Disclaimer; I do not own Inuyasha, nor the story of Esther.

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 Eight;

(Inuyasha's POV)

I knew there was something off when I woke up the next morning, I just couldn't put my finger on it. I laid there, my eyes still shut but my brow furrowed. Then suddenly, I shot up in bed.

It was quiet. All the men were still asleep.

Which was what was off. (A/N; wow, enough 'w's in that sentence?) The sunlight streamed through the windows on the outer wall above me, a small breeze blowing through them. It was morning, but later than we were normally being roused from bed.

'What's going on? Where's Sango?' I thought, still confused.

Ruffling myself out of bed, I stretched over and shook Miroku on the shoulder. He grumbled something and pressed his face closer into his pillow.

"Miroku, something's up. No one came to wake us up!" I whispered loud enough for him to hear.

He opened one eye, "So?"

"So, what do you think's goin' on?"

He sighed and sat up, rubbing his eyes, then looked around.

"I don't know Inuyasha. But I choose not to look a gift in the mouth." And with that he flopped back over in his bed, and began snoozing.

'Feh. I wanna know what's up. Can't sleep anymore anyways.' I thought, and quietly exited our dorms.

I walked slowly to the dining area where we normally had breakfast. Food was set out just like it normally was, although it wasn't quite as grand and extensive as it would normally be. Which didn't faze me in the least, except for the question 'why?'.

Sitting in my usual place, I pulled out some food and begin eating it mechanically.

"Something to drink m'lord?" by this time I recognized Nida's voice.

She reached over and grabbed my cup, filling it up.

"Thanks Nida." She nodded and looked around.

"Slow crowd today." She remarked.

"Yeah, you know anything about that?" I said, gesturing for her to sit. She sat, a bit uncomfortable with the unusualness of it.

"Today is the day of rest." she replied.

"Day of rest?"

"Yes. At the end of the week, there is one day to... recuperate if you will allow. A day of break. To do what you please."

"Like a... recess?" Not sure I understood.

She nodded.

"I guess that explains it.." I said quietly. "It's just weird I guess."

She shrugged.

"Well, what're you going to do with your day?" She asked, getting up to fill another man's cup who had walked in a few minute before, looking bedraggled and confused just like me.

She returned and leaned against the chair, waiting.

"Not sure. Need any help in the kitchen?" I asked with a smirk, although still being serious.

"Not today buddy, it's your break. And we're busy with making plans for the big dinner tonight."

I groaned. I had forgot all about that.

"Wait if it's break day, shouldn't you guys be getting a break to?" I asked.

"We get to lay back on the other meals besides the dinner. And we get a break tomorrow to make up for it."

I didn't know what else to say, so I finished my meal and left with a small goodbye to Nida and began exploring again.

Somehow, I found my way to the sparring dojo.

While in my old home, I had enjoyed sparring. I had also had demon partners that were better than me.

But here, I'd learned quickly upon first inspection of the place, that this had no demon workers, members, period. Everyone was human. And while they might be good compared to other humans, there was really no one that would have been a challenge.

So any time spent in here was usually alone, doing simple workouts that would keep me up to my usual par.

I had just ended one of these when I heard my name called out in an unfamiliar voice. Turning I spied one of the other demons from the group coming over, a sword in his hand.

"Naraku." I replied, nodding at his presence.

He smiled, a wicked looking smile, and held up a sword.

"Spar with me? Maybe you'll be more of a challenge than the other wimps in this building."

I shrugged.

"Sure." I said a little uneasily. I pulled out a sword from a wall hanging that provided them, and took up my stance.

Naraku raised a brow. "You won't use the one around your own waist?"

"Nope." I said, and immediately began without explaining. I charged him and he jumped over, swinging his sword, of which I deflected easily by pulling mine up in a guard stance.

