Koga led Kagome through another garden to a small tea house situated by the riverbank. The tea house was empty of guests, but the simple wooden building looked well-used. A young woman, presumably one of the nobles housed at the palace, practiced a tea ceremony unfamiliar to Kagome. She watched as the woman poured the hot water into the pot, then closed it with a small lid before pouring more steaming water over the pot. A stone bench sat outside the tea house, small flowers peaking up behind it. A quiet aura permeated this area of the gardens, and Kagome enjoyed the leisurely pace Koga set. Islands stood stoically, the water lapping against their rough stones and small foliage reaching for the sun. The river here moved slowly, and Kagome saw the koi fish twisting in colorful knots in the clear waters as they crossed a small wooden bridge. Carefully manicured pines obscured them from the view of the palace.

"Kouga-kun, where are we?" she asked, her voice breaking the quiet between them.

"We are on the eastern section of the palace. The gardens here are the oldest, and some of the trees furthest out have become wild in the past centuries," Koga said, gesturing with his free hand to the pines away from the river.

"The palace is that old?"

"Hai, Kagome-san. The Inu no Taisho's grandsire, Inukouji first settled in this land and diverted the rivers to form natural barriers around the palace grounds. His first palace stood where the main keep now stands. That was a few millennia ago."

"Demons live for so long?"

"Of course," he said, and an awkward air hung over them. Clearing his throat quickly, he pointed a clawed hand to their left, away from the palace keep, "If you were to keep walking past the foothills, you'd find the dragon lands. They have lived since the time of Inukouji and formed a contract with Inu no Taisho's grandsire to be advisors to all future Emperors from his lineage and to protect the interests of the Empire."

"There are more dragons?" Her excitement bubbled up and a smile stole Koga's lips.

"Naturally there are more dragons, Kagome-san."

"But how can dragons be advisors? Wouldn't they need to talk, or, communicate?" Her curiosity sparked a laugh from Koga as her own cheeks flared red.

"Kagome-san, you truly have much to learn. Do you not remember Haruto-san?"

"Hai, but… he seemed intelligent, but how can he advise an Emperor?"

"Daiyoukai are not bound to one form, given strength of will and capability. We are born as dogs or wolves or cats and must find the power to change," Koga answered factually. He steered them back toward the river and Kagome caught sight of a guard tower through the trees.

"Does that mean Haruto-san can change to look like a human?"

"Of course. He honored us both greatly by allowing us to ride him."

"Oh. Will I see him again?" Kagome asked hesitantly.

"If he wants. The dragons stay close to the mountains and only come when they need to speak with Inu no Taisho or when the Emperor needs them," Koga said. They now approached the guardhouse she had seen through the trees, and the two guardsmen bowed to Koga as they passed. Climbing a small set of stairs set against the palace walls, Kagome caught sight of the city they had flown over. Her breath left her in a small gasp, and she ran to look over the barriers that separated her from the common people. Sound and smell wafted up from the horses, men, and vendors in the streets below, roads stretching off in the distance to the edges of the horizon. The sun hung low in the sky, late-afternoon light casting long shadows over the capitol. Turning back to Koga, a flash of red caught the corner of her eye and she peered over his shoulder, expecting to see… she wasn't sure what she expected to see, and Kagome quickly dismissed her curiosity in favor of continuing the conversationconversation with her escort.

They walked along the stone walls, Kagome continually asking questions about the palace, the history of the Imperial family, the grounds, and about Koga. She learned that he had left his clan a few hundred years earlier to serve under Inu no Taisho. His presence had been barely tolerated by many in the household as he was a wolf, and the prejudice between the packs had grown stronger in past centuries. What redeemed him in the eyes of Inu no Taisho was his unsurpassed capability as the captain of the guard. Within his own clan he had soared through the ranks, eclipsing both his peers and elders with his skill until only the alpha of his clan remained. The alpha had been his father, and he quickly sent his son to Inu no Taisho in the hopes of training the Wolf Prince even further. Koga regaled Kagome with stories of his childhood in the northern mountains of the Empire, and she listened in rapture to his fascinating tales. His hands moved when he talked, and their frequent motion and his smooth voice made her laugh merrily. Her laughter resounded brightly in the air as they wove through another garden. Even the flowers seemed to turn to her, attracted by the melodious sound. Koga's chest puffed up slightly, taking pride in his ability to make the woman laugh.

