Chapter Thirteen: The Sweating Boy

The temple was busier than he'd ever seen it. Every man and woman were cleaning the grounds top to bottom, preparing for the guests of honour.

The young Monk walked quickly down the large hall, passing a number of servants who all carried the finest clothing, swords and other accessories.

'He's been like this since he heard of the engagement.' Miroku sighed with a soft smile, he came upon the large oak doors to his Lord's chambers.

He could hear a profoundly whiny voice from the hallway "No, no, no! This doesn't look right!"

Miroku pushed the door open and called out "Good morning Sir! How are things coming along?"

Hojo turned in relief at the sight of his dear friend, he stood on a small podium before three large mirrors, four servants were knelt before him in a respectful manner, while holding different dress robes for him to choose from.

"Oh, Miroku thank goodness!" He cried while jumping off the podium and took hold of Miroku's sleeve like a lifeline "You must find me the right attire! None of these will impress Lady Higurashi!"

Miroku gave him a genuine smile as he replied "My Lord, I doubt she is the type to care what colour your kimono is."

Hojo rolled his eyes and exclaimed, "That's the issue!" Hojo turned and ran an anxious hand through his freshly cut hair.

"I've heard the stories of her...she's a powerful Priestess, as strong as she is beautiful...what if she desires a true warrior and not just a healer."

Hojo was the eldest son of the Eastern Shrine, though most of his family was placed in training at a young age, he was born with no spiritual powers. His father was an understanding man, so Hojo was named the Priest Healer, and was exceptional at best.

However, he had never once seen combat.

"Well in that perspective, you are lucky that she has no say in the matter." Miroku teased, but it only made Hojo more on edge.

"Do you think she will hate me?" he asked self-consciously, Miroku was done trying to please him the usual way.

His hands leaped out and took hold of Hojo's shoulders, he released a surprised squeak as Miroku turned him to face the irritated monk.

"Hojo..." He stated seriously "I've known you for many years and have seen you do amazing things! She is a Priestess and you are a Priest, you were born for one another."

Hojo smiled softly at the thought. All he has ever wanted was a beautiful wife, a person that he could love with all his being...and the idea of Kagome Higurashi being that person was more than he could handle.

Miroku patted his shoulder and said encouragingly "I can guarantee you that when Lady Higurashi sees you...she will fall madly in love! You have nothing to fear my Lord."

Hojo's face lit up as he nodded sharply "You're absolutely right! My father couldn't have picked a better adviser!"

Miroku smugly held onto his chin and grinned "But of course, your father is a brilliant man, he asked for excellence and that is what I provide."

Hojo returned to the podium and looked at himself from every angle, his need for perfection still grasping his subconscious mind.

"That reminds me, I want Lady Higurashi to be comfortable here. This will be her home and everything must run smoothly, but there aren't many women here."

Miroku nodded, repressing the tears at his own disappointment "Yes...it is truly a shame...but by your father's orders the women were sent away to limit 'distractions'..."

Hojo continued to twist and turn before the mirror as he continued "Yes, so I'd like for you to find my Lady a few female companions to make her feel more at home. You have a woman do you not?"

Miroku straightened his stance at his words and his body shivered at the thought, collecting his composure Miroku said with a lopsided smile "Well...my beloved Sango is a magnificent woman...I don't believe she will get along with Lady Higurashi..." he added under his breath "or any 'Lady' for that matter."

Sango was a beautiful and truly kind woman, but was very strong-willed and didn't know the meaning of propriety. A Priestess like Kagome would have been raised with the morals of royalty.

"Nonsense, I'm sure she'll do just fine! After I officially meet with Lady Higurashi, have Sango escort her around the premises and...bond, I suppose."

There was no sense in arguing with him, Hojo was as stubborn as he was oblivious. Miroku bowed his head and stated "I'll alert her immediately"

Hojo nodded with his same smile and said "Thank you Miroku."

Suddenly, the sound of the front gates gong rang throughout the Shrine. In pure excitement, Hojo lunged to the window to see the front gates opening to reveal two riders coming through.

"She's here!" He called before running at full speed down the hall to meet her.

Miroku let out a laugh at his reaction before hightailing it after him, if this Kagome character was half as amazing as the stories all said, then she'd make an amazing alley in the war to come, but he truly hoped she'd make an even better wife for his dear friend.

The horse she had been riding for days on end had slowly ended her gallops and trotted to a smooth stop before the great Eastern temple.

Kagome and her Father had been traveling for a full week in bitter silence. Whether it was caused by anger or resentment, they barely shared any unnecessary words.

She looked up at the marvelous estate and was shocked, it resembled more of a palace than a Shrine. Those of faith were meant to be more humble estates, but this was mass luxury.

A long row of servants were stationed at the front door, they all bowed respectfully in welcome, as she dismounted her horse, she took an uneasy breath but controlled herself as her Father came to stand beside her.

His back straight and his hands respectably folded, it was like he was a living portrait, painted in the image of greatness...but his eyes struck fear into the hearts of every person before him.

