Kagome and Koga's ascent stopped as Kagome gasped loudly, hands flying to flatten her of the various rumples it accumulated over the course of their journey. Her hair, whipped by the wind, lay in gentle waves. Her frantic fingers ran through it before throwing the locks over her shoulder in defeat. Groaning, her head dropped into her hands. Koga, surprised by the sudden bout of primping, looked at the girl in shock.
"What's wrong Kagome-chan?" Koga asked, his concern palpable.
"How can I present myself before the Emperor and the Imperial family looking like this?" Kagome fretted. "My father sent me here to bring our family honor and how can I tell him that I did my best and fulfilled his wishes when I am like this? I don't even have a kimono to wear, I left them all back with my guards," her voice quivered as she realized that her plain blue kimono would look like a pauper's ware compared to the luxury surrounding her. Worry filled her mind that she would disgrace her family, that her father would no longer be honored for his service as a top general, and that they would become outcasts because of her follies. Tears welled in her soft blue eyes, but Koga's sharp laughter drew her from her swirling thoughts before the tears fell and she quirked her head in confusion.
"Kagome-chan, you don't worry. Tonight you'll be presented to the Imperial family, and that's all. Your room has plenty of clothes to wear, the Inu no Taisho has provided everything for each of his guests, including you. Tomorrow you can put one whichever of them you like," came Koga's answer to her unasked questions. Smirking, he grasped her hands and tucked them at his elbow once more and continued leading her up the steps.
Reaching the entryway to the main palace, the guards bowed to Koga and Kagome before opening the doors to allow them entrance. The wide entry branched off in different directions. Her escort led her through corridors and hallways, pausing to nod only when fellow guards acknowledged him with a murmured "senpai".
They passed women, young and old and men of high birth. The younger women looked at her clothes before covering their faces with fans to laugh. The older ones shared looks of displeasure at her impropriety. Kagome half-heartedly tried to flatten her thick waves until Koga noticed and raised his eyebrow at her. She shrugged sheepishly and replaced her hands at his elbow.
The pair stopped at the entry to the throne hall. Koga dropped her hands and nodded to the guards to open the doorway. He stepped through and she followed, like a pup following its mother. Her eyes took in the painted shoji screen walls. Red and gold assaulted her eyes, and she glanced around at the assembled nobility in the room. Heavily painted women sat docilely along the sides of the throne room, glancing up at her with haughty eyes before continuing their whispered conversations. Men looked in interest at Kagome, her blue eyes clearly an unexpected curiosity on an otherwise plain girl. Kagome brought her eyes to the ground, following the sway of Koga's tail until he stopped. She paused, glancing up. Koga had bowed lowly from the waist before moving to the side.
"Denka Inu no Taisho, may I present to you Higurashi Kagome, the daughter of Higurashi-taisho in the East. She has come at your summons to offer herself to your sons as a potential bride and submits herself now to your scrutiny," Koga announced to the Emperor and the other court members present. Kagome fell to her knees, chin raised and eyes lowered as the Emperor stepped up from his throne. She saw his feet stop before her, and another stepped beside him. A woman, judging by the trailing kimono sleeves. The woman's soft steps brought her closer, and Kagome was acutely aware of the presence by her side. The woman reached out her hand, dainty fingers grasping Kagome's chin, angling her head up a bit more. The maiden muffled a gasp and the lady laughed softly.
"Child, there is not need to be afraid. We want only to look upon your face," the lady sounded genteel, and Kagome's eyes traced up the outstretched arm to the face of the woman before her. She had a wide face and pale complexion; red pigment stained her lips. The woman's hair hung in long straight sheets, creating a dark curtain between her and the rest of the world. Her brown orbs met Kagome's and graced the maiden with a gentle smile. Turning her bright lips to the Emperor, the lady spoke as if they were the only ones in the room.
"Anata, look at her eyes! Are they not the bluest eyes we have seen on a maiden? And look how beautifully her kimono complements them," the lady returned to her critique of the maiden kneeling before them. Kagome glanced at the Emperor, allowing him to search her gaze as one would search the sky. He gave a gruff acknowledgement and stepped towards the lady. Kagome met his eyes and trepidation took hold of her. The man before her was intimidating, his golden eyes flashing like wildfire. Dark blue marks stretched from his pointed ears to the center of his cheeks. Dark armor covered his haori, spikes curving upwards to ward off attackers. Two katana hung at his waist, and the hilt of a larger sword peeked over his shoulder. Easily he towered over the others in the room and his hair shone in the dim light as if on its own. Fleetingly, she wondered, Is this the same man I saw riding when we arrived here?
