Veiled Beauty
By Kylie Guest
Prologe
The cooks, the servants, and the maids and butlers all rushed about getting everything ready for the Prince. The maids dusted the priceless vases, the butlers swept the priceful rugs, and the servants prepared the evening meals. Everyone was rushed about. Prince Inuyasha was coming for the summer holidays, as he always did. But this year was different, soon the young prince would have to choose a bride. Most people believed it would be his long time friend, Lady Kikyo of the Eastern lands, but Kikyo was claimed by another. The Emporer of China, Lord Naraku. Kikyo had great love for Inuyasha, but her father had already given her away to the powerful Naraku. Inuyasha and Kikyo were torn apart. Their love could not stop Kikyo from being dragged on a ship, against her will, and sent to China to meet her husband. This happened almost year ago, and Inuyasha still could not bear the loss of Kikyo. His mind was violent and harsh, his eyes bright with fury, and his heart turned to stone. Prince Inuyasha had vowed never to court another woman. So this was the first summer ever, that Prince Inuyasha would spend without Lady Kikyo. This was the first summer ever, that Inuyasha had no one to love.
Chapter 1: Alone in the World
Sigh, why am I even bothering to spend the summer at this damn place? Inuyasha thought as he rode in the carrige. He was the Prince of Japan, so it was only expected of him to spend the summer not fighting and taking a break from his training. But no one asked him what he wanted to do. He would rather go back to the mountains and train his abilities as a demon. Of course, Inuyasha was only a half demon, but he still had the powerful moves of a full demon. Prince Inuyasha lost all will to do anything else other than to better his performance as a warrior after he lost Kikyo. Grr, damn it all, there's no point to this stupid place. Nothing to do except relax, and I just want to fight. Inuyasha heard a ding, they had finally arrived at his summer palace.
Inuyasha hopped out of the carrige, onto the walkway, and went through the doors. A magnificent feast awaited him, but it impressed him none. He went through all the bowings and such, trying to get to his spot at the table. This was not a family owned palace, so there were others there. Lady Sango of Korea, Ambassador Miroku from China, and Inuyasha's baby cousin Shippo. Of so there were other people, but none of them mattered much to Inuyasha. Those were his good friends, he was a little happier once he sat down next to Miroku. Then something caught Inuyasha's eye. There was girl with a veil over her face, she was serving tea to the ambassador of India. Inuyasha looked at the girl's eyes, she had the most beautiful big, brown eyes he had ever seen. But that was all Inuyasha could see on her, those big brown eyes. Her face was covered up completely by her veil, Inuyasha wondered why she wore the veil. For some weird reason he felt attracted to her, even though he had never seen her before. Then the girl came up to him...
"More tea Inuyasha-sama?"
Her voice was so beautiful, like a musical insturment. Her voice bended with each word, moving up and down the scale...
"Inuyasha-sama?"
"Huh...Oh sorry, no thanks."
Inuyasha watched at the girl went to Miroku, her body swayed like a dance with each step. Inuyasha forgot all about Kikyo for one blissful second, and just watched this strange girl. He watched her bend over to pour the tea for Miroku, and saw how graceful she was, never rippling the tea. Inuyasha didn't know why, but this mysterious girl interested him. He didn't know why, she just served the tea. But Inuyasha was somehow interested in this girl for what ever reason. He went back to chewing his food, and gave no more thought to the servant girl.
"Hey Miroku."
Inuyasha greeted his friend in questionable manner.
"How long have you been at the palace."
"Hmm, about 3 weeks I guess."
"So you know all about the castle and its people right."
"Well I know about most of the woman"
"Figures..."
Miroku gave a perverted smile, knowing what was going through his friends head. He waved his hand to his servant to fetch his notebook. This let Miroku give all the juicy details to Inuyasha.
"Well what do you want to know?"
"There's this girl, she was serving tea tonight. Who is she."
"Ah, that girl. I thought you might feel attracted to her."
"And why do you say that?"
"Because I know you all too well. You are attracted to mysterious women. I mean look at Lady Kikyo, no one knew anything about her except that she was from the eastern lands. You found out about her, how should I put it, ''special'' talents."
"Ya and..."
"This servant girl too has those powers. But no one knows why she wears a mask or veil. Some say it is because her face is disfigured, other say her skin is cracked and scarred, and some even go as far as saying it is because she has the face of a monster. I do not know the truth my good friend. I only know the rumors."
