Atsuko led Kagome back to her room, the pair dodging and weaving through the hallways as other young ladies and their maids, servants, and guards traversed the hallways. Kagome's eyes never left Atsuko's bobbing head as the girl nimbly maneuvered them through the bustling halls. Sliding the shoji screen open once more, Atsuko paused to allow Kagome to enter her room before following her inside, the door closing softly behind her. Atsuko set down the soiled garments in a small basket and moved to the closet. Revealing the clothes hidden within, she deliberated for a moment before grabbing two different kimono, one the color of the sky with painted blossoms of peach and red, the other purple like the sunset she had seen the night before, designs of elegant leaves falling toward the hem. Kagome turned and gaped at the kimono presented to her, hesitantly reaching for the blossom covered robe.
"I think I shall wear this one, Atsuko-chan. I feel the other may not suit me at this time," she breathed. Nodding, the girl bobbed her head before replacing the purple kimono into the closet once more, its royal colors standing out among the other more common hues. Kagome grabbed the other, wrapping herself in its soft silken confines. Atsuko brought different obi from the closet, and Kagome's hands hovered over the proffered cloth before selecting a peach fabric. Grinning, she wrapped the obi around her waist. Atsuko's hands playfully swatted her away as the maid took over tying the obi for her mistress. Task complete, Atsuko sat back and looked over her handiwork. She flitted around Kagome, replacing the rejected obi and closing the closet.
"Kagome-san, if you will, breakfast is beginning shortly in formal dining hall. Inuyasha-sama is to show you the palace grounds today, correct?" Atsuko's innocent question brought the huffy, irritating prince back into Kagome's mind and she nearly groaned.
"Hai, Atsuko-chan. I guess now is as good a time as any," Kagome's tone edged towards agitation, but a true smile quickly replaced her frown when her eyes met with Atsuko's. Kagome grasped the small mirror sitting on the table and glanced over her appearance. Nothing seemed too out of place, and Kagome gamely declared, "I'm ready, Atsuko-chan."
Appeased, Atsuko again led Kagome from the bedroom, amusement echoed on the expression of both maid and mistress. Descending to the lower level of the palace, the journey to the formal dining hall twisted back towards the throne room before branching into a new hallway. Kagome's wide eyes, not sullied by sleep as they had been last night, took in the absolute grandeur of the palace as they entered a large room. Surprisingly, not many courtiers were assembled in the dining hall, even though the breakfast hour was well under way. Atsuko led Kagome to a place on the tatami mats at the far end of the room, mostly away from the other occupants. Kagome knelt quickly and looked around for Inuyasha-sama. Instead of the Emperor's son, a servant came and placed a tray of food before her. Bowls filled with steaming rice, miso soup, egg, and fish sat before her, and Kagome's eyes filled with glee. Happily picking up the soup, Kagome settled in to enjoy her breakfast. Her meal continued uninterrupted for the most part, her time punctuated by the entrance and exit of the many nobles residing in the palace. A few other ladies with fine kimono and jewel adornments entered briefly before exiting without eating, their excited faces turning to dejection upon realizing no member of the Imperial family was present in the large dining room. Kagome sat through it all, her initial furor in eating calmed. She calmly ate small pieces of rice and fish, nibbling to enjoy the flavor. The palace chefs sure are good at what they do Maybe I can convince Atsuko-chan to take me to the kitchens- I'd love to thank them for such wonderful food… and maybe eat some more!
Her musings ended as she lifted another bowl, only to realize that it was empty. Looking at the others assembled dishes, she realized she had eaten everything from the many bowls the servant had first placed before her, and her cheeks flushed red. Subtly looking around, she realized that the other members of the Emperor's court and the other ladies present had left; she was alone in the dining hall. Atsuko-chan also was gone, presumably completing her other tasks as Inuyasha-sama had been promised to accompany her around the palace. When is Inuyasha-sama coming to get me? Her mind wandered, and she slouched forward. Playing with a few fallen grains of rice, she yawned softly. Perhaps I can figure out how to go back to my room and nap… or maybe I'll find the bathhouse again. Her shoulders ached and she could use some rest.
