Disclaimer; I do not own Inuyasha, nor the story of Esther of which this is based off of.
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 Twenty-One;
I was not a hero.
Not in my eyes anyways.
Yet not one day had gone by that I had managed to escape the congratulatory words from my peers and the staff.
'Oh, thank you, dear sir for saving our Queen!'
'Way to go man! Who would've thought Naraku was that twisted?'
'What's the point in continuing the competition? You'll be picked for sure, now.'
"Well, I'm not giving up! Even if you did kill Naraku and save my sweet Kagome!" A certain wolf demon shouted one day, when people began to give up the competition. I growled, but otherwise ignored his outburst.
'He just jealous he didn't get the chance.' I thought bitterly. Because wasn't that it, just a strange coincidence that I managed to be the only one around to save Kagome?
Not that I had any qualms about saving her.
For the umpteenth time in the past few weeks, my mind was drawn to the post-battle reward I had received in the infirmary. The mouth on mine, the waist in my hands.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" I was pulled from my current favorite daydream as Kouga pushed his way into my field of vision.
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" I replied in a dazed tone.
The demon's eyes brightened in a fiery flame as his anger grew.
"What, do you think you're better than us, just because you were in the right place at the right time?"
"Of course not. I've always known I was better than some mangy wolf." I quipped, rising from my spot at the table.
"At least wolves aren't flea-bitten." Kouga rumbled, his eyes glowering.
"That's funny. Why are you scratching your ear then?" I asked simply, watching his one hand scratching at the side of his head.
He ripped his hand away quick, his face flushing with anger. He drew back one hand ready to throw a punch, only stumbling when I jumped out of the way.
"Save it for the dojo." I muttered, turning and withdrawing from the rec room of sorts that had been provided for our break days.
Once in the hallway, I raised my arms and stretched my hands high. I felt my tongue loll as I yawned.
Even Kouga's rants didn't bother to raise my shackles anymore.
"Inuyasha."
I flinched as the loud voice reached my ears.
"Yes, Sango-oh!" Upon seeing Kagome next to Sango's side, I lost words. I fumbled to bow quickly, and cursed the way my heart immediately jumped at even the sight of the woman.
"Good morning ladies." I managed to state.
"Good morning." They both spoke, though my ears only swiveled to hear one of them.
"W-what brings you out to this side of the castle?" I spoke as I rose. "Wouldn't you normally be out enjoying the gardens?"
"In this weather?" asked Sango dubiously. She glanced over towards a paneled window, and I felt my face darken. Rain poured in sheets outside, thundering way at the ground.
"Why not?" I asked sarcastically, trying to pass off the blunder. "Seems like it would give it a bit of a thrill."
Kagome raised a hand to her mouth, politely hiding the laugh that I could hear bubble up in her chest. Sango simply smirked, before walking towards the door of the rec room.
"My apologies, but I'm going to leave for a moment. I should be checking up on them about now." She murmured to Kagome. The latter woman waved her off, both of us watching till the prior had made it through the door.
"Does she know?" I asked immediately, the question falling from my mouth before I could stop it.
Kagome seemed taken aback for a moment, the surprise flitting across her face quickly before disappearing.
"I haven't spoken a word about anything to her." She replied calmly.
"Just wonderin' since..." I gestured around us, noting how she had left us alone.
"I suppose she just trusts you with my well-being." She said with a smile. Her arms were behind her back, and she began walking closer towards me, spinning out to walk a circle around me.
"Speaking of which, have I said thank-"
"Don't even." I said, smiling darkly. She gazed straight at my eyes before chuckling to herself.
"Here." she said, bringing her arms forward. I glanced down, staring for a moment before I realized what was being held in front of me.
"Oh." I said. I pulled my haori from her hands. A small part of me that wasn't nervous at being alone with Kagome was relieved to feel the cloth in my own hands. "Thank you." I said, and I could feel the reverence in my voice.
"I figured you would appreciate having it back." she said warmly. "Of course, I've had it cleaned and whatnot. It had some blood on it from you.." She said. I pulled my face back up to hers.
"Like I said. Thanks." I smiled softly, hoping to pull her back from that night. 'We don't need a repeat performance...' I told myself, though the other half of my mind was yelling otherwise. "It's the last thing I have from my mother, so it's good to have it back." I clutched the fabric a little closer.
