Chapter 3: Meeting People, Part One

Kagome found the horse exactly where Kikyo had said it was. It was a pretty thing, shiny black hair and an even darker mane. Its eyes were a bright blue, very regal looking. Perfect for a princess.

She was now on a thick dirt trail, on her way to the palace. Trees surrounded her on either side. Sounds of birds singing and creatures scurrying gave her some comfort. She gave her horse an occasional pat on the side as they walked, at which time he would give a snort of thanks.

The sun was bright overhead as she saw the palace come into view. Her breath hitched in her throat when she saw it. The sun reflected off the roofs, the gold shining in her eyes. The walls were a pale cream color. As she drew closer, she saw the high wall surrounding the kingdom was a similar color.

Up ahead were the gates leading onto the palace grounds. She felt a slight jump of excitement, like when you're a kid and you get away with something. A guard dressed in bright golden armor held up his hand in a signal to halt. She stopped her horse ten feet away from the gate and guard.

"State your name." he shouted to her.

"Your princess: Kikyo Edogawa." She replied, sounding much more confidant than she felt.

The guard's eyes grew wide in embarrassment and shock, but quickly ran over to the gate and began to push it open. Once it was, he stepped out of the way and bowed low as she passed.

"Good day, your highness." He said as she passed.

"Good day." She replied, happy with herself. So far, so good.

She rode past up along the much nicer trail to the stables. She spotted it, the thin, long building with sounds of hooves and snorts coming from it. The horse's ears perked at the sound of his companions. Kagome turned and came to a halt at the open entrance.

The hall had a musty smell to it, one that Kagome liked in a way. It was homey and comfortable. Jumping down from the horse, she stroked his neck one final time.

Looking around, she spotted only the few horses that were in their stalls. There was no sign of anyone. Taking the reins in her hand, she led the horse to an empty stall, walking it in and shutting the wooden gate behind him. She looked around for any sign of a carrot or sugar clump. Spotting a burlap sac of oats, she retrieved them and stuck the bag in between the wooden bars. A tugging motion signaled he had begun to eat them.

Once the oats were gone, she took it back and sat it in the place she had found it. Feeling content to simply stand there, she did. Occasionally taking a deep breath of the air, she walked around, admiring the cleanliness of the stalls and the order of the food. Kagome wondered just how many stable hands worked in here.

A tiny voice called out to her, timidly. "Princess?"

Kagome turned and smiled. "Yes, it's me."

The one who spoke was a small fox demon. He had bright red hair and big green eyes. His short stature and cut fluffy tail made Kagome want to hug him, but she remembered that she was a princess and he a servant, so she instead gave him her warmest smile.

He scurried over and bowed before her. Then he straightened up and asked her, still timidly, "Do you need anything, Highness?"

She frowned at his behavior. Why was he acting so scared of her? She knelt down to his height and gave him a small pat on the head. "No, I'm all right." She said, her smile still present.

He looked at her oddly, before giving her a small smile. "As you wish, Princess." He replied.

She stood up and gestured around her, saying in awe, "This stable is so clean! How many people work here to keep it in such order?"

"I'm the only one who manages the stables, Your Highness." He said, blushing slightly.

Kagome would have said, "Wow!" But knew that too would be wrong. Instead, she said calmly, "That's excellent. Well done…" She drifted off, not knowing his name.

He spoke up for her. "Shippo, Your Highness."

"Ah, Shippo," Kagome said. "Well, it was nice to speak with you. Keep up the good work." Giving him a smile and a wave, she left the stable, watching as the tiny fox boy waved back shyly before scampering over to tend to another horse.

As Kagome trekked toward the palace doors, she couldn't help but wonder at Shippo's attitude. Why did he act so frightened of her? Suddenly, it hit her. Kikyo. Even though she had been kind to Kagome, she could have been a little over-bearing to the small kit. Kikyo did have an air of purpose and she may not have spared the small boy her wrath if she were angry. Kagome shook her head sadly. Hopefully, I can change that.

Once she reached the doors, which were a rich cherry color, she didn't knock, but entered, thinking it silly to ask for entrance to her own home. It was after all. So, stepping into the grand entryway, she tried her best not to gawk at the grandeur and size of the dome shaped foyer. It was beautiful and majestic; pillars of cream-colored stone, trimmed in gold lined the halls. It was amazing!

She took ten steps inside and looked up into the center of the dome. She saw how deep it was. Getting an idea, she said loudly, "Hello!"

"Hello…hello…" Her voice echoed back to her, ringing around the huge space.

Kagome grinned. Neat!

"Princess Kikyo! Is that you?" Another voice called to her, this one sounding slightly her age, a female.

"Yes!" Kagome exclaimed, listening in amusement as her voice came back to her once again.

