Hey! I know it kind of sucks, but you guys might be seeing a few things that are reminiscent of the Disney movie. I'm really trying to be original, but it's awfully hard. So I'm sorry if you can see allusions to that movie in my writing. – Ariana
Disclaimer – I don't own Inuyasha or any of Disney's ideas... sniffle
Chapter 8 - The Placement
Kagome skipped happily down the stairs, content with the new improvement. Maybe now, since he seemed slightly more comfortable with her, she'd be able to actually tend to him?
She smiled as she saw Sango, Miroku, and Kaede waiting for her at the base of the grand staircase. All of them relaxed as they saw the smile on her face, and Sango was first to reach her.
"It went all right, then? He liked it?" Kagome nodded happily, and they sighed gratefully. Sango happened to look out one of the large windows at that moment, and blanched.
"What is it, Sango dear?" Miroku slid his hand down her back, and she slapped him before he could get any further. With a forced smile, she turned her attention back to the gaping Kagome.
"It's gotten quite late, I've only just realized. You should have some supper, Kagome, and then I'll show you to your room." Suddenly Kaede jumped, and they all looked at her curiously.
"It's nothing, really. Sango, at another time, may I have a word with you?" Sango frowned but nodded, and they all walked into the kitchen together for a bite to eat.
Sango and Miroku sat down per Kaede's orders, and Kagome bustled about helping the old woman. Before long, supper was done and ready, and Kagome blew on a spoonful of stew with contentment.
"Well, Sango," Kaede spoke up after a while. "I'm finished, are ye as well?" She gave Sango a pointed look, and Sango looked down at her half-empty bowl of stew before making a face and nodding.
"Hai, Kaede." With a smile, the old servant hauled Sango out the door. Miroku and Kagome looked after them with puzzled looks, finishing their meals in relative silence.
"What is it, Kaede? Couldn't I have finished eating?" Sango asked with a scowl. Kaede shook her head.
"Nay, child. Before the lass finishes, we must arrange her room." After a blank look on Sango's part, Kaede sighed. "She needs to be put next to the young master, Sango."
"Ah, I see." The young woman frowned. "He's going to hate that."
"Yes well," Kaede waved a hand impatiently. "They need to be placed next to each other in any case. Nothing will happen if they never see each other." Sango nodded, and rushed back into the kitchen to gather Miroku.
"Houshi!" she screeched immediately upon entering. Unbeknownst to Kagome, the young man was advancing steadily behind her, his hands poised and at the ready. Startled, the young miko turned around, slapping him lightly on the arm with a squeak of indignation.
With a growl, Sango pulled him by the sleeve of his robes. She gave an apologetic glance to Kagome.
"Sorry, but we'll be arranging your room while you finish eating. After you're done, you can wander around on the first floor." Even as she held Miroku in possession, she sidled around, biting her lip. "I wouldn't go upstairs if I were you," she finally blurted. "At least until we show you around." With a smile and a wave, they were finally gone.
Kagome sat for a while by herself, eating the rest of her stew in silence. Finally, fed up with being so alone there in the kitchen, she wandered out into the hall, stopping to say hello to all the remaining people inside.
She passed many rooms on the first floor. She was stunned and amazed at the wealth that the castle possessed, and yet it was falling slowly into disrepair. She frowned as she passed ripped tapestries, and there was dust and filth in many corners. Kagome took time to sit in almost every chair in the sitting rooms, and was utterly amazed. So many chairs were filled with feathers, which was a much better experience than sitting on straw.
Eventually, she made her way back to the main hall just as Miroku was making his way down the stairs. His face was flushed, and he sported a nice hand-print on his cheek, courtesy of Sango. His eyes lit up as he took notice of her, as she stood meekly near the entrance to another hall. He waved a hand, urging her closer.
"Kagome, you room is ready," he said gallantly, bowing. She smiled, and he took her elbow as they made their way up the giant staircase.
Sango and Kaede greeted her at the top and around the corner, and she slowly became suspicious as they neared Inuyasha's rooms. Her eyes narrowed slowly on Sango as they stopped close to his doors, set different from the others by claw-marks that decorated their surfaces.
"Here you are, Kagome," Sango said, waving to a door right next to his. She turned, only just noticing Kagome's look as she did. "Now, Kagome," she reasoned. "We'd like you to be as close to him as you can be, should anything happen." The three servants exchanged glances before giving a hasty farewell as they hurried down the hall and out of her sight.
"Oh boy," she muttered, and opened her doors. One look inside though, and she forgot all else for a moment.
