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Chapter 12 - Twelfth
Sango waited in the hall until she saw Lord Sesshomaru leave the parlor. She found Kagome looking out the window, tears falling freely down her cheeks. She was holding some papers in her hand. 'The marriage contracts no doubt.' Sango felt a pang of guilt. She could have warned her. She knew this was going to be difficult for her but she couldn't betray her mother's confidence and knowing Kagome she would have bolted if she had known in advance. She made her way to the crying girl and gave her a hug.
"I'm sorry Kagome, I should have told you."
Kagome raised her head a wiped at her tears. "You knew. You knew about this and didn't tell me. Why?" She choked on a sob. "I thought you were my friend." The moment she said it she regret it. Who was she to scold while she herself hadn't behaved at all like a friend that very morning?
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I'm sure you had your reasons."
Sango gave her a hug. Kagome felt her heart crumble. She wiped her tears with her handkerchief and tried to compose herself. "I'm sorry. I need to be alone right now." Kagome said tearing herself away from her dear friend.
"Are you going to be alright?" Sango followed her out the door.
"I'm fine. I just have some reading to do." Kagome said lifting the papers she had in her hand, in an attempt at lightheartedness she didn't feel.
"Alright, I'll let everyone know not to disturb you."
"Thank you." Kagome climbed the stairs one at a time.
She reached her room and locked the door. By the time she reached her desk she didn't feel like crying anymore. She had to find a solution. In truth, she thought, the easiest thing to do was to just accept the marriage that way she wouldn't have to stay as a permanent guest in this house. Lady Matsamura probably wanted her out and that is why she agreed to this arrangement without asking her. It would also be a way out of her attraction towards Inuyasha. She needed to stay away from him. She didn't want to hurt Sango. Kagome took a look at the papers in her hand and decided to read them later. She was too exhausted and too confused to read. She placed them on her vanity and a few minutes later she fell into a restless sleep.
Two days later…
'No' Kagome thought. She couldn't confront anyone while she looked like a carriage had run her over. She walked towards the drapes to pull them open wider when she noticed Sango was being handed on to a very handsome looking curricle led by two massive white horses. She then saw Inuyasha vault into the driver's seat. Kagome thought he looked dashing in his driving attire and Sango looked beautiful and cheery in her blue dress. 'They do make a good looking couple.' She thought sadly. She shook her head and gathered her resolve. She'd spent enough time sulking. She decided that it was time to go out and live. She just hoped she could get through the next week. Sango's engagement ball was in six days. She rang for the maid. She had a lot to do before the Clarington ball tonight.
Sango returned from her drive in the park with Inuyasha flushed and happy. Although, a little bit put off by Inuyasha's distant and sometimes gruff manner. But it didn't matter to her. He was fascinating. She couldn't stop looking at him. He had eyes she could just loose herself in. She had spent most of the drive looking at him out of the corner of her eye. She even caught some of the women looking at him from behind fans and giggling. But what bothered her was they had been alone for a good hour and they were engaged, but he still hadn't kissed her. Actually they had been alone on other occasions and he never seemed to even want to try. 'Was my future husband not attracted to me?' Sango thought, but dismissed it immediately. 'He is just a very proper sort of man. That's it.'
Her maid came to help her with her pelisse and bonnet and said
"Miss Kagome would like to see you Ma'am."
"Oh she's awake?" Sango said surprised.
"Yes ma'am. And she's in a state. She asked to have a bath brought up and she wanted her things ready for the ball tonight. She's acting very strange."
"Thank you Betsy. I'll go see her right now."
Sango knocked once at the door and tried the knob. It opened easily this time unlike the other times she had tried in the past two days. She was pleasantly surprised to find Kagome dressed in a cheerful pink gown, it was one of her old ones but she looked a lot better than she'd had the last time Sango tried to talk to her.
"Well," Sango began hands on her hips, "I was beginning to think you'd never open that door for me ever again." Kagome's eyes looked sorrowful and Sango felt bad for teasing her. "I'm sorry. I was only joking." Sango sat on the bed and looked at her friend. "I understand you needed time to sort things out, you don't have to deal with things alone you know. I'm here. I'll always be here for you."
"I know and I appreciate that. But this was something I need to do for myself. I got myself into this mess and I'll get myself out." Kagome sighed and said "But I need your help."
"What's wrong?" Sango was alarmed now by the look in Kagome's eyes.
"Look at me! How am I supposed to be ready in time to attend the Clarington Ball tonight looking like this?" Kagome motioned to her face. Sango got closer and upon closer inspection she saw the dark circles under her usually cheery blue eyes and she looked rather pale. Sango smiled and said "Don't worry, leave it to me."
In the shadows in the alley behind one of the most notorious brothels in town, a hooded figure waited. The client was inside probably enjoying some sort of debauchery. Clients were few and far between but those who wanted certain deeds done always came with offers of large quantities of money. Money no one in their right mind could refuse.
Suddenly the back door opened and a gust of warm air escaped smelling of tobacco and sex. A man encased in a black great coat staggered outside. He looked around the alley his face was partially covered by the high collar of the coat. He caught sight of the hooded figure and closed the distance between them in a few shaky strides.
"What are you doing here?" The man said his speech slightly slurred but angry nonetheless.
"I need my payment." The hooded figure declared.
"You haven't accomplished anything yet. I know for a fact your ridiculous plan failed." The man said angry. "I will not give you one penny till I get what I want."
The hooded figure laughed. "You fool. Not only is my plan coming along very well, but I done you a very big favor by disposing of the runner that had been assigned to watch your every move."
The man was is shock. "What!"
"Yes, it seems our little friend wanted to keep an eye on you. It seems he doesn't trust you to stay away."
"That bastard." He spat. "Fine, you'll get your money. When will this be done?"
"Just be patient. You will have what's coming to you soon enough." The hooded figure turned and walked away leaving the client salivating at the prospect this alliance would bring him.