"Koga, send for my sons." Inu no Taisho's voice was deep and rich. It reminded Kagome of the mountains, and of the dogs that ran wild near her village. Koga, however, bowed deeply before exiting the room. The Emperor extended a hand to the lady, bringing her back to his side. So, this is the Empress. She seems kind-hearted, not like Koga said the other ladies of the court were. Then again, maybe he was talking about the ones we passed on our way here. Kagome remained kneeling before the throne, hoping that this first impression to the Emperor and his sons would be one her family could take pride from. Mentally sighing for what felt like the thousandth time
"Higurashi-san, are you weary?" The lady's bright voice interrupted her muddled thoughts as she nodded to the woman.
"Hai, hime-sama. Before Koga-kun, er, Kitayama-san arrived, the journey was quite tedious. I apologize for my delay in answering your summons. The road is long from the East, and my carriage wheel broke just a few days ago," she said, bowing in forgiveness, grateful that the gesture hid her enflamed cheeks.
"Nonsense, child. We have been to the East and know the road. It is as treacherous as it is long, and we are glad you arrived safely," the hime replied. "After so long, you must be eager to rest. After you are presented to our sons, a maid will lead you to your room. Should you need anything, she will procure it for you."
"Arigatou-gozaimasu, Hime-sama. I am most grateful for your hospitality. Ano, would I be able to visit your archery fields while I am here?"
"Higurashi-san, you can use a bow?" Inu no Taisho's question rang out as he leaned forward in his throne.
"Hai, Inu no Taisho-sama. I learned when I was very young from the priestess in our village. She trained me for years before she died." Kagome answered quickly, hoping her request would be granted. The library would captivate her, but doubtless her restless spirit would require a more physical outlet if she wished to remain sane. She glanced up at the Emperor's face, seeing his blazing eyes stare at her as if she were a strange animal brought for his inspection. A corner of his mouth twitch upwards, as if amused by what he saw.
"Interesting. Perhaps you may teach my sons a thing or two about the art," He said with a smirk, leaning back in his throne. The Empress smiled at them, and Kagome's heart pounded. A small smile stole her lips, threatening to tear across her face possessively. The Emperor thought her interesting, the Empress she she was beautiful- well, her eyes at least. The compliments would bring pride and honor to her family.
Conversation stopped as the doors behind her opened. Stopping herself from looking over her shoulder, she instead looked to the faces of the Emperor and Empress as their sons entered the throne room. He looked sternly at the young men, yet his eyes ignited in a playful way, while she openly beamed at their sons. The whispered conversations of the other members of court halted, watching as the two strode forward to the throne. They came to a halt just behind her, irritating Kagome because she could not see them. The two bowed to their father before coming to his side. Acknowledging the Empress, they then turned to face Kagome. She fidgeted under the intense golden orbs of the three youkai before her.
"Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, may I present Higurashi Kagome, daughter of Higurashi-taisho of the East. She is the last of the maidens we summoned for you to choose from," Inu no Taisho repeated the introduction Koga gave only minutes earlier. "Higurashi-san, these are our sons. The elder, Sesshomaru, and the younger, Inuyasha." Each son bowed to Kagome as their father said their names. Sesshomaru, much like his father, stood taller than the other men in the room. His silver hair hung loose down his back and his eyes conveyed no interest in the gathering, nor in meeting another potential bride. The younger, Inuyasha, also appeared bored with the proceedings but lacked the tactful mannerisms of the elder. His eyes shifted in agitation from her to some of the other ladies in the room, to his mother and then back to her. They were a darker amber than his brother's and his father's, and so much more expressive than theirs.
Kagome shifted nervously and tentatively said, "Konnichiwa Sesshomaru-sama, Inuyasha-sama, it is nice to make your acquaintance."
"Hn."
"Keh. Are we done here?" Inuyasha's brash question made Kagome cringe. Neither of the brothers seemed particularly interested in her, and she bottled up her irritation behind a pleasant smile. The Empress moved forward, away from her husband's side. Motioning to one of the younger girls by the wall, she gently slid her hand under Kagome's elbow, effortlessly raising her to her feet. Brown eyes gentle, she indicated to the girl who stood waiting by Kagome's side.
