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-Two;

I slowly walked towards my place of resting that I had inhabited for my entire stay here. The room smelled of all the scents of humans and demons alike that had wandered through the stone exterior. Light filtered through, dust particles dancing in the glow the cut out windows created.

I walked with mechanical movements.

'One foot forward, now the other. Repeat.' My mind seemed to have to tell my feet.

Jinenji had already come through, gathering his few possessions quickly after the rush of Kagome's decision had been made, to be moved elsewhere.

But I wanted to savor what had happened here.

My hands reached out to touch the soft bedding, something I had greatly enjoyed when I first came here. A part of me felt an odd little affection, and even a bit of remorse, for having to leave it there.

I packed my one, solitary bag slowly. The only thing I owned were my original clothes and the uniforms of the castle which would quickly be given back to the staff, and of course Tetsusaiga.

A knock alerted me that I was no longer alone as I pondered.

Turning, I saw Miroku, leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed.

"Hey." He said, his face expressionless.

"Hey." I replied. I shouldered the bag before crossing over towards Miroku.

"How're you holding up?" He asked, seeming to choose his words carefully.

I smirked. "I'll live, if that's what you're referring to."

Miroku gave a hesitant smile.

"Shall I escort you out?"

I shrugged.

"If you must."

We walked in comfortable silence as we headed towards the gate. I felt my stomach flip as I approached the stone archway, a sign of what I was leaving behind.

Of course, my stomach might have also flipped at the sight of a certain woman.

We bowed to each other, a pleasant smile twisting her mouth up. Her eyes met mine, and I found myself lost in them yet again.

"Are you already ready to go?" She asked quietly, keeping her eyes trained on mine. They gave away nothing to what she was feeling, and I felt myself at a loss for emotion at the moment as well.

I nodded, not able to bring words to my lips.

"In that case, I hope to see you soon." She said, biting her bottom lip. I nodded again, before giving a one-sided smile.

"Soon." I replied.

I hopped into the carriage door that was opened for me to escort me out of the castle gates.

"Destination?" My driver spoke to me through the window slot.

"The hut of Kaede. It's time I picked Shippou up." I murmured. "It's time to bring him home." The word tasted funny on my tongue.

"Aye, your majesty." The driver replied.

"I choose..." Kagome paused, and I couldn't bring my eyes up to her face. All I could do was sit and watch my fingers twitch in my lap.

"Inuyasha." The name fell into the silence, that lasted for only the briefest of moment. Eruptions caused my ears to cringe from the sudden noise, the loudest I noticed being an exuberant monk in the corner.

It took a moment for my mind to register what was going on. My eyes rose slowly. A hand touched my shoulder, before the woman circled around to place herself in front of me. The hands lay flat in front of me, beckoning me.

I placed my hands in hers, following as she tugged me upwards. I stood shakily, finally raising my eyes to catch hers.

"You.. chose me?" I asked softly, beyond the ability to comprehend.

She gave a smile.

"Of course. I had to choose for my country." She gripped my hands tightly. "You were the obvious choice." She glanced back behind her at the council that was busy trying to rush forward for congratulations. "To the council as well."

Finally, I felt my lips twitch. Kagome noticed, smiling as well. Her lips parted to show her teeth as she grinned.

Suddenly it was all clear.

'I will be king.' was the first thought, though quickly followed by 'I will be Kagome's husband.'

This thought made me truly smile, relief suddenly washing over me. I picked the woman up in my arms, manners thrown to the wind.

She only laughed as I spun once, clutching her waist to me tightly. The council was moving around me, in a circle, speaking their congratulations at once. I placed Kagome down, though kept one hand on her continuously. The other came up to run itself through my bangs.

Over the heads of the council, I could see a couple of grinning advisers. Miroku jutted a thumbs-up at me, laughing when Sango also raised her own thumb up next to his.

I shook my head slightly.

A slight tug at my sleeve reminded me of the woman at my side.

"If I remember correctly, you have a family you should also be including in the celebrations." said Kagome, smiling sweetly up at me.

I nodded, anticipating bringing Shippou here to enjoy a better life.