Kagome stood, her hands gently flattening the painted kimono. She moved towards the shoji screen door and gingerly slid it open. Slipping into the hallway, she turned toward the throne room- or at least where she thought the throne room was. Winding through the hallways, she stumbled through a doorway to garden. Before her sprawled a manicured lawn, a stream winding through it before joining with the larger river. Stone pathways cut through the gardens and brightly painted wooden bridges connected one side to the other. Trees stood tall on either side, yet the furthest seemed wilder than their closer counterparts. Birds chirped brightly, and Kagome grinned as she set out on the pathway. The path twisted and turned and Kagome happily set to finding the most beautiful blooms in the gardens. Crossing the stream, Kagome followed the flowery aroma to an Eden situated in the heart of the gardens. Blossoms stretched in every direction, bright azaleas of every color, soft pink camellias, dainty irises flourishing. A small pond held lotus flowers, and wisteria trees hid the palace from the flowery utopia.
The flowers had magical effect on Kagome, who skipped from one bunch of blooms to the next, plucking the brightest flowers for her bouquet. Soon her hand overflowed with blossoms and buds, and she caught sight of a bench hidden underneath the nearest wisteria. Happily hidden from view, Kagome set to braiding the flowers together into a crown. The young woman didn't notice the wolf who had caught her scent in the breeze, nor the cobalt eyes watching from above. She only cared for her flowers, thinking to offer them to Atsuko for her kindness in the baths that morning. The girl brought back memories to Kagome of her childhood, her happy smile and carefree attitudes a vision of her own past. Lost in her musings, she didn't notice a rapidly approaching figure clad in brilliant red.
"Oi, wench! What're you doing out here?" Inuyasha's rudeness shocked Kagome from her task and her flowers spilled all over the ground as she shot up.
"What did you call me?" She could hardly believe the impudence of this princeling, insulting her and irritating her after ignoring her that morning. Her fingers tightened around her crown, crushing a few of the delicate bulbs. Realizing her blunder, she quickly released the chain, gently laying it out on the bench. I'll fix it, later, she thought. Turning to Inuyasha, her anger found a more appropriate outlet as he leapt to her side. Looking at her crushed and fallen flowers, he gave a miffed huff.
"Is this where you've been? I've been looking for you all morning!" His voiced grated her nerves, and her eye twitched in annoyance.
"Inuyasha-sama," she said, her respect only showing in her words, "I waited all morning in the dining hall for you! I thought you would come, but after so long I refused to spend all day confined there expecting you to come get me." Her prim response left him speechless, and she smirked in triumph before sitting once more to address her crushed crown. He gaped at her, golden eyes aflame with indignation. She hummed merrily, amused by his lack of a retort. Glancing up once more, blue met gold and she smiled.
The brash princeling gave a gruff, "Keh. Whatever," before squatting next to her bench. A clawed hand reached to the ground and plucked one of her fallen flowers up, inspecting the bloom before glancing to the chain in her hands. "What are you making, anyway?"
"A gift."
"Yeah right, who wants a flower as a gift? All they do is die." He crushed the bud between his hands as if to prove a point. Kagome, for her part, raised an eyebrow at him, displeasure apparent without needing to reply. "Besides, what is it anyway?"
Again his question met silence. He shifted. Faster than she could see, he grabbed the braided crown from her, his clawed fingers, twisting it around as if he could divine its purpose if he stared long enough. Unsuccessful, he looked back at her expectantly.
"If I tell you, will you give it back?" Patience had never been her strong suit. She reached forward, her kimono grazing the prince's haori while her fingers stretched for the flowers.
"Not till you answer my question, wench," he huffed, moving the chain out of her reach.
"Fine. It's a flower crown, you happy now?" Kagome crossed her arms, cross that her handiwork was being criticized.
"A crown? You really are desperate to marry one of us!"
