked out. I heard him whisper, "wench" as I walked away, and then I had the worst urge to go back and punch him, but, for now, I've learned my lesson about being violent with these types of people.
Miroku had taken me in a carriage, and he said he would bring me to the castle to discuss my fianc's problems with the king. Deciding to just keep my mouth shut and listen, he rambled on about how stupid Inu Yasha was, and there were several times when I couldn't help but laugh.
Yet, I was so nervous. Miroku continued to tell jokes and stories about Inu Yasha, but I was more or less distracted by my fear. I would get in so much trouble if they found out I wasn't who they thought I was. Maybe I would just run once I had gotten out of the carriage, and start over. Or perhaps find a way back to my world...
"Miss Kikyo, you seem quite different whence I saw you last. I know that marrying Inu Yasha before you meet him wasn't exactly what he, or you, had in mind, but it is a good match, and you shall make a fine wife for him."
I just nodded; something clicked in my head, and started the wheels turning in my head.
Odd...Inu Yasha and Kikyo hadn't met before? Maybe I could pull this whole fiancé thing off. It was obvious I had a close resemblance to this so-called Kikyo, since this Miroku guy seemed to think I was she. What if Kikyo came around though? I could just run away... I'm always running away.
The abrupt halting of the carriage jolted my thoughts, and I looked out the carriage window to look and see what was going on. Miroku looked out window as well. We stopped in front of a large white house. I had never seen anything so grand in my life. It was so much like a castle!
I looked at Miroku in confusion.
"Miss Kikyo, this is my grandmother's home. She shall provide you with clothing, a warm bath, and shelter for tonight, since we are both still hours away from the castle itself, and I dare not impose upon your family with you in such a state."
How was I supposed to answer? How was I supposed to react? What was I to say?
I looked to the heavens for help and just shook my head when I didn't get an answer. "Indeed, that shall do."
Miroku smiled politely and stepped out of the carriage where a manservant was standing ready to collect the monk's belongings. "Ah! So very good to see you again sir, and in such good health!"
"Thank you Toto-Sai. It is grand to see you as well."
"Eh... Who is this Master Miroku?" the man blinked watching me climbing out of the carriage.
"Toto-Sai, you have the great honor of meeting Inu Yasha's fiancé, Lady Kikyo from Hitomi Castle, in the Eastern lands."
Miroku smiled at me. I felt the odd sense that he was checking me out. I looked away blushing, feeling queasy. Since when did I ever get queasy like that over a guy?
"Miss Kikyo, please, shall I escort you to the house?" Miroku said, offering his arm. I was still blushing when I nodded and took his arm smiling.
Sometime between walking from the carriage to the front door, I became painfully aware of how low-cut my dress was in front. It could have been because Miroku kept looking down it. I stopped and smacked him in the back of the head. "Pervert!"
He rubbed the back of his head smiling, "I'm quite sorry Miss Kikyo! It shan't happen again."
Toto-Sai came running up. "Pardon him madam. I am surprised he hasn't tried much else since the carriage ride. He has quite a fetish with woman."
Miroku shot daggers at the back of Toto-Sai's head.
"Unless you wish to lose your ability to have children, you shall not try anything on me monk!" I stepped away breathing hard as I stepped up to the front door. Toto-Sai followed in suit, and opened the door for me.
"Welcome to Mahan Manor Lady Kikyo." I nodded lightly and stepped in.
That night, Miroku and I got to know each other very well. He was a pervert, and I was a sarcastic know-it-all. I suppose we got along very well.
He said something that made me wonder about the real Kikyo though. He said, "Miss Kikyo, I must be honest with you and tell you that you are nothing like what I had expected. I find you quite pleasant company, even though I did not before."
"Perhaps it was your first impression that led you to this."
"Yes indeed. Though, I am ashamed of it now."
That night I was invited to dine with the family, including the infamous grandmother of Mahan Manor. I was brought a beautiful pink dress in the room designated to me, and a servant girl came in and did my hair and makeup. I looked like a porcelain doll when she was through. Smiling in the mirror, I lightheartedly stepped out of the room at 7 o'clock.
"You are quite an idealist Miss Kikyo. You shall do the kingdom good."
"Thank you Madam Mahan." I was scarcely joining in the conversation though, but only put in my two senses when I thought I could. Instead, I made myself busy watching the grandmother eat. She did it so perfectly, and I strained to follow her exactly. If I was supposed to be some high-classed chick, I was going to have to learn and play the part. That night I watched and stared everyone.