Kagome relayed the message to the council, ordering for a carriage to be drawn up.

"I can't go with you, for there are preparations to take care of here." She took my hand in hers, her warmth encasing them. "But I look forward to meeting this kitsune of yours."

"He'll like you. I have no doubt about that." I said, speaking quietly as we departed from the crowd to exit the room.

"We shall see." She spoke, her voice calm.

I turned to face her, glancing each way down the hallway firstly before suddenly cupping her face in my hands.

"Are we technically engaged right now?" I asked bluntly.

The surprise was easily seen in her eyes. They widened, before crinkling slightly as she smiled.

"I suppose we are."

"Then no-one can get mad if I do this..." I pushed our mouths together, putting everything I was feeling- relief, anticipation, even a bit of confusion- into that one kiss. When I pulled back, Kagome was breathing heavily.

She gave a breathy smile, her face blushing beautifully.

"Go gather your things. I'll have them put away while your gone." She stood on her tiptoes to give me one chaste kiss.

"You'd better return soon." She added.

Shippou, upon seeing the carriage, had busted through the hut door to jump at my feet.

"Inuyasha!" He cried excitedly.

He scampered up my leg, quickly tucking himself on my shoulder.

"What're you doin' here in this thing?" He asked, eying the great carriage behind me.

Kaede waddled out of the hut, her one good eye widening as she caught me standing there.

"Well..." I stated awkwardly. I placed the kit back onto the ground, but made sure to keep eye contact with him. "I actually came to take you home."

"That's it?" He asked confused. He glanced up at the carriage once more. "That thing is taking us home?"

I chuckled to myself.

"Yes. To a bigger home. With the best food, and people for you to play with and learn from, and.." Shippou's face was bright with happiness, yet I felt my face soften slightly. "A woman who would gladly be your surrogate mother."

Shippou's face transformed into confusion.

"Wait... where are we going?" He asked slowly.

"The castle. Where else would I be taking you in this thing?" I twisted my head in the direction of the carriage.

He was quiet for a long time, seemingly taking in everything that had been said.

"You mean... you won?" He asked with hesitation.

"Of course I did, you brat." I said, rubbing my knuckles into his skull.

I heard Kaede gasp from above, but paid her no heed.

It took a moment, but Shippou finally managed to crack a smile.

"Is the Queen nice? Will she like me? Boy, I sure hope she likes my fox tricks.." He started to ramble, tacking things off on his small fingers. I turned him around, pushing him inside.

"Gather your things, Shippou. We leave today." I told him, my own smile breaking loose.

When the kitsune had departed us, Kaede shook her head.

"I haven't seen ye so carefree in all my years, Inuyasha." She stated firmly. Her eye appraised me, as she continued speaking. "I cannot believe... not that I doubted your abilities of course, but for her to choose a half-demon?"

She pursed her lips thoughtfully.

"I do believe you will be the first King of demon lineage. You will have many trials to face, I hope you know."

"Thanks for your congratulations." I sarcastically retorted. She shook her head with an amused smile.

"You deserve it." She said simply.

I smiled before pulling out a pouch of coins.

"Take this. For taking care of Shippou." I said, placing it in her palm. When she felt the full weight of it, her eye widened.

"My lord, this is most certainly more than-"

"Don't worry about it." I said. Shippou popped through the door, a bundle wrapped around his back, as his arms carried other amusements for himself.

"And I'll also make sure you have a personal invitation to the wedding and coronation of course." I said with a smirk.

Kaede raised a brow, but otherwise smiled at the comment.

"Luck be to ye!" She called as we gathered aboard the carriage.

Shippou's eyes grew wide as saucers when he hopped out of the carriage.

"Shippou, it's not like you've never seen this place." I murmured slightly, ruffling his hair. He bounded up onto my shoulder, his eyes still wide.

"But we weren't moving in then..." He said in a daze.

He peered at each little crevice as I wound my way through the courtyard.

Miroku met me at the entrance, his trusty notepad in hand.

He gave a slight, almost mocking bow.

"His majestyyy..." He drew out the word in a grating tone.