"As if! I wasn't making it for me, I was making it for Atsuko-chan!"
"Who's that, your imaginary friend?"
"My maid, the girl who- uh, forget it. You'll only make fun of me anyway," Kagome said, standing and moving towards the lotus pond.
"What, you think she'll like some flowers? It isn't like we don't pay them. She'll probably just throw them away when you turn your back," came his scornful retort. Unwilling to be rebuffed in such a way, Inuyasha leapt up and stepped in front of Kagome's path. When he looked at her face, however, he saw her eyes watering. A single tear fell as she whirled away from him, crossing her arms across her chest. "Hey, why're you crying? Stop being such a baby."
"Is it so wrong to want to give to others, especially those who will not have the privileges I now benefit from? I did not ask to come here, nor did I want to. I could have been very happy in my home, but I am here. Atsuko-chan has been kind to me, and I want her to know that she has been an invaluable friend this short time I have been here." Her speech done, Kagome stormed past Inuyasha, her furious strides curtailed by the restrictive kimono. Loosing her balance, Kagome felt her cheeks flare in frustration that the annoying prince would see her disgrace herself. Eyes shut tight, she moved her hands out in front of her to brace her fall. Any second now her beautiful kimono would be covered in dirt and she would have to make the long trek back to the palace hoping that no one saw her indecency. A soft breeze caught her check, short strands of her hair pulled free from its twisting entrapments to caress her cheek. But her body didn't seem to be hitting the ground; she cracked open her eyelids to see Inuyasha's red haori. He had stopped her fall, much like Koga had at the camp. Twisting her face to his, confused eyes met gentle smooth gold and the prince pushed her gently back to her feet. Taking his hands away from her, he stepped back, rubbing the back of his head. Silver hair caught the wind, he sheepishly stared at the ground. Tentatively, he held out the battered flower chain.
"Wha- what?" Kagome's voice broke.
"Here. Take it."
Kagome hesitated, looking for signs of treachery. What if he yanks them away again and I fall for real? I hate this game he's playing! Stiffly she moved for the crown. When her fingers delicately grasped the chain, she dared a glance at the prince's face. His eyes, earlier so fiery and aggressive, now reflected his embarrassment mixed with touch of exhilaration. Taken aback, she silently stepped around him, fingers manipulating the flowers back into a presentable form. She made her way toward the lotus pond, unhindered this time.
"So, uh… I've still gotta show you around the palace, girl," Inuyasha said uncomfortably. "My mother will know if I don't, and then she'll tell my old man, and I really don't wanna deal with that."
"Kagome," she answered.
"Huh?"
"My name is Kagome. You may use it to address me if you are now so set on escorting me for the rest of the day," turning back, she caught his eyes flash red and color race across his cheeks.
"Keh, whatever. Let's go," he barked, hands tucking into the sleeves of his haori. The deep red color made his hair that much more shocking, and Kagome reluctantly stepped towards her guide. Seeing her move in his direction, he snorted before stomping away through the gardens.
Kagome's indignation rose once more, and she called out flippantly, "Inuyasha-sama, I wish to see the archery fields. Perhaps we could start there today?" Raising an eyebrow at the prince, she dared him to say no. Ha! See what your mother will say when she finds out you didn't take me where I wanted to go in the first place! Triumph filled her.
"Why'd you wanna go there?" he grumbled.
"I happen to be quite proficient at archery, Inuyasha-sama," came her simpering reply.
Kagome couldn't hear the gruff complaints he uttered under his breath but her face revealed her triumph as Inuyasha changed course slightly, angling towards the back of the palace instead of to the building itself.
They walked, Inuyasha's stride no match for Kagome's limited gait. Before they had left the main gardens, Kagome was shuffling quickly to try and regain the ground between them.
"Inuyasha-sama," her breathy voice was nearly lost in the gurgling of the stream, "my walk is significantly hindered by this kimono, and your legs are much taller than mine. Would you mind walking a bit slower so that I might stay closer to you?"
