Disclaimer; What would you do if I said I did own Inuyasha?

-sigh-

No, I do not own Inuyasha, nor the story of Esther from which the idea of this story came to me. (I know, that's a really strange combination)

Summary; There once was a peasant named Inuyasha, who was pulled into the competition for a new King unwillingly. As the competition continues, something happens that neither Inuyasha nor Her Majesty, Kagome expected. How will the two fair, as the rush and search for a new king becomes the only life they know?

The Story of a Peasant

Chapter One;

(Inuyasha's Pov)

You would think that by living here for the past couple years I would be used to the stares, the obvious hatred and fear shining in the other villager's eyes. Today though, the stares were coming more frequently causing me to shrink back in of myself. I mindlessly wandered through the streets trying to make it to the few measly food stands that would sell cheaply for us `lowly demons'. I made my way up to Kaede's place not bringing my eyes to meet the old woman's penetrating gaze that I could feel on me.

"Aye, it seems the villagers are a bit antsy today." Kaede spoke conversationally. Why did the woman have to be so dang observant?

"Feh." Was my only reply.

"What do you thinks got them so?" I decided the question was rhetorical as she began to gather up my usual items.

"Suppose it could be that new notice up on the public announcements board." She answered herself, but I could hear the push that I should see what was up in her tone. She passed the bag of food over the counter, as I passed the coins over in the same moment making an even trade. I gave a small nod of thanks. The old hag cracked a one sided smile, but I could see what I hated most in her eyes. Pity.

I turned quickly, ready to go now and escape from the trouble of the village. Walking briskly, I almost missed the huddle of people, demons and humans alike, crowded around the public announcements board. I looked over my shoulder at Kaede to see if she was watching. Seeing that she was already with other customers, I jumped over towards the group, startling and scattering a few humans that didn't care to be around the half demon. Moving up in the crowd, I craned my neck to read the words of the latest news.

"Attention, Attention!

On the sixth day of the season of harvest, our city of Shikon No'Tama has seen a great and terrible disaster. Our dear King Hojo was killed two nights prior by a horde of demonic bandits on the outskirts of the town as he made the monthly checking of our trade routes. The demons whereabouts are still unknown. Anyone with information pertaining tot eh murder of our king will receive a reward of 1000 coins.

In this time, the rights of leadership will be controlled by King Hojo's wife, Lady Kagome. The works of entering a new king will soon start, after time for mourning has been completed.

Lady Kagome, may she rule our kingdom with grace and prestige.

King Hojo, may he rest in peace.

,Lady Sango

Highest Royal Advisor of our Lady"

Well no crap I was getting these looks! Any and every creature with demonic blood in them would be watched and supervised by every villager in the surrounding area! A growl built up in my throat. Here they were, in one of the few cities that allowed demons within its borders, and someone goes and does this. I clenched my fist trying to fight the urge to hit something. Sure, this city wasn't living easy, but it was better than the wild or in some place where his kind was chased and hunted just for existing. I sighed, unclenched my fist. The next few days were definitely going to be difficult.

I noted that it was starting to get late, or at least later than what I had told Shippou for when I'd be back. I began trudging home through the crowds, now ignoring all the looks I was getting. I knew I hadn't deserved them, but it was easier to ignore them now that I at least knew the reason as to why they were all watching me. Heck, I really couldn't blame them, for as I walked I began to watch those around me, I realized I wanted to know who this killer was to. I would have given anything at the time to have known who it was so I could've ripped out their throats for threatening the only place I could even begin to to call home.

Shippou came running out to meet me as I walked up the small pathway to the door of our hut. His loud chattering was something I was used to and I found I could usually drown it out so long as I nodded every few minutes or so. I lazily put away the little bit of food we had, setting aside what we would eat for the night. As I was doing so, something Shippou said caught my attention.

"What'd you say runt?"