"Ah, Koga-kun, thank you so much for today! It's been so amazing, talking to you and seeing the entire palace and shooting earlier. I don't even miss home so much now!" Kagome exclaimed, sinking to a stone bench by the path. Her excited eyes flitted in every direction – to his face, her hands, the flowers by the bench, to the palace and back to his – and she could not keep the grin from stealing her lips.

As they wove through another garden, Koga quietly disclosed, "Milady, forgive my saying, but you don't act like the other women here." He shifted subtly, eyes sliding to catch her expression.

"What do you mean, Kouga-kun?" She asked absent-mindedly, attention lost to the lilies and irises surrounding her.

"May I speak bluntly?"

"Hai," she replied, turning to him, her head tilted in curiosity.

"You seem like you shouldn't belong here, like you are… distinct from the others. I just wonder, you know, why someone so fascinating as yourself would be here, with all the pageantry and spectacle of these other women with their jewelry and their powders and cosmetics. I just don't quite comprehend is all." His words came out rushed, then stilled as he awaited her response.

"When you came to the capitol on the orders of your alpha, why did you leave behind your family and your home?" she asked.

"I came because my alpha commanded it, and to disobey would be treason and dishonor on myself and my family. We could not stand against other challengers if we fought from within," he said, confusion clouding his face. "What does that have to do with why you are here?"

"I am here for the same reason – honor for my family. I was summoned by the Emperor, though my family didn't know why. I came to represent my father. I don't care if the princes do not select me, my family will have the honor of knowing that I did all that was asked of me, and they will take pride in my actions, no matter the outcome," she replied plainly. "Truthfully, I did not wish to come. But I did. For my family." She bent low over the flowers, breathing in their sweet scent. "Koga-kun, I find I am very tired. Would you mind escorting me to my rooms?"

Koga lifted his arm once more for her to take, and slowly the pair walked back to the palace, neither noticing twin pairs of golden eyes watching their progress.


That evening, Kagome followed Atsuko to another, smaller dining hall. This one held only ladies as far as she could see. They all sat primly, small hands daintily leading food into their mouths. Some looked at her when she entered while others remained deep in their quiet conversations. Black eyes and red lips stared back at her and the woman and her maid moved quickly to the side of thr room.

"Atsuko-chan, where are we?" Kagome whispered to the girl in front of her, disoriented by the change of venue.

"We are at dinner, Kagome-san. Because the Emperor brought so many women to meet the princes, the Empress decided that the women would alternate meals so that the princes could hopefully meet everyone before deciding on their bride," Atsuko answered softly. "I am sorry I did not warn you before."

"It's alright- I was just surprised," Kagome said softly before moving to an open space at the dining table. The girls nearest to her shifted slightly, looking in disdain at her minimal attempts to conform. Kagome's face held no powder, and her lips bore no stain. The only thing Kagome held in common with these women was the elegance of dress, as she presumed they all had access to the garments provided by the Emperor. A servant placed bowls of steaming rice, vegetables, and fish before her and Kagome quickly grabbed one and brought it to her mouth. She ate slowly, listening absently to the conversations floating around her.

"Did you see Inuyasha-sama today? I tried to find him but I couldn't."

"How do they expect the princes to pick a wife if they never speak to us?"

"Rumor has it Inuyasha-sama was showing some new girl around the palace."

"There's another one! Kami how many of us are there?"

"Where did you get that necklace? I told my maid to find me one with three rubies, not one!"

"Hands off my bracelets, witch!"

"I saw him in the gardens this morning before lunch, but after that…"

"Who are you?"

The question rang out, silencing the other ladies. The woman who spoke was classically beautiful. Her black hair hung in a straight sheet, shining in the evening light. Her dark eyes bored into Kagome's, painted lips lifted in a sneer. Kagome looked up, nervously taking in the assertive attitudes of the women around her.

"I am Higurashi Kagome," she answered uncertainly.

