A/N: I'm soooooo sorry for my lack of updates. I just moved from Florida to Colorado, and it's taken awhile for the internet hook up. But here it is, chapter ten. I'll get quicker with updates from now on. Btw, for anyone who doesn't like my story (Hint hint-certain reviewer), then don't read it. I thank all my reviewers!!!!!!
I encourage reviews, and up-building thoughts on the story. Thank you guys!
Falling into the Toilet
Chapter 10: A New Life
As the queen and I walked down the elegant hallway decorated with extravagant paintings and expensive window treatments, there was a growling heard from upstairs. The queen chuckled quietly and then glanced over her shoulder to look at me. "It has been so long Miss Kikyo, but your beauty has only grown, and I must say your charm and wit has indeed improved. I dare say you will grow on Inu Yasha."
I smiled, unsure of what to say. The silence grew heavy, and I twitched in tension. Then, there was an explosion from the sitting room behind us.
The king stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him, forgetting Miroku was following him. "Inu Yasha!" The door smacked Miroku and he fell on the floor.
The queen gasped, "Oh no. Miss Kikyo, it's probably best if you go to your room right now. I'm afraid something terrible has happened."
No really.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Erica! Miss Kikyo shall remain here. She deserves to be here, since this situation includes her as well."
The queen, Erica, gave me a worried glance before replying. "Yes dear."
There was another eruption. "INU YASHA!!! Inu Yasha come here now!"
Miroku finally recovered from lying flat on the floor, and looked guilty at his shoes as a large stomping noise could be heard from the staircase.
"What do you want!!?" a slightly annoyed voice echoed through the house.
"That is no way to speak to me!"
Inu Yashashrugged as he made his appearance from the bottom of the staircase. "Yes father," replying grudgingly. He glanced around the room, saw Miroku, and stared evilly at him. Miroku looked away whistling. Inu Yasha eye's wandered towards me, and in that moment, my stomach dropped about three feet. His eyes glued onto mine and then his countenance dropped, and he stared through slits.
I gulped. This guy was worse than I was.
"Inu Yasha, I know you know what this is about, but just to inform your mother of it, I will repeat the story." Turning to Erica, he opened his mouth to retell the story that Miroku was sure to have relayed to him. Unfortunately, he was interrupted by a rather obnoxious noise that had emitted from the long white-haired prince.
"Psh! If this has anything to do with that wench, than I had nothing to do with it. Like I said before, and I'll repeat it again, I want nothing to do with that stone-faced witch that you call my future wife. If anything happened, you can be sure that she was the one to instigate it."
By this point, I was learning what was going on. I was to be married to him, he didn't want me, and wasn't afraid of sharing his opinion. That was why Miroku had believed that Inu Yasha stuck me in prison to die. I was going to fully use that to my advantage. Playing along was indeed one of my superior qualities.
"I instigated it, Lord Inu Yasha? How, by my being alive? Because surly, that would upset any man who did not want the one who was to be married to him."
Suddenly, the whole party turned to look at me, except Miroku, who was looking warily at me, shaking his head no. The queen and king looked shocked, and Inu Yasha looked completely dumb-founded with his jaw dropped adding to the effect of silence.
Perhaps the outburst wasn't exactly what was "proper". It was time for act 2.
I turned my head away from them, crying. "I'm- I'm so sorry. I- I just was so extremely upset that anyone would want me dead so much that they would try to have me hung. I am so very sorry." I slipped away from the group, running elegantly towards the parlor where Miroku was standing, and shut the door on my way.
In the room I sat on the couch with my head toward the armrest, just in case they walked in, I could still pretend I was crying. The yelling commenced shortly after. "Dear, what was she speaking about? I've never seen Kikyo so horribly upset before."
I grew silent so as to be able to hear what was said. Lord Inu, as I learned later wasthe king's name, resumed his irate speech. "Erica, as I was saying before, I have been informed that Inu Yasha used his royal power to place Princess Kikyo in our prison to be hungwhile she was on her way to visit the Count."
Inu Yasha came back from his frozen world, his ears sub-consciously were listening in, and then, as it slowly registered to what was being said, he flipped out. "Wha-WHAT? I DID WHA-"
"Inu Yasha, be quiet! I shall personally thong you if you say another word. Erica, come. We shall discuss this with Miroku in another room, and I will decide on your punishment, Inu Yasha. You are just fortunate that Miroku found Lady Kikyo when he did. Come Miroku."
My face whitened. I wasn't going to be able to hear a word if they left, and I had no idea exactly what Miroku had told the King, but it sounded if he had made a good deal of the story up. And what about Inu Yasha? What would he do? If they left, and I was here alone, and he stormed in…
Too late…
The door swung open hard, and a slightly red Inu Yasha stepped through the threshold.
"Stupid wench. I don't know what story you are pulling this time, but there is no way that I am going to get in trouble with my dad for something I've never done."
"That's nice."
His stare, if possible, turned colder. "So, just how'd you get into prison, wench?"
