CHAPTER FIVE

"Master! You're back! You're father's been looking for you…" the servant trailed off after Kagome climbed from his back and came to stand beside him. She gave the servant a friendly smile. Taken aback by the appearance of the girl, 'a human girl by the smell of her.' Hitomi wrinkled her nose in disgust and looked up questioningly at her master, who shot her a disapproving look in return.

"Show some more respect Hitomi, this girl has been through quite an ordeal. Now, can you make sure a meal is prepared for my guest and I. We haven't eaten in a while and could use something to rejuvenate our strength."

"Yes master." She bowed her head ashamed, and went to do his biding.

"You'll have to come with me to my father's quarters so I can explain the situation, and see what we can do about getting the healer to look at you."

Kagome, who had been shocked and angered at the fact that that girl had actually wrinkled her nose at her eased a bit at the kindness of his words. She followed him through the crowd of castle dwellers, standing tall while receiving numerous looks and whispers from the inhabitants, and through long stretching halls. Finally after what seemed like a hundred years of walking, they came to an elaborately decorated door, which two servants slid open and bowed to them while they entered.

"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO CHASE AFTER THOSE TWO! HOW MANY!" The owner of this booming voice turned around to give his son hell for disobeying his orders again. When he completed the turn he found his son standing there with his jaw set firmly, and beside him was a girl who looked more than a tad frightened. 'A HUMAN? I was so angry I didn't even catch her scent.' Now that he did he also smelled his sons scent all over her. He narrowed his eyes and returned his icy glare back to his son, raising an eyebrow. Understanding his father's look he glared right back at him.

"I was caught in a blizzard and found this girl unconscious and almost frozen to death. I found a cabin and had to share my bodies heat with her to keep her from dying, nothing more." His father still a bit skeptical figured he was telling the truth, he could smell no other scents.

"So why have you brought this girl to the castle?" he inquired.

"She had fallen and has no memories of her past or who she is. I thought that we could get Naoka to look at her to see if anything can be done. She also has other wounds that need to be taken care of." This last bit of information was stated in a slightly different tone accompanied by a small hand gesture. His father nodded and motioned to one of his personal servants.

"Go prepare a room in the eastern wing. The annex." He added as an after thought. The servant bowed and quickly left to prepare the room. With that taken care of he returned his gaze back to Kagome.

"Woman, you are welcome to stay in our castle as long as it is necessary until your recovery." He smiled. "Hopefully the loss of your memory is only a temporary condition." He said with a very sarcastic undertone.

Kagome was tempted to give an equally sarcastic retort, 'but where would I go? I don't want to leave him.' It suddenly occurred to her that she didn't even know His name. 'Now isn't the time to ask.'

"I would like to know the name of my lord to thank you for so generously letting me stay in your castle and providing me with aid until my recovery." She said sweetly, bowing her head to mainly to hide her fake smile.

"Excuse me for not introducing myself sooner. I was a bit distracted. I am King of the Kiyoto Fox youkai tribe. I would ask your name in turn woman, but seeing as you are lacking one at the moment it would be an impractical question to ask. I am sure a name will be appointed to you for the time being. Unless you prefer being called Woman?"

'If I had my bow and arrows I would shoot the bastard!' she forced a smile.

"As much as I enjoy being reminded of my sex, of which I am fully aware of, I would be most great full to receive a replacement." The hostility between the two was overpowering. Very aware of this fact the fearful son grabbed hold of Kagome's arm.

"I think the food should be ready by now. Tao will lead you to your room." If looks could kill he would be dead.

Kagome bowed to the king, "Argiato." She hissed through her teeth and followed Tao out of the room.

'I definitely do not want to get on her bad side.' He turned around to face the second scary feature.

"What a charming creature you've brought back. I thought if you brought anything back it would have been the heads of Masimo and Batabaka, not some insolent human!" The rage that had grown within the king was now unleashed on his son. A battle of words ensued for a good while.

"That arrogant asshole! How dare he! Calling me woman. I wish I could remember what my damn name was." The memory of her sounding it out to someone flashed into her mind. While she was puzzling over what had just happened with the king, along with trying to remember what was forgotten, her thoughts came to a halt. 'What bow and arrows? I don't have any bow or arrows,' that's when she spotted the food.

"Ahhhh! Food, food, food, food, food…" could be heard chanted through mouthfuls. After she was thoroughly stuffed she waddled over to the bed. It was actually quite comfortable. A sleeping garment was folded neatly by the pillow. She slipped into it and kicked the clothes she had been wearing into a corner.

"Ugh. How could I wear that!" she was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Hai?"

It pulled open to reveal her savior who looked thoroughly frazzled. He looked around the room.

"Father gave you a nice room at least. I'm sorry for the way he treated you. He was angry with me and bringing you here during such difficult times just made him angrier. It's hard to tell who is friend or foe these days." He apologized hoping it would turn her feelings for his father in a different direction. She just sat there looking at him, thinking.

"What," he asked feeling self-conscious.

"Your name. You didn't tell me what it was," she stated.

'I'm just as bad as my father.' "It's Akage, prince of the Kiyoto Fox youkai tribe." He bowed elaborately a huge grin plastered on his face. It sounded so high and mighty he couldn't help but smile. Kagome giggled instead.

"And I have no idea who I am, but if you have a name other than Woman, I will gladly go by it," she bowed in turn. They both laughed at this. When they finally calmed down he saw the empty plates and his stomach let out a huge growl. His face turned red.

"I still haven't eaten anything yet. I guess I'll go see what has been prepared for me, if anything. My father may have cancelled my order." He sincerely hoped not. Put out by this thought he made his way to the door only to be stopped by Kagome. She popped up beside him before he could reach it. A bit startled he took a step back she averted her eyes and apologized. But when she looked back he was surprised at what he saw in them.

"Will you be coming back?" she asked trying to sound casual, but her eyes were begging him to stay.

'Her eyes. They look scared.' He was a bit uncomfortable at how much her eyes told him. 'Her voice sounds casual enough but her eyes betray her.'

She was actually a bit more than scared to be left alone because of all the hostility the people, 'demons' she corrected herself, were showing her. 'They might decide pop in and pay me a visit.' She held back a shudder. 'And I don't have anything to protect myself with.' The nagging feeling came back like she was supposed to have something to protect herself with. 'Plus I don't want Akage to leave, he's the only thing that makes me feel safe.'

He smiled warmly. "Sure, I'll be back as soon as I'm done eating. I might even be able to sneak something extra back here." He winked at that and left to satisfy his angry stomach.

Relief washed over her. "Thank the Gods," she said aloud. She walked back over to the bed to wait for his return.