"Huh? Oh, about Sesshomaru?" I rolled my eyes, but nodding. Shippou continued, "He sent a letter today." I felt my brow furrow. My older brother Sesshomaru was Lord of the Western Lands, having inherited it from our father, Inutaisho who had died when I Inuyasha was born. He was also a real jerk, a guy who walked around with the attitude like he had a stick up his butt. We weren't on close terms in the least, as we were stepbrothers, our father mating my human mother after the death of Sesshomaru's mother. Needless to say, I knew from the beginning I would never be entirely welcome in the Western Lands, which is why I was here in Shikon No'tama, taking care of a runt fox demon whose parents had been killed the previous year. But, in inheriting our fathers job, he was also liable for giving minor care and welfare for me till I mated myself, and while I didn't complain, I didn't like living off the measly bit Sesshomaru would send us. Considering we had just gotten this month's allowance the week before, I couldn't fathom a reason as to a letter from Dear 'Ol Step-Sesshy.

I opened it slowly, a slight twist in my stomach as I began to read it.

'News of the death of your King Hojo has spread to my kingdom.

Since the Shikon No'Tama is a major trade investment and good for my lands business, I will be visiting Shikon No'Tama within the next week to discuss with the other Lord's and royalty of your kingdom what is to be done about the traders and caravans, till a new king takes the throne.

,Lord Sesshomaru'

I huffed aloud after I had finished the letter. Although it might not be clear to a third party observer as to why Sesshomaru was telling me this, I knew my brother well enough that I could read between the lines. It was simply a warning that he would be in town. A warning to ignore his presence while he would be in the city. Well that was fine by me. I didn't want anyone to know I was related to the strongest and by far cockiest Lord in the lands.

I crumpled the letter up, tossing it behind my shoulder onto the table not giving it a second thought.

Shippou and I ate in quiet that night, I having already explained what was going on to him about the King, the stares, and least importantly Sesshomaru. He stayed quiet right up until I started tucking him in for the night. I pulled the blanket up over him and started to get up when he called my name.

"Inuyasha?" He asked quietly.

"Hn?" I saw the kit turn his face away, his face saddened. I felt a small tug of emotion. As much as I hated to admit it, even to myself, I cared about runt Shippou. I felt empathetic towards him, both of us orphaned and left to fend for ourselves. I hadn't expected us to stick together after I found him up on the way to the city. I thought maybe I'd make sure the kit got here safely, and then I'd begin making my own way. But it seems fate hadn't wanted to work that way, because here I sat tucking the small fox demon in, like I actually knew something about caring for a young child. I realized I hadn't heard Shippou's question, so I asked him to repeat.

"I said, do you think that we'll have to leave the city…?" He said, starting off strong with irritation at my incompetence, but quieting by the time he reached the end of his sentence. I took a deep breath.

"Feh, no one's gonna make us leave. We didn't kill 'em, and once they figure out who did it, you'll see. Things'll go back to normal." I said gruffly, hiding what I didn't want Shippou to know. Or that of which I didn't know.

But it seemed to appease Shippou, as he gave a small smile, rolled over and soon was fast asleep.

I pondered over Shippou's question a little bit more myself inside my head. What if they did make us leave? I couldn't really picture Lady Kagome evacuating all demons out of her city… No, Lady Kagome was kinder than that. Then again, she and Hojo had only been ruling for half a year. Not really enough tine to figure ones persona. She had been married to Hojo for almost a year, maybe it would make angry enough to push us out. To get rid of the creatures associated with her young husband's death. My thoughts drifted a little bit, out of context with the situation... 'She's probably really depressed right now. A young widowed woman, left with an entire kingdom to take care of. Having to meet up with jerks like Seshomaru to discuss trivial things while inside she's torn up because she just lost her husband. And soon, they'll make her marry some other person, just so that there's a male ruler.'

I dwelled on that for a little while. Maybe there were other people taking the results of King Hojo's death harder than the demons of the city.

Chapter Two Preview Sentence; Strange Strangers

"..easily placing where I had seen the girl in that split second. The girl gave a small timid smile, but didn't appear at all afraid to be in the company of demons."

A/N ; I've been working on the fic plot for about a week and a half now. I have the first three chapters already written, and the rest of the story outlined.

I'm proud of myself (:

R&R I prefer constructive critisicm above all else.