Chapter six: Aftermath

Kagome clenched the white silk sheets, trying to cover her bare flesh. Her eyes fixed on the silver haired kings back as he pulled a shirt over his head. His physique was truly impressive and it felt even better than it looked. Kagome watched the movement of his back muscles, imagining how they appeared when he was on top of her. The crimson blush upon her cheeks deepened at the thought and she longed to continue their amorous contact. Inuyasha turned to her and smirked. What was he thinking? Could he read her mind?

"Best of luck." Kagome managed as he exited the room.

Best of luck? Really? She thought to herself exhaling a deep sigh. Surly she could have thought of something else to say, something sultry maybe. Kagome looked around the room, everything was so elegant yet simple. The cream walls illuminated by the lanterns that hung by the door and bedside. Her eyes scanned the room, from the extravagant golden mirror, to the mahogany wardrobe and over to the double doors.

The doors led to the room where she had her first encounter with the king, it was not a happy memory. Kagome pushed the phantom pain out of her mind. She'd seen a different side of him, whoever she met that day wasn't the same man she'd just been intimate with, there was no way. Kagome forged a new image of Inuyasha in her mind, the thoughtful, sweet man who had her blood pumping and heart racing.

How long would he be gone? It already felt like forever. The young woman slid off the bed, still clutching the sheets that wrapped around her naked body. Her hand traced the wardrobe door and as her curiosity peaked, she pulled on the knob. Gliding her fingers down the folded linens as clothing, Kagome imagined her room being so elegantly decorated. All of her linens tucked neatly away in a wooden wardrobe with golden knobs. Maybe a second wardrobe to hang all of her gowns, color coded and always full. A knock at the door halted her thoughts.

"My lady?" The voice of her handmaiden, Eri, rang through the door. Kagome scurried to the door and pulled it open. There were two guards at the door starting right at her. Kagome hid her body behind the door and assured the guards Eri was no threat. As expected, the cheery maiden was full of questions about Kagome's evening. What happened at dinner, where the king was and of course why was she nude.

"Did you bring me a dress? I will answer all your inquiries but I am rather chilly." Kagome asked, gesturing to her makeshift dress.

"Oh straight away, my apologies my lady." Eri bowed and offered a pale green night dress. After a few more apologies and many reassurances, Kagome told her maiden the story of how she'd ended up in need of clothes. Eri sat ridgid, eyes peeled and only speaking to squeal or gasp. Kagome felt calmed by telling the story, it somehow felt more real and less like a dream when she said it out loud.

"My lady, your neck. The evidence of your story is painted about you." Eri snickered, poking at the marks on Kagome's delicate skin. She'd almost forgotten about Inuyasha's treatment of her neck and shoulders and her red flush quickly returned to her cheeks. Eri giggled an apology and said her farewells.

"I must be going, my lady. I will expect a full report when I see you again." The brown haired maiden slid out the door with a smile. Kagome sighed as she fell back into the plush sheets on the royal bed.

I wonder what is keeping him? She thought to herself, staring at the ceiling.

Sesshomaru? Is he a duke? I have heard that name once before. What does he need that required such haste? It must be important to have kept Inuyasha this long. We were just getting to… Kagome covered her red face. Her own amorous thoughts reminding her of the burning need in her belly. The need to feel the king's hand on her body, to inhale his scent, and hear the sound of his grizzly moan. She found herself wishing for him to return and finish what was started. Wishes and imaginative thinking carting her off to sleep, drifting into a dream where she and the king could be together uninterrupted.

Click

The sound of the door being pushed open woke Kagome from her slumber. The lanterns had burned out and the room was dark. Only a small glow from the doorway granted a little visibility.

"Inuyasha? I am sorry I must have fallen asleep. Is everything alright?" Kagome asked, rubbing her tired eyes. The door closed and the blurry figure moved to light the lanterns at the door. Kagome's eyes blinked a few more times and widened at the sight before her.

"Should you not be in your chambers?" Asked the now clear figure. There stood the queen with a stern look in her eye, staring holes into Kagome.

"I-I Uhm...yes, yes your highness." Kagome studered out, clamoring to her feet. She offered a bow and moved to exit the room. Kikyo's slender hand reached out, stopping Kagome's movements.

"Let's have a look at you." She said, taking the raven haired woman's chin into her hand and turning it side to side. Kikyo's face remained blank as she studied Kagome's features.

"Nothing special here." The queen spat, pushing Kagome's face from her grasp.

"Do not act like the rules do not apply to you. You are to leave the king's chambers the moment he is finished with you, not a second later." The queen said coldly, staring into Kagome's chestnut eyes. Kagome couldn't think of a way to respond. Was he finished with her? Should she tell the queen that he asked her to wait for him? Nothing seemed appropriate so Kagome quickly bowed.

"Yes your majesty. It shall not happen again." Was all she could muster before fleeing the chamber.

The guard offered her a lantern and an escort back to her room. Kagome accepted as she still hadn't gotten control of her heart rate and didn't want to get lost in her thoughts and lose her way. The kingdom was quiet and the only light to be seen came from candles and lanterns by doorways and in the halls. When she arrived at her chamber door, Kagome offered her gratitude to the helpful man and hurried into her bed. Pulling the blanket over her head, Kagome reflected on her encounter with the queen. Was she angry with her? Would she prevent her from seeing Inuyasha again? Where was he? All questions she had remained unanswered in the quiet of the night and the worried woman found herself dozing off back to sleep.

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the delay, midterms ya know? Anyway I am already working on the next chapter so I should have it up soon. Thanks for reading! Love you lots XOXO