"Why haven't I seen you before?"

"I just arrived last night," Kagome replied. She set down her dish and looked squarely at the inquiring young woman.

"So you're the one who came on the dragon? The whole castle's talking about it," she scoffed. "How ridiculous to try and attract the prince's attention with a pretty steed." Her dark eyes lowered, disdain oozing from her aura.

Kagome blushed darkly, stammering out, "I wasn't trying to get anybody's attention!"

"Of course not. How presumptuous of me. You'll find it best to stay out of my way- Inuyasha-sama is mine," the woman declared.

"Ha, like he would pick you over me, Natsumi!"

"Both of you would be lucky to serve as my maids when I take my place by the prince's side!"

The women descended quickly into bickering, and Kagome slipped away from the table, Atsuko leading her back to her room. She could still feel Natsumi's dark eyes on her and she shivered in unease.

"Are they always like that?" She asked Atsuko, who had stared brushing her dark loks away from her face.

"Hai, Kagome-san. They are completely absorbed in wedding a prince. Most of them are focused on Inuyasha-sama," Atsuko replied conspiratorially as a corner of her mouth twitched upwards, "One of the other maids told me how her mistress tried to catch Sesshomaru-sama's attention before she was dismissed from the palace. His Lordship has remained aloof through these proceedings, much to the frustration of the women present."

"Really? I would never have guessed," Kagome said, thinking of her meeting with both princes last night. The elder had not wasted any words on her, while Inuyasha seemed filled with brash and reckless energy. How those two came from the same parents will probably elude me forever, she thought with a giggle. Atsuko untied her obi, and Kagome shed her kimono quickly. Pulling on a soft yukata, she jumped onto the futon, eyes already closing. Before she drifted away, she saw Atsuko reclaiming her flower crown from the small table.

"Goodnight, Atsuko-chan! I'll see you in the morning," Kagome called out, catching Atsuko's bright grin. Her own grin slid away as she sighed, thinking about her eventful day. Grabbing a fur from the side of the futon, Kagome enveloped herself in a warm cocoon, set on sleeping soundly for the first night since she had left home.


The next day dawned brightly, and Kagome happily followed Atsuko once more to the baths. Unlike her first night in the palace, the eventful day had left Kagome exhausted and her sleep went uninterrupted by the noise of a waking city, bumbling women, and working servants until Atsuko came to retrieve her before breakfast. The hot water of the baths warmed her to her core as the sweet smell of herbs and flowers filled her nose. Atsuko brushed her hair gently, combing out the tangles and twists sleep left behind. Kagome hummed a child's tune, playing with one of the flowers that swirled around in the bath. The chatter of other ladies fizzled around the bath house, masking Kagome's growling stomach. Atsuko's bell-like laughter rang out as they left the baths to return to Kagome's quarters.

Once they were safely ensconced in Kagome's room, Atsuko directed Kagome to sit while she worked on her hair. The young maid twisted her mistress' hair into an elaborate bun, the dark waves contained in a tight coil atop her head. Deftly inserting a simple golden comb, Atsuko leaned back to admire her handiwork. Satisfied, she grabbed the mirror and turned so that Kagome could see her reflection.

"Atsuko-chan, thank you! I'd never tame my hair into such a beautiful twist without you!"

"It is my pleasure, Kagome-san," the girl said with a smile. Moving towards the closet, Atsuko selected another fine kimono from the wardrobe, holding it up for Kagome's approval. The soft green fabric reminded her of spring in the mountains, looking over the valleys below her home. White blossoms floated along the bottom, a matching white obi to tie around her waist. Kagome nodded her approval and began dressing with Atsuko's help. Quickly enveloping herself in the silken kimono, she held the garment in place while Atsuko wrapped the obi and fixed it snuggly around her waist. Content with her outfit Kagome set out for breakfast, once again following the bobbing brown hair of Atsuko.