"This is Atsuko. While you are here she is yours. She'll lead you to your room. As for you two, which one of you valiant young men will take responsibility for showing Higurashi the palace grounds in the morning? We would not want her getting lost, ne?" The Empress' voice expectant tone had the two brothers shifting in discomfort.
"Izayoi-sama, I leave at dawn for our Southern border by order of my Father," came Sesshomaru's clipped response. He bowed his head but Kagome felt that his respect to the woman was half-hearted at best. Izayoi's pointed look shifted to the younger and he groaned loudly.
"Ah come on, this ain't fair! If he doesn't have to, I don't see why I need to take her on a tour," Inuyasha's complaints fell on indifferent ears.
"Perfect! Come in the morning to the dining hall and Inuyasha will escort you from there," Izayoi chirped gaily. Inu no Taisho's mouth quirked as he stood and moved next to his wife. Inclining his head slightly to Kagome he left the room followed by Izayoi. The sons followed, Inuyasha still moaning about waking up early to show another airhead girl around the palace. Kagome looked to the girl by her side. She was a young girl, probably no older than twelve, with short brown hair and dark brown eyes.
"Atsuko-kun? Will you show me to my rooms?" Kagome's voice had lost energy and the day's journey took its toll on her. After the interesting meeting with the Emperor and his family, she could do with some well-deserved rest.
"Hai, hime-sama. If you will, please follow me," Atsuko said softly, her voice sweet and high. Atsuko turned and began walking. Kagome paused briefly before hurrying to catch up with her. Matching her stride to the young girl's Kagome smiled tiredly.
"There is no need to call me hime, Atsuko-kun, I am just a general's daughter. Please, call me Kagome," Kagome's invitation came as a surprise to the girl, who looked quickly at her mistress's face before her eyes returned to the route they walked.
"Arigatou-gozaimasu, Kagome-san," came her tentative and happy response. Twisting through hallways, Atsuko led her to a second level in the palace. "Many of the other ladies are positioned in this section of the palace. In the morning I will come to wake and dress you, and then lead you to breakfast," her words whispered, Atsuko stopped before a shoji door and pushed it open. A generously sized room lay inside, a futon covered in furs on one side of the room. Silk pillows lay on the bed and floor. At the other side of the bedchamber sat a small table with a mirror. Thankfully the table also held a dish of steaming rice and fish.
Atsuko beckoned her enter the room and Kagome slipped inside wordlessly, heading straight for the dinner. Atsuko smiled as she pushed closed the shoji screen. Stepping towards her mistress, she bowed at the waist and asked softly, "Will you need help bathing and dressing in the morning, Kagome-san?"
"Uhh, no, I am quite adept at dressing myself, ano, I only have these clothes," Kagome self-consciously plucked at her rumpled kimono and underlying yukata. Glumly, she rested her chin on her hand, And I'll have to wait at least a few days, if not more, for my clothes and books and combs to arrive with Touma-kun and Yuuto-san. I wish I had them here. Lost in thought, she barely comprehended that Atsuko left her side when she heard the girl cleared her throat. Seeking the sound, Kagome's mouth dropped at the open closet behind Atsuko which stored various kimono, yukata, and obi of varying colors and patterns. In a sleep-deprived daze, she stumbled to the young girl and ran her fingers over the fabrics of the obi and turned to Atsuko in shock. Atsuko giggled, but the sound was lost as Kagome grabbed the girl in a tight hug.
"Arigatou, Atsuko-chan!" Kagome squealed loudly before remembering that others were sleeping in neighboring rooms. Giggling, Kagome released her maid and flung herself on to the futon. Her stomach full and her worries reconciled, sleep consumed her within moments of her eyes closing. Atsuko quietly removed her mistress' geta and grabbed the empty bowl before exiting the room. Kagome slept on, dreaming once more of her day in the sky.
Groaning at the sun's rays peeking over the mountains, Kagome buried her head under one of the pillows in hopes of returning to her dreams. Since the early hours before dawn she had be woken several times by the obnoxious voices of other women in this part of the castle as they shuffled between rooms, trying on kimono, comparing obi colors, and ordering maids find jewelry to match their borrowed finery. The apparent excitement over fine clothes escaped Kagome, as her pleasure came from the fact that soon, Atsuko would lead her to the baths and then she could don a fresh kimono rather than one of her travel-worn yukata.
