Shikuro: A Caribbean Fairy Tale

by Inuma Asahi De

Inuyasha was as bad as pirates came, according to his legend. Kagome was a woman of propriety, destined to marry for her family's honor when all she wanted was to live on the sea. What happens when their eyes meet by chance or perhaps by daring fate?

75. Bordeaux

Blanket Disclaimer: The writer does not own any characters created by Rumiko Takahashi but like everyone else wishes she did. All original characters or concepts are the author Inuma Asahi De's (with the exception of historical figures).

Chapter Seventy Five

Bordeaux

Kagome felt her hair blow lightly in the breeze as she looked out over the cold Garonne River. The deep blue waters lapped gently against the banks on either side, greenery that seemed impossible in winter still bright to her grey eyes. They were lucky for the mildness of the weather this year; without it, there was a chance the river would have been far too frozen for a ship of such size to travel so deep into France. But, as luck would have it, the weather was cold but not unbearable to the water of the river or the trees and fields which lined its banks.

Leaning over the railing of the Shikuro slightly, Kagome narrowed her eyes so as to see a far off farmhouse set back away from the bank. A little stream of smoke rose from an unseen chimney, the quiet nature of the little home making Kagome feel oddly nostalgic for something she had never known. She had never lived in a farmhouse, at least not a quaint one such as the one she saw now. She had always lived in manors, estates, houses on the upper side of society and yet, a part of her yearned for that picturesque house's simplicity. Simplicity she had come to know of only recently, while staying in a small but lively home for one short night.

"The three scalawags: Eoin, Aengus, and Paedar." She whispered, her breath coming out in a small puff of white as she spoke. "What a wonderful family." She smiled slightly even though her rosy cheeks were beginning to sting as the wind blew just a little harder for a second. "I can honestly say, I've never met anyone kinder than them." Her face grew sad from the thought and she sighed heavily. "They treated me more like family than my own mother."

It had been a little over a week since they had left Dublin but it seemed as if the time had been much longer. Every hour, rather it was day or night, felt as if it was an eternity to the young girl. Each minute dragged on and on as she thought of her mother, alone in a world she didn't know was even lonely. She honestly felt bad for the woman but at the same time, she felt scared. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew that if her mother had contacted her Uncle Thorold then she might be in danger. Not physical danger mind you, but at the very least in danger of losing something she had so desperately fought for: freedom.

"I couldn't stand to go back to that life." She thought as she looked away from the edge of the river bank and focused instead on the path ahead of them. "Not after experiencing this one—," She told herself as she glanced around her at the men on the ship. They had been washed and cleaned up rather nicely recently and put in proper clothes with hats and shined boots. It reminded her wholly of her first ever moments on this ship, when everything had been faked. As fake as the ship had been originally however, she knew now it was a lot more real than anything she had ever known in her first seventeen years of life. "I'd die if I had to live in that lie once more."

And that was the honest truth.

Licking her lips, Kagome brought her hands to her stomach rubbing it gently as she looked out across the waters. A persistent gnawing feeling had settled in her gut as each hour ticked by; a fear she understood quite well mounting within her. Closing her eyes, the girl inhaled sharply in an attempt to calm herself. "It'll be okay," She spoke quietly under her breath. "No one can force you back there and if they try," She smiled slightly to herself as the image of bright gold eyes filled her mind. "He'll stop them, I know he will."

"Bordeaux on the port side."

Kagome's eyes snapped opened as she heard the lookout yell from some fifty feet above her head. Squinting her eyes, she forced herself to focus on the foggy distance, and frowned as she took in the sight of the fast approaching port town. Presently, it was but a shadow on the horizon that she could barely make out. Still, Kagome knew, it would only be a matter of time before that shaky imagine hanging on the horizon like an ill painted landscape became big and formative. Shapes and features would soon come to fruition and ignored realities would soon become all too real.

"Kagome?"

The soft call from Sango made Kagome blink repeatedly before turning her head to look at the older woman. "We're almost there." She told her, her own voice coming across as nervous while her hands gripped the railings of the Shikuro just a little tighter.

"No more than a half hour or so the Captain says," Sango agreed as she stepped forward towards Kagome leaning her elbows against the railing comfortably. "Are you nervous?"

"Maybe a little," Kagome shrugged trying to appear nonchalant but feeling topsy-turvy inside. "I haven't seen my uncle since I was—five, six maybe," She guessed as she watched the farming outskirts of the city pass them by. "It's been a while."

"Do you think he'll recognize you?" The older woman asked as she watched Kagome worry at the railing with his finger nails.

"I hope so," Kagome bit her lip as she spoke, part of her disagreeing with those words. It would be so much easier if he didn't know her. Maybe if he didn't then he wouldn't care to speak for her or take charge of her. "I haven't changed much, just grown taller and I look a lot like Mama." She continued on as the feeling in her stomach doubled. "So—he probably will."

"I'm sure." Sango told her with a little smile on her face that soon turned into a timid frown. "Kagome, there's something I wanted to talk with you about." She began slowly waiting for Kagome to turn towards her before she began. "Your uncle—he's technically your only living male relative," The girl held up her hand before Kagome could dare protest. "Your brother doesn't count, he's too young." She explained, watching as Kagome took in the information with already knowledgeable eyes. "That gives him power Kagome, you know that right?" She stared into the girl, trying to burn her very thoughts into Kagome's head.

The younger girl bit her lip from the intensity of the gaze but nodded her understanding nonetheless. "I know." She whispered, the uneasy feeling seeming to turn into a full on stomach ache. "The very thought makes me," She paused as her stomach continued to turn over and over, her flushed cheeks becoming hot instead of cold. "Feel nauseous." She whispered the words turning her eyes away from the older woman.

"I don't blame you." Sango nodded the same feeling of sickness in her gut as well. "You're gonna have to be careful." She continued to press, her own anxieties at the forefront of her mind. "He—he has the power to—."

"No he doesn't." Kagome cut the other girl off her voice firm with conviction. "No one has that power." She stressed each and every word slowly, refusing to look at Sango as she quelled the ill feeling now building in her chest as well.

"Kagome." Sango attempted to argue but Kagome shook her head abruptly stopping the woman's words.

"I ran away from home," Kagome closed her eyes tightly as she spoke, refusing to look at Sango. "I cut my hair, started a new life, and broke all manners of propriety I disagreed with." Her eyes snapped opened and she turned towards Sango fixing her with a strong, firm gaze. "And there's nothing on this earth that would make me go back to the way things were."

The older woman was quiet for several seconds as she studied the amazing amount of conviction in Kagome's eyes. She could honestly say that eight months before she never would have expected to see such a look on Kagome's face but now, it all seemed so natural. Kagome had something to live for here, she had something to fight for, to love, she had a place where she belonged when she never had before. "Who in their right mind wouldn't fight for such a place?" Sango thought as she studied the younger girl. "It is far better," Sango smiled at her as she spoke, a feeling a relief actually mounting within her. "Than being a caged bird."

Kagome snorted at the term but couldn't help but agree with it wholeheartedly. "To always be on display." She added even as she thought back to her childhood, knowing she had never been exalted in such a way. "I was never good at that either." She laughed slightly imagining her mother's disgruntled face as she continued to deliberately disobey the woman's orders.

"Bah." Sango waved a hand over her face before pushing herself away from the railing. "It's overrated." She spoke truly as she looked out into the distance studying the quickly approaching city. "We'll be there soon." Her voice was quiet and her eyes a dark almost paranoid frown. "I better get you ready."

"Ready?" Kagome repeated confused as she looked down at her clothes. There had been no discussion of her changing into anything different than what she had been wearing. In fact, she preferred that her uncle saw her in her 'natural' state. "Maybe then he won't even think of taking me."

"Yeah," Sango winked at her as she sauntered backwards towards the other side of the ship where the cabin hallway was. "I was thinking," She continued on watching Kagome's face changing from confused to nearly suspicious. "If we make you look like a respectable woman," She held up a finger when Kagome started to speak, effectively silencing the girl. "You're uncle won't even think twice about letting you leave."

"Respectable." Kagome raised an eyebrow as she parroted back the word confused. "But wouldn't he prefer to keep a proper lady?"

"Well," Sango held up a finger as she began to reveal a scheme she had just thought up this very morning. "If it looks like you're doing well," She shrugged slightly as Kagome began to follow her with little reluctance. "And are becoming everything your family wanted you to be, then why," She brought her hands up in the air as if to truly question her own statement. "Would they even think of taking you back?"

