Chapters 3: Tōchaku
Jaken had gone ahead of the entourage that morning on the back of the two-headed dragon, Ah-Un, in order to prepare for Princess Kikyou's arrival. They had reached the base of the cliff-face that formed the first protective barrier around the Palace of the West the night before and had set their final camp. According to those few explorers who had returned to the Empire with maps of the Western Palace, the actual city where most of the demons made their home was built into the seaward side of the cliffs, but Kikyou's entourage had approached from the mainland, and so hadn't seen any of the city itself. Instead, they had passed over a narrow bridge that spanned a gorge carved by the waterfall that turned the waters white below them and roared louder than any demon and then followed a road through a narrow pass that lead to the base of the mountain. The palanquin-bearers had then labored up the steep road that wound up to the palace throughout the morning and by noon they sighted the gates.
Jaken seemed to have succeeded in alerting the Western Palace, since the sound of the drums echoed out to meet them as they approached the walls, although Kagome suspected that he hadn't needed to alert anyone. The view from the walls would have allowed even the slowest of human guards to see the large procession long before it reached the gates, let alone the demons who would be protecting the walls here.
Of course, Kagome couldn't see much from her palanquin, since Sango wouldn't allow her to poke her head out a window to look. Yet again, Kagome sighed. 'No wonder Kikyou ran away. Princesses aren't allowed to do anything!' she grumbled.
What she could see were huge gates as they passed through them, the red lacquered wood as thick as six men. She didn't have any doubt that it would withstand a year of siege from a human army. Then again, she supposed they had been meant to withstand a force of demons.
The palanquin passed the gate, and she looked out over the palace grounds. Hundreds of demons knelt in the vast courtyard, bowing to the Princess. Kagome's stomach suddenly filled with butterflies. She was really here. She'd been so focused on playing the part of Kikyou that she hadn't even stopped to think of what it meant to be in the grand palace of the Lord of the West, married to one of the most powerful demons in existence. She started to shake.
"Oujo-sama, what's wrong?" Sango asked, Kirara the firecat lifting her face from Sango's lap to look at Kagome.
"I can't do this," Kagome whispered. "I can't marry him."
Sango's eyes narrowed and she grabbed Kagome's shoulders and gave her a brief shake. "You can and you will. There's no other choice."
"But he's a demon, and I'm just a..."
Sango reached up and covered her mouth before Kagome said something damning. "Human," Sango finished for her. "You're just a human and this is all new to you. You're in a new place, with new customs, and danger surrounds you on every side. You're scared. I understand that. But you must listen to me. You cannot afford to panic. You cannot afford to flee. These are Inu youkai – dog-demons, who relish the hunt. If you run, they'll track you and rip you to shreds. You must assert yourself as their master, not as their prey, and not as an omega in their pack." Sango's eyes never left Kagome's. "Your survival depends on it."
Kagome gulped. Then she forced herself to breathe, like Sango had told her to do days before. As the panic receded, she nodded. "I understand." Sango sat back with a nod, once she was certain that Kagome had regained her composure. Kagome knew that all the demons in the crowd could smell her fear. Not the best first impression, but she'd have to work around it.
The girls held the edge of the palanquin as it ascended steps, then was set gently on the ground, and servants pulled open the door. Kagome took the hand that was offered to her, and stepped into the sunshine.
Before her, Lord Sesshoumaru stood, taller than anyone in his meager entourage. His hair was long and white, a blue moon on his forehead and magenta stripes on his face and wrists. He wore a white kimono with armor over it and a huge white fluffy... something wrapped over his shoulder.
"This Sesshoumaru welcomes you to the Western Palace, Princess Kikyou," he said.
Author's Notes: 'Tōchaku' means Arrival.