Kagome seem to shift as I said this.
"You were close to your mother weren't you?" She asked, seeming to try and remember if this had been said previously.
I nodded, fumbling to unfold the haori in my arms. I pushed my arms through then brought it around to tie at my waist.
"She's the only woman who accepted me for what I am." I gave a passing glance to Kagome as I finished the knot. "Or at least she was the only woman."
Kagome turned her face, but I didn't miss the twitch at the corner of her lips as she smiled softly.
Both of us jumped when Sango came out of the room, the door slamming rather loudly behind her.
"Men are pigs." She grumbled loudly, taking her place beside Kagome.
I raised my hands when her nefarious glare reached myself.
"I've been here. I've done nothing." I claimed innocently.
"Whatever." She mumbled. She turned, calling over her shoulder for Kagome to 'hurry it up and c'mon'.
Kagome smiled quickly at me, giving a slight curtsy before picking up her skirts and dashing to meet back up with Sango.
I raised a brow at the quirky friends, before shaking my head and turning the opposite way.
1. I felt myself wave a hand over one region of the map before us.
"One third of the troops would lead an enemy into this region." I pointed at a valley walled in by rocks and cliffs. "A second third would be hid out above to string an attack of arrows from above." I gestured to the cliff walls.
"And the last third would come around to the entrance. To fight the enemy from both sides. Despite the lower numbers, our superior weaponry and the advantage of placement would have their troops massacred."
I stepped back, waiting. The council was scratching at their writing pads quickly, occasionally glancing up at the map, retracing the lines I had placed there.
"Bait. It's tricky and takes guts to do." Kagome's grandfather noted, before nodding.
"You are free to go." He lowered his pad to his side, gesturing to the door.
I bowed deeply, and left without a second glance, taking a deep breath.
"How was it?" Miroku asked immediately, barely glancing at the next contestant.
I shrugged.
"I'm not sure. They didn't give an opinion exactly.." I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall next to Miroku. I could faintly hear a tenor voice through the stone walls as he gave his own opinion in what to do in an 'emergency situation'.
"I hate military tactics." I murmured, thumping my head against the wall behind me.
"But alas, they're necessary." Miroku said, glancing around the room. He suddenly straightened, his back straight, his own writing pad placed firmly in his hand.
"Sango." I said without even glancing up.
"Inuyasha." I rose my head to her face, surprised when she was casting a gentle expression not in my direction.
"Miroku." She murmured as well. He gave a soft bow before also relaying her name in greeting.
Scoffing, I pushed myself off the wall.
"I'm gone, so I don't have to watch you guys shamelessly flirt." I said loud enough for them to hear. They quickly fumbled their hands, their faces flushing. I gave a satisfied smirk before escaping from the tense waiting room.
2. "We're moving into rapid sessions now. You will have challenges everyday for the next week, and will be monitored all week." Sango walked across the raised podium, seemingly taking the last of us nine men in.
"One person will leave each day." She walked over to one man, pointing at him. "You, sir, will be leaving today."
"Wha..?" He asked, his face reddening. "We haven't even started-"
"Yesterday was your first challenge. You must always be prepared, and you were not." Sango said, her voice laced with authority.
The man started shouting in outrage, only to be drug back by guards through the palace gate.
Sango, without missing a beat, drew back our attention.
"The next challenge will start..." She paused for only a moment. "Now."
With a few surprised gasps, everyone in the group was separated, guards standing on either sides.
"Tonight's challenge will involve trivia over our village's history, and our lands. And I shouldn't have to remind you about your manners..."
Sango called us up on at a time to enter through an archway across the plaza. Even my demon hearing couldn't pick up what was said across the wind and other various noises outside.
"Inuyasha." Sango called mercilessly. I wordlessly followed her across the expanse to await my next challenge.
3. "Muso. You are hereby released of your duty in the competition." Sango gave one bow. "We thank you for your work here so far."
The man had a disgruntled face, but left without a word to pack his things.
Sango continued ahead without another passing glance to the man, seeming detached.
"Today's challenge will be.." I felt myself hold my breath. "a battle."