Kagome's eyes narrowed for a second as she pondered Sango's reasoning. It really did make sense in a way, if she looked as if she had lost all respectability then her uncle would feel obligated to change her. If Kagome looked as if she was doing well without them, however then it seemed only natural that her uncle would simply allow her to stay. After all, why would he bother taking her away from what appeared to be an adventitious environment? The plan was brilliant, in fact there was only one flaw that Kagome could see: "I have nothing to wear." She told Sango as she mentally went over her rather limited clothes, she didn't even own a single dress currently.

Sango smiled at the question just as they reached the staircase and turned towards the hallway entrance. "I seem to recall a young girl who thought highly of my red frock." She sent Kagome what could only have been called a haughty smirk.

"The red gown?" Kagome stuttered from the very idea of being able to wear such an elegant piece of clothing.

"The very one." Sango nodded sharply as she finally turned around, ceasing to walk backwards in favor of being more in balance on the rocking deck. "You know what they say, only a real lady wears red."

Instantly Kagome's face turned bright red as Sango's delicately implied meaning tickled at the back of her mind. "I'm not a real lady—at least in that sense." She protested as she jogged quickly to catch up to Sango. "I've never—," She tried to speak but her words died in her throat while Sango resisted the urge to laugh.

"Close enough," The older woman commented dryly as she eyed Kagome, she knew that a man like the Captain couldn't keep his hands to himself for too long. "I mean you can't deny it."

"Deny what?" Kagome squeaked bashfully as she glanced around the deck looking for any crewman paying their conversation any mind. There were four men standing just on the other side of the hallway entrance, "Oh dear lord."

"What indeed?" Sango taunted as she grabbed the girl's arm, yanking her through the hallway.

"There's nothing to deny!" Kagome tried to speak but Sango deliberately ignored her as she continued down the hall quickly.

"We'll talk more about that later." She told the blushing girl, not believing for one second that she hadn't experienced at least a little something interesting. "For now," She told her as she reached her door, grabbing for the handle with her free hand, the other occupied with Kagome. "We should get you dressed."

Staring at Sango as if frozen, Kagome's eyes grew huge for a second as she struggled to find something to say. "You're the only person on this ship that's seen me even remotely naked!" She spoke so quickly that Sango nearly didn't hear a word the girl had said.

Raising an eyebrow as the realization of what Kagome had just admitted sank in she resisted the urge to laugh right in the girl's face. "Poor Captain." She managed to say, causing Kagome to literally moan with humiliation.

-break-

Above Sango and Kagome, unaware of their rather interesting conversation, the Captain held onto the steering wheel directing them towards the Port of the Moon. Clawed hands detained the wheel with a slack grip as golden eyes focused on the impending vision of the large city. It had been more than a hundred years since he had visited the rapidly expanding city of Bordeaux and even longer since he had visited its famous Port of the Moon but his memories of the city were generally fond. "It's always been a beautiful place." He told himself as he turned the ship's wheel ever so slightly to one side. "And an accepting one as well."

It was common knowledge amongst men of his kind that the French really could care less most of the time where a man was from as long as his gold was still pure. Thus, the French were not nearly as opposed to trade with pirates as other nations. Although, if said privateer dared to steal any of the valuable wine that was their major export he could certainly expect swift revenge.

"Luckily," Inuyasha thought as he held on tight to the wheel while another ship came up alongside them. "I've never been into wine smuggling, just drinking." He smirked slightly to himself even as the sound of footsteps drew his eyes away from the wheel and towards the stairs. Miroku appeared only a few seconds later a wedge of cheese in his hands. The sight of cheese on the ship was a rarity because of the price however, a layover at the mouth of the river had allowed them to obtain a large wedge of cheese at a relatively reasonable price. "I love France for that."

"Sango's dressin' Kagome." Miroku informed nonchalantly as he approached the wheel slowly, his attention mainly on the cheese.

"Good." Inuyasha nodded as he adjusted their heading ever so slightly so as to give the ship on their port side more room to pass. Satisfied that they had plenty of room, he dropped one hand from the wheel, bringing it up to his head to run through his hair. "I'm not looking forward to this." He grunted towards Miroku as the man slumped down at his feet.

"I don't blame you in the least." He told him as he pulled the rind away from the cheese absently, before biting into the soft center. "I wouldn't want to go."

"And I don't." Inuyasha told him as he turned the wheel ever so slightly, his eyes fixed on the banks of the river. They had passed the fork in the river about thirty minutes before and thus were currently coming to a point where the banks drew closer together. The prospect of navigating that narrowed point was grating on his already fragile nerves. "But—I have to, I can't let her go alone," He inhaled sharply pausing just a second before he voiced his fear. "She might never come back."

"She might never come back as it is." Miroku commented before nearly choking as Inuyasha sent him a fierce glare. "Sorry."

Digging his once relaxed claws into the wheel of the ship, Inuyasha snorted loudly. "I won't let that happen."

"I don't really think you need to worry too much on it." The boy shrugged as he spoke, his dark eyes looking straight ahead at the hazy sight of the approaching city. "Sango and I were talkin' about it earlier," He leaned his head back and looked up at the Captain from between the wheels gaps. "She thinks as long as Kagome looks like she's respectable then her Uncle won't see the need to remove her."

"So," Inuyasha looked down at his son, quirking an eyebrow as he spoke. "We're gonna dress her up as something she's not and fool them."

"Where have I heard this idea before," Miroku deliberately tabbed his chin and closed his eyes appearing in deep thought. "Oh yeah—," They snapped back opened mocking while he sent his father a cheeky grin. "Port Royal, masquerade, worked then."

"Another masquerade." Inuyasha sighed heavily and leaned forward over the wheel, supporting his body weight between its handles. "I guess I'll have to wear the same costume."

"Well," Miroku shrugged as he took another bite of the cheese smiling dreamily as he reveled in the taste. "I would, this year's fashions are just so appalling."

Resisting the urge to reach over and hit his son in the head, Inuyasha chose to grimace instead. "You're scaring me."

Miroku laughed lightly before pushing himself to his feet and offering his father the last bit of his cheese. "Here's some cheese for compensation."

"I demand sherry." Inuyasha insisted but took the cheese anyway, plopping the last of it into his mouth, rind and all.

"Too bad," Miroku shook his head quickly while licking some leftover remnants of the sweet cheese from his hands. "I'm all out of sherry."

"I doubt Kagome's Uncle will be." Inuyasha smiled toothfully from the prospect, he knew French aristocrats and the way they conducted business; undoubtedly, there would be spirits of some kind.

"Damn—," Miroku snapped his fingers and frowned darkly as the thought really penetrated his brain. "I wanna come."

"No way," Inuyasha shook his head almost violently at his son. "I can't even begin to explain that."

"You think your future in-laws," Miroku leaned forward over the railing, whispering the next part so none of the crew would be any the wiser. "Will be scandalized if they realized they already have a grandson?"

"I think they'd be more disturbed than anything," Inuyasha replied while reaching out and flicking his son's nose causing the boy to mumble a curse incoherently. "Since you're the same age as their girl."

"True," Miroku agreed as he rubbed at his nose his eyes actually watering for a minute because of the abuse. "It's best just not to talk about me." He told his father sternly even as the older man rolled his eyes. "Anyway," Miroku continued on, changing the subject affectively. "You gonna get dressed?"

"Yeah," Inuyasha nodded as he looked out over the water. He could just see Bordeaux in the distance. He had heard through the grapevine that the beautiful city had made itself even more beautiful in recent years. From his position, and well trained eyes, he could see that the grapevine had in fact not been full of lies. The bare landscape he recalled had been replaced by what appeared to be a giant palace sitting right along the banks with no wall or protection of any sort. "This far in land they wouldn't have to really worry." He licked his lips, the beautiful white walls of the building shinning despite the dank appearance of the weather. "Place de la Bourse."

"What's that?" Miroku questioned as he listened to the odd French words, one of the many languages he had never learned to speak all too well.

"Up ahead," Inuyasha pointed towards the outline of the large estate. "It's so big you can see it despite the bend in the river."

Turning in the direction his father was pointing, Miroku blinked slowly. In the distance, he could just see the beautiful building as it seemed to rise straight out of the water. "It's huge." Miroku barely managed to whisper as he stared at the building, at his best guess believing it to be a stunning four stories high.