Inside, she witnessed such luxuries as she had downstairs, only simpler, and more suited for actual living than for decoration. She grinned as her delighted eyes took in the bed, and she squealed as she threw herself upon it and wallowed in its softness.
As she lay there prone on the soft bedclothes, she thought about Inuyasha. And the more she thought about it, the more confused she became. What on earth was a mad demon doing in a castle like this? Perhaps... he hadn't always been this way?
She rolled over, surveying the ceiling. Well, whatever the case was, she couldn't afford to dwell on it that much. For the moment, she was better off tending to his physical needs and his wounds before going deeper into the man himself.
Kagome sat up, looking around the room. With glee, she spotted clothing for her, set on a vanity that was equipped with a mirror. One peek into it and she squawked in indignation. She hurriedly pulled on the nightdress that was set out for her, and then set to brushing the tangles out of her hair.
As she stroked the knots out, she closed her eyes in bliss. It was delightful to not have any worries, not have to really look out for anyone. She rarely had time to do simple tasks like brush her hair anymore, so tied up was she in the village's needs and wants. She reveled in this newfound leisure time, until a bump was heard.
She stopped mid-stroke, staring at the wall when she heard it again. Curious, she rose, placing the silver plated brush back on the vanity and moving over to the wall. She pressed her ear gently against the wall, waiting.
Sure enough, there it was again. When she listened really hard and concentrated, she could hear her neighbor rustling around, cursing and kicking things, and then something would hit the wall again.
She stepped back, noticing for the first time that she had a balcony. She hurried onto it, picking up the hem of her nightdress and tiptoeing across the floor. Kagome breathed in deeply when she was finally outside, a smile on her face as she listened instead to the sounds of nature. After a few moments, she turned and walked to the very edge. She could see the balcony next to hers, and tried to lean over hers and peek.
She rolled her eyes slightly. There was Inuyasha, throwing a fit. Or two, or three... Her thoughts stopped when her eyes lit upon a small iron box. Upon entering the room through the front doors, one wouldn't see the box. It was on a dresser, hidden behind a mound of junk, mostly pieces of broken pottery.
She tried to get a closer glimpse at the box that was obviously not for prying eyes, but Inuyasha's footsteps fell closer to her and she jumped back, barely managing to keep quiet. By the time Inuyasha came within her line of vision, she was calmly sitting on the ledge of the balcony, with her back to him.
It was a feat, really. She had her back to a demon that could kill her with one swipe of his massive claws. But here she was, sitting calmly, gazing at the stars. She felt his gaze on her and coughed lightly.
"Hello," she said softly, knowing he could hear her even if no one else would have been able to. He nodded stiffly, and she turned to face him fully. "Were you throwing a tantrum in there? It's probably not very healthy to..." she stopped talking, he'd finally come to stare straight at her. It was rather unnerving.
"What are you doing?" he asked, being nice and blunt. She frowned.
"Aren't you sick? Kaede said that you were, and sent for me, sort of." She smiled, but the stony face just stared back, emotionless.
"I don't need your help, miko," he said harshly, the last word spat out as though it were a foul taste in his mouth. Her mouth fell open, stunned by his venomous comment. She held up her hand, preparing to shake her fist at him in outrage, but he disappeared before she could initiate any actions.
"Baka," she whispered under her breath. She heard a growl from the other room in response, and she squeaked, bolting back into her room.
Once inside, the noises started again, and she almost growled herself. She crawled under the covers, plastering the pillow over her head in an effort to block out the noises. Half an hour later, she was almost reduced to tears. There was no way she'd be able to go to sleep...
She got up with a sigh, looking around for some sort of distraction. She began perusing through the furniture, opening drawers to try and find things about this Inuyasha. It was his castle after all, there had to be something, right?
After almost an hour of searching and finding nothing of real interest, she came to the gigantic closet. She could easily walk inside and hide in it, close the curtain and be perfectly comfortable. She opened it to find many clothes pushed to the side, almost hidden.
She pulled out with awe some of the most beautiful kimonos that she'd ever seen. They were silk, and some were even purple, a rare color indeed. She never tried them on, but reverently examined each one and then put them back in their respectable locations. Other than the clothing, she found nothing.
By the time she made it back to her bed, Inuyasha had stopped throwing his tantrums, and she drifted off into sleep with a smile, kimonos flying around in her dreams.
Thanks so much, everyone! Your reviews are awesome and very much appreciated. Well, school is kicking my ass at the moment, so I'll try to update as soon as possible, honest. Keep up the reviews people, or I don't feel loved... and I could make everyone die if I wanted... hehe, just kidding... or am I? ;-) -Ariana