Kagome's head was lower then it should have been, she knew how important the first meeting had to be...but she couldn't bring herself to smile, not even a ridiculously fake one.

Suddenly, the doors to the temple were swung open, she looked up with uncertainty as four people walked into the morning light.

Three men and one woman emerged and Kagome was taken aback by their wealthy appearances, the head of the group was no doubt that the first man, a tall man with a receding hairline and a well-fed stomach must have been Sajin the head Priest.

To his right was a pair standing closely together, basically elbow-to-elbow. A handsome young man who had short black hair with a rat-tail, with a kind face, but was dressed in a monk's uniform.

The woman beside him was beautiful! She had long brown hair and was wearing a stunning kimono, but as she began moving it was clear that she didn't know how to walk in her shoes.

Lastly, there was a very nervous, visibly sweating, young man. He had an 'interesting' smile that stretched ear to ear, but his lips were quaking. His light brown hair was pulled back into a high pony-tail and his clothes were probably made of the finest silk.

The group reached them at the bottom of the temple's steps, the man and woman in the back fell to their knees in a respectful bow, while the sweating boy stayed standing next to Sajin.

Kagome stared blankly at the two men, but when her eyes met the younger one, she could see both fear and pure excitement. His smile was so genuine, it was like looking at a sweet child.

Their connection was broken at the sound of Sajin's voice ringing out "Tsume my friend!" His arms opened wide as he gestured "Welcome!"

Tsume bowed his head and provided a half smile "It's been too long Sajin."

The head Priest's eyes turned over to Kagome and he paused. She was quite lovely, but her face was deadpanned, eyes cold and a frown shadowed over her face. It looked as though she had been wearing her clothes for over a week and was in desperate need of a bath.

Regardless he smiled and said "And you must be the lovely Kagome..." the man enthusiastically swung his arm to the side and proclaimed "Might I present, my eldest son, Hojo!"

Kagome didn't really know how to feel in that moment. This was him?

He didn't look like much. He was short for his age, he probably couldn't so much as lift a sword let alone wielding it. Physically, he didn't seem like a man any woman would go for.

However, he looked very kind, sweet even. His eyes were so lively, he seemed so full of life in his single stare. He must have been at least twenty years of age and yet...his face was that of a child's.

Suddenly, Sajin's hand collided with his son's back sending the poor boy leaping forward "Go on then!" he shouted boorishly. Hojo laughed nervously as he regained his height.

He took timid steps forward before he appeared in front of Kagome, and as though he were grasping the petal of a rose, he took hold of her hand.

Kagome watched, her eyes glazed over with a deep haziness as the man placed a gentle kiss on her skin.

At any other time in her life, she'd be blushing fiercely, but this was 'cute' to what she had grown accustomed to. But she could really use cute right now.

As his lips left her hand, he looked her straight in the eyes and said "Hello Lady Higurashi...it is an honour and a privilege to meet you."

Kagome blinked, before nodding to him. She felt no need to give a real response, what was the point?

Nervous by her reaction, Hojo looked back to his Father who seemed just as confused, her own Father did nothing but scowl. He harshly barked "Kagome, answer when you've been spoken to."

Kagome's shoulders tensed at her Father's voice, she nearly forgotten what it sounded like this past week.

She paused for what seemed like forever, it'll she finally looked Hojo in the eye as she said softly "It's a privilege to meet you as well...Hojo."

Sajin burst out in laughter "My isn't she adorable! Wouldn't think her to be the shy type aye!" Kagome's head bowed, this should be humiliating...yet she couldn't bring herself to care.

"Come then Tsume," Sajin said with a grin "I have imported a great amount of sake, the finest in the land!"

Tsume only nodded, not even looking towards his daughter as he followed Sajin up the flight of stairs. Over his shoulder, Sajin called out "You too have fun now!"

Kagome and Hojo watched their fathers disappear into the temple, it took them a moment to realize that they were still holding hands.

Hojo jumped back and apologized several times, his cheeks turning a deep red. Kagome didn't recognize the scandal till a moment later, the sides of her mouth turned up at his innocent reaction.

Hojo quickly collected himself and decided to take action. This isn't how he hoped their lives together would begin, but he intended to salvage the situation.

"Well!" He said brightly as he began climbing down the final steps of the stairs "Shall we go to the garden? The cherry blossoms have just started to-GAH!"

Unfortunately, Hojo had missed the last step and face planted into the ground.

Kagome's eyes were wider than they've ever been as she looked at the man completely stunned.

Hojo was too afraid to stand, he must have looked like such a fool to her! But then...he heard something amazing.

"Mmmm...hum..ha...hahaha, HAHAHAHA!"
Looking up in astonishment, he saw that Kagome was laughing, hard!

Her arms cradled around her stomach and tears leached from her eyes. Her laughter was probably the sweetest sound he'd ever heard in all his life.

It took a long while for her outburst to subside into a chuckle and then nothing but a smile on her face.

Hojo's heart nearly leaped from his chest when he saw the beauty in her flushed and joyful expression.