"And that is how you measure success." Inuyasha nodded his confirmation even as his heart beat picked up drastically in his chest. "Kagome's uncle is an aristocrat here, a place with that much money and power." He told himself as he gulped down the nerves that threatened to rip through his throat. "Far more than Henry Morgan or her father as Port Royal's Human Representative ever had." The dog demon gripped the wheel just a little tighter as he tore his eyes away from the magnificent structure. "If I don't play my cards right, he really could take her and I wouldn't be able to do a thing without sacrificing everyone on this boat."

"I've never seen anything like that," Miroku's awe-filled voice cut off Inuyasha's thoughts. "And I saw Westminster Abbey once."

"I didn't culture you near well enough." Inuyasha commented offhandedly as he let his earlier fears drop in favor of mocking his son.

If Miroku heard his father however, he successfully ignored him. "I wonder how long it took to build."

"I'm not too sure." Inuyasha shrugged slightly and raised a hand up to rub at his neck. "Well, I don't have much time," He switched back to their original topic as he tried to get a persistent kink to loosen. "No more than a half hour," He brought his hand away from the sore spot and carefully turned his neck this way and that, a slight grinding filling his ears. "We're gonna try to make this a one day trip, I mean its only what, ten in the morning?" He looked up towards the sky but the heavy grey clouds made it hard to tell the time by the sun. "We shouldn't have to stay the night but—."

"Don't be worried if you don't come back tonight." Miroku interrupted as he took his eyes off the building in the distance and looked towards his father instead.

"No," Inuyasha shook his head quickly his voice coming across as mostly playful but at the same time oddly serious. "Come for us," He pointed at Miroku deliberately, shaking his hand firmly at the same time. "If we're not back that means they've taken us hostage."

"Hostage?" Miroku snorted as he laughed from the absurdity of the very thought. In his mind, there was no way some pompous aristocrat could ever take his father hostage.

"Yes," Inuyasha shook his head firmly even as he closed his eyes and continued. "Because they're going to be so delighted she brought a man home that they throw a party."

"So not where I thought that was headed." Miroku mumbled under his breath while the Captain took the opportunity to laugh at his expense.

"Well, take the wheel." Inuyasha motioned towards his son, waiting until Miroku had a firm grip on the wheel before releasing it and stretching. "I need all the time I can get." He shook his head as he walked backwards towards the stairs, his eyes never leaving his son while he sent him the most serious look he could muster. "It takes forever to do my hair."

"That is so wrong." Miroku mumbled as he held onto the wheel and tried desperately to hold in a laugh.

"Isn't it though?" Inuyasha laughed openly, although his tense shoulders and still verily serious eyes contradicted the look. "The port's just after that giant palace, Totosai's in the nest to help you spot it."

"Aye." Miroku nodded firmly before shooing his father with one hand, the other firmly holding the Shikuro's wheel. "Now go and get ready."

Inuyasha nodded his head and bowed in a mocking way before turning on his heel and heading towards the stairs. The sight of the ever growing palace made him pause for just a second, the intimidation of it causing him to draw his lips into a tight line. "This is gonna—." He shook his head unable to even think of a word that might describe the impending situation. "Damn." He mumbled so quietly Miroku couldn't hear and started down the staircase to get ready for the trying day ahead.

-break-

Kagome stood in Sango and Miroku's cabin her hands braced against the wall next to the wardrobe while Sango laced her stay. The sound of the fabric pulling against the old bones of the garment was loud in the room, masked only by Kagome's faint grunts of pain from Sango's rather harsh lacing. Currently, the woman was almost done with the lacing but was now tightening the material, pulling at each lace until Kagome nearly bit through her lip to keep from yelping. "How much longer?" The young girl asked as all the wind rushed out of her from her ribs pushing into her lungs.

"Almost done." Sango whispered carefully as she pulled the top two laces just a little tighter. Satisfied that the Stay was as tight as it was going to be, Sango began to knot the ends so as to keep the material taunt. "I'm just tying it now."

"Dear lord," Kagome cried out as she tried to breathe in just a little deeper but found herself unable. Nearly panicking she dug her nails into the wall as she felt all her organs shift unpleasantly. "I forgot how much I hate stays."

"I know," Sango nodded her head as she pulled away from Kagome, studying the laces carefully to make sure nothing was out of place. "They are awful," She commented as she reached out and adjusted a spot where the laces had tangled slightly. "But you're going to be in Bordeaux, you'd stick out like a sore thumb without all the proper bits."

"I'd rather them just think I was exceptionally fat than wear this." Kagome grumbled as she felt Sango's hands finally pull away from her back, the girl stepping towards her wardrobe to grab the next layer of the complicated dress.

"Well too late for that." Sango commented as she pulled out the bright red petticoat, she ran her eyes over the material of the dress enjoying the look of the old silk. "It seems like only yesterday," She turned towards Kagome that smile still in place. "That I was the one dressing in these clothes to fool—well," She looked down for a second appearing a bit embarrassed. "Inadvertently, you."

Ignoring the pinch in her side caused by the stay Kagome dropped her hands to her sides, her own memories of that time from so long ago creeping into her psyche. "I remember, seeing you for the first time." She shifted uncomfortably for a second, insecurity sneaking back within her. "I thought you were the perfect woman."

Sango laughed slightly even though she realized Kagome was being perfectly honest. "That might be true—on the outside at least." Sango told her as she walked across the room with the petticoat draped over her jacket clad arms. "Inside," She told Kagome firmly, her words the absolute truth. "I might as well have been a boy."

The younger girl chuckled in agreement as she lifted her arms above her head allowing Sango to drop the petticoat over her, the garment falling into place below her stay and over her hoop. "I understand that feeling." Kagome commented as she smoothed the fabric with her hands in a desperate attempt to make it fall to her ankles properly.

Walking back over to the wardrobe, Sango's smile began to fall away as she looked at her four expensive dresses. There had been a time when she was not a tomboy; a time when she had enjoyed high tea, petticoats and even the pain of stay. She had been young, perhaps even foolish, but she had enjoyed them nonetheless. She had enjoyed the socialite scene, enjoyed flirting with men in the most respectable of ways, and waving her fan before her face to hide her own blush. It had been a world she was charmed by and loved by and yet, it had been a lie she was sucked into. She hadn't realized the extent of that lie until it was far too late and yet—

Sango turned to look at Kagome who was still attempting to make the petticoat hang properly. "Kagome never fell for it at all or at least, she didn't buy into it." She realized as she watched the girl begin to fret when the lace of the gown wouldn't quite settle correctly. Smiling from the girl's trouble, Sango moved back across the room, hanging the gown across the back of the chair before kneeling on the ground in front of Kagome. With expert hands she adjusted the petticoat until it fell like tempered water around Kagome's feet: flush, and dainty.

"Thanks." Kagome mumbled even as she flushed from her own inability. "I've never been good at—dressing."

The older woman was quiet for a moment as she stood back to her feet and reached for the gown. Motioning for Kagome to raise her hands once more, she positioned the piece of clothing over Kagome's head before bringing it down her body just as she had with the petticoat before. Instantly, the most beautiful part of the dress, the scarlet outer shell, fell into place "You know Kagome." Sango whispered as she began to smooth the gown, fingering it slightly, the Chinese silk soft against her hands. "I really envy you sometimes."

Jumping slightly at her words, Kagome looked down at Sango as the girl eyed the bottom of the dress making sure it was sitting correctly. "Wh-y-y?" She stuttered just as Sango rose back to her feet and began to adjust the dress' waist gingerly.

"Because you see the world far more clearly than I ever could." Sango explained her logic cryptically as she backed away from Kagome and smiled, nearly satisfied. The young girl would easily pass for a perfect lady in a dress such as this but something was oddly missing. "It's pretty cold out, I have a beautiful Brunswick that matches." She told Kagome as she turned away once again returning to the old wardrobe quickly.

Kagome thought to open her mouth and question Sango's strange words but in the end decided against it, "You see the world far more clearly than I ever could." The words echoed throughout her whole body, loud and oddly affirming as she watched Sango rummage in the cabinet looking for the heavy hooded jacket. "For the past few months I've heard that constantly—I see the world with different eyes but—," She bit her lip a slight disagreement forming in her mind. "Do I really see things so different?" She asked Sango, her voice timid as it carried throughout the room.

Sango's hands stilled against the wooden box in which she was sure the Brunswick rested. "Comparatively speaking," She answered as vaguely as possible as her hands began to move once more opening the box's lid. "The rest of the word just—doesn't seem to think like you."

"Maybe," Kagome tried as she worried her hands together in front of her subconsciously. "I'm just different."

