The Heart of the Nile: The Grand Celebration
The grand celebration had finally arrived. The entire ballroom was decorated with streamers and ribbons and musicians and dancers performing for the royal family. A long banquet table was along the far wall and was adorned with gold platters and bowls filled to the brim with fruits, meats, cheeses, breads, and desserts. At the end of the table were bottles of exotic wines and various jugs of tropical fruit juices. Servant girls walked about the room serving drinks and appetizers on golden platters throughout the evening to keep the guests happy. They wore a white midriff bikini top with blue straps that crisscrossed behind the back and a white cotton knee-length skirt with matching blue ties.
They wore brown leather laced sandals and had vales sitting just bellow their eyes. They either wore short black wigs or had their hair braided down their backs. Everyone looked the same except one had blue eyes and two golden bangles around her left wrist. As the party began servants at the doorway announced the arrival of the royal family. First to enter was Nurakututmote and his family who were the "honored guest." Nurakututmote wore a long black gown with long black sleeves. He had two golden bracelets clasping the ends of his arms causing the sleeves to billow out behind them. He wore a gold belt around his waist and had a gold plated necklace around his neck embedded in red and purple stones.
On top of his head was a black and gold-stripped nemes crown and had his bronze snakehead walking staff. Behind him were his two children. Kogatutmote and Kana also wore black and gold gowns but the sleeves were missing and only came to their knees. Around their waists were similar golden belts. Kogatutmote had a smaller version of his father's necklace around his neck and he wore his hair down, parted over to the left exposing his shaved side and a golden earring. Kana had her hair the same as before but now had black ribbons and had a single purple stone necklace around her neck. The Band of Seven were not members of the royal family so they were already amongst the guest at the party.
After they were seated to the left side of the podium Inuhotep and Kikyo entered the room. Inuhotep wore a dark navy blue gown with short sleeves that went to the knees. Around his belt was loose orange fabric that made a V-shape in the front and covered his backside. Above the orange fabric was a gold belt holding it together with ties down the center of the V-front. He had thick gold clasp bracelets on his arms, brown leather sandals and a broad necklace that was adorned in red and blue stones. He wore a matching solid blue nemes headdress and a single golden crown on the top. On the sides of the crown above his ears were the golden dog-ears of Anubis.
Waking next to him was his wife Kikyo. She wore a silver gown that went to her knees and flared out behind reaching down to her ankles. It had a low cowl halter neckline that exposed her cleavage all the way down to the top of her bellybutton. The halter on the dress was supported by a golden collar adorned in red and blue stones. Down the back was the same low neckline, exposing her lean backside. On each upper arm were two golden bands and two matching bands on her wrists. Connecting the gold bands was dark blue fabric that fluttered loosely about her. Making her look like she had wings. Her crown went down the middle of her forehead through her hairline and wrapped around the sides.
Little golden sequins hung down the sides making them shimmer like a halo in the lights. She wore a black wig that went to her shoulders so the back of her dress would show. Once they were seated on the right side of the thrown, Pharaoh and the Princess of Egypt entered the room. Pharaoh wore a dark blue cotton loincloth with golden trim. Over top was loose dark blue fabric like his bothers that lay in a V-shape in the front and covered his backside. It too was trimmed in gold and was held together by a golden belt that had golden ties laid in-between the V-shape down the front. It made a very elaborate layered look. He wore gold-laced sandals that went up his calves and had thick golden wrist bracelets on both arms.
His nemes headdress was the same dark blue and had golden strips laced through it. His chest was oiled making him glisten in the light. Around his neck was a thick blue and gold-stripped necklace that had a golden cape attached to it. It came just bellow his knees and was fling out behind him as he walked. He walked with his arms crossed in an X shape holding the royal Crook and Flail. The birthday girl wore a similar dark blue and gold trimmed gown. It came to her knees and was sleeveless. She wore gold sandals with dark blue stones and little golden bangles. Her hair was braided down the back but had little white flowers woven into it making a flower crown.
Once they reached the podium the party officially began. The musicians and dancers took center stage of the room and began to entertain the party. Servants bustled around the room. The atmosphere was light and everyone seemed to be having a great time, especially Rin who was stuffing her face with cakes and sweets. Kagome was sitting behind Pharaoh and Inuhotep the entire time watching the party in silence. As a servant she was not aloud to speak unless spoke to and she didn't wish to blow her cover. She did exactly what Sesshomaru told her to do the day before. Everything was going great until,
"You there! Servant girl, go bring us more wine!" Narakututmote ordered as he took a huge gulp from his cup. He quickly drained it of its contents before tearing off a piece of meat from the bone with his teeth.