Inuyasha put this in the back of his mind to remeber. The sevant girl is miko, and her face is unknown.
"Thanks Miroku. Remeber next time I want to kill you, to tell me about this."
"Sure thing Inuyasha-sama."
Miroku bowed and left Inuyasha's presense. Inuyasha was yet again alone, but the feeling was oh too normal for it to effect him. He quietly got up from the living area and set off to find his room. As the Prince, Inuyasha was given a personal sevant to stay with him at all times. Basicly the servant would follow Inuyasha for the rest of the summer. Inuyasha growled when he remembered this. Damn it! I completely forgot about the shadow servant! Grrrrr, not again... Inuyasha remembered what happened to his first servant, or shadow servant as he liked to call them. That servant was so annoying, always wanting to talk to Inuyasha, or tend Inuyasha's tiniest whim. It got annoying after the first 5 seconds. I hope I don't get a gay guy again...
"Welcome to your room Inuyasha-sama."
Inuyasha was slightly shocked by the servant who stood before him. It was the girl with the veil! She bowed to Inuyasha as he stepped in the room. Inuysha was slightly annoyed by the girl, but let her continue with the welcome.
"I am your servant for the remainder of your summer. My name is Kagome, I will be with you where ever you go, and serve you everything you need. Do not hesitate to ask me to do anything."
"Look wench, I have been here every summer for 17 years. I think I would know how to treat a servant such as you."
"Forgive me Inuyasha-sama I did not mean to disrupt your honor."
"Look I want to get one thing straight before we start all this stupid servant shit. I don't like this place, I want to go home to my weapons, but I was forced to come here. I don't want any crap from you. If you give me anything, I will see that it is your head."
"Yes Inuyasha-sama, I hope you enjoy your stay here."
"Please cut it out. Treat me like you would any other slave or friend. All of you servants are the same, lifeless and boring. I don't want a boring summer, so you have to spice it up a little."
"Ok fine, just let me do my job and you do yours..."
"Fine wench, go do your servant work."
"I am, as long as I'm near you, I'm doing my job."
"Oh great, another dedicated staff member."
Inuyasha's sensitive ears picked up something under the girl's breath. It sounded like jackass but he wasn't too sure of what exactly he heard. He decided this might not be such a boring summer after all if he could get this girl to come out of her shell.
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Kagome bowed and left the room. She felt a little dazed, she never heard a master speak to a servant so forwardly. Jackass, she said very softly so he couldn't hear. She hated acting like a lifeless servant. But that's what most people wanted in their servants, but this guy seemed different, like he was looking for something else.
Kagome couln't quite put her finger on it, but this guy seemed familar, like a far away dream. She felt different around him, like she wanted to take off her veil. But she could never do that, not after what happened. She glanced back at Inuyasha-sama, wondering what his pain was.
Kagome left to go to her servants quarters. She had to gather her things, she would be staying in Inuyasha-sama's room with him. She looked at the picture of her brother Souta, he was back home with Mama. Kagome smiled at the thought of her little brother, he was a sweetie. Souta would come home from Their friends house to show her the duck he had colored today, or the sentence he had written. She missed her family, but they were better off with out her. She wouldn't take any of her mother's meager wages anymore, so now Souta could finally have a better life. Kagome put the picture down, and got a cloth bag. Kagome gathered the few possesions she had, and put them in the bag. She gingerly put the picture of her mother back in its bamboo box, and then headed for Inuyasha-sama's rooms.
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Kagome bowed to her master as she entered the room.
"Hello again Inuyasha-sama. How do you fare this evening?"
"Feh."
"I guess I can assume you find your quarters comfortable?"
"Feh."
"Do you need anything?"
"Feh."
"You know that you can come up with a more creative answer than 'Feh'."
"Whatever..."
Sigh
Kagome shrugged and went to the floor pallet next to Inuyasha-sama's bed.
"What are you doing?"
"Hey you used more then one word!"
"I'm serious, what are you doing next to my bed?"
"I sleep here, your personal servant is with you at all times."
"And a woman has to sleep next to my bed?"
"You specificly requested a woman servant the last time you were here. According to records, you had a gay servant last time."
"Well ya..."
"He slept next to your bed."
"Yes but he was still a guy."
"Look I don't want to sleep here anymore than you want me to. But I don't have a choice. Its regulations, and I don't want to take a chance at getting fired."