Sango looked into the opened box, the golden color of the Brunswick catching her eye instantly. Carefully, she reached inside of it, pulling it out and bringing it to her lap. Long since calloused fingers ran over the smooth fabric, memories of the last time she had ever worn it haunting her vision.

"Do you have something to live for?"

She turned her head towards Kagome, watching as the girl looked at her awaiting an answer. "The last time I wore this Brunswick," She told herself as she clutched the hood a little tighter to her person. "The Captain found me." She smiled faintly from the memory and pushed herself back up to her feet. "That was the day I found out that the world I thought I was privileged to be born in was all a lie—something Kagome always seem to know at least on some level." She straightened herself completely and sent Kagome a wide smile. "You may be different but I think that's a good thing."

Kagome was far too stunned to say anything to the other girl as Sango approached her, the beautiful golden Brunswick in hand.

"It may not be as fancy as a proper jacket," Sango told her as Kagome turned around and held her arms behind her to accept the new layer. "But I think it will look absolutely stunning on you."

"I hope so." Kagome whispered as the hooded jacket was slipped onto her shoulders before Sango darted back around to Kagome's front to button the Brunswick properly.

The three quarter length jacket stopped right at her hips and the high neck chocked at her throat ever so slightly. It had been a long time since she had worn ladies fashion, which often required a staggering amount of skin to be covered (compared to male fashions). Still, the long sleeves of the jacket did make Kagome feel a since of relief. After all, they were in France where the winter was far cooler than the mild climates they had been to so far. The Brunswick would bring her an additional bit of warmth she desperately needed and beside even that the gold complimented the beautiful red dress exceptionally.

"You're filling out the dress a little better." Sango commented off handedly as she adjusted the hood of the Brunswick until it laid comfortably along Kagome's shoulders.

"Am I?" Kagome questioned as she turned sideways and smoothed her hands down over the fabric, her eyes traveling down to look at her hips and bust.

"You're beginning to look like a little lady." Sango teased with a laugh as she pulled her hands away and began to study Kagome's hair. "Although, I'm not too sure what to do with your hair."

Ignoring Sango's quip, Kagome frowned slightly at the mention of her still unfeminine short hair. "The French really like elaborate hairstyles too." She commented as she reached up and touched one of her short little curls. "I don't think there's much we can do with how short my hair is."

Sango pursed her lips before disagreeing and turned back to her closet. "I know it's very simple by we'll use a cap." She told Kagome as threw herself to her knees in front of the wardrobe and began grabbling with her hat box. "And a hat above it," She continued on even as she pulled hat after hat out of the box studying each one critically before throwing it aside. "People will think you're trying to stay warm that way."

"I guess that will work." Kagome agreed even as Sango released a small sound of approval before jumping back to her feet.

"This one is lovely." She told the girl as she showed her a small yet wide brimmed wicker hat. The hat, although small in size, was beautiful with a golden fabric covering the unsightly wicker and a bright red ribbon lining the crown. "Whatcha think?"

"It's exquisite." Kagome nodded feeling awkward from the sight of it. "Mama never let me wear anything like that."

"Of course not," Sango sent her a teasing grin as she pulled a small cap out from the hat box. "Only a proper lady wears such things."

Kagome rolled her eyes at Sango words and crossed her arms over her chest. "Then I really shouldn't wear it now."

"Pssh." The older woman grunted as she crossed the room, tossing the hat aside so it landed on the chair. "Forgive me if I don't believe you."

"Sango!" Kagome cried out even as the woman motioned for her to turn around. "We've only been courting a few months." She told her as she ducked down and allowed Sango to go to work on fixing the cap about her head.

Arranging the cap on Kagome's head, the girl moved to the front before tying the two stings together at Kagome's chin. "Didn't stop me and Miroku."

"Dear lord." Kagome nearly growled as she resisted the urge to cover her face with her hands. "You can't let anything go can you?"

"Oh no," Sango agreed with a bright smile as she pulled away and reached for the hat. "Truthfully though, if you didn't get embarrassed so easily I probably wouldn't say a thing."

"What?" Kagome's mouth dropped opened as Sango openly laughed.

"It's so much fun to tease you." Sango told her as she placed the hat on her head before stepping back and tilting her head to the side. "I'm gonna need a pin." She told herself as she turned and headed back to the wardrobe hastily.

Watching the older woman, feeling only slightly exploited, Kagome drew her lips into a thin line. "I don't know how I feel about that." She spoke dryly, the sound of her voice making Sango laugh.

"I wouldn't know either." She told the younger girl as she returned with two hat pins in hand. "Hold still or I'll prick you."

Kagome nodded her head and let the subject drop for now as Sango adjusted the hat until it rested against the back of her head covering the cap so that it wasn't obvious her hair wasn't in a bun underneath. Standing perfectly still, she listened as the first pin penetrated the hat with a slight popping sound before sliding though the fabric and the wicker easily. Expertly, Sango angled the pin inwards and then upwards so that it came back through the fabric securing the hat to the cap underneath. Stepping back for just a second, the older woman surveyed her work, making sure the hat was even before she proceeded to the front and repeated the process once more.

Both pins in place, she carefully arranged the ribbon until it covered the sharp edges of the pins making it appear as if the hat was simply floating atop Kagome's head. "There." She whispered taking a step back away from Kagome to inspect her work. With the hat and the cap underneath, it was nearly impossible to tell that Kagome's hair was shortened to the point of humiliation. "No one will be the wiser."

"Until I have to take the hat off." Kagome scoffed slightly as she shifted from right foot to left.

"That will only be in the company of family." Sango told her as she reached out and brushed her hands over Kagome's shoulders, smoothing the fabric further. "Just tell them the 'pirates' cut it off."

"I suppose." Kagome nodded actually liking the idea and believing it to be a good one. In fact, Sango's entire plan seemed to be smart and well thought out. After all, why keep the hard to wed seventeen year old when she appeared to have become a respectable member of her sex and there was no man asking for a dowry? "I'm useless to my family, especially since Papa is dead, all that money has to go to the heir, to Souta." She nodded firmly but a part of her still felt unconvinced that the plan would be a hundred percent effective; after all, she was involved in it. "How am I going to do this?"

"What?" Sango's eyes snapped towards Kagome's face quickly.

"This!" Kagome motioned towards the fancy clothes that covered her and the beautiful hat above her head. "This isn't me."

"I know." Sango agreed, shaking her head quickly as she watched the look of panic cross Kagome's face.

"I can't—I can't go in there and be a lady," She argued, her hands actually shaking from the prospect. It was one thing to abandon manners and propriety, letting those things go had been easy since she had never truly embraced them however, embracing the things she had never been was entirely another. "I've never been a lady, not like you."

"Kagome." Sango spoke her name slowly, bringing her hands up to grab for the girl's gold covered arms. Rubbing the fabric gently, she stared into Kagome's eyes, watching as the grey swirled with fear. "You can do this, it's just pretend, then you go back to being you again."

"What if I can't?" She whispered as paranoid thought after paranoid thought rocked throughout her. It only took her uncle's word and then by all technicalities, she had to stay in France, he was her legal guardian.

"We're not going to let that option happen." The older woman told her firmly, so firmly that Kagome knew better than to open her mouth and contradict her. "Me, Miroku, the Captain, hell even Myoga and Totosai, we'll bust into that estate and drag you out." Sango continued on, her brown eyes blazing with her own belief in her words. "Beside's even that, I know you'd find a way out." She allowed her hands to drop from Kagome's arms as she sent the girl a firm glare. "You've done it once and like you said, you'd do it again."

Confidence welled in Kagome's chest from Sango's words, the sheer conviction of her voice making Kagome feel a million times more certain of herself. "Thank you." She nodded her head as she glanced down at her person, wishing she had a mirror to look into. "I hope though that this makes Uncle Thorold see that I'm—that is," She looked back towards Sango who was still looking at her with a stern expression. "That I should stay here."

"With how good I made you look Kagome," Sango lifted her chin proudly, her eyes going over the girl taking in her every curve and dainty lacing. "He's gonna think we're miracle workers."

Kagome promptly laughed, knowing that Sango was speaking the absolute truth. A soft knocking on the door stopped either girl from continuing on the playful conversation.

"Are you ready?" Inuyasha called through the door, the sound of his voice making Kagome's laughter immediately die. "We need to be ready to leave, we're about to dock."

"We're just finishing." Sango called through the door, as she jumped away from Kagome and ran back to the dresser. "Give me just a second to paint her."

"Why does she need to be—." His voice paused suddenly and Kagome could have sworn she heard him growl slightly. "Kagome why is she painting you?"