"As a King, you must not only have tactic in arranging your soldiers, but be able to defend your men and attack the enemy." Sango gave a cruel smile.
"And I will be your judge for this challenge."
An almost audible grown was heard, but one glare from the woman silenced it.
She led us to the dojo, still talking behind her shoulder.
"You will be separated into two groups. Since we only have two demon-blooded people, we will have one on each team. Three humans will be with Inuyasha, two with Kouga."
I felt my eyes slide over to Kouga, whom was doing the same action. I felt my hand immediately coming to grasp Tetsusaiga's hilt.
"If your adversary touches your heart or your throat with their weapon, you are out." Sango continued to shout over us, gesturing to the open arena.
"Take your places." She ordered. Quickly we filed into place. I watched in the corner of my eye as two humans argued briefly over who would be on my team, and I smirked in Kouga's direction, raising a brow. He jerked his head, his lips turning into a snarl.
"And begin!" She cried out, waving a hand to start.
I immediately charged for Kouga, leaving humans for humans. We met in the middle, his fist raised. I barely missed it, using the sheath of Tetsusaiga to push against his stomach and disengage. A human on my team behind me gave a cry and I noticed his difficulty with his opponent. Quickly, I swung out Tetsusaiga, knocking the legs out underneath his enemy.
"Take care of 'em." I called out to the man on my team.
Without waiting to see whether he made the point or not, I charged Kouga, sensing his spiked aura. I jumped before we collided, grunting when one of his punches managed to hit my arm.
I unsheathed Tetsusaiga, not surprised when it formed into the great fang. Kouga himself had an expression of confusion, having seen the dull, rusted blade many times before.
'If he wasn't such a bastard, I'd thank that damn Naraku for helping me figure out this sword.' I smirked, and flew at Kouga, knocking him back with the duller of ends on the blade. He dodged with that damned speed of his that I never could understand.
A cry grabbed both of our attentions, and I noticed one of the humans dragging their weapons to the sidelines. I grinned at Kouga when I realized it was one of his.
Jumping him while he was still distracted, I tackled him to the ground, gripping his arms tight in my hands. He swiftly kicked my stomach, but I held on that we only rolled across the floor. I pinned him again, making sure his legs were stuck underneath my own. Before he could react, my sword was at his throat. Another cry from one of the men was heard, but I made sure not to look over as I pulled my sword forward and bared Kouga's throat to it.
"My point." I claimed calmly, my breathing ragged. His eyes were narrowed, and a growl escaped his throat.
"Kouga, out." I heard Sango call politely. I picked myself up, not bothering to glance at the growling wolf on the ground.
The cry had come from one of my own men that had been tagged out, and all that was left was a man from each team.
I joined their dance, standing on the other side of the man. He glanced at me over his shoulder, allowing my man to jump his exposed flank. The man was ready, and ducked, my own teammate rolling over him, though his feet landed with ease on the ground.
I raised a brow at both of the fighters.
'It seems they know some moves.' I thought briefly, before watching my partner kick out towards the adversary's legs. the other grabbed his foot, stopping him and throwing him into a flip.
Deciding that it was about time to help out, I snuck behind the man, creeping closer slowly. My partner caught my eye, and seemed to understand. I crouched down behind the other man, and with one more step, he was toppled over across my back, and on the ground. I grabbed at his feet, keeping him rooted, while my team mate immediately pounced and placed his dagger at the other's heart.
"And game!" Sango called out, raising her hands.
My team mate lifted his sword and grinned. "Good game Jakotsu." He offered a hand, lifting 'Jakotsu' off the ground.
"There's just not beating you, is there Bankotsu?" The man said, dusting off his legs.
Bankotsu grinned, crossing his arms.
"Of course there is! Maybe one day, friend, but you must grow stronger." Bankotsu peered over his shoulder, smirking at me. "And be aware of the other fighters around you."
Jakotsu hung his head sheepishly, but didn't seem otherwise distressed over losing.
"Alright men, get some rest. You're done for the day." Sango called out, breaking us all from our reverie.
4. "Kyokotsu, my apologies, but your time is up here. If you would..." Sango gestured towards the exit.
The rather large man thanked Sango 'for the opportunities provided' (or something along those lines) and left without another word.