"You will call me Ka-Kikyo, Miss Kikyo, and you shan't refer to me in any other derogatory name." It sounded proper enough.
"I shall call you what I please, wench."
My anger was starting to blaze, but if I was going to hold my tongue, then I needed to leave, and that is precisely what I did. Getting up, with an heir worthy of Queen Elizabeth, I marched towards the door, and did not look back.
"I did not dismiss you wench."
I slammed the door as I stepped out, and walked towards the grand entrance doors which Miroku and I were received in through earlier.
As I passed through the hallway, thoroughly angry, each and every guard bowed discreetly. At first I hadn't noticed it, but a butler, as I assumed he was, walked up to me and bowed lowly and asked, "Lady Kikyo, it is our grandest pleasure to serve you humbly. May I be of service in any way?"
"Err, perhaps you may escort me to my room? And a glass of water?"
His eyes lit up. "Of course milady! At once." He snapped his fingers, and at once the butler briskly walked towards what I supposed was the kitchen, and the other came to my side and offered his arm, which I gratefully took.
"No! That wench is not going anywhere!"
He followed me…
"Lord Inu Yasha, have you not anything better to do than follow me around yelling at me?" I said spitefully.
The butler at my side chuckled slightly until Inu Yasha caught his eye and stared him down. The poor guy coughed and looked into the distance.
Inu Yasha came to my side, and with a flick of his arm, dismissed the butlers around us, so once again we were alone. He grabbed my wrist tight and hissed, "How dare you humiliate me in front of my servants!?"
Shrugging, I replied casually, "I told you not to call me wench," ripping my wrist from his hand.
"And I should care for your preferences?"
The best way to answer him was the silent treatment. Turning my body in another direction, I stepped off towards the outside doors. Inu Yasha did not follow, for which I was grateful. I heard him stomp off in another direction.
I would have never admitted to anyone at the moment, but I left because I was melting under his gaze. He was cute, and I was falling for him. Had he been closer to me, I might have just kissed him, regardless of what he called me.My heart wanted him, but the pride in my head shot for the "I don't think so."My head usually wins anyway.
Stepping outside was one of the best things I did that day. It was absolutely beautiful. The wind was whipping calmly through the warm air, giving the temperature the "just right" effect. Everyone outside seemed pleasant and kind. I found myself on a horse with several other kids, and later, dancing to a flute. Then after about an hour or two, we fell to the ground, picking flowers and watching the clouds pass by. It was wonderful.
Yet, it didn't last long. I was closing my eyes when a butler rushed to my side, and lightly tapped me on the shoulder. "Pardon me, Lady Kikyo, but His Majesty requests a presence with you immediately."
I got up quickly and followed the butler inside the castle. I walked into the parlor, where I found everyone but Inu Yasha waiting. The king lifted his hand, motioning me to sit down, which I did hastily. I wasn't going to make this man anymore upset than he already looked by being slow. He turned his attention to the butler. "And Inu Yasha?"
"He does not wish to come Sire."
"Than he shall receive the consequences later." After a pause, he turned his attentions to the group, who were eagerly waiting his warrent. "Lady Kikyo, indeed I know that this may be hard on you, but I feel that the punishment for Inu Yasha's behavior can only be fixed by one way. I am adamant about this wedding in one year. And I daresay you both shall be happy and in love. Yet, Inu Yasha and you are both quite distant from each other. But the two nations WILL be joined in unison, and I will tolerate nothing else. So, my conviction is this. You shall, from this point on, remain here at the castle. Miroku is already preparing a letter to your father and mother for approval. I am sure that they see my logic, and will want the same. I'm sorry for the hardships on your part." His eyes were steady and unyielding.
Of course, I had nowhere else to go, and I wasn't saying no by any means. But, I couldn't just act like I was desperate. "Well, Your Majesty, if you feel that this is the only way, than I daresay I shan't be an obstacle in your decision."
He smiled and looked at Erica. "I knew we chose right, dearest."
She smirked, "You mean I did."
"Yes dear."
Hand-in-hand, the queen and king left the silent room.
Several minuted had passed by in silence. Miroku looked like he was in deep thought, and I wasn't about to disrupt him. Eventually though, he snapped out of it.
I looked at Miroku with questioning eyes, and he looked at me with amusement.
"So, what's your real name?"
I probably looked as startled as I felt. "Excuse me?"
"You are not Kikyo, I am sure."
"Yes I am."
"And you were looking at my etiquette books at my house because? Or the fact that you have no mannerisms, or that your vocabulary and manner of speaking is different. You are not Kikyo."
"I am Kikyo."
"Unless you would rather me tell the king and queen your real story, you are going to tell me the truth."
I wanted someone to know…anyone. I was tired of running, of lying, and I just wanted to go home.
"I don't know how to explain."
"Well, give it a try."
Taking a deep breath, I looked into Miroku's eyes. I felt like I could trust him. So… I told him…everything.
A/N: Next chapter: The Perfect Bribe---See that review button? Hit it!