The twisting hallways were slowly becoming familiar to her, and she recognized the corridor where Inuyasha had stopped to smell her hair before leading her to her room. Maid and mistress wound through the palace before entering at the main dining hall. Like yesterday, few courtiers and none of the extravagantly clad women were present at the morning meal. Kagome sat at one open space by another young woman with warm brown eyes and simple garb. A bright green mo-bakama covered her light pink kosode. Her hair hung loose, long and flat against her back. She turned her eyes to Kagome and a quick smile followed. Kagome returned the smile hesitantly, her recent experience with other women of the castle tainting her disposition.

"Ohayogozaimasu," the girl said, her voice easily filling the room, yet no one looked up from their breakfast. Kagome echoed the greeting before happily picking up the bowl of rice a servant placed before her.

Settling in to eat, she turned to the young woman and asked politely, "What is your name?"

"My name is Himura Sango. And yourself? I don't think I've seen you around here before," Sango responded lightly.

"I am Higurashi Kagome, Himura-san," Kagome said, bowing her head in respect. "Have you been here at the palace long?"

"Hai, when my father was called to serve in the palace. My family came here many winters ago from the southernmost reaches of the empire. I have trained here ever since," Sango answered factually, taking a huge bite of steamed vegetables.

"Oh, so… you are not here for the princes to wed?" Kagome asked blankly.

"Ie! I suppose you are?" Sango laughed.

"Hai," Kagome hesitated, "although I did not want to leave home. I came to bring honor to my father, and my family, kind of like you I guess." Sango turned and gave Kagome an inquisitive look. Kagome looked up from her meal and an easy grin escaped her. "So, what do you do here at the palace then?"

"I train with the palace guards, and I help train new soldiers how to ride and shoot and fight," Sango answered.

"You actually get to fight with swords and train? I was barely allowed to learn to shoot a bow, and that only happened because the priestess in my village needed an assistant," Kagome complained.

"You know the art of archery?" Sango's curiosity piqued at the knowledge. "Very few of the women visiting the palace can claim such a skill."

"Archery is one of my favorite ways to pass the time, along with reading and walking through gardens and watching the stars," Kagome chattered freely, glad she had found someone to talk to. Perhaps if I'm lucky, I'll learn something new from to show Souta when I come home! She animatedly told her new friend of the latest books she had read and the types of flowers grew in the garden of her family home, hands flying to emphasize her stories.

"You're definitely not like the rest, Higurashi-san" Sango said, an odd smile claiming her lips.

"Please call me Kagome," slipped out before the young woman caught the meaning of Sango's words, and she turned to the young samurai. "Why do you say I'm different? Koga-kun said the same thing when we were coming to the palace," Kagome said, confusion coloring her words.

"It is in the way you act. Koga-senpai is not often wrong about a person's nature. Surely you have met a few of the other women vying for the prince's attention?"

"Hai, but, what does that have to do with me?"

"Kagome-san, what did you see in those women?"

Kagome sat back, thinking about her interactions with the other women the previous night at dinner. "I'm not really sure," she spoke quietly, "but they seem focused on attracting attention and I seem content to just enjoy my time here?"

"Hai, Kagome-san," Sango laughed lightly, "The center of their existence here is to attract attention with their kimono, their jewels, their painted faces – from what I can tell, you place very little value in all of those things." One of the samurai's eyebrows quirked, challenging Kagome to deny the statement.

"That's not true, I do take pride in my appearance! I just – I don't know! – I do know I hate powdering my face! It gets everywhere and I always have to change afterwards because I spill it all over myself, and then it doesn't wash off and –"

"I understand, Kagome-san," Sango chuckled, "I never wear that awful stuff. I guess that's one of the perks of being a warrior instead of the daughter of one," she joked, being rewarded when Kagome's laughter split the air, causing the other assembled nobles to look at them in disregard.

"Sango-chan – may I call you Sango-chan?"

"Of course!"

"Sango-chan, would you mind if I accompanied you today? I feel that I have so many questions and I would love to learn something to show my otouto when I return home!" Kagome

"I would be honored to show you around the training yard, milady, if you will oblige me by changing into more suitable attire," Sango pronounced. The two stood, promising to meet at the eastern gate that led to the gardens and dojos that Kagome had toured the day before, and Kagome set off in search of a hakama and kimono to suit her needs, Atsuko bouncing along beside her.


Thanks for reading, please review!

-homestyler