The clash of metal brought back all my old instincts of the spar. I could feel him applying pressure against my sword, and I pushed against it to gain some ground. He jumped back and only to try and rush me by coming at full force without missing a beat. I easily slid to the side, deflecting him, and turning to face him.

His face wasn't happy, that much I was sure.

"Your movements are too rushed. Too unorthodox. Maybe if you tried slowing down, and-" I was cut off by him immediately running around me yet again to try and take charge from behind. I jumped up before he could get to me.

"What are you doing?! Your going to kill someone by doing that!" I called out to him. HIs eyes were shiny and narrowed. A look that made me feel as if his intent was to kill me.

'Man, it's not like I've ever done anything to this guy!' I thought. In a quick movement, I was jumping in a seemingly random pattern until I was close enough to knock his sword from his hand and pin him to the ground. After touching point to his chest, I called the end of the spar.

"Good game," I said in an offhand tone to try and lighten the tension between us. He made no move to reply and just gathered his stuff and left.

I huffed and leaned over to put my hands on my knees.

"Where did you learn to spar like that?" I heard a voice call out to me. I looked up and saw Sango walking towards me, decked out in a black fighting gi, armor protecting various joints of that sort.

I stretched my arms out over my head and set the sword back in it's cradle on the wall.

"Well, I did grow up for awhile in a palace back in the Western Lands. I was taught a lot on sparring when I had gotten old enough, but I didn't get to delve in it for very long."

"Why's that?" She asked. Well I guess it was a normal question.

"That was about when my old man and mother passed. I didn't stay at the palace much longer." I could feel myself beginning to zone out in the memory, but I quickly shoved it aside.

"Oh.... I'm sorry." She said, seeing how I'd gotten quiet.

Smiling, "It's not a big deal. I just haven't sparred since. It's kinda nice to be doing something that I acatually somewhat know what to do in this crazy place."

Sango smiled at that. We stood there for a few more minutes before it got to be a bit awkward.

"Well, uh... I'd better be going." I gave a small bow towards her.

Sango just waved her hand, shooing me off.

"See you tonight." She reminded me.

I started to walk off. "Oh, Inuyasha?"

I turned in back towards her.

"You fight good."

I felt a smirk come over my lips and I turned without another word.

Many hours later, and the men found themselves congregated in a small room, awaiting to be sat in the dining room.

Sango came forward, surprising all of us by her ensemble, a long creamy pink tinted kimono with red and brown stitching creating a design from her shoulder down towards beneath her waist.

I heard Miroku whistle to himself.

"I hope all of you guys enjoyed being able to take advantage of the break of the normal routine," She started off with a small smile. "But now it's time to get down to business. You have had lessons this past week, and tonight is a night to show off what you might have or might not have learned. You will be expected to follow the manners taught to you, and keep up polite conversation with whomever member of the council is closest to you, which leads us to our next item on the agenda..." She trailed off. I wondered what could possibly be done between now and the dinner.

"Seating arrangements."

'Ah.' I thought.

She placed her arms behind her and began pacing in front of us while talking. "You will be sat in accordance with how well you acted when speaking with her Majesty and I. As some of you may have guessed already, the closer you are to the Queen, the better you were at following the rules. Take tonight as a reward for your hard work, or a warning to better yourself." She looked at us all, approaching the door.

"And with that," and here she clapped her hands, "Please be seated." And the doors behind her opened.

The council members already sat in various places around the table. Servants began coming forth to lead us to our chairs.

"M'lord Inuyasha." I smiled before I even turned to see Nida standing before me. She bowed and then politely said, "Follow me, and I shall seat you."

'She must be on her best behavior.' I thought as she led me farther up the table than I would have imagined me being. And farther.

Suddenly she stood aside and gestured to my seat, not but two seats away from her Majesty. I felt myself blanch. The other seats around it were empty s'far, and I nervously bowed in front of her Majesty Kagome, who pleasantly smiled and greeted me by my name.