"So I look the part." Kagome called back to him through the door even as Sango seemed to appear out of nowhere in front of her.

"Eyes closed." The girl commanded as she dipped her fingers into a jar of white face paint. "This is France Captain." Sango told the man as she ran the cold white concoction over Kagome's face and neck, watching as the dark tanned skin that had developed from travel at sea became pale once more.

"I know its France." Inuyasha grumbled as he leaned against the door knowing better than to enter without Sango's permission.

"So you should be painted too." Sango told him bluntly, her words the absolute truth. The aristocracy in France didn't make a distinction between makeup being a feminine cosmetic or a masculine one, everyone of high enough class wore the substance to show their character.

"No way in hell." Inuyasha growled as he wrinkled his nose. Even outside the cabin he could already smell the lead used in the face paint, the scent making him nauseous. "I wouldn't wear that shit if you bribed me."

"Suit yourself." Sango told him as she continued to smooth the paint over Kagome's skin until it was an even white color. "Beautiful." She commented as she pulled away ignoring the disgusted look that was now crossing Kagome's face. "Now for the rouge." She nodded quickly as she reached into her pocket producing another container of the vile substance.

"Do I really have to wear the rouge?" Kagome whined slightly, the sound of her voice carrying to the Captain on the other side of the door.

"Hey!" He called as he pushed his body away from the door and debated if Sango's tongue lashing was worth opening it without permission. "If Kagome doesn't want to wear it she doesn't have to."

"Do you want her to look respectable?" Sango yelled through the door as she placed the rouge on her fingers and brought it to Kagome's face. Carefully, she smeared a line from the tip of Kagome's lips to the tip of her eye before rubbing in the color with her fingers.

"Of course," Inuyasha stopped himself from snarling the words as Kagome's scent became lost to him because of the heavy paints. "That's the plan."

"Then let me do my job." Sango quipped as she started in on the other cheek, applying the rouge in the same pattern as she had the other side. "I know what French girls are expected to look like."

Kagome forced herself to stay still even as she heard the Captain's telltale curse from the other side of the door. Truthfully, she knew how he felt completely, she wasn't too fond of the paints herself however, she understood their necessity.

"There." Sango nodded her head firmly and took a step away from Kagome with a smirk on her face. "You can come in now." She called to the Captain, anxious to see his reactions to her carefully, albeit quickly, executed work.

Without preamble the door swung open, squeaking loudly on its hinges as Inuyasha burst in the room looking both strikingly handsome and furious at the same time. Kagome felt her heart launch into her chest from the sight. Flashbacks of their first ever meeting on Port Royal hitting her in the stomach harshly. He looked exactly the same, the navy uniform from that time so long ago polished and buttoned and perfect around her broad shoulders. His hair hidden expertly underneath a rather large wig of white which made his gold eyes appear even more vibrant in color. "He's so handsome," She blinked slowly as his firm jaw went slack for reasons she couldn't comprehend. "Deliriously handsome."

Standing across from her, Inuyasha forced himself to close his mouth as he stared at the painted doll in front of him with mixed feelings. On the one hand, Sango had done her duty; Kagome looked the part of any true lady he had ever seen. Her hair was hidden and tucked demurely underneath her hat, her waist was thin from the constraints of her stay, the red dress gave her an air of seduction fitting of a woman, and her face was daintily pale and deeply red in all the right places. She was stunning, striking even but something also seemed dangerously out of place.

"Captain—," Sango whispered as she watched a wave of strange emotions cross the man's face. "What do you think?"

Realizing that he had been staring at her far too long without a single word, the dog demon cleared his throat and offered both women what he hoped was a sincere smile. "She's beautiful—um—you're beautiful." He told Kagome even as the awkward feeling persisted. There was just something about her that didn't seem, right, in that moment. "She just—I can't smell her, only that fucking paint and she—she doesn't even look like herself."

"Thank you." Kagome blushed softly while sending him a sweet smile. Part of her was relieved that he thought her to be beautiful in such fancy clothes and paints; another part of her however, felt awkward. "Be happy, he thinks your beautiful." She told herself even as her mind yelled back a protest, "He only thinks if because you look like you're supposed to."

"We best be going, if you're ready? " Inuyasha stopped her thoughts and even returned her soft smile, this time more sincerely. The sight of it made Kagome feel just a little more at ease.

"I am." Kagome nodded briskly as she started towards the Captain, only for Sango to quickly stop her.

"Shoes." The girl told her with a raised hand, the word actually catching Kagome off guard. "Honestly, how'd I forget shoes." The older woman laughed along with the Captain, neither noticing the thoughtful expression that came across Kagome's face.

"Shoes." She repeated the word in her head, her mind traveling back to eight months before.

She watched as her mother backed away and looked at her with a smile that turned into a frown and then an annoyed look. "Kagome, where are your shooz?"

She took a deep breath and sniffled before shaking her head darkly. "Lying somewhere with my dignity."

The feel of Sango lifting up her foot to place a shoe on it caused her to come back to her senses and she shook her head as if trying to wake herself back up. The slightly heeled shoe, no more than an inch off the ground, was covered in rich brocade fabric in the same gold color as the Brunswick. "Pretty." She thought absently, her head still far away from her current place in time.

"There." Sango smiled as she slipped the other shoe onto Kagome's foot. "I think that pulls the outfit together nicely." She looked over to the Captain who was watching them both with avid interest. "Don't you think?"

"I'm not one for fashion." Inuyasha responded with a slight smirk even as he took in how the outfit seemed to come completely together. "She looks every bit the perfect lady." He inhaled slightly only to nearly choke on the persisting smell of the paint. "She looks even less like herself." Covering up a tight cough, he turned his attention back to Sango quickly, wanting to leave the confines of the small room as soon as possible. "I talked to Myoga earlier, he's gonna watch the ship so you and Miroku can go out." He told her as he walked towards Kagome, prepared to offer her his arm.

Kagome blinked as the bright blue sleeve came into her vision and turned her eyes towards the Captain. For a moment, the two stared at each other, Kagome's grey eyes looking at her intended without really seeing him.

Worriedly, Inuyasha thought to say something but in the presence of Sango chose against it. Instead, he sent Kagome what he hoped was a reassuring glance before turning quickly back towards Sango. "Bring Shippo with you," He told her distractedly, as Kagome finally took hold of his arm, her expression still distant despite his comforting look. "I'm sure he'd love to see the town."

"Sounds like fun." Sango smiled even as she glanced between the Captain and Kagome, sensing just as he had that something wasn't quite right. "She must be worried." She told herself trying to appear nonchalant as she looked over the girl with prodding eyes. "I'll have to decide what to wear." She spoke even though her words were no more than meaningless.

"I'd go with the blue gown, don't you think Kagome?" Inuyasha told her as he pulled his eyes away from the Sango to look at the quiet Kagome instead. The girl turned at her name and after a second of processing his words smiled faintly. "Personally," Inuyasha continued on encouraged by the look. "I think it'd make her look more respectable." He smiled as he spoke, watching happily as Kagome's own smile grew in response to his words.

Playing along with the Captain's game Sango rolled her eyes in response to his words and crossed her arms over her chest with a glare. "Jerk."

Inuyasha feigned hurt as he pulled Kagome a little closer to him, ignoring the twitching of his nose's protest. The girl didn't jump from the contact as he expected but did look up at him with surprise in her eyes. He smiled at her good naturedly, sending her a wink before he spoke, his voice playful. "Why does everyone keep calling me a jerk?" He asked with a pout that caused Kagome to giggle slightly.

Her heart lightened in her chest and she held onto his arm just a little tighter before responding. "Because it's true." Her words were blunt causing him to stare at her in disbelief.

"You're mean." He teased but Kagome merely shook her head and turned her nose up at him.

"Aren't all proper ladies?" Kagome threw back at him, a smirk forming on her face that didn't go unnoticed by either Sango or Inuyasha.

The dog demon bared his teeth at her in response but the action held no malice. "Alright, we're leaving." He grumbled as he turned around, dragging Kagome with him. "Sango must be a bad influence on you."

Kagome laughed in response but didn't protest as they headed towards the door. "I think you're the bad influence." She told him as he reached for the handle and glared at her all at once.

"That's not even possible," Inuyasha wrinkled his nose in defiance as he lead her through the door. "I'm a saint."

Watching them closely, Sango felt a since of relief fill her as Kagome let out a rather loud snort of amusement. Whatever had been bothering her was now at the back of her mind once more, stunted by the Captain's ability to make her smile. "What an odd couple." She thought to herself as she watched the door shut behind them, the two disappearing without another word to her. "A perfect match—."

