Chapter 5
Sango woke to Kilala growling angrily at the door. Someone was scratching at the other side, trying without success to get inside. Sango pushed back the covers and glanced outside. It was still dark and she yawned. Picking up Hiraikotsu, she slowly walked over to the door. The minute her hand touched the handle, the scratching stopped and a letter popped through the bottom of the door, onto the soft carpet. Then there was the sound of scampering feet and Sango wretched the door open. No one was in site. Closing the door lightly, she kneeled to pick up the letter. It was in a plain envelope, but Sango knew it either held good news or horrible.
Ripping open the letter, she read:
Dearest Sango,
I have been informed of your arrival at my Kingdom and I wish to invite you to the ball that is being hosted for my cousins twentieth naming day. I hope you come, as I have a great desire to see you again. Your father was always such the persuader and immediately my mother and him came to an accord. If you are to be my wife, I wish to meet you first.
Sincerely,
The Prince of the North.
Kilala whimpered at the look on Sango's face. She hadn't brought any gowns of any sort. She fell to her knees with a soft thump, staring at the words over and over. A ball. That meant she had to dance and she had never danced in her whole life.
"What am I to do, Kilala?" moaned Sango. She had no idea. Kilala nuzzled her hand and she pet her until she wearily stood. Going back over to the bed, she flopped down, curled up in the covers and fell asleep, the note still in hand.
Turning, the golden-eyed man regarded his charge with little interest. She was of medium height and found great delight in the ball she was holding. Wearing a pink kimono with yellow flowers, she flicked off her sandals and jumped around, happily bouncing the ball. Her black hair was pulled back in a short ponytail to the side and it reminded him of another young girl he had taken charge of.
Growling, he ushered her down the street to where the young woman he had saved before was staying. As they rounded the corner, he saw her leaving. Tightening his lock on the child's arm, he pulled her into the shadows and when the young woman was only a few feet away, he pushed her out into the street.
The child fell onto her hands and knees and began to cry, watching helplessly as her ball rolled away. Sango stopped dead and picked up the ball as Kilala jumped down.
"Are you all right?" asked Sango. The little girl thanked Sango and stood, watching her with tear stained eyes.
"I'm all right. Where's my ball?" muttered the girl, wiping her cheeks clean. Kilala mewed at her and she looked down. Giving a tiny shriek of delight, she knelt to scratch the two-tail's ears. Sango smiled and handed her the ball as Kilala purred with delight.
"Where is your mother?" asked Sango, kneeling down in front of the girl. The girl pointed absently to the castle and continued to play with Kilala.
"The...the castle?" stuttered Sango.
"Yeah. Mommy and daddy wanted me to see the city, but I didn't want to go with the man and he said I had to and that it would be fun," explained the girl, now lifting Kilala's paws up and pretending to make her dance. "He lied though, and then pushed me out in the street in front of you. He's probably going back to the castle now."
"Well, you're in luck. I need to go up to the castle today to see the Prince," said Sango. The little girl stopped playing with Kilala and stared at Sango.
"You're the woman he wanted to send the invitation to! He said that you were going to be here soon and he wanted you to come to the ball!" The little girl jumped up and down, obviously excited. "My name's Meraldina. But my parents call me Min, or Mina, whichever they prefer. I like Min, but it's up to you."
Sango nodded and Min exclaimed with glee. Grabbing her hand, she tried to drag her away; towards the castle. Sango laughed shortly and let herself be led.
"By the way, my brother has his cousin over," explained Min,
"Wait. Your brother! You mean, you're the Princess?" exclaimed Sango, stopping short.
Min turned to look at her with troubled eyes but suddenly the air around her became regal and proud.
"Yes. I am Princess Meraldina, heir to my mothers throne. Oh!" Min's eyes lit up with an idea and the proud air disappeared in an instant. "You have to meet my mother to! She'll be so happy to see you!"
Again, Min grabbed her hand and dragged her towards the castle. Sango laughed and followed quickly, but in the back of her head, she felt scared. She was finally going to meet the Prince and she didn't even know his name!
"Mother! I'm home! And look who I brought with me!" shouted Min as she pushed open the doors. Sango followed quietly, glancing left and right for any sign of the Prince.
"Ah, Min. Welcome home, dear. Did you have fun looking around the city with–" stopping mid sentence, a woman glanced up and found herself staring at Sango.