A woman appeared before her, looking at her with both eyebrows raised. Her dark brown hair was tied back in a ribbon at the base of her back. Her eyes were lined in a bright purple paint. Overall, she was pretty. Her clothes consisted of a simple shift and slippers, both a nice hunter green, suiting her well.

"Highness?" The woman asked again, sounding incredulous.

Kagome smiled kindly and said, "Hello, Sango."

She knew of Sango from Kikyo's lectures. She was her maidservant.

"Uh…welcome back, Princess. How was your ride to the countryside?" Sango asked, leaning in and looking closely at Kagome's face, scrutinizing her appearance.

Kagome smiled, trying to act as normal as possible. "It was nice. I enjoyed it." She responded. What was her deal?

Sango looked deeply for another moment before shrugging and commenting briefly, "Very good, Princess." She seemed to remember something and spoke out again. "Your mother has asked for you in the drawing room. She said to retrieve you as soon as you returned."

Taking Kagome by the arm, Sango led her down the elaborate hall to the room where Kikyo's mother awaited her daughter. She was finally going to meet her father's first wife. Her stepmother, in a way, she would be. This would be interesting.

They passed by a room with a door that was slightly cracked. A thin trail of smoke drifted out, smelling of chamomile and spices.

As they walked by, Kagome heard Sango mutter under her breath, "Stupid monk, burning incense…" But she didn't say anything about it. So they had a palace monk. She'd never met a monk before. She'd have to ask Sango if she could pay a visit to him later.

Sango stopped in front of a door with a bright seal on it. The seal consisted of a bright bird, wings unfolded in pre-flight. In it's beak was a small round ball, which seemed to glow. Around it swirled smoke and clouds. It was very unique. Kagome deduced that this was the family seal.

Sango took her hand away and stood next to the door, head bowed.

Kagome looked at her, frowning. "You can go now." She said.

Sango looked up, shocked. "Shouldn't I stay and wait to escort you back to your room?" She asked.

Kagome snorted. She wasn't a child! Immediately, though, she knew it was wrong. Princesses don't snort! Trying to cover it up, she quickly responded, "I can handle it, Sango. Go and take the rest of the day off. I will be fine."

Sango shot her a wary glance before turning and walking down the hall to her own room, Kagome suspected. Once out of sight, Kagome let out a long breath, letting her shoulders slump down. This cloak weighed a tone. She should have taken it off long ago! Doing so now, she held it in her hands, folding it over her arm.

This time she knew to knock, using her knuckles to rap lightly on the wood. A voice, sounding almost identical to her mother's called out. "Come in."

Taking in another breath of air, she straightened her shoulders, raised her head, and reminded herself of her position. I am Kikyo Edogawa, Daughter to the Queen of the Southern Lands, whom I am about to speak with. Her legs shaking, and her hands trembling, Kagome turned the knob and entered the torch lit room.

The room was like nothing she'd ever seen. Huge paintings of past family members adorned the walls, each framed in gold metal. A fireplace roared on the back wall. Next to the fire were two chairs, both high backed and cushioned. One was occupied.

Kagome walked over to the seats and, as she sat, looked at her stepmother.

The woman had short, straight black hair. Her eyes were a steely blue; her face was the same pale color as Kikyo's. The woman looked identical to Kikyo in so many ways, but the only differences were their eyes. Both Kagome's and Kikyo's were brown, from their father. Overall, the woman was stunning, and her appearance was very intimidating.

The woman did not smile at her, but gave her a curt nod. Thinking quickly, Kagome wiped the smile from her face and returned the gesture. It didn't seem like she would be getting any hugs or kisses from the Queen.

The Queen turned her gaze to the flickering flames and never looked away.

"You've had a good ride, I presume?" The Queen asked.

Kagome nodded and said, "Yes, it was nice."

Queen Edogawa hummed her approval and continued to stare into the fire. Kagome grew uneasy. Was she supposed to say something? The Queen looked slightly upset. What could it be? Had it been something she did? Relinquishing the urge to pull her hair behind her ears, she held her hands in her lap firmly.

The minutes ticked away, neither of them speaking. The Queen turned and looked at Kagome, her expression blank.

"Kikyo, I have news that you need to hear." She said, her voice grave.

Kagome leaned closer to hear; for her stepmother was whispering so softly she could barely understand the words.

"A guest will be coming to the palace tonight, a Prince. He will be staying for an entire month. He is from the Western Lands, Prince Inuyasha, I believe." Kikyo's mother explained, sounding matter-of-fact.

Kagome tried hard to think of who this could be. She'd heard of the Western Land and their lord, Inutaisho. He had two sons, one a full dog demon, the other, only half. She tried to remember which was which, but could not. Instead, she returned her thoughts to the present, awaiting the rest of her mother's speech.