-break-

The streets of Bordeaux were rather empty as Inuyasha and Kagome walked down them slowly, arm in arm. Keeping a moderate and respectable pace, they strolled through the slight fog that had settled over the city, accompanied by the tiniest of drizzles. A chilly wind ran through the winding streets, catching against Kagome's hat but not nearly strong enough to send it flying. Reaching her free hand up, the young girl caught the brim of it despite its security and held onto it for just a brief moment as she walked. Grey eyes surveyed the landscape, seeing the city as both familiar and uncomfortably strange.

"Can so much really change in only eleven years?" Kagome wondered as she hung on tightly to the Captain's arm. Carefully she surveyed the landscape, her eyes coming to rest on a landmark she knew all too well, "Eglise Saint Dominique." She thought the name of the lovely old church in strictly French never before having heard it in any other language. "It's as lovely as I remember."

The tall church towered over them, a few lone people standing in front of the large black door, one of them appearing to be the father of the church. Kagome watched him for several seconds as he whispered to the people, motioning to the large carving above the door depicting the Virgin Mary as she gave a rosary to Saint Dominique for whom the church was named. For a moment, Kagome wondered if it was possible the man was giving the people a tour of the church itself, however, she knew that was highly unlikely. He was probably preparing for a service of some kind but Kagome couldn't discern what it might be for.

"I don't even know if it's Sunday." She realized absently as she pulled her eyes away from the beautiful structure in favor of staring at the large cobble stones. "We're not too far now." She told herself as she stepped one foot in front of the other, moving as if by no will of her own. "We lived only a scant five minutes from the church—only five more minutes—only five." The words echoed in her head, seeming to translate into a language her feet understood and responded to.

Beside her, the tall dog demon noticed the gradual slowing of Kagome's pace. His golden eyes, which had been watching every nook and cranny of the street for movement, turned towards her. Her head was down, the only part of it he could see the back of her hat and cap. "She looks—beaten." He thought as he studied the slumping of her shoulders and the slowing of her steps, "We must be close." The dog demon gulped slightly from the prospect, his own fear of their destination making him want to slow as well. "We're almost there?"

Kagome's head snapped upwards from his words and turned to look at the dog demon hastily. "What?"

"We're close," Inuyasha repeated slowly as he looked down, offering her a reassuring smile or at least what he hoped was one. "Aren't we?"

"Yes." Kagome nodded her head slowly once before turning her eyes back towards the road ahead of them.

Inuyasha licked his lips, the shortness of her response actually making him feel uncomfortable. "He really," He tried to speak again, forcing his voice to hold firm and not expose his own worry to her. "Doesn't live that far from the ports, your uncle?"

"I suppose he wouldn't," Kagome spoke absently as watched the last of Rue Mably Street come into view. It would only be a few short yards before they left the street and started towards the Jardin Public. "Our family owns vineyards in the country where Grandfather's large estate is and makes wine to be exported in Bordeaux," She motioned towards the city around them with one hand distractedly. "Uncle's in charge of all the shipping, so he stays in the city to supervise." She continued on absently, explaining the delicacies of her family without much thought. "Grandfather even sent him to England to learn the trade from a friend of his, my paternal grandfather."

Inuyasha blinked slightly at the revelation, "Well that explains how a French woman so easily married a British man." He told himself before continuing on with his next question. "Why send him to England though," He posed as he gently directed her passed a small puddle in the middle of the street. "What about Paris?"

"Well, England was only for the apprenticeship." Kagome explained as her grey eyes surveyed the quiet street around them. "Uncle was schooled at the University of Paris first and then went to England when he was fifteen." Her voice was soft, partially because she was assuming her role as a true aristocratic woman and partially because the mood of the damp and chilly day was catching up with her. "He stayed there for ten years before coming back to take over my grandfather's job."

"I see." Inuyasha nodded firmly, he was beginning to get a pretty good idea of what this man was actually like. "He's not going to be an easy man to charm." He realized as he pressed his lips tightly together in worry. "He deals with exportation, a business that requires intelligence and savvy." Glancing down at Kagome's covered head, Inuyasha inhaled sharply, with any luck Sango's plan would work and he wouldn't have to resort to playing intellectual tag with a true aristocrat. Clearing his throat, he gripped Kagome's arm a little tighter, holding the girl as if afraid to let her go. "I guess he speaks English pretty well, huh?"

"Exceptionally." She nodded firmly as they rounded the corner of the street, her feet nearly coming to a dead halt as sights and sounds she had known since infancy, assaulted her every sense.

The tweeting of little birds from hundreds of trees, the sounds of branches scrapping against each other in the wind, the far off trickle of a fountain, the glaring sight of brown trees with vacant branches, and of little squirrels playing within the branches, filled her with memories of her childhood. She could almost see herself within those trees laughing as she looked out across a French spring morning. She could even hear her nursery maid as the poor woman waved towards her frantically begging her to come down.

"Jardin Public." She thought as she studied the beautiful rod iron fences around the park, her feet moving still but as if by magic and not will. Her eyes followed the swirling intricacies of the medal fence incased with climbing vines discerning childish patterns she had often seen as a little girl. She could see a fairy, a ballet dancer, and an exotic elephant amongst those vines, each leaf seeming to make another pattern for her eyes to discern. "I was a child here." She spoke softly to herself not realizing that, despite being smashed under the wig, Inuyasha's ears could still hear her words.

Turning towards Kagome, Inuyasha caught sight of the beautiful fence and the tall trees overhanging the rod irons. "You mean here?" He furrowed his brows confused before turning back to Kagome. "It's a park."

"My nursery maid," Kagome spoke quietly not reacting to the surprise of Inuyasha having heard her as she should. "She took me here as a child."

"Really?" Inuyasha whispered back as he finally stopped walking, pausing along with her as they studied the front of the public garden. In the distance, he could hear the loud laughter of children playing somewhere amongst the foliage and dormant flowering bushes. "She brought you here to play?"

Kagome didn't answer his question as she stepped away from him towards the park, her hand slipping out from his comforting hold as she reached out to touch the old iron fence. The metal was cold against her gloved fingers, making her flinch ever so slightly despite the fact there was material between the metal and her skin. Between the bars she could see into the sanctuary of her childhood, her mind rushing back to games she had played with other children amongst the shrubbery. She could recall imaginary horses and even knights protecting princesses locked in towers (she had only once been the princess, albeit under angry protest). She remembered climbing trees and jumping in puddles lined with mud. She remembered her angry mother, the sniveling nursery maid, and the whippings that had come afterwards.

Slowly, Kagome's hands dropped from the bars and her eyes grew sad with memory. "I played here alright." She finally answered Inuyasha as she pushed herself away from the fence, part of her believing herself to be pushing away from her past. "I played and played until someone told me little girl's aren't allowed to play as boys do."

Inuyasha listened to her words, his heart breaking ever so slightly for the child she had been once. "I'm sorry." He told her as he stepped forward and reached out to place his hand on her shoulder.

"There's nothing to be sorry for." Kagome shrugged slightly, before turning to look at him, a slight smile on her face that was obviously fake. "It's over now—my childhood and the things that happened in it, they can't be changed."

He thought to say something but found his voice was lost to him. Looking down at the ground, he inhaled deeply wanting to catch her scent, but found his nose still filled with the smell of lead based paint and sap filled trees. "Kagome—."

She cut him off by shaking her head and reaching for his arm, plucking it forward and intertwining it with her own. "We're almost there." She changed the subject easily as she tugged on his arm to force him to start moving once again. "The house was right down the street from the park." She told herself as she eyed the stone walls down the street which hid houses deep behind them. "The second one—the second one on the right."

The dog demon couldn't find it in himself to protest as Kagome moved and instead started walking beside her silently. Gold eyes surveyed their surroundings watching as the public garden's fence suddenly stopped and turned to create a fork. They continued right on the fork, down the street and towards a row of large bricked fences hiding great houses behind their walls. "It could be any of these." He realized as he turned his head to look in on the first estate, the large house seemingly floating by them. The drizzle began to intensify, changing to an actual sprinkle as the fog lifted making way for rain. Absently, the Captain reached up and adjusted his own hat, making sure the wide British rim covered the expensive wig. "We should have hired a carriage." He told Kagome absently but she didn't answer merely stopped in her tracks. "Kagome?"

