Author: Tenma
Disclaimer: This applies to all chapters; Inuyasha and all related characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Story Summary: She is a miko heiress and has the perfect life. She is secure, happy and content. She needs nothing more than what she already has. But her life belongs to her sister, and her sister belongs to the Lord – Inuyasha.
Characters in this Chapter:
Higurashi Kagome: Is a noble of the Higurashi line. Heir to Higurashi line. Is a fighter and healer miko. 17 years of age. Loving, caring, thinks little of herself, loves life, loves her sister, gets angered easily.
Tamou Kouga: Head noble of the Wolf Demon clans. Betrothed to Kagome. 20 years of age. Quiet, calm, humble, courageous, shy, courteous.
Shikaza Miroku: High priest of the Higurashi Clan. Kagome's cousin. Kagome is his charge. 19 years of age. Calm, quiet, funny, slightly perverted, can be serious, sensible.
Chapter 1: Assistance Date Written: 4/18/05In a carriage that strolled across the countryside, a woman sat seated by the window. With ebony hair, and charcoal blue eyes, she was calm and serene.
Across from her slept her betrothed, a dark haired man with a relaxed position. He dressed in formal clothing from his wolven tribes; she dressed in a formal kimono of reds, pinks, and oranges.
Higurashi Kagome was not a happy lady. Her kimono itched and back was stiff from sitting in the same position all day. She looked over at Kouga. Sure, he was comfortable. His formal dress robes were the same things he always wore, just neater.
But she did not complain out loud, she was content knowing that she was going to see her sister.
Because she was the heir to the Higurashi line, she grew up as a shrine maiden and she knew all about politics. In public, she would sit behind a dark shade in which she would whisper her words to Kouga who would repeat the. After all, it was not a woman's duty to be involved in such things. But in private, she was free to speak as she wished.
The only thing was, that, no matter what, her duty would always be to her sister. Lady Kikyou. She loved her sister. More than anything. When she had finished her training as a miko and as a politician, she swore an oath in front of the whole Higurashi family, saying that she would expend all her resources, energies, knowledge, and life, to her sister's well-being. Kikyou had, like wise, sworn an oath to give her sister help when in need.
But Kikyou had gone off to see the world and ended up getting marrying to the Lord of the Northern Lands, Sei-Sama. Back at home, Kagome's mother decided that it was time that she had gotten betrothed to man who would support her all her life.
The Wolf tribes lived in the neighboring forests and mountains on the west side of the Higurashi Home. Kimiko, Kagome's mom, had her betrothed to Tamou Kouga, the leader of the wolf tribes. Kouga loved another woman, a white wolf demon by the name of Hisshin Ayame. They loved each other, but under stood that Ayame would be his mistress and Kagome his wife.
Kagome thought of Kouga as an older brother, one who supported her and reprimanded her, when she should have been. Kouga thought of her as a little sister, and being an only child, he cared very deeply for her.
So the love between them was nothing into the romantic area. Kagome, while she believed in love, had not loved anyone but her sister. Which was why she was in a carriage on her way to the Western Castle her sister currently resided in with Sei-Sama.
The country was going through a pre-war stage. The people were fussing and the Southern Kingdom was angry that the Northern Kingdom had denied a union. But a sinister and mysterious man ruled the Southern Kingdom, and Sei-Sama knew better than to fall into a trap that would lead to the doom of the country. The neutral lands of Sei-Sama's half brother was the northernmost land of Hokkaido. That lord had not wanted join the Southern Kingdom or The Northern Kingdom, deciding instead to stay neutral.
And that was where Kagome came in. All of Sei-Sama's politicians and advisors could neither placate their Lord nor come up with enough persuasion to convince other countries to join the war on their side. So the Lady Kikyou had decided to intervene and asked Kagome for assistance. Kagome had answered positively and headed straight away for the Western Castle with her betrothed Kouga and her cousin, the High Priest, Miroku.
Suddenly the carriage stopped, she could hear muffled voices. The sun had already set. Miroku came to the door and opened it.