Long wavy black hair flowed to her mid-back, with tiny streaks of grey bridging her temples. She was fair, even if she did look older then Sango by many years. What made Sango gasp were the violet eyes that regarded her coldly. They were so much like the ones she had seen last night that she felt faint.
"Hello," said the woman curtly, looking her up and down. She wore a kimono of soft velvet blue with purple flowers worked into the top.
"Hi, you must be the Queen," whispered Sango in reply. She felt nauseous.
"Yes. You can call me Kemekyo. It is very good to finally meet you, Sango. When I met with your father, you were only yah-high." Tightening her lips, Kemekyo raised her hand until it was just below her waist.
Blushing, Sango smiled. "I got an invitation from your son, the Prince. About the ball?"
Kemekyo's eyes darkened and she turned away. Pursing her lips in thought, she glanced around until her eyes connected with the golden-eyed man's. He gave her a smug grin, his white fangs showing, and then disappeared into the shadows.
"Well! Let us show you to your chambers and then you can join us for lunch," said the Queen thru clenched teeth. She stalked away, her fists clasped around her dagger hilt.
"Don't mind mother, Sango. I wanna show you my room first!" exclaimed Min, eyes sparkling.
"But isn't lunch almost ready?" asked Sango, following Min into a corridor of doors and hallways.
"Yeah, but Sesshomaru will call us when its ready," said Min. Sango stopped short, hearing the name echo in her ears.
"Did…did you just say 'Sesshomaru'?" stuttered Sango.
"Yeah. He came into our service only a few days before you. He brought along another little girl, but she always stays near him."
"Is her name Rin?" Sango was getting worried. Why would Sesshomaru be here?
Min's eyes widened at the mention of the other girl's name and nodded slowly. "Yes. How do you know so much about them?"
"Kilala!" cried Sango suddenly and the two-tail transformed, right in the hallway. Min screamed as Kilala became her full demon form and waited for Sango to climb onto her back.
Sango shook her head. "Kilala, listen carefully. I want you to go to Inuyasha and Miroku and tell them to get here as soon as possible. Give them this," Handing Kilala an envelope, she continued, "It tells them its Sesshomaru. If you're not back in two days, I'll deal with him on my own. Understood?"
Kilala let out a warning growl but nodded at the look Sango gave her. With a snarl, she ran thru the hallways and out the front door.
Be swift Kilala. I don't want them to worry, but if Sesshomaru knew of me coming, I may be in danger.
"Kagome!" exclaimed Inuyasha as he fell to the ground again. Kagome stood above him, her eyes furious and her hands clenched into fists. Miroku sat nearby, blocking out the deafening roar of his two friends argument. He sighed heavily and Shippo looked up at him.
"Don't worry, Miroku. They'll stop fighting sooner or later," said Shippo.
Miroku smiled slightly and looked at the sky. It had been four days since she had left and his heart ached inside him.
"You idiot! Did you really think to trap me in that hole!" exclaimed Kagome. Inuyasha stood up fast and prepared to shout in her face when her mouth opened to say the word.
"No! Please Kagome it was just a joke. Don't say–" It was too late. Falling to the ground, he growled as she stood above him, eyes flaring.
"A joke? A joke! You have been trying to drop me in holes, throw me in lakes and drop me offcliffs! Do you think those jokes, Inuyasha? Answer me!" snarled Kagome.
Inuyasha glowered up at her but sniffed her scent anyway. It smelt more like an angry dog right now then anything. He smiled. If he could get her good and angry, she wouldn't see what he had planned coming.
"Well, I actually found them hilarious," said Inuyasha, standing. "I mean, if you had actually fallen off the cliff instead of throwing me off, I would've still saved you." He moved closer to her and she ground her teeth. His voice became soft as his face inched closer to hers. "What, you didn't trust me? Why?"
Kagome stared and felt herself beginning to blush. His face was so close, and she could feel his breath on her lips. Smiling, she began to lean forward. Just as there lips were about to touch, a roar from above tore them apart. Inuyasha quickly pushed Kagome behind him before looking up. What he saw shocked him.
Kilala crashed into the earth, sending dirt and grass to spew everywhere. She was panting hard and had an envelope in her mouth. Miroku rushed to her and quickly pulled the letter from her teeth so she could breath easier. Fire erupted around her and she returned to her tiny cat form.