Nida pulled my chair out, in which I gave a shaky 'thank you', before sitting. Polished plates of silver sat in front of me, a matching ornate cover sitting over it, keeping whatever was inside a secret.

I felt a little bit of my internal tension release when Miroku was sat diagonal from me, right next to the Queen. He greeted us both before the servant pulled his own chair out and he sat.

"And must I say my Queen, you are looking lovely tonight as always." He said, without actually sounding like a total lecher.

Kagome smiled and replied with a "Thank you, Miroku."

I felt myself envious of Miroku, having knowledge on just knowing what to say to a woman. I'd have to learn his secrets before too long.

Another man was led our way, taking the seat between the Queen and I, another demon who's named escaped me.

"Good Evening your Majesty." He nearly purred, bowing low at the waist.

"Hello Kouga." She replied.

He sat quickly, and immediately turned towards her majesty, completely cutting me off.

I grumbled low under my breath, not used to having people that could hear me around.

The wolf demon looked over his shoulder as if just noticing me, and then gave a fake grin and stuck out his hand.

"I don't think we've met. I'm Kouga. You?"

I gritted my teeth as we shook hands. I already distinctly did not like this guy.

"Inuyasha." He gave that same fake smile, before turning back around towards Kagome. Miroku looked over and raised a brow. I just rolled my eyes towards Kouga's turned back, who had begun to tell Kagome just all about his ever so exciting day.

The covers of our food was lifted from behind, and adorning the plate were varying types of fruit and cheeses for a first course. I ate slowly, not wanting to fill my stomach up completely before the main course was served, and listened closely to Kouga and Kagome, hoping at some point I could throw in my own interjection.

Miroku appeared to be doing the same thing, glancing over at me occasionally to make some facial remark that was hidden from everyone else.

"And how was your day Miroku, Inuyasha?" Kagome said to us, finally making Kouga have to sit back after opening up the conversation for us.

"It was fine. I spent my time doing a bit of studying and wondering around." Miroku replied.

"My day was fair as well. Spent the morning in the dojo, as I've not actually been able to spar since I was young."

"Ah yes. Sango mentioned earlier that we had a talented swordsman among the men." She said with a smile. "I would enjoy seeing your display of talents at some point in time."

I felt my face grow a bit warm. "Your Majesty, it is nothing. I'm sure you would have seen better."

She just laughed at my uneasiness.

Clearing my throat I asked, "And how was your day, your Majesty?" I asked before someone else could.

She seemed a bit taken aback, and for a second I thought I had done something wrong. I mentally went over my own etiquette rules and couldn't remember if asking how a person's day was actually considered rude or not.

But then she smiled, and took a sip of her drink, then calmly answered, "My day was fine thank you. As have you men this past week, I spent my day in studies. I've had to refresh my mind on a thing or two that I had forgotten."

At that time the next course was brought out, some sort of broth like soup with tiny bits of meat in it. We ate in quiet for a few minutes, before Kouga once again took center stage.

"My Queen, what things must you have to study for? Surely your knowledge is vast enough without the extra trivial things." I noticed Kagome eye him just a bit while using a napkin to wipe her mouth before answering. Kouga was getting just a bit cocky, and I was sure she noticed to. Didn't she?

'Oh why the hell do you care Inuyasha?' I could hear myself asking inside my head.

But Kagome smiled at Kouga and replied, "My knowledge is not near so vast as you claim. I'm not any older than you men, and yet you still learn. Why shouldn't I?"

He shrugged goodnaturedly. "You most likely had far better education than we could've ever dream of, no?"

"Maybe so..." but I could hear her voice grow distant, and I felt myself immediately freeze when her eyes came up and looked straight into mine. "What do you think Inuyasha?"

It took a minute to catch my voice but when I did I answered, "One can't live without learning something new every day, despite the persons education."

'Where did that come from?' I thought once the words left my mouth.

But my eyes never wavered from hers and we were stuck in a stare down, till her lips turned up into a smile.