As if summoned by her thoughts, the door opened and Atsuko slipped inside. She hesitated before calling out Kagome's name and quickly ducked as a pillow came flying at her head. Eyes wide, the girl turned to her newly-awakened mistress, who sat with her hands covering her mouth in shock.
"Atsuko-chan! Forgive me, I thought you were my brother here to put frogs in my bed! I am so sorry!" Kagome's apologies met a bubbling laughter as Atsuko merely nodded her forgiveness.
"I am alright Kagome-san. If you are ready, I will take you to the bath house before the morning meal begins," her sweet voice rang out, laughter hanging on to her words. Kagome sheepishly left the warmth of the futon, stretching her arms and legs. Though riding Haruto-san was incredible, I didn't think I'd be this sore afterwards. She winced and walked towards Atsuko, who had gathered a simple yukata in her arms.
The happy girl pushed open the shoji door, leading her mistress through another set of twisting hallways and hidden stairs to a small building attached to the side of the palace, brown hair bobbing excitedly as she walked. Kagome shuffled to keep up and nearly ran into Atsuko as she stopped before yet another shoji screen door. Sliding it open, steam poured out and Kagome peeked through the door. Steam assailed her, and she squealed in delight, rushing to the rocky pool. Her clothes thrown in a pile by the wall of the bath house, the young woman slipped into the pool. The tension and grime of her journey washed away in the heated water water. Atsuko neared the side of the bath and chose a small bottle of fragrant oil. She also sprinkled generous amounts of dried flowers and herbs into the bath with Kagome, who happily sunk deeper into the water. Warmth seeped into her bones and she opened her eyes to see Atsuko's grinning face above her.
"Kagome-chan, when you are ready, I will dress your hair," the little girl said, holding up the small bottle and a simple comb. She bowed her head and retreated to the wall until summoned by her mistress.
Kagome, for her part, felt sleep coming to claim her once more and fought the urge to close her eyes and dream. Ducking below the water, she rubbed at her scalp to remove the last vestiges of dirt from her person. A few bubble escaped her lips, and she reluctantly emerged from the water, hair sticking to her skin.
"Atsuko-chan, will you bring me a towel?" Kagome's timid request was nearly lost among the other noises of the bath house, but Atsuko grabbed a towel and scampered over to push it into Kagome's hands. Wrapping the towel around herself, Kagome sat on the rocks with her feet in the pool as Atsuko combed a few drops of the fragrant oil into her hair. The girl's hands moved quickly, removing tangles and knots, twisting the hair back, and fastening her locks with a plain tie. Kagome stood and Atsuko once more pressed something into her hands- the yukata. Quickly donning the yukata, Kagome moved to pick up the clothes she had left in a heap by the wall.
"Ie, Kagome-san, let me get those for you!" Atsuko cried in vain. Holding her blue yukata and amber obi, Kagome looked over the girl.
"What's wrong?"
"Kagome-san, let me carry those for you," came her maid's response. Atsuko rushed forward and grabbed the clothes from Kagome's hands, folding them tenderly over her arms. "Kagome-san, I see now that you are different from some of these other ladies here," she said nervously, head nodding to indicate other women partially obscured by the steam of the bath house, "but you must let me serve you. If they see you acting below your station, they will not hesitate to take advantage. You are too kind, Kagome-san, and I would see you stay over any of them, but-"
The girl's words cut off as Kagome placed a soft hand on her shoulder. Smiling, she knelt until their eyes were level, blue to brown, and said, "I understand, Atsuko-kun. I did not come here to marry, I came to bring honor to my family. I must act accordingly so that shame does not fall upon me." The words placated the girl and she sighed happily before leading Kagome out of the steaming baths and back to her room. Meanwhile, Kagome's thoughts whirled around the phrase Atsuko used, Koga's voice also calling out in her memory. They both say I'm different, that I'm not like them. But how am I different? I don't know- I don't understand! Confusion filled her head and she longed to be at home, where she could sit with her brother to watch the stars, talk openly with her friends, and mostly be herself. I don't like feeling like I have to watch my back.