"Tonight's competition shall be rather easy for you men left tonight." Sango said, smirking slightly. (A/n: enough s'? O.o) "For the challenge is already completed."
An unsettling feeling fell over the crowd, as we pondered what it was we could've done.
"The challenge will be the staff's reflection on each of you. As prospective Kings, you must be able to receive the trust of your own castle and the workers within it." Sango paused to stare us down. I was finding that it didn't unnerve me like it had once upon a time. "So I pray that you've been nice to those you met."
And off Sango went.
5. "I can't believe we're dancing. Again." Jakotsu murmured whistfully. I nodded, barely listening as the man hadn't shut up from the second we had to started the dance challenge.
"And I can't believe Bankotsu left already! Who's going to whisper me to sleep at night!" He sighed, and I felt myself pull him just a bit further away from me.
"Uh. Sorry." I said, averting my gaze over his shoulder.
"You know, you have a nice voice. You could help me go to sleep."
"..."
"I'm serious."
'Dear god, he's gay.' I thought, cringing. As if he had heard my prayers, Sango called out the end of the dance challenge.
I released Jakotsu without a moments hesitation, quickly heading over to Miroku.
"Quick, talk about women. Nothing but women." I pleaded.
6. I could've wept with happiness when Jakotsu was released from duties the next day. His affections hadn't ended with the dance, and the feeling caused me to cringe and leave myself almost sleepless the night before.
"Inuyasha, wake up." Sango spoke harshly, noticing my paused movement.
"Finish those transcripts. And don't let me see you nodding off again."
I sighed and looked at the paper I was reading again, arranging the duties I had listed into a suitable list. I watched my hand writing over the parchment, before being distracted by the long sleeve of my haori. The red color filled my vision, and I gave a small smile at the last woman who had touched it. If I concentrated really hard, I could even smell her scent still lingering on the fabric...
"Inuyasha, I warned you once." Sango's voice hit my ears, and I gave another sigh.
"My apologies, Lady." I murmured, before returning to work.
7. "Kouga." Sango's voice rang out.
I grinned as the demon hung his head.
"But, my lady, I don't understand. I've always done adequately in the competition. Why is it I'm being released?" The demon asked.
Sango peered down her nose at him, her eyes softening ever so slightly.
"It is not a secret for what you want to acquire here. It is not the kingdom that you want to obtain for your own." She murmured softly.
'Kagome..' Was I only wanting to win this for the same reasons?
Kouga left, grumbling as he went, shaking his head in disbelief. "It can't be." He muttered over and over.
He left, and the silence filled the chamber we had been placed in. We slowly turned back towards Sango, awaiting our instructions.
She sighed, and sat before us, laying her hands in her lap. I felt myself taken aback by the casual attitude, after her strict behavior in the past weeks.
"You guys have worked hard in these past months. I want to thank you for that hard work before this last challenge. I assure you, it hasn't gone unnoticed." She caught each of us in the eyes, seeming to peer into our very souls. "I want to warn you that this is the most important challenge yet. And it will certainly take each of you by surprise. And I can't tell you anything more than that."
She gestured to the arched stone doorway, leading in the opposite direction from the entrance we had come in.
"One at a time will enter. You will be let known when you can leave."
And at that, directed the first man indoors.
She returned quietly, sitting at the base of the platform yet again.
"What's up with you?" I asked. My voice came out a whisper, most likely due to the dimmed, slightly dank room we resided in.
She shrugged.
"Just getting nervous as this thing stretches on, I guess." She murmured. She glanced at the doorway, her fingers fidgeting.
I watched her for a second, before shaking my head.
"I don't think that's it." I replied bluntly. She turned her face to watch mine, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"And what makes you an expert?" She grumbled.
"Yep, something's definitely wrong." I declared.
"And I'm not talking about it with you, so shove off." She said, snippy.
"Aah, admitance." I said with a smirk. I crossed my arms over my knees, and waited patiently for her to continue. When she didn't make to speak, I began to guess.
"Now, does it have to do with Kagome?" She didn't even react to the casual way I used her name.
"Nah, not really." She said, sounding distant.
The man exited the door, a smirk on his face. Sango waved off the next contestant, before returning to the competition.
"Not that I'm not worried about her or anything." She continued. "But that's not..." She ended the sentence there, drawing on a different thought.