The Queen continued on. "At the end of the month, he will be getting married. It will seal a treaty with the Western Lands and the Southern, combining the two lands as one."

Kagome felt her blood run cold. Her heart turned to ice. She had not said it, but she could feel it. She watched as the Queen sighed and said something. Her lips moved, and she knew what they said.

"Kikyo, you will be the bride."

Kagome's mind exploded. No! It screamed. No! No! No! I cannot marry a prince! Without thinking, she stood up swiftly, her chair wobbling in her wake. Her hands limp at her side; she stared unseeing at the wall. How could this be? In an instant, she knew. Kikyo had known all along of her betrothal to Inuyasha. She ran away to Naraku, true, but she also ran away from the prince. Now Kagome was supposed to take her place…

"Kikyo, you will marry him." She heard her stepmother say.

Before the Queen said another word, Kagome was at the door, then down the hall, running as fast as she could go. Her legs hit her dress, slowing her down. She went to turn a corner and saw the doors leading to garden. She ran towards them, tripping once. Kagome threw open the door and charged into the bright sun. It blinded her for a moment, and then she saw the flowers and the bench come into focus. Seeing the bench, she stumbled to it, flinging herself upon it, her tears spilling over onto the cold stone.

All she could think of was Kikyo and her happiness, and she with her mystery husband. She understood why Kikyo had run away. She just wished she could do the same. She pictured a stuck-up, boring man, looking at her blandly, as the Queen did. How could she do it? Marry a man she didn't know, didn't love…

Footsteps made her start. Wiping her eyes swiftly, she turned and saw Sango standing there. The woman took three steps and she was there, holding her and patting her on the back. Kagome hugged her, thankful for the shoulder at which she sobbed.

Sango drew her away and looked at her sadly. "What troubles you, Highness?"

Kagome looked down at her lap, tear stains and dirt smudges decorated her dress. "I'm to marry a man I don't love." She said, her voice cracking as she spoke.

"How do you know?" was the response from Sango.

Kagome jerked her head up, the sadness replaced by anger. "I know because I've never met him! I can't love a man I've never met!" She exclaimed.

Sango nodded knowingly. "Still," She said, smiling reassuringly, "Why not give him a chance? You will have to marry him no matter what. Why not try to get to know him? You might get along…you don't know."

Kagome blinked, her tears melting away. Wow, Sango was right.The queenhad said he would be staying for a whole month. That would be time to talk to him, figure out who he is. She still didn't want to be married, but the idea of making a friend instead of getting a husband was much more bearable.

Kagome smiled weakly. "You're right, Sango."

Sango smiled, reaching into a hidden pocket to pull out a handkerchief. She reached out and wiped Kagome's cheeks, which were smudged with tears and dirt. After cleaning her off, Sango put the cloth away and turned back, looking at Kagome with the same look from before, in the dome room.

"What?" Kagome asked, putting a hand to her face.

"You look different, Princess." Sango said, her voice almost accusing.

Kagome panicked. Oh no! Could she tell? "Uh…I don't know what you mean. I'm still the same old Kag-I mean Kikyo- as before." The slip made her flush. Stupid, stupid stupid! She chastised in her mind.

Sango looked on for some time, neither of them speaking. "Your not acting like yourself, Highness." She stood up and brushed her hands on her knees. She began to walk back to the doors. Kagome let out a sigh of relief, but it was too soon.

Without turning, Sango called, "I will find out what it is."

Kagome groaned. Great! My first day here and someone already suspects my disguise.

"Princess?" An inquiring voice called, sounding male.

Kagome stood up from the ground, wiping off her dress and smoothing down her hair. She looked to the entrance to the garden, where Sango had just left, and saw a man with short black hair in dark purple robes. He had a large lump on his head, which he rubbed, a small smile on his face. Kagome looked at him in mild amusement. He was a monk from the style of his robes. Was he the same monk that Sango had muttered about in the hall?

"Are you all right, Princess?" He asked, stepping towards her.

She smiled, trying to put away the nagging feelings of regret from her previous conversation. "I'm fine, monk. It seems that you are not."

At first, the monk looked confused. Kagome inclined her head to the large bump on his forehead. Recognition set in and he smiled innocently. "Sango could not help but come at me when I came down the hall." He said, an obvious lie.

Kagome raised a brow. Sango did not seem the like the type to the throw herself at a man. She guessed that this man was not so innocent, and the lump was there courtesy of Sango's fist. All Kagome said was, "Ah."

He gave a low chucked. "Yes, it's a curse."

"Hmm…Well, Miroku, I hope that I don't suddenly run at you. I wouldn't want you sporting another head wound." Kagome said, marveling at her wit and tone of voice. She sounded just like Kikyo when she said that! Stepping past him, she smirked at his expression, one of bafflement.

Once she was past hearing distance of the poor monk, she laughed out loud.