Author's Note: I'm baaaaack! Y'all must hate me for not updating right? But I was seriously busy and blocked. But thanks to Fallenanjel, a loyal reader, I'm back on track and with fresh ideas to boot! Enjoy the chapter.
S. P.
(I can't decide between Sakura Priestess or Snowy Plum, so now I'm S.P.)
Sango's face was slightly flushed from the festivities and the cups of rice wine she drank. Somehow all these luxury and feasting only made her think of Home. Back in the demon slayer's village everyday was quiet but full of joy. Even on missions she was surrounded by family and friends. But here, in the palace, it was different. Though the Emperor and Empress had been fair and kind, the court was full of lies and deceit. Without Kagome, she wouldn't know how she could've survived…
A light tap on the shoulder interrupted her thoughts. The young slayer turned and saw a blue-robed young man bowing to her politely.
"This one goes by the name Miroku," the young man straightened up and looked appreciatively at her features, his face sly and handsome, his voice smooth, "and what name, praytell, was given to the noble lady before me?"
"It's Sango," she replied, "and I'm not noble. I'm just a personal guard to Ka… I mean, Her Highness Princess Kagome."
"Sango, a beautiful name for a beautiful lady."
"Sango felt light-headed; perhaps it's the compliment, or perhaps it's the sake. Her face blushed crimson. "You are a monk, are you not? Aren't monks forbidden to flirt?" she giggled.
"Yes, I am a monk with a few humble powers," replied Miroku smoothly, "but I have not taken the vows, for I appreciate the finer things in life, such as sake and beautiful, charming ladies…"
Sango saw him stepping closer, his hand somehow wound around her waist. Her breathing quickened, her mind kept asking whether this was appropriate. Then, she felt his hand on her butt and she snapped back to reality.
In a flash, her hand connected with his face with alarmingly quick motion and force. Miroku stepped back in utter surprise, his hand caressed his left cheek disbelievingly. Luckily, none of the other guests had noticed anything.
Before either of them could speak, a youth in a red kimono strode out of nowhere.
"Miroku let's go!" he said in a gruff, annoyed voice as he grabbed him and swept away without casting Sango a single glance. But something about him caught her eyes. The unnatural amber eyes, the demonic silver hair, the dog ears erected on top of his head, this could only mean one thing…
Suddenly, Sango's light-headedness completely vanished.
"The girl put a curse on you, you say?" asked Miroku, his tone amused. Inuyasha, however, did not share his amusement.
"We've got to do something! Bribe her, strangle her until she takes it off! Anything!" Inuyasha tried to tear the prayer beads off once more, and once more it refused to budge.
"I don't think it's that simple," reasoned Miroku, "our subject is none other than the Princess of Shikon, and we are their number one enemy. How do you suggest we get near her?"
"The same way we got near last time!" Inuyasha was desperate now.
"Don't do anything rash," Miroku warned, "we'll think of something."
Inuyasha, however, was too busy sulking to hear what his best friend said.
"Are you sure the situation is as grave as you describe, Naraku?" asked the Emperor of Shikon.
"Have I ever deceived you before, Your Majesty?" answered Naraku coolly.
"Of course not, of course not," replied the Emperor quickly. "Have all the reserve troops assembled at once! We'll need allies, too. I'll start to plan for the wedding at once, I'm sure Prince Kouga will find my daughter desirable."
"Of course he will. After all, they say Her Highness is the Jewel of Shikon," Naraku with a near-invisible smile.
"What do you mean I'm to be married in a fortnight?" cried Kagome.
"Kagome please listen to me!' the Empress pleaded, "Just listen to me and don't run off like last time."
"How can I listen? You can't just decide my life for me. I don't want to be married, and certainly not to Kouga!"
"But we need allies, and Prince Kouga's clan is strong…"
"So you just sell me out?"
"Of course not," sighed the Empress, "but the Inutaisho Empire is invading our Northern border."
Kagome just couldn't believe it. Although she was pressured all her life, being the Princess and all, she had never had such a big responsibility dumped on her shoulder before. A whole country, HER country, was at stake; it's very survival depended on her marriage to Kouga. Two choices were laid out before her:
1 Ran away from the marriage and leave an entire country to die
2 Marry Kouga, save Shikon, and condemn herself to a lifetime of misery.
Frankly, she liked neither.
Kagome heard light tapping on her bedroom door.
"I want to be alone right now, Yumi," Kagome said, thinking it was her servant maid.
"It's me, Sango," came the reply.
"Come in," sighed Kagome helplessly.
"You already heard about it, right?"
Sango nodded, "Soon, it'll be the news all around the country."
"Kagome, do you love Kouga?" asked Sango.
"No," answered Kagome, wide-eyed, "but I can't just let Shikon be defeated. Sure, Kouga's nice and all, but he makes me uncomfortable. Grrr, I hate those dog demons, why can't they just leave us alone? I don't want to marry Kouga, I'd rather marry that jerk in the garden!" As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Kagome became outraged with herself. How could she say that? Even Kouga was better than that foul-mouthed, selfish bastard. How could she even think about him at such a time?
"Ka…gome?" Sango said uncertainly, her best friend seemed to be spacing out.
"Yes Sango?"
"Who's the jerk in the garden?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you about that," said Kagome apologetically, "remember the prayer beads given to me by an old Priestess I told you about?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I worked the spell on him."
"You're kidding."
"Nope."
"He must be really rude to you."
"Tell me about it."
"Sucker!"
"Definitely!" Kagome went on to explain Inuyasha's rude behavior and how funny his expression was when he found out about the prayer beads' binding power. "His face was all twisted, you should've seen him! Then I sat him."
"Sat him?" asked Sango, puzzled.
"Oh, I decided the command word should be 'sit', since he's all leashed up like a helpless puppy. So he goes crashing into the ground, and you won't believe it Sango! His straw hat fell off and he has dog ears! He's a demon!"
"What?" cried Sango, her fears came rushing back.
"He's a demon, and not a wolf either," repeated Kagome.
"Kagome, answer me," said Sango urgently, "does he have golden eyes and wears a red kimono?"
"Sango, how'd you…"
"Well I met him, he has a friend with him too, a monk who pretended to be a nobleman. But never mind about that. Do you know who he is?" Sango looked at Kagome straight in the eye.
"Well, I never asked his name."
"He wouldn't have told you even if you did," said Sango, "because he's the second son of the Great Inutaisho himself."
"He's WHAT!" Kagome nearly hit ceiling.
"Shhh, quiet!" Sangos aid sternly.
"Sorry Sango, I just, don't believe it!"
"Well believe it," said Sango tiredly, "How many men do you see have dog ears? As demon slayers, one important lesson is to learn about the history and characteristics of all the important demon clans. The Inutaisho is a great Lord, and he has two sons. The Elder one I heard is very aristocratic and aloof. The younger one is the exact opposite. Rumours had it that his mother was a human. The Inutaisho court must want to cover his hanyou identity up, for it would be embarrassing to them. Not much is known about him, except that he possesses the Robe of Fire Rat, which he wears all the time. It is said to be as soft as silk, yet as tough as steel, more indestructible than the best Shikon armour. Interestingly, its color is red. The Elder Prince's name is Sesshoumeru, and the younger Prince, whom I believe is our 'jerk'," Sango paused, "his name is Inuyasha."