I went to bed that night depressed. They were so elegant in the way they spoke and walked. I didn't think I could ever learn all the etiquette that I'm sure took them all a lifetime to learn. Even the servants had more manners than I.
The next morning I received 12 more dresses and hair things to take with me to the castle. Talk about rags to riches. I was all dressed up and ready to impress. Miroku and I were on our way to the castle, and by the second half of the trip I was bound to silence. My stomach felt very odd, and I could feel the green color in my face, if that were possible. Miroku went on blabbing about his trips to farms and terraces to visit the priests of far away lands. I nodded and answered when I had to, but my pale face gave me away in the end.
"Miss Kikyo, are you ill?"
"Yes."
"May I inquire why?"
"Well, consider Miroku, I'm going to the castle. It's a little frightening, don't you think?"
"Truly? But you were very composed the last time you visited the King and his beloved wife."
That got my attention. So I had met them? But what if they can tell the difference?!
"Of course, it was many years ago, when you were not yet 15. And now I dare say you are quite matured, and probably much more realistic than you once were. I regret to inform you that Inu Yasha is still the immature boy he once was whence you met him."
"Or so you keep saying he is." I smiled at him playfully. Over the course of two days this man had become like a brother, and I trusted him more so than I have ever another person. Maybe this whole thing wouldn't be so bad?
Eventually, Miroku fell asleep, and I did as well. I woke up a short time later, when Miroku gently stroked my hand to inform me that we had arrived. I glared at him and pulled my hand away, sticking my tongue out childishly.
"Look! Look out the window!"
I did, and my mouth dropped open when I did. It was immense. The castle had been more luxurious than Buckingham Palace. It was beautiful. Towers gleamed in a silvery white, with tips caste in gold that reflected the sunlight like jewels on the ground. There were guards everywhere, and the pathway was so white, you could swear they bleached it everyday.
"What do you think?"
"I think it's absolutely the most beautiful place on earth Miroku."
He laughed. "That's not what you said 4 years ago."
"I do not recall what I said."
"You said, "I suppose it shall do for a princess such as myself."
I gawked at him. "I said that?"
"Talk no more, for here the carriage will stop, and we must walk as trained into the castle. Surly it has not been so long as for you to have forgotten?"
"N-No. Of course not."
"Very well. Let's go."
The carriage door was opened, and Miroku climbed out. Then a hand was placed inside the carriage, I supposed for me to take, and I did. Gracefully, I landed on the ground, and looked around the grounds. I was awestruck every time.
Miroku cleared his throat. I looked at him, and he was standing straight ahead emotionless and tense. I did as he did, and we walked along the white path towards the castle. Was this going to be my new home? This place?
We were ushered inside hastily. Miroku requested a presence with the King, of pivotal matter. And sooner than to be expected, we were sitting in the parlor, waiting for the arrival of the royal family.
Then, something struck me. A memory. The carriage. The blonde man. The prince I had helped, who had previously attacked me with rotten fruit. This was Inu Yasha, the one I was to marry. I felt a cold chill. What if he remembered me? I quietly slid my bracelet off my hand and hid it. Miroku would have commented, but the door swung open, and the king and queen were announced.
Both Miroku and I stood up, he because he knew, I because I followed him exactly.
The king looked like happy sort of man. He was rounded in the face, and looked a lot like Santa Claus, minus the beard. He wore an elegant outfit, that's what I thought until I saw the Queen's outfit. Her dress laminated the floor for 5 feet behind and in front of her. I shimmered and was as radiant as her crown.
"Sir Miroku, how well you look. Who is this lady with you? I daresay she is quite fimilar looking."
"This is Lady Kikyo, your highness."
"The Lady Kikyo? Well, it does resemble her. My dear, it has been too long. How you have grown into such an elegant woman, and pretty too."
The queen took this opportunity to make herself known in the room. "My dear, shall I take Lady Kikyo for a walk, while you discuss matters with Miroku?"
"Yes my love, that is quite an idea. Good seeing you Miss Kikyo."
I bowed again, and took the Queen's offered arm, and let her lead me out of the parlor.
I had no idea we were being watched, or what Miroku was saying to the King, but soon everything that seemed fine, was turned upside down in a blur of white.
A/N: Once again, I'm sorry for the lack of updates. Please review, I love them. I will update quicker if there is more of a demand. Thank you Koga's Woman for getting me off my behind. Lol, bye-bye.