He turned to look at the girl only to come in contact with her bright grey eyes shining as they stared passed him. Blinking, he turned his head away from her, his eyes lighting on a tall gate surrounded by a high stone fence.

"This is it," She whispered as they stood in front of the gate, staring into the front garden, which was unnervingly well maintained and trimmed. "La maison de Montague."

Every winter flower and shrub and tree stood perfectly pruned as they lined a large bricked pathway. Each tiny brick seemed polish to a fault, perhaps whitewashed in order to look even more serene. The path led to a giant fountain, appearing far too big to stand before a single house. In its middle a cherub stood with little angel winds upon its back and a jug in its chubby hands. Water poured from the jug, the object overflowing with the light rain.

Even more impressive than the fountain and the path however, was the house they led to. It seemed straight out a novel, tall and intimidating and yet oddly sad. Each window was covered from the inside by large drab draperies that blocked all prying eyes from entering and light from existing. The old stone which surrounded the windows was slick with little droplets of mist, making the brownish grey material glisten. Snaking vines of ivy, bright red for the season, drank in the water silently as their leaves danced against the rain drops. A high peaked red roof shone from the water as well, while droplets intensified the normally dull color.

"It looks exactly the same." Kagome told him as she gripped his arm just a little tighter, holding onto it as if for her own life.

Feeling moderately overwhelmed, for reasons he could not quite explain, Inuyasha licked his lips and turned towards Kagome with bright gold eyes. "Are you ready?" He asked her as he returned the pressure she had offered him, trying to assure her and himself at the same time.

Kagome breathed in deeply and nodded her head once before exhaling deliberately slow. "Yes."

"Are you sure?" He pressed as he looked out over the large house, watching as the sun peaked out from behind a cloud and caused the stone to gleam.

"As sure as I can be." Kagome tried to speak with conviction but the strength she wished to speak with wasn't at all present in her voice.

Inuyasha sighed from her answer, the sound of her voice causing him to involuntarily wince. "Just let me know what I can do."

"I don't think," She paused as she collected her thoughts, memories from her childhood making it hard for her to think. "There's much you can do."

"Kagome," He let go of her arm and turned towards her, the cap and hat on her head had done well to shield her from the rain but her cheeks were still flushed from the cold air. Reaching forward, he placed his hand against the side of her cheek, brushing at the redness as her eyes involuntarily closed. "Look at me Kagome." He commanded softly, watching with fascination as her eyes snapped back opened, long lashes fluttering brilliantly. "I'd do anything for you." He looked straight into her grey eyes, conveying the intensity of his message. "All you have to do is say the word."

Licking her lips slowly, Kagome turned her eyes away from him unable to stare into his intense gaze. "If I think of a word," She told him quietly as she brought her arms around herself, holding herself tightly. "I'll say it."

"I'm gonna hold you to that." He nodded once firmly at her as if to solidify the promise he had just made.

Kagome turned back towards him with a slightly awkward smile that turned genuine from the sight of his sincere jaw. Out of impulse, she reached for his arm, holding onto the fabric of his sleeve for several seconds. "I might never see him again." The thought danced in her head suddenly as the rough wool of his coat brushed her finger tips. "My uncle has all the power to make me say goodbye—." She closed her eyes quickly and gripped his sleeve just a little tighter as she shoved the dangerous though away. "I can't think that way," She opened her eyes slowly, the sight of his blue coat meeting her gaze. "But just in case." She lifted her head and looked straight into his bright gold eyes. "Thank you. Thank you for everything you've ever done." She continued as she allowed her fingers to let go of his sleeve in favor of wrapping her arm around his own. "I owe you so much."

"No you don't." Inuyasha immediately whispered as his own guilt for the things he had done to her surfaced within his gut. "If anything, I owe you."

Kagome blushed ever so slightly from his words, part of her wondering what she had ever really done for him but another part of her already knowing what he had meant. Carefully, she pulled herself closer to him, resisting the urge to lean her head against his shoulder, knowing the paint might rub off her face. "I'm ready now."

"And I believe you now." Inuyasha replied evenly while taking a step towards the slightly opened gate. Reaching out a hand, he pulled the door opened with little effort, the metal squeaking in protest. Inhaling deeply, he turned to look down at her, watching as she looked up at him with a smile and a nod. "Shall we?"

"We shall." She turned towards the opened gate, beginning to walk without another word. The stones underneath their feet caused her shoes to click loudly as she walked. The sound echoed in the courtyard, seeming to bounce back towards them every time it hit a tree or bush. Her bright grey eyes lifted to look up at the windows, recognizing the one that had been for the nursery within moments. "I wonder if it's still the nursery—if they need a nursery?" She asked herself as they quickly approached the front door.

The large wooden door grew bigger and bigger with each step they took, until it was well over the Captain's head in height. Coming to stand in front of the large wooden entrance they both froze, Kagome in paranoid terror and Inuyasha in paranoid awe. "This is it," He told himself as he looked at the large door knocker with unwavering eyes. "There's no sense turning back now." He reached forward, the white of his gloved hand an odd sight. Clawed fingertips, hidden in clothe, felt the smoothness of the iron knocker as they wrapped around it resolutely. Raising it off the door, he brought it down and away once, a loud echo filling his ears before he brought it down once more just as firmly.

The echo of the sound could be heard both inside and outside the house, loud despite the rain.

Stepping back away from the door, Inuyasha pulled Kagome a little tighter to his side. Carefully, he positioned his hand on top of her own, which was clutched tightly against the fabric of his jacket. With intentional slowness, he ran his thumb over the back of her gloved hand gingerly in an attempt to sooth her. The ears underneath his hat tried to twitch as the far off sound of someone walking, their feet hitting the hard wooden floor unnaturally softly, reached him. "The footman's coming." He inhaled sharply once as the steps drew closer and closer before coming to an abrupt halt.

The handle of the door jiggled and then with a loud hiss and squeak opened. Standing in front of them was an old man with graying hair and tired but prideful eyes. His uniform, pressed and polished to perfection, was black in color with a high collar and an immaculately dyed red cotton bowtie. For a moment, the man looked them up and down, his blue eyes taking in their clothes and presence discerningly. "Puis-je vous aider, s'il vous plaît," The old man spoke in undoubtedly proper French, his eyes appearing bored even as he studied Inuyasha's navy uniform expertly. "Monsieur le capitaine?" He ascertained easily as he noticed the insignia of Inuyasha's rank on his shoulder.

"Oui," Inuyasha replied easily in French while sending the man a proper bow of his head. "Si vous le voulez bien. Mon nom est capitaine James Smith," He motioned towards himself absently with one hand before turning towards Kagome with a smile. "Et je suis ici en tant qu'escorte de la dame Kagome Dresmont, qui voudrait voir son oncle," He turned back towards the man before he spoke Kagome's uncle's name with deliberate slowness. "Thorold Montague."

"Oui Monseiur," The man's eyes went wide with amazement as he stared at Kagome openly his lips moving but the words seeming not to connect with his mind. "Je vous prie d'entrer, Monsieur." He bowed towards Inuyasha before looking at Kagome just out of the corner of his eye. "Madame."

Kagome's face went hot at his choice of words, "He called me Madame." She gulped slightly, not believing the man had called her a Mrs. and not a Miss.

"Merci." Inuyasha nodded his thanks and stepped over the threshold into the house with Kagome practically dragging against his hold. The feel of the warm air hitting his face made him inhale sharply, his eyes blinking against the change in temperature before growing wide at the sight of the entrance hall.

The ceiling towered above them, a large chandler hanging at least ten feet above their heads. The crystal of its glass shimmered against the lit candles. On every wall, paintings of Kagome's ancestors watched them, their old ancestral eyes seeming to follow Inuyasha through the ages of their existence. Antique furniture lined the walls underneath each peering portrait, vases of flowers that must have been grown in a hot house, standing proudly on top of them, well arranged by some great connoisseur's hands. Up ahead of them, two large doors opened out into a beautifully lit drawing room, which Inuyasha could just see into as they approached. A large red couch with clawed feet and embroidered pillows as well as a polished short table greeted his eyes. Sitting on top of the table a small statue of the Mars, the god of war, stood, his muscular shoulders tensed with rage.

"It's just as I remember." Kagome whispered beside him as they entered into the drawing room, her fingers digging into the material of his shirt. "Nothing's changed."

Before Inuyasha could reply, the footman spoke catching them both off guard. "Madame, Monsieur." He spoke in a hushed tone as if he did not want to be overheard. "Permettez-moi d'annoncer votre présence à Monsieur Montague."