"Very well answered." She said before turning towards Miroku and making some comment on his meditation techniques she had 'overheard' about.

I felt myself take a breath and lean back in my chair as the main course was sat down in front of me.

I was mostly quiet the rest of the dinner, only occasionally throwing in a remark here and there so as not to be forgotten.

After dessert was finished we were released, but I made sure that before I left to go up to Kagome, Miroku following behind me.

She turned from where she stood and grinned.

"Inuyasha, Miroku." She said in greeting, as I bowed.

"Your highness, I would just like to thank you for the opportunity to share a meal with you." I said, looking up from underneath my hair.

"Yes, this has been a wonderful evening to converse with you more personally." Miroku said next to me. She covered her mouth with a hand and giggled.

"Thank you men for being the best of company tonight. And good luck to you!" She finished, before we took our dismissal and left the room.

When we were walking through the hallway, I felt myself give a sigh of relief.

"Well that could have gone alot worse." I admitted to Miroku.

"Agreed. That was not near so dreadful as I had previously believed." He answered, nodding.

It was at that time that I heard my name being called out from behind. I turned and spied Kouga walking down the hallway towards me, a more angry gait in his walk than her earlier had beheld.

I stopped and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Yes Kouga?" My tone was a bit more sarcastic than I meant for it to sound. What was it about this guy that just ticked me off?

"I just thought I'd let you know, that there is no way a filthy mutt like you is going to win this competition, so you might as well just stop now."

I raised a brow. "And what brought this sudden revelation on, wolf?"

"Don't be cocky with me. I saw the way you were ogling Kagome in there, and you should know that she is going to be mine!" He growled out, leaning closer to me.

I leaned closer to him, almost nose to nose. "Oh really? How could you tell, considering your eyes were glued to her? And it isn't your choice, it's hers on who wins this competition!"

"Ah, but that's what makes me different from everyone here! I don't want to win the competition, I want to marry her Majesty!" He leaned back, a lovesick expression coming over his face. "The beautiful powerful woman, who by far surpasses all others! Yes, she is to be the one I mate with!"

I couldn't help a small growl to rip through my chest. "Your sick. She's not yours, you mangy wolf!!"

He leaned back his head and cackled.

"Oh but she will grow to love me, and will inevitably choose me in the end! You just wait and see." But before I could reply, he ran as fast as a gust of wind and sped past me to our dorms.

I let out a sigh of frustration and glanced over at Miroku who had idly stood by, cowering at us demons bickering.

"Let's just go." I grumbled and trudged on forward to our room.

I hadn't realized how tired I was till I landed on my bed, changed into sleeping clothes, with a big plop. I curled up and was close to sleep when Miroku, and his just oh so superb timing, poked me on the shoulder.

"Why did it bother you so bad about what Kouga said? I thought you didn't want to win this competition either."

I rolled over to see him sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Do you perhaps like her?"

"No no no no no!" I said immediately sitting up holding my hands out in front of me. "No way! But... It's not fair that she gets treated like a prize like Kouga was saying. This isn't just a competition for a King but her husband. Think about the position she's in running a country, and trying to find her life partner? The last thing she needs is men lusting over her like Kouga, who just want her for her strengths." I said dropping my head.

Miroku was quiet for a minute or two, possibly surprised by my semi-rant.

"I didn't think about it that way. I guess she has to like whoever she picks doesn't she?"

"Or else it'll be living hell for her." I admitted.

We sat not saying anything for awhile, before Miroku got up and moved to his bed.

"Night Inuyasha."

"Feh."

A/N; Dang. This chapter took me a little while. I'm not all too sure how I liked how it turned out, but I've reread it many times and can think of nothing else to add or edit.

Thank you for the reviews and fav's guys! It's been helping the inspiration flow.

Random Note: I currently LOVE the Cd Musical Razia's Shadow from Forgive Durden. I listened to it the entire time I wrote this. =]

R&R,
Souzousei