"Look wench, either you sleep in another room or I'll..."
"Or you'll what, you can't change the rules, you can't kill me, and if you requested another servant you would get a lifeless airhead."
Inuyasha growled at the girl. He hated not being able to see her full face. When she yelled all the fury was in her eyes. It was kinda scary, but Inuyasha would not be imtimidated by a lowly servant.
"You say I can't kill you. But whats stopping me?"
"I'm not just a servant you know. I am your protector as well. I am trained in the art of cross bow. And I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well."
"WHY THE HELL WOULD I NEED A PROTECTOR?"
"If you were somehow knocked unconscious or taken away, you couldn't save yourself. Thats what I'm here for."
"HAH. I DON'T NEED SOME LITLE BITCH LIKE YOU TO PROTECT ME! I AM FINE ON MY OWN, AND I DON'T NEED A LOWLY SERVANT TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO!"
"WELL EXCUSE ME FOR DOING MY JOB! IF YOU WANT A BETTER SERVANT ASK FOR ONE!"
Kagome was very angry now. Inuyasha could smell the anger coming off her body. He did smell something else, something very familar. And for some reason it reminded him of Kikyo. Where have I smelled that scent before? It's so familar, like a lost paradise.
"You know what, your right, I can ask for a better servant. But I'm not, your too much fun to leave hanging in the servant quarters. I have never seen a servant talk to a master like that before. Your not like the other servants are you?"
"Obviously not!"
"Feh, sleep next to my bed then. Just don't bother me."
Inuyasha stormed out of the room in a huff. Kagome smiled through her veil, she had won the argument. But what did Inuyasha mean when he said, your not like the other servants. Did he mean her personality, or her veil? Probably my personality, I did treat him rudely. Kagome unpacked her belongings and set up her pallet. She left to go get Inuyasha-sama's dinner. No good ass hole, I"m not one to be fooled around with...
"Hey Kagome."
"Hello Hojo..."
Kagome hated this guy. He would never get the hint, she was not interested.
"So I heard you have Inuyasha as you master this time."
"Haha very funny, yes I do. He's a huge hothead, and I can't stand him."
"Don't worry maybe he'll turn out ok in the end. Maybe he's just going through a rough time."
"I doubt it, but what ever."
Kagome quickly fled Hojo's presense. She was freaked out by him, He gave her a weird feeling. He was just too nice, it was creepy. Kagome rushed on her way to the kitchen, Inuyasha-sama would be getting back soon. Kagome picked up the tray of food, and quickly made her way back to the room.
"I thought you were supossed to never leave my side?"
"Did you want privacy or not?"
"Feh."
Kagome layed the tray of hot food in front of Inuyasha-sama.
"Your dinner tonight is: Roasted Salmon, Fried rice, Lemon sauce, Rice cakes swetened with honey, and Sweet and Sour Chicken from China."
"You know, why can't I ever just have an ordinary meal. Nope its gotta be all spiffed up. What ever happened to just white rice and fish?"
"You know what Inuyasha-sama, I don't know."
"Where's your meal?"
"In the kitchen, I don't eat until you give me permission."
"Hm how stupid is that, well go get your food. I don't want an even skinnier wench as a servant."
sigh
Kagome bowed and left the room. She made her way to the kitchen to get her steamed rice and what ever else the servants were give tonight. She looked at the food.
"Rice and fish, how funny."
Kagome picked up her tray and left the kitchen to Inuyasha's room.
"Hello Kagome."
"Inuyasha-sama you haven't even touched your food. Do you want me to take it back and get you something else?"
"Actually I want to trade food with you."
"Why, its just rice and fish."
"Because I always get this fancy food. I'm sick of it, besides your my servant. You have to do as I say."
"Um...ok."
Kagome lifted Inuyasha-sama's tray off of his lap and placed it on her pallet. Then she took her own tray and gave it to Inuyasha-sama.
"Are you satisfied now?"
"Yes very, now wench, eat you food."
"Huh?"
"Eat the food mean't for me. They'll get suspicious if "I" don't eat."
"Inuyasha-sama, pardon me, but I can't eat all that."
"Then eat all you can, and say I didn't like it or something."
"Yes Inuyasha-sama."
Kagome took her chopsticks and bit into the tender fish. Flavor filled her mouth. She had never had anything like this. She was careful not to bite her veil, as she took hearty bites of the delicious meal. Everything was so good, and it was a heaven in her mouth.