"Kilala! Are you all right?" asked Shippo, touching the two-tails forehead. She was hot from exhaustion and fatigue
"She's exhausted," stated Kagome, pulling out her medical kit. Taking a dose of medicine from a bottle, she opened Kilala's mouth and poured the liquid into her. Kilala shuddered, but immediately fell into a deep sleep, her breathing even and calm.
Miroku, however, had ripped open the letter and his eyes grew wide as he read it over and over.
"Oy! Miroku! What does it say?" asked Inuyasha, taking the letter from Miroku.
He read aloud:
My friends,
I have sent Kilala to you because I require your assistance in the Northern Kingdom. Someone unexpected has come to the castle and I'm afraid he plans on killing me. Inuyasha, you should know of whom I speak. Sesshomaru. Come as quickly as possible and please apologize to Kilala for me. I don't wish her to be hurt or exhausted because of this.
Sango.
Inuyasha snarled and looked at Kilala, his face softening. She had left Sango to come get them. Kagome was reading over Inuyasha's shoulder and she gasped at the name.
"Sesshomaru? He's at the castle? We have to hurry, Inuyasha!" exclaimed Kagome, her prier mood forgotten.
"And how, may I ask, do you plan on getting there when Kilala is nearly dead from exhaustion?" growled Inuyasha. He was so close to getting what he desired and then Kilala had to show up. So close…
"I'll call Hachi. He can help," said Miroku suddenly, breaking Inuyasha's thoughts.
"Hurry, Miroku! I don't like this one bit," muttered Kagome. Miroku nodded and walked away, searching in his robes for the special spell he had made for talking to Hachi.
Kagome rounded on Inuyasha, face again contorted with rage. Inuyasha smiled weakly and backed away, wondering if he could get away with it again. He stopped and stared at her as she advanced on him.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome's voice was threatening. Inuyasha glanced at Miroku, who had his back to them and was casting his spell. Shippo was beside him, fascinated by the words Miroku was saying.
So, Inuyasha did the only thing he could to stop her from saying the 'S' word. He lunged forward, grabbed her by the arms and pushed his lips against hers. Kagome let out a tiny squeak of shock but melted in his embrace. It was just as she had dreamed. Inuyasha smiled against her lips and prolonged the kiss only a few more seconds before pulling away. Kagome sagged onto his chest, panting.
"What…what was that for?" stuttered Kagome.
"I needed to shut you up somehow and that seemed the easiest way," murmured Inuyasha. Kagome giggled and lifted a hand to his ear. Rubbing the soft fur, she giggled again when he leaned into her hand, eyes half-closed. A low purr began in his chest and he felt as if in heaven. If this was the treatment he got every time he kissed Kagome, he should do it more often.
"I see you two have been having fun," said Miroku from behind them. Kagome's hand stopped dead and Inuyasha's eyes snapped open. He realized he had his head on Kagome's shoulder, where she could reach his ears easier. Blushing, they pushed away from each other and Miroku smirked.
"Hachi will be here soon, so I'll leave you two alone. I'm sure you enjoyed getting your ears scratched, Inuyasha," smiled Miroku. Inuyasha's face was blank and then it changed into a slight smile.
Miroku backed away as Inuyasha advanced on him, eyes dangerously calm. Tripping over Kagome's backpack, Miroku fell flat on his back and Inuyasha unsheathed Tetsusaiga.
"What did you say?" asked Inuyasha innocently. He didn't transform Tetsusaiga; he left it in its rusted shape.
"I…I said that Hachi will be here soon and then I stopped! I said nothing else!" managed Miroku. A lump was forming in his throat as he saw the Tetsusaiga hover above his throat.
"That's what I thought," smirked Inuyasha, re-sheathing Tetsusaiga.
"Yes…well, let us get ready for Hachi's arrival," said Miroku, standing. Inuyasha turned away and crossed his arms. Kagome stared at him and then walked over.
As she passed she whispered, "We'll finish what we started later."
Inuyasha smiled. He had gotten what he wanted.
And yes I am done another fabulous chapter! How many of you were surprised I made it the Queen instead of the King who was at the Inn? Lol. Please Review! The next chapter will be up soon I hope!