I made a point to dwell and 'hmm' over that statement, before asking the next question.
"Perhaps it has something to do with a certain raven haired man? Maybe the one with the purple robes?" I grinned when her face pinked.
"Why would it be something about him?" She claimed, glaring at me.
"You're getting defensive." I retorted.
"Me? Defensive?" she snorted, before laying her head down on her knees. "As if."
"So, I'm right." I declared.
She gave an aggravated sigh before nearly shouting, "Yes, yes you're right! Will you leave me alone now?"
I felt my smile widen, my fangs poking out over my lip as I did.
"I knew it. You have a thing for him, don't you?" I didn't need to see a reaction to know the truth. "You should just tell him you know."
Sango traced her finger over the ornate design on the floor.
"I'm not afraid of rejection. He's already... spoken with me about how he feels."
"Then what's the problem?" I urged.
"I'm more afraid of things managing to work out." She turned her face downwards, pressing her face into her knees.
We were silent for a moment, both of us dwelling on that statement.
"I can understand that..." I murmured. "I think I do, anyways."
"You've been dependent only on yourself for so long." I continued. "It's probably hard to try and let someone that isn't Kagome in."
The woman raised her head slightly, peering up at me out of the corner of her eye.
"I guess.. Maybe. Probably." She sighed, shaking her head to herself.
"Well, take me in this competition. I'm a half-demon, not expected to have made it this far. I guess I've made something of a name for myself here though, and if somehow I'm chosen..." I trailed off, this realization suddenly hitting me. "I'm scared to death of having to rule a kingdom, despite the fact that I want it now."
"It's sort've the same thing, just a different goal, right?" I asked a little gruffly.
She smirked slightly.
"Maybe you should've been the adviser." Sango said sarcastically.
"Nah, I got a bigger goal in mind." I said, smiling. The door suddenly opened, and the man came walking through, a pronounced smile on his face. Sango's eyebrow shot up slightly, before she waved me off.
"Go ahead."
I stood, walking towards the doorway.
"And Inuyasha?" I turned back around slightly.
"Thanks. For everything." The woman said, before resuming to tracing the patterns on the floor.
I walked through the doorway, nervously anticipating the next challenge, when a familiar scent hit my nose.
"Kagome?" I called out, following the curvature of the entryway.
"Here." She called back out. The room was dark, nothing but candles and the moonlight streaming in to light the room.
My eyes were immediately drawn to her tiny figure, clothed in a simple white, gauzy gown.
"Welcome to your last challenge." She said, her eyes teasing.
I felt my brows furrow.
"I don't know that I understand."
She took a few steps closer, letting her fingers trail along the wall.
"Your challenge tonight is for me simply to get to know you." She stood only a foot away, and I wrinkled my nose when I smelt the perfume she had been heavily doused in.
She noticed the expression, and cocked her head slightly.
"What is it?" She asked quietly, peering around for a moment.
"You smell funny. What junk have you been bathing in?" I asked, wrinkling my nose again. "It's strong, whatever it is."
Kagome laughed, one hand coming to her stomach.
"And my, how you've started this challenge! Insulting your Queen due to her smell!" She continued to laugh, the sound bouncing off the stone walls.
"It's just not your smell." I grumbled low. Kagome didn't hear it over her own laughter, though she did manage to quiet it down to a few chuckles.
"Come, let's sit." She said, grabbing a few of my fingers with her hand.
She plopped me down next to her, and started chatting amiably. It took all I had to concentrate on her words rather than the memory of the last time I had been left alone with her for a great length of time.
"Ya know, I had a dog once. He had black ears though."
I shook my head slightly, rolling my eyes.
"Hey, he was the sweetest thing!" She smiled at some remembered memory. "He used to lick my face, and then Mama would scold me for doing such an unladly like thing. But I didn't care."
She sniffled slightly.
"I loved that dog."
I disengaged when I smelt water-works, my mind tumbling to keep up with the rapid emotions.
'What the hell...' I thought when she suddenly crouched over, sniffling still. 'is up with women and crying?'
Suddenly, Kagome spoke, "Inuyasha, will you hold me?" She gave one more loud sniff, before peering up at my face. The tears were on her cheeks, and I felt like I had been punched in the stomach with such a sad expression gazing up at me. "I'm just so sad now.."