"Enjoying the food?"
"I have never tasted anything so delicious. How could you choose that food over this?"
"This servants food is to kill for, everything about it is good and simple. It like what we have back home when I train in the mountains."
"What do you train for?"
"I practice swords and knives. I am also learning to control my demonic powers as well as use weapons."
"I'm suprised you don't have control over your powers yet considering your a..."
Kagome stopped, and realized what she was about to say. She prayed to god he wasn't listening.
"Say it."
gulp
"Your a half-demon."
"Just because I'm a half demon doesn't mean I dont have power you know. I'm alot more powerful than most full demons."
"I'm sorry to have offended you, Inuyasha-sama."
"Just shut up and eat."
Kagome looked up at Inuyasha-sama with pitty. She felt sorry for him, even thought he was a prince, he was still considered one of the lowest beings on earth. She couldn't imagine how he felt about it. It must be so degrating, so awful. I wonder what being a child was like for him.
I hate it when she looks at me like that her eyes are so full of pity. I hate those eyes, they are so...intense. Inuyasha looked at Kagome's eyes, she looked back. Her eye's were so deep, like a bottomless pool. Inuyasha could stare at them forever, just sit and stare.
"Inuyasha-sama?"
Inuyasha woke up from staring into her eyes. He was kinda stunned for a sec. Then her regained his senses.
"Wench, take the trays to the kitchen. Then come back here and bring Lord Miroku with you."
"Yes Inuyasha-sama."
Kagome picked up the trays and exited the room. Inuyasha quietly walked to the door and watched her body balance the trays in her hands. This is not good, why do I feel so drawn to her? He quietly slipped back into the room. Inuyasha sat down on his bed. He sat down and thought about Kikyo. I wonder where she is now, I hope she's happy with her husband. Inuyasha slugged off to the bathroom where he washed his face to perk him up a bit. Sigh, life just keeps getting deeper and deeper, like Kagome's eyes... Inuyasha caught himself. NO, do not think about Kagome. You belong to Kikyo, even if Kikyo doesn't belong to you. Inuyasha fell back on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.
Kagome carried both of the trays to the kitchen. She put the trays in the kitchen washroom. She put her hands on her knees. She bent down, Wow, I forget how heavy those trays are. She left the kitchen to Lord Miroku's room. It was quite a walk to his room, she hoped he was there. That stupid Inuyasha, making me walk all the way down here. Well I shouldn't really be saying that, he did switch dinners with me, and that was the best meal of my life. Kagome passed the coridors and the tapesties. She went to the far end of the palace, and finally to Lord Miroku's quarters. Thankfully he was there.
"Miroku-sama, Inuyasha-sama has requested you to visit him in his private quarters."
"Hm...Inuyasha is it. Probably needs my woman help."
"Um Mirkou-sama, Can you please stop stroking my leg?"
"Um, yes of course. Now about Inuyasha, sure why not."
"His quarters are this way, follow me."
Kagome lead Miroku down the hallways and past the sculptures. She went past the fountain, and finally arrived at Inuyasha-sama's room.
"Inuyasha-sama, Miroku-sama has arrived."
"Finally, someone worth talking to."
"Thanks alot..."
Kagome glared at Inuyasha for a second, then retired to her pallet. She wold not fall asleep before he did. So he need have no worry.
Inuyasha moved to the room connecting to his and shut the door.
"This girl is driving me crazy, oh my god. She is so annoying. But damn, I can't stop thinking about her. Everything she does is alluring. What is wrong with me?"
"You obviously have no clue about women do you. How in hell did you get Kikyo?"
Inuyasha pulled his hands into fists.
"Don't you ever talk about her in a disrespectful manner, GOT IT!"
"Did I hit a nerve?"
"You know damn well you did more than just 'hit a nerve'."
"Look, you don't want my advice, then don't ask for it. But don't say I didn't warn you."
"Just tell me what the hell is going on with me."
"You obviously like her. Your inner body thinks she is sexually arrousing."
"WHAT KIND OF BULLSHIT ARE YOU TRYING TO PULL?"
"I told you, you wouldn't want my advice. But hey, don't say I didn't warn you, cause I did."
Miroku bowed and left the room. He left to go to his private quarters.
"Silly, silly Inuyasha. What are you going to do?"
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