Re-edited Chapter 2. This time, I actually got around to explaining how Kagome was found in the alternate world.
Happy Reading!
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CHAPTER 2
The entire hall had been almost magically transformed. A long wooden table set on a dais stood at the far corner, right next to the fireplace, while a number of smaller tables were arranged perpendicular to it. Everywhere Kagome looked, men and women curtsied in her presence with welcoming smiles.
"There you are Kagome-hime, I was told that you weren't feeling well this afternoon." A lady dressed almost in the same manner as her broke away from the crowd and got into step with her.
"Oh Lady Sango, it must be because of the trip. I must have woken up disoriented in the tub." Kaede-bachan had left instructions before she parted to dispel any suspicions of Kagome's earlier behavior. Kaede-bachan had shared earlier how she was found. After Kikyo suddenly took off during the march home, she left the party in chaos, until Kagome was found bare-footed and lying unconscious within a sheltered glen, apparently with a set of tattered, hardly recognizable clothing.
"Oh really hime, I wouldn't blame you. It's not like it was easy going on those trips to protect our borders from the dark creatures threatening our kingdom, not to mention losing your way. You should have just said that you were too tired to proceed. Honestly, you are lucky that we found you before you could be devoured by whatever creature you chanced upon while you wandered listlessly. Your nurse nearly had a heart attack when we brought you in disheveled, resembling very much a lost kitten abandoned at the side of the road." Lady Sango chided gently. "I wished our patrolmen could make it back in time for our homecoming." She sighed wistfully, her eyes taking a faraway look.
Recalling Kaede-bachan's words, Kagome tried her hand at a teasing manner which the hime and her lady-in-waiting supposedly share since their childhood. "Oh? Are you really worried about the patrolmen, or just the fighting monk you're so fond of?"
Instantly, Lady Sango swiveled her head to meet Kagome's eyes in surprise. Unsure of what had come over the hime, she went on tentatively. "We are not together as you can see, and he's such a flirt, saying all sorts of things to the maidservants, and those kitchen girls. Whatever would I find appealing in such a man? He is beyond reproach." Though her tone suggested she care naught for the man in question, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her thoughts otherwise.
Kagome couldn't help but smile. It seemed apparent to her that she will not have any trouble befriending this young woman. In fact, she could almost say they have the same taste in medieval clothing. Whereas she's dressed in red and gold, Lady Sango was dressed in a lilac ball gown with beige detail. The bodice was further enhanced with a subtle green lining, similar to the bell sleeves and hem, drawing the eye to the pleasant contrasts of tones.
With a conspiratorial wink, Kagome nudged her newfound friend in the elbow. "Well, speaking of the dashing devil, I believed he just caught your last words." While Lady Sango was giving her usual lists of reasons for brushing off the monk, Kagome saw the return of the patrolmen.
"Good evening ladies."
The humored baritone spoke up behind Lady Sango as the dashing man headed towards them ahead of his comrades. Kagome watched Sango stiffened at the sound of his voice and turned to face the man.
The man stopped before them and gave an exaggerated bow as show of courtesy. "Kagome-hime, Lady Sango, it is a pleasure to see the both of you back safely from your journey." He acknowledged before straightening up. May I say the two of you look very lovely this evening, a more befitting look if any on two beautiful ladies such as yourselves." He flashed an arrogant smile.
"Sir Miroku, it is wonderful to see that you are in a good mood as always. What news on your patrol tonight?" Kagome inquired, noticing how the women next to her fumed and preened at the same time. Apparently this Sir Miroku is indeed a dashing debonair in the eyes of the women of the castle.
"Nothing much, although I can't help but wonder if the presence of such beautiful and brave ladies such as yourselves had caused the dark creatures to stave off tonight. It is such a known fact after all that her highness is more than capable with a bow and a quiver of arrows." Sir Miroku had reached Kagome's side and was in the process of snaking an arm around her shoulders when Lady Sango stomped on his foot.
"Well, apparently not everyone feels the same." Lady Sango said venomously, her meaning unmistakable as she eyed Sir Miroku. With a flurry of petticoats, she turned and made her way gracefully to the head table.
Sir Miroku hopped on his foot after a retreating Lady Sango. Anyone who had half a brain would have already realized that the playboy debonair has a thing for the lady-in-waiting.
Kagome followed Lady Sango's lead as a number of ladies trailed after her. She mentally started matching the names with the faces she met on the way. The more she walked, the more it became apparent that the hime was very well loved by her people. Every smile was a genuine welcome that it made her feel warm inside and yet guilty at the same time. She knew the smile wasn't truly meant for her, but for the hime that had disappeared.
Seated at the left of the king, Kagome couldn't help but feel the desire to belong. All around her, people were having a good time. The homecoming wasn't just meant for the hime and her entourage, but also for the people who loved her dearly. The laughter, the light-hearted banter, the teasing, the meal, and the easy camaraderie that can be found in this hall away from the dangers outside the castle walls, she drank them all in, almost heady with the sights, sounds, and smell. It almost felt as if she had indeed been brought up in such a place all her life.
Almost, but not quite.
If she chose to embrace everything before her now, it would mean that her life back in Japan was nothing more than a dream. The old temple, the god tree, her mother, her younger brother, and her eccentric grandfather were far too real to be just a dream.
"My child, can I have a word with you in private after the festivities?" The Ou's voice broke trough her thoughts.
"Yes, it would be a pleasure, otou-san. We have plenty to catch up on." Knowing that the eyes of hundreds of men and women are trained on her, she did her best to act as if this was an everyday occurrence. What Kagome didn't count on was the smooth way the lie rolled off her tongue, as if it wasn't a lie to begin with.