"Come Kagome-Chan, the servants will get the luggage. A maid informed me that your sister fell asleep waiting for you and that she has already been carried into her chambers." He told her as he helped her out of the carriage.
"I will have to meet her tomorrow then. What of Sei-Sama?" Kagome asked the maid standing a few feet away. Miroku stepped into the carriage to wake up Kouga.
"He is sleeping beside her. The two of them have meetings tomorrow from morning till afternoon. You will have wait until dinner to see them. But one of Kikyou-Sama's personal maids has told me that you are free to wander around the castle as you wish." The maid answered. Kagome nodded in recognition.
Kouga stepped out of the carriage, took Kagome's hand and kissed her on the forehead. "Good morning."
Kagome smiled. He always made her smile.
A servant led them to their rooms. Because they were not yet wed, they had adjoining rooms instead of one chamber. Miroku had a room across the way.
"I will see you tomorrow, Onee-chan." Kagome whispered to herself before falling asleep.
The next morning, Kagome woke up bright and early. Miroku, who woke up before dawn every day, met Kagome in the breakfast hall.
"Ohayo, Miroku-san."
"Why, lady Kagome! You look stunning! As usual." He winked. Kagome rolled her eyes but could not suppress a small giggle.
"Very funny Miroku. I'm only wearing a yukata."
He shrugged, "I need to warm up my skills every morning with someone." He sighed dramatically, "Why must you taunt me young lady, your good looks just pull at my insides! Or how about, Ah! My eyes! Your blinding beauty! If only my eyes were worthy enough to gaze upon your heavenliness!" He exclaimed with overzealous facial expressions.
Kagome giggled again, "Nice to know I'm useful to you in someway, dear cousin." Miroku smiled.
"Chin up Kagome, you will be seeing your sister again soon."
"I know, but I am afraid she has changed. Or what if I have changed too much? What if - "
Miroku put a finger to her lips. "She loves you, and you love her. In all the times I have see you and her together, her eyes only have lights in them when she is with you." He gave her a charming smile before saying "Off to woo the ladies! I mean, to meditate and find the true purpose in life!" he winked again before walking off.
"Thanks Miro... Well, off to find the gardens!" She said with a mischievous smile on her face.
After finally finding the gardens, she took a seat near a water fountain. She wandered around looking for something. When she came to a small clearing, she found what she was looking for, a white lily. Kagome smiled, she was having a great day!
But suddenly, it all came crashing down, literally. There was a cracking sound and a tree branch broke away, along with the man sitting on it.
"Ack!"
"Eeek!"
The branch fell in front of her, but the man fell on top of her.
Blushing at the close proximity, she shoved him off.
"Are you okay sir?" she asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't touch me wench!" he said, swiping at her hand.
"Well excuse me, I was only trying to help!" Kagome replied indignantly.
"Well I don't need the help of a wench who's picking flowers from my garden!"
"I am not a wench!"
"Alright, 'bitch' then."
"You asshole!"
"Ho."
"Loser!"
"Dork!"
"Jerk."
"Idiot!"
"Meanie!"
"I can't be a meanie and a flower-lover."
'So he's the gardener.' Kagome thought. "Whatever, I'm leaving."
"Good, one less thing I have to deal with." He said uncaringly.
"Hmph!" she replied stalking off… 'Jerk…can't even accept a helping hand. What ever happened to being chivalrous? Whatever, he was a stupid, idiotioc moron…although he was kinda cute, no! Must. stop. thinking!'
She looked up at sky. "I should go back in the castle. It's already past noon, Kouga is probably worried about me. Not to mention I have a sister to prepare for. Stupid gardener…"
Well, that's only the first chapter. I know the characters seem a little OOC, but that's because they aren't sure of where they are, everything's different and they are trying to figure out to recreate their lifestyles. Basically, they're still a little shy.
But don't worry, Kagome's nature will come out more later and you'll meet Inuyasha soon enough. Kouga will stay this way though; I don't plan on changing that.
Special thanks to my Beta: Holy Pancake
In the next chapter: Kagome sees her sister and meets the King. We also learn a bit about what Kikyou's been doing the past couple years. Not to mention, the birth of a dark secret between the happy couple…