Her breathy question provoked no response except the prince's shorter strides. Happily, Kagome quickly stepped by his side, hands still woven in the flower crown. Moving at a more comfortable pace, the pair traversed the remaining gardens and were deposited at the edge of an enormous field. In the distance, horses cantered as soldiers practiced intricate maneuvers, footmen marched in unison, and palace guards roved the yards, keeping watch over the organized chaos. A few samurai practiced as well, and Kagome was surprised to see a few women as well, hair flying wildly in a dance of metal and man. At the far end of the grassy area, gentle hills gave way to archery fields, targets dotting their slopes. Kagome bounced across the fields, advancing to the archery range with obvious elation. Her kimono hampered her progress, and the prince beside her snorted at her stilted movement.
Arriving at the edge of the archery fields, Inuyasha jerked his head in the direction of a small hut. Understanding his cue, Kagome bounded over and discovered the shed was filled with different weapons. She laid down the flower-crown, eyes captured by the gleaming tools before her. Longbows lined one wall, their height surpassing Kagome's, curved wood gleaming in the sunlight. Shorter bows stood on the opposite side, their strings taught and shining. Arrows lay in uniform piles, and Kagome's fingers ghosted over the different woods and feathers. Picking one up to inspect, the young woman's smile widened at the tools of her specialty before her. Deftly selecting a short bow, Kagome grabbed a full quiver before marching to the field. Bow in hand she felt closer to home than she had in ages.
"What, you're actually gunna shoot? I thought you just wanted to see the men practicing," Inuyasha taunted. He scoffed loudly before squatting on his heels. "Keh, you'll probably just miss and then I'll have to run around picking up all your stupid arrows."
Kagome stood defiantly, her right foot sliding back as she nocked an arrow. Holding her weapon loosely, she called back "Is that a challenge?" Head cocked to the side, she posed no more threat to his ego than a tadpole, and he took her words as an invitation to humble the proud girl. Growling under his breath, he vaulted towards the hut, grabbed a long bow, and hurdled back to Kagome. Taking one of her arrows, he nocked and loosed his shot, arrow thudding near the center of the target.
"Like I said, bet yours won't even make it that far," he said snidely, eyes dancing with fire. Kagome said nothing, only drawing back her bow and holding steady. Her stillness extended to the air around her, and Inuyasha caught himself captivated by aura enveloping the young woman. The tips of her hair lifted in the breeze, and she released her arrow. The resounding thump did not draw Inuyasha's gaze- his golden orbs remained fixed on Kagome.
She turned, eyes victorious as she looked at him. Without breaking contact, she snagged another arrow and nocked it, letting it hang idly as she said, "Is that really the best you can do?"
Her taunt didn't mean anything to him until he looked and saw her arrow jutting from the center of the target. Incensed by her apparent luck, he sneered and grabbed another arrow before selecting a further target. Drawing back the string, his muscles sung in protest of the strength exerted. His fangs glinted in the midday light and he loosed the second, watching in triumph as it landed soundly in the middle-left of the target. Kagome grinned, pulling back her own arrow before releasing it. Inuyasha watched in awe as her arrow hit the second target, not dead center, but still closer to the middle than his own. Competition ignited between them, they spent the entire quiver of arrows attempting to outdo each other. Inuyasha's frustration grew as, time and again, Kagome bested him.
Throwing down his bow in protest, Inuyasha scoffed at his failure to defeat the woman. "Whatever. My claws are faster anyways," he muttered, squatting once more. Arrows stuck out of all the targets in their range, taunting him.
Kagome walked up to him, her face shining. She too released her bow and settled next to him on the ground, not at all like a proper lady. Pushing stray hairs out of her face, she looked to Inuyasha again. Though his anger surrounded him like a cloud, her radiant air broke through his mood. Kicking himself, Inuyasha met her gaze and his mouth twitched up, fangs glinting. Lost in examining the strange girl beside him, Inuyasha thought, Maybe this one ain't so bad after all.
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