"I-I... I don't think that's such a great idea." I said, trying to deflect. "I mean, it's nothing against you. Of course you should know that.." I was grasping for words.
"Please, Inuyasha?" came the sweet voice yet again.
I gave an aggravated sigh, before placing my hands on her shoulders. She started to lean in towards my chest, when I pushed her back to disengage.
"No. I'm only a competitor, and we agreed to not treat each other anymore special after..." I didn't even know what words to use to describe it.
I stood up, running my hand through my hair.
"And man, what is up with you today? You're acting really weird, all emotional and shit." I whirled around when laughter met my ears once again.
Kagome was practically falling off her chair, her laughter shaking her entire body. Her arms were wrapped around her stomach, and I was more confused than ever.
"Alright, alright. You pass the challenge." She finally spoke, wiping a tear from her cheek.
The challenge? "What do you mean?" I asked, my mind still reeling from yet another mood swing.
"It's frowned upon for a man to take advantage of a woman, especially the Queen of course, and that was basically the challenge. To see how everyone would react to a poor, defenseless woman." Kagome reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small bottle.
"I even had fake tears for the performance." She smiled. "They even tricked your nose!"
I just shook my head. "What the hell?" I mumbled, rubbing my temples with my fingers.
She giggled once more, setting the bottle down, before waltzing over to stand before me.
"I'm sorry to have tricked you. It was necessary you see..." She moved one of my hands to peer up into my face. "But I wasn't worried about you. Not at all."
Her hand was still touching mine, and I moved mine back, narrowing my eyes slightly at her.
Her own eyes crinkled, as she smiled, the teasing light still shining in her eyes.
"I think I need to go to bed." I said at last, suddenly noticing how close we were. She nodded, still smiling, and stepped back once.
"Goodnight Inuyasha. I hope I haven't frightened you off."
Sango came and awoke us the next morning, not even bothering with apologies as she kicked out the last person.
"Byakuya, you're out. You were the only one to take advantage of the Queen's offer." And without another word, he was escorted out.
The woman stood before us, her hands behind her back, but a smile on her face.
"I must congratulate you two for making it so far. You both have, by far, shown us that you are worthy of being Kings for this kingdom." Sango glanced between the two of us, taking one step closer.
"But ultimately, only one can continue. So, I advise you to dress your best, and follow me. Let's get this over with as painlessly as possible."
We rushed to wash and dress ourselves, barely speaking to each other as we did so. Tension ran high.
"I hope your decent, because it's time we depart." Sango called out, dragging us along with her.
My stomach pitched with something akin to nausea as our various successes were called out.
"And Jinenji, you have shown that you are most certainly a kind-hearted soul."
"And Inuyasha, you have certainly given everyone in this room need for surprise."
We sat in front of the council, taking everything that was said in stride. I glanced around furiously, hoping to catch sight of Kagome, but not finding her.
"But Jinenji, sometimes you come off as a bit of a pushover. You can't let others knock you down."
"And Inuyasha, some of us worry that the demon blood in you gives you a bit of a temper."
I nodded faintly, still watching the room.
"But, ultimately, it is not our decision, for we have brought you this far."
I felt a hand clap onto my shoulder, causing both Jinenji and I to jump.
"But mine."
Kagome's voice rang with authority as she moved forward to place herself in front of us.
"You have both over come some improbable feats throughout this competition. I'm lucky to have two fine choices in front of me this morning." She smiled down at both of us, but I caught how her eyes flickered briefly over me.
"And you have both made an effort to get to know me, as well." She sighed here, and dropped her hands to her side. "But I can't choose for me, unfortunately. I must choose for my country."
She moved along behind us again, and I didn't bother to keep turning my head to watch her. Instead, I ducked it, letting my hair fall over my face.
'This is it..' I thought tiredly. Was the end here so soon?
The hand touched my shoulder again, but I didn't raise my head to glance at it.
"My choice is.."
A/N;; Sorry this chapter took forever. I re-wrote it about three times before I was decently happy with it, and then I worked a 38 hour week, and just didn't have time to post, then a funeral, and ARGH.
Anyways, one more to go.
Push that purpley blue review button eh?