Kagome gave Sesshomaru a weary side-glance with her eyes. After catching his eye she rose from her spot and left the podium. As she walked away both brothers kept their eyes on her as she moved about the room. This did not go unnoticed by their uncle who turned his gaze from the brothers to watch the servant girl. It was then he noticed a strange magical energy about her. Taking another sip from his now refilled glass an evil grin began to form.
He then said to Sesshomaru, "That servant girl of yours nephew, she has beautiful eyes. May I ask how you came upon such a gem?"
"This one is uncertain how she came to work for the palace Uncle." Sesshomaru said flatly.
"She must be pretty special for you to not be able to keep your eyes off of her." He said as Sesshomaru slightly narrowed his eyes at him.
He then turning his gaze from the girl to stare back at his nephew with a smirk as he said, "She even has golden bangles undeserving of a common servant… Perhaps she is your, "personal" servant? Is she good in bed nephew? It is unlike you to give notice to such a woman."
Sesshomaru was fuming on the inside but bit his tongue and kept his face solid as stone. Just then Kagome returned bringing a tray filled with wine glasses, cheese, bread and grapes. It was then Kogatutmote took notice of her and watched as she returned to sit quietly behind his cousins. Not being able to make out the rest of her face behind her vale only intrigued his fascination. After a couple of hours the people at the party slowly started to trickle out and Kagome began to clean up along with the other servants while the royal family sat on the podium watching them and their remaining guests. Kogatutmote took this opportunity to sneak away into the shadows and make his way towards his pray. Kagome was clearing the banquet table along the back wall when she felt someone behind her. As she began to turn around Kogtutmote wrapped one arm around her waist from behind pulling her flush up against him. She felt his firm chest along her back and his groin standing at attention against her butt. His other hand looped around her front, grabbed her arm and forced her to half turn her upper body to look at him.
"I have been watching you all night... I think I would like to continue this party somewhere more private. Care to join me?" he said seductively in her ear as his hand around her stomach began to make it was to the band of her skirt.
She shivered with fear when he began to rub his thumb along her hip bone. Kagome tried to pull out of his grip but he was too strong. As he began leaning forward to capturing her mouth with his, a strong arm pulled him from behind making him stumble backwards, releasing Kagome in the process. Kagome fell forward and was about to hit the floor when she landed in strong awaiting arms. She looked up and found the rich amber colored eyes of her master. As she stood back up and looked behind her she saw Inuhotep standing between her and the now stunned Kogatutmote on the floor.
"What the hell what that for?!" Kogatutmote shouted and he fixed his rumpled clothing while staring daggers at Inuhotep.
"Sorry Cousin but Pharaoh doesn't share," Inuhotep said while crossing his arms over his chest staring firmly back at him.
The three of them stood there in a silent stand off before Kogatutmote retreated out of the room with a loud "Hmph" closely followed by his father. He had watched the entire ordeal and what just transpired. Catching Sesshomaru's eye he bowed to them with a look on his face of evil intent before walking out of the room leaving it eerily silent. Just then Kagome felt the presence of dark magic brewing in the air and began to spin agitatedly between the brothers trying to find the source of the negative energy.
"What is it Kagome?" Inuyasha asked. "Are you alright?"
"I feel... dark magic in the air…" she said with a look a concern on her face.
The brothers looked at each other when an ear piercing cry was heard from behind them. As they ran towards the podium they see little Rin shaking an unconscious Kikyo on the floor. There was a spilt wine glass still clasped in her hand. Her eyes were closed and she was pale in color.
"Kikyo!" Inuyasha screamed as he fell to his knees.
As he gently picked her up to cradling her head against his chest his breathing became erratic with panic. When Kagome approached her body she could feel the negative energy pouring out of her. Looking towards the cup in her hand she felt the same negative energy.
"Poison…" Kagome said just above a whisper.
"No!" Inuyasha cried as he held his beloved wife tighter to his chest, burying his face in her hair.
"Someone call for a healer!" one of the servants cried.
"No! This is dark magic at work here, a healer will not save her," Kagome shouted as Inuyasha looked at her with teary eyes.
"Bring her to her bedchamber and I will do what I can to save her and your unborn child," Kagome commanded.
Not needing to be told twice Inuyasha picked up his wife ran towards his bedchambers. With Kagome and Sesshomaru trailing behind him all he could do was hope that they weren't too late.