Letting go of Kagome, Inuyasha turned towards the footman and nodded his head respectfully. "Merci." He said simply, watching as the man turned around and hurried away. For a second the dog demon watched his retreating back down the hall, something in his gut telling him that something strange was going on but not dangerous, merely strange. "All in good time." He told himself determinedly before turning back to Kagome only to pause at the sight of her. The girl was standing in the middle of the room in front of the statue of Mars but her eyes were not upon the ancient god. Instead, she was looking away from him, towards the right hand side of the couch, her expression completely flabbergasted. "Are you okay?" He asked worriedly as he approached her with an outstretched hand.

"Mama." Was all the girl managed to whisper.

Blinking at her words Inuyasha turned his attention towards the direction she was looking, his eyes widening when a painting above the mantel came into his view. The woman in it was gorgeous, her smile beautiful and her bright blue eyes seeming to sparkle as if really alive. Long hair, in the style of twenty years before framed her face, dark black curls highlighted with shades of red and blond accenting her pale skin. A flirty smile rested on her painted lips, which reminded Inuyasha of someone he knew all too well. "She looks just like you." He commented as he studied each curl that encircled the woman's face carefully. "That is, you look just like her."

Finally seeming to come back to her senses, Kagome turned towards the dog demon eyeing him slowly. "I do?"

"Except the eyes." He shrugged just as he turned towards her once more and smiled.

"I have my father's eyes." Kagome told him as she finally allowed herself to sink down into the plush red couch.

Watching her only slightly worried, Inuyasha came to stand at the corner of the couch. "We can leave you know." He offered one last time, all of his demon instincts compelling him to protect her from this possibly dangerous situation. "I'll pick you up and jump right out the window." He half joked in order to relax her ever so slightly.

Kagome giggled at the offer but shook her head no. "I'm alright," Her voice came across as convincing but still timid. "It was just shocking to see her."

"I bet—it's been eight months." Inuyasha agreed turning back to glance at the painting one more time. "It seems like forever."

"It has been." Kagome told him honestly as she looked down at herself, her eyes staring at her clothes imaging ones she had grown accustomed to wearing. "I've changed so much." She whispered as memories of her life over the past eight months flirted within her mind. Carefully, she raised her hands to look at the white of her gloves. "And yet, here I am," She shook her head as the sudden urge to rip of her gloves and throw them on the ground sank into her every pour. "Dolled up like some porcelain play thing once more!" She hid her snarl behind a well placed sweetness. "Look at me."

"I am, and all I see is loveliness." Inuyasha told her watching as her eyes turned towards him, looking vulnerable, anxious, and even slightly betrayed. "But to be perfectly honest," He licked his lips and shrugged his shoulder absentmindedly. "I prefer my Kagome to the doll in the chair right now."

Kagome's lips parted as she stared at Inuyasha, his words paramount in her head. "My?" She wanted to say but no sound left her lips. Feeling embarrassed, Kagome turned away from him, her eyes searching the Oriental rug at her feet as if it's every color and texture could offer her answers she so desperately desired. "He thinks of that girl, dirty and with no manners, as his own—as the one he prefers."

"It's the truth." He urged on realizing she hadn't believed him.

Unable to comment on his preference but knowing she had to speak, Kagome cleared her throat. "To tell you the truth," Long black eyelashes she didn't even know she had, touched at her cheeks, fluttering in such a way that Inuyasha felt his heart nearly stop in his chest. "I much prefer your Kagome," She tested the words, looking up at his slightly startled face through her lashes, the sight causing him to inhale sharply. "To this one too."

For a second, he struggled to breath from the very sight of her. He was captivated by her stormy irises as they looked up at him through dark lashes. He felt for all of a second that she was using those lashes to look through him and see into his very soul, but soon the thought passed and he found himself smiling instead. "Every bit of you is so stunning." He told himself but he knew first hand that he wasn't speaking on her eyelashes or her eyes or any part of her that one could see. Sending her a soft lopsided smile, he leaned over the arm rest of the couch, his sharp senses telling him he only had mere seconds. Carefully, he pressed his nose behind her ear, nuzzling her softly before he pressed his lips to the soft flesh. "I'm glad." He whispered to her as he hastily pulled away, the sound of footsteps alerting both of them to a quickly approaching presence.

Kagome tensed from the sound, the surprise nuzzle not catching her nearly as off guard as the echoing of approaching footsteps. She felt the tightness of the stay around her middle, and the pain of its bones as she tried to inhale just a little deeper. "I'm panicking." She told herself in an attempt to calm herself down. "Just breath—and not too deep." She closed her eyes as the door handle jiggled and then opened with a loud squeak of protest. Bright grey eyes snapped opened and painted lips parted in astonishment.

"Kagome?"

The voice hit Kagome like a knife to the heart, the tears of innocence and youth already beginning to break into her eyes from the sound of familiarity. Standing in the door way, disheveled, unpainted, and with no hoop in her skirt, she found a reality and not a painting. "Mama."

End of Chapter

Please Review

A/N: And so ends another chapter. To everyone leaving reviews with questions, I am sorry that I haven't been responding as quickly as usual. I just don't have much time on my hands as I thought I would. Finding a job is a pain…but anyway, next chapter should be a thrilling one in small ways. After all, Kagome has been reunited with her mother who seems to have undergone some changes and there's no telling if Uncle Thorold will approve of Inuyasha or not. We might have a bit of a problem on our hands. But that's for next time!

Bonus Point:

How does Rin come to accompany Sesshoumaru and Jaken?

Last Chapter's Bonus Point:

Urasue is the one who resurrected Kikyo! Congrats to the winners!

Chronos- girl, critine44, 14 inu-kag, disneyclassics101, OkutoTsukiyomi'sGirl, uTsUkIsHil kUro NeKo, AKEMI SHIKON, Glon Morski, TheRealInuyasha, Cagome, KaUiA, AiydanWarrior, Team D0bby

French Translations: Edited 6/5/2013, special thanks to Glon Morski.

Puis-je vous aider, s'il vous plaît, monsieur le capitaine. – Can I help you please Captain?

Oui, Si vous le voulez bien. Mon nom est capitaine James Smith. Et je suis ici en tant qu'escorte de la dame Kagome Dresmont, qui voudrait voir son oncle, Thorold Montague. – Yes, if you wish. My name is Captain James Smith, and I'm here as the escort of Lady Kagome, who wishes to see her uncle, Thorold Montague.

Oui Monseiur. Je vous prie d'entrer Monsieur, Madame. - Yes, sir. Please come in Sir, Mrs.

Merci – Thank you.

Permettez-moi d'annoncer votre présence à Monsieur Montague. – Allow me to announce your presence to Mr. Montague.

Notes:

Brocade - a class of richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics often made in colored silks and with or without gold and silver threads. During the 18th century brocade was very popular among the elite classes for use on footwear.

Cosmetics/Makeups – Make up was known as paints in the 18th century and was very popular in French aristocratic societies as well as England to a lesser extent. Women and men both wore blanc and rouge. Blanc was a shiny white paint worn on the face, neck, and shoulders and was composed of lead (they were aware of its toxicity). Rouge, much like modern blush, was worn on the cheeks from the tip of the lip to the eye or in little circles/triangles on the cheek. It was composed primarily of vermilion, a mixture of cinnabar and mercury, or creuse, made by exposing lead plates to the vapor of vinegar (both were highly toxic).

Fan Fact – Many noble women actually died from the amount of lead in these cosmetics. Most notably, Kitty Fisher, a famous English beauty, died at age 23 (in 1767) from lead poisoning attributed to her use of blanc.

Westminster Abbey - A large, mainly Gothic church located in the City of Westminster, London built by King Henry III in 1245. It is a treasure house of paintings, manuscripts, books, stained glass, textiles, and other artifacts. The Abbey is also the place where some of the most significant people in the nation's history are buried such as Sir Winston Churchill and Geoffrey Chaucer.

Place de la Bourse – (Place Royale) faces onto the river Garonne and is one of the most predominant structures that can be seen from the river. It was laid out in the 1700s by Louis XV's architect, Gabriel, to act as a dramatic frame for an equestrian statue of the monarch.

Eglise Saint Dominique – The Church of St. Dominic, modernly known as Norte-Dame de Bordeaux or The Church of Our Lady. It is a baroque church built at the end of the 17th century in the city of Bordeaux , located up the Rosary in Rue Mably street, down and around the Grand Theatre .

Next Chapter:

Family

See you then!

UNEDITED

POSTED

5/26/2013