Another edited chapter! Woo hoo!
Happy Reading!
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CHAPTER 4
Kagome peered around the door and checked to see if the corridor was clear. Like a cat, she moved as silently as her padded feet would let her. She found it weird that a hime would have several leather and padded garments in her closet. And yet, she couldn't really complain since it makes it easier to move in, compared to the multitudes of ball gowns stored as well.
The faint light of morning cast shadows to the unlit castle walls. Kagome estimated the time to be around nine or ten in the morning, but found it difficult to tell without her watch. Apparently, in this time frame, watches or batteries had yet to exist.
She sprinted on her toes to the next corner and peered around it. Quickly, she retracted her neck as two shadows materialized heading perpendicular to the hallway she was in. Kagome held her breath as the footsteps drew nearer and made herself as flat as possible on the cold stone walls.
"You think so too?"
"Yes. She seems much like her old self. You know before she had to go and hide from the dark creatures."
The two women must be maids. One seemed to be just a recent addition to the household, while the other sounded like she had been working within the castle for an indefinite number of years.
"Even Lady Sango was happy. It has been ages since Kagome-hime was in a teasing mood. How I remember the hime's younger days… when she would race around this corridor for the sunshine outside, or how she used to sneak around to shoot some arrows. Oh such fond memories, especially the times she would sneak down and hand me several pounds of leather to make her some boy garments, she called them."
"Did she now?"
"Yes. Young as the hime was then; she knew exactly what destiny lies ahead of her. She had known instinctively that she would one day lead this kingdom victorious against the dark creatures who had been threatening our borders. I could almost picture her right now. Her body covered snugly in leather breeches and tunic, on her shoulder rest a quiver of arrows and her right hand clutching that ever beloved bow."
Kagome blushed and looked at herself in dismay. She definitely dressed the part of the unusual hime, saved for the absence of the ever-present bow and quiver of arrows. She just realized sneaking around would make her seem more suspicious. Abandoning her earlier plan, she threw caution to the wind and tried to walk normally, pretending she was just on her way out.
"Good morning, milady."
The maids curtsied upon her approach and separated to make way for her. "Good morning." She greeted them cheerfully. She thought about it and decided that she could use whatever she had overheard to her advantage. Right now, she have no clue as how long she'll be trapped in this world, she might as well enjoy it.
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Out in the courtyard, Kagome was greeted with more cheery good mornings and she decided that she could definitely get use to the warm greetings. A stable boy walked up to her and asked if he should saddle up her horse.
Searching through her mental checklist of names and how to spot them, she discreetly observed the young man before her and gamely said, "Yes, that would be wonderful Mirai-san."
Apparently, she got the name right because 'Mirai' took a deep bow and proceeded to the barn. Kagome mentally let out a sigh of relief, so far so good and no visible mishap.
From the corral, a soft whinny was heard and the most beautiful mare emerged. She has a majestic neck of tawny and a mane the color of spun gold. Her powerful legs showed the hint of her femininity in the splash of white around her ankles, giving her the look of wearing fleece boots. It wasn't any wonder she was called Tenshi.
Gingerly, almost completely enthralled, Kagome approached her and placed a hand against her muzzle. "Hey girl." She whispered, stroking down its length.
Tenshi nuzzled the offered hand, and breathed softly against it. Kagome didn't notice it but a lot of the people present in the courtyard did. Tenshi wasn't getting fidgety at the hime's touch, whereas just about two months back, the hime wouldn't even take the time to greet the horse but would instantly sprang herself on its back and take off like the wind. When Tenshi gets nervous, the hime would simply hold the reigns tighter to make the horse bend to her will.
"Let's get us some fresh air, Tenshi." Kagome cooed to the mare and gave it a last pat before standing to the sides and hoisting herself. Sitting there, she felt a sense of déjà vu, as if she had been on Tenshi's back before.
Another stable boy came forth, with a little nudging from Mirai, and handed over his cargo. "Here you go, Kagome-hime." He fairly squeaked out.
Kagome smiled gently at him and took the quiver of arrows and the polished bow. "Thank you for polishing it for me Kurai-san."
Kurai looked up in surprise. The hime never thanked him before. In fact, ever since he was given the task of polishing the bow and handing it to the hime every time she leaves. He didn't even think she knew his name! Kurai then realized that he's been staring at the smiling hime for quite some time, and quickly moved out of the way.
Puzzled, Kagome guided Tenshi towards the large wooden gate and gave her head. Tenshi, sensing that she's free to go where she wished, went off in a gentle gallop across the meadows, into the thick growth of trees to the east of the castle, and finally into a clearing. It was a clearing Tenshi knew well, for this is the clearing where the hime first made friends with her, and she knew for sure that this time, the young woman with her is the same hime that loved her from the day she was born.