Disclaimer; No already. I do not own Inuyasha nor the story of Esther which I based this story plot around.

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 Four;

(Inuyasha's Pov)

Shippou and I went about our normal routines once again that week, feeling as though we were dwelling in silence after the ever so sociable Rin left. Yet even time passes for us, and slowly we regained normality once again in the household.

That was until the day that would change our lives forever.

I dropped by the marketplace after having already come through once earlier that day, deciding it wouldn't hurt to have that awfully wonderful scented meat. Just a little bit to satiate the hunger that was deeply digging it's way through my already growling stomach.

Just as I reached the stand with the meat, I heard a commotion coming on through the street. I turned my head to see a carriage with the emblem of the palace painted on the side of it. Three men came off the cart and suddenly began entering homes and talking to people on the street. I raised a brow, highly confused. What was all the fuss about?

Suddenly, men were escorted into the back holding of the carriage it being nig enough, I noticed, to carry nearly twenty people. I tried to think of some reason for this abduction of the villagers but was drawing a blank.

Suddenly one of the soldiers eyed me, then suddenly motioned me over. I furrowed my brow. Leaving the meat stand (a loss I would be sure to mourn), I walked over to the men, calculating.

One man approached me, leaving the others just slightly behind him.

"State your name please." He said with the tone of authority in his voice.

"Er- Inuyasha… Whats going o-"

"How old are you?" He said easily cutting me off.

I 'hmphed' at that. "Depends by human standards or demon standards?"

The man obviously hadn't been expecting that. He turned briefly mulling over that with his little buddies behind him.

Turning back to me he gave a quick, "In human years, how old would you be?"

"Roughly 18 to 19." I said crossing my arms over my chest. "Now what is it that's going-"

"Do you have a family?"

"I take care of an orphan if that's all your asking." I asked getting a little bit defensive at the inquisition I was getting.

"Would you please accompany us back to the palace then? You can take a seat right in here." He said, gripping my arm and attempting to drag me to the carriage which was starting to look a little bit more menacing by the second.

'Dammit.' I thought, getting mad that this guy was quite obviously cutting me off. I wrenched my arm back. "Did you not just hear me? I take care of an orphan, a kit. I can't go anywhere right now."

The man sighed, seemingly annoyed. Not that I cared about his feelings as of the moment.

"Do you have anyone to take care of him while your gone?"

"I guess, but I still don't see-"

"Then see that it is done. We need you to come with us."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "And why should I?"

He squared his shoulders, sticking his chin right out in that authoritative way he had been bred to do. "Because I am under law to assemble all men between the ages of 16 to 20, and to take them to the palace immediately. Anything other information is to remain confidential. And if you do not come with me, then you are breaking the law, and you will then be liable for going against the country, and I'm sure that that would not be a pleasant experience for a lowly mutt like you."

I growled out, my face turning into a snarl but no words came. I turned on my heels, leaving the scene and stomped over to Kaede's stand. I slammed my hands on the wooden counter, and took one deep breath then looked up at the old woman who wasn't fazed in the least by my behavior. Through my teeth I spoke, "Can you look after the kit for me? I don't know how long this will take."

She easily smiled, her eyes focusing on one of the men coming up behind me I supposed to make sure I was coming back.

"Aye, I'll take care of 'em. Of course." She gave a half smile, crinkling up her already wrinkled skin. I nodded once then left without a word. I began to approach the carriage when one of the men grabbed my arm from behind apparently making sure I didn't run off. Well I wouldn't have that. I wrenched my arm back, growling deep in my throat. He quickly receded to making sure I just got it in the back.

I jumped in plopping down on a seat and quickly pulling my arms into my haori and leaning my head on the wall behind me closing my eyes. The cart began to bump along the road as it pulled the men and me along.

Suddenly we were pulled to a stop, the jolt 'causing us all to bounce in our seats. The men from earlier that had pushed us all into joining this were now calling us out, telling us in which direction to now congregate together.

I could hear the audible gasp as men filed out the carriage and see their gazes from where I stood awaiting my chance to escape this little wooden prison. When I finally got out and looked around me, I understood immediately why everyone was surprised. We had pulled up along the very front of the palace, a place many of us would never dream of even getting close to.

The walls were starch white and gleamed as they rose into the setting sky, and they were surrounded with columns that reached all the way to the roof. Atop the roof stood towers and spires, towering above us with a majestic feel. The courtyard we were currently standing in was spotlessly clean and well taken care of. It was covered with an assortment of colorful flowers and statues that were placed precariously and tastefully.

We also realized we weren't the only ones that were rudely abducted and brought here. Two other carriages emptied out to show more men, human and demon alike. We were rounded together in a big group, and then marched through in a big mob inside the palace. I couldn't remember ever feeling so self-conscious about messing something up as I was in this home. I felt my eyes wandering over the interior of the inside which was every bit as amazing as the outside. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned my head to see the strange man from the market.

"Hey!" He said with a smile. "Remember me?" He pointed to himself to emphasize the point. I rolled my eyes dramatically, making sure to not run into the people right in front of me.

"Unfortunately. Miroku right?" He grinned like he was actually pleased that I could remember his name.

"That's right. So, d'you know what's going on here?" He asked looking around quickly.

"Nope. Was fixing to ask if you knew." I said.

The group suddenly got quiet as we were herded through a big set of double doors into a giant chamber room. They halted us inside the room and called for silence.

A set of doors opened on the other side of the room and out filed a group of guards, a woman I didn't recognize, and then after a brief pause where the guards stood on either side of the door, the woman who ruled the country stepped through the doors, her lady Kagome.

A/N; I wanted to continue this chapter, but then I decided this would be an okay place to end it.

Alas, the plot begins to unfold a bit

I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, and the wait.

As per usual R opinions, criticism, your thoughts.