"I'm sorry..." she said whipping a tear from her eye "are you alright?" Her hand extended to him, he was still lying flat on the ground but he was in complete awe, he hadn't even noticed.

"Y-Yes...thank you." He said taking her hand.

At the top of the stairs, Miroku and Sango were watching the pair as they walked towards the garden.

"So we're just going to watch them all day?" Sango asked, irritably trying to find a stance that didn't make her feet ache in her insufferable shoes.

"Yes..." Miroku said while chewing on his thumbnail "if everything goes smoothly then they will be married in a few days, but I don't like how she acted in the beginning."

Sango took hold of his shoulder as she tried to remain balanced "I'm sure she was just overwhelmed. If I find out I was to marry that sake of bones I would've run like I was on fire."

Miroku smiled and nodded "He isn't the most attractive, but he can make her laugh, that's something."

Sango shrugged "It'll take a lot more then him falling on his face to impress her though." Finally giving up on the demon shoes and kicking them away.

Miroku smiled and said "Well...we'll just have to help him out on the side-lines." Sango raised a brow "How on earth will we do that?"

Miroku turned and gently took hold of Sango's hand, then he gently brought the sweet girl towards his chest and leaned forward till their foreheads were touching. With smoldering eyes he whispered "By getting as close as we possibly can."

Sango took on a deep blush and tried to distance herself "Miroku! Someone will see us!" Miroku gently pecked her cheek, adoring how shy she became.

Quickly turning her heel she blurted out in sheer embarrassment "I-I'll go see if Hojo and the girl are getting along!"

And she practically ran off, Miroku held back a laugh at her sweetness "That's the spirit love, get going!" She stiffened at his 'love' comment before continuing her march.

Miroku watched her walk away with a small feeling of satisfaction 'Soon you'll be mine, and you'll be able to say it back to me.'

Kagome and Hojo were walking side by side through the freshly planted rose-garden. She was feeling much better after seeing Hojo's clumsiness first hand, but she was still holding back.

Hojo was racking his brain trying to think of the right thing to say or how to engage her. When she laughed the way she did only moments ago was breathtaking, he wanted to see that again.

"S-So...how was your journey Lady Higurashi?"

Kagome shrugged and replied "It was alright I suppose." the truth was that it was unbearable. Her Father barely said a word to her and she was still nursing the worry she held for her brother...as well as a broken heart.

"You went quite a long way, have you done much traveling?" He asked, 'what a dull topic, what will I ask next, how's the weather?!'

Again Kagome shrugged "The only traveling I was allowed to do was to perform exorcisms in neighboring villages, but I always stayed in the West."

Hojo smiled and said "That's amazing!"

Kagome didn't really find it that impressive, but the way Hojo was looking at her held such praise. She learned a little bit about Hojo by simply walking with him.

First, she didn't feel any spiritual energy coming off him, which meant that he didn't have any spiritual gifts. Second, he was raised like a prince but overly sheltered, this establishment was a both a palace and a prison.

The sad thought was that she traded one prison for another.

They sat down on a small bench directly underneath a cherry blossom tree, the petals were beautifully falling like snow. Kagome smiled, not remembering the last time she sat down and stared at the blossoms in bloom.

"Beautiful." She said softly, watching the dream-like scene, while Hojo was watching her, watch the petals. Beautiful was the perfect word. He had only spent a few glorious minutes with Kagome and he was already convinced, she was the woman he would spend the rest of his life with.

Kagome was ripped away from her dream when Hojo said "I hope you'll be happy here Lady Higurashi."

Happy...could she really be happy?

"Do you think I could be?" Her voice was timid but her words will filled with need. She needed to know that she could live a happy existence, even without...

"Of course!" Hojo practically yelled "This is only the beginning...i-it's a bit early to say this but..." Hojo looked deeply into her eyes as he smiled "I couldn't have asked for a better wife."

It was then that it hit Kagome. She was getting married to the man in front of her, a man she did not love or even know. They would be wed and she'd spend the rest of her life being no more then a dutiful wife.

'Then marry me Kagome.'

Kagome gasped at the sudden memory. She had forced all thoughts of him out of her mind for the past week, and just then they all came flooding back.

'I truly love you...and some day, you will be my wife'
'I'm taking you to the mountains, or a nice beach. You'll never bruise these hands again..."

'What kind of a mate would I be if I let you work yourself like that? You and I will be too busy raising...'

'Kagome...you can't be gone for so long. You just can't.'

'Kagome...'

Small tears dripped down from her eyes, at the memories of that wonderful half-demon. They shared such sweet words and deep promises. She wanted to marry Inuyasha...to be his wife, more than anything.

Hojo's voice brought her back a second time when he asked "Lady Higurashi? Why are you crying? D-Did I say something wrong?"

Kagome shook her head and whipped away the tears as quickly as she could "No, it's not that... I just..."

She wished it could be him instead. "...hope we can be happy together."

Hojo's smile was like a beacon of light, he leaned in closer to Kagome and said "I promise we will be."

Somehow, with a goofy grin, she found herself smiling back.