I cringed. "Please, don't call me that."

Miroku laughed.

"You're going to have to get used to it."

I shook my head.

"I forever give you permission to speak to me casually, unless formalities are absolutely needed." I said sarcastically, though I realized I meant what I said. "Besides, I'm not even King yet.." I said. I felt nerves pool throughout my body.

"True true." He said, turning. He beckoned with his hand, assumedly directing us to our room.

I was surprised when we took a turn away from the living quarters.

"Miroku, where are we going?" I asked, confused.

He shook his head as he continued to lead us on.

I was surprised when he led us to the ballroom, the doors wide open. He gestured us inside, smiling a bit.

Kagome whirled around when Miroku called out to her. Quickly she dismissed the woman in front of her, smiling gently, before rushing over to us.

"Evening." She said easily, my eyes taking all of her in.

"Kagome, this is Shippou." I said, tweaking one of Shippou's feet. He hopped off my shoulder, giving a clumsy bow. I could smell his nerves, as he stayed bent.

"Why, hello." She said, bending down to eye level with the kit. "I hope you'll enjoy living here Shippou. I'm Kagome." Shippou looked at a loss to do, but his next words caused me to flush.

"Are you gonna marry Inuyasha?" He asked bluntly.

Kagome chuckled, and I noticed her head glance up towards mine, though I worked to dutifully ignore the exchange.

"Yes, I suppose I am. Is that okay?" She asked carefully.

"Inuyasha needs a good woman. I say go for it." He stated simply. I felt my face darkening.

"Alright kid.." I grumbled out, but his next question stopped us all.

"But does that mean you'd be my mom?" What was it with kids and being able to speak so freely?

Kagome looked at a loss, her mouth parted in surprise. She glanced up at me, but I was too busy staring at the kit at my feet.

Kagome finally smiled, hesitantly laying a comforting hand on Shippou's head. He didn't shift out from underneath it, instead taking a small step closer.

"I don't have any practice at being a mother, so I don't know if I'm any good." she ruffled his hair kindheartedly. "But I suppose that if you can help me learn, I'll do my best for you."

Shippou smiled wide, bearing all his fangs as he did. Kagome didn't shy away, but instead smiled herself. Shippou quickly ran forward, curling himself in her lap.

"Ah, Shippou.." I stated, feeling embarrassed by his brash manners, but Kagome shook her head at me.

"It's perfectly fine." She said, coddling the child to her chest. He soaked it up, and I felt myself sigh.

'One more crisis averted.'

-one week later-

"This is weird." I commented offhandedly, peering at the rich robes adorning my body. They were thick and white, covered in gold embellishments that would make a slight tinkling sound as I walked.

"Bad weird?" Kagome asked, helping me remove the top layers of robes.

"Nah.. Just different." I replied, sliding my hair out of the holder it had been secured in for the ceremonies. 'A wedding and a coronation all in one day.' Even my demon body was tired from all the festivities.

Kagome's fingers immediately embedded themselves in the silver locks, chuckling when my ears twitched with the touch. I reached above my head to grab her wrists, and drug her around in front of me, purposely tripping her to fall into my lap.

"What was that for?" She said, attempting to right herself. I smirked, simply leaning down to nuzzle her beneath her ear.

"Just getting more of you." I inhaled deeply. "Though I doubt I'll ever have enough, my Queen."

Kagome smirked, attempting to face me directly.

"Well, my King, we shall have to try to find a remedy to that, won't we?" She lifted her hand towards my face, tracing my jaw line. I smiled, leaning forward, capturing her lips quickly. My hands immediately went to her waist, which I pulled forward, smiling against her mouth when her arms wrapped around my neck to curl her fingers in my hair.

She parted from me, minutes later, a bit breathless and flushed.

"Since it's my first day as King, do I get any special requests?" I teased, reaching my hands up to wrap around her ebony locks.

"Depends. What requests?" She smiled suggestively, and I grinned, though feigned contemplation for her amusement.

"That with this new life, you will always be by my side." I pulled her down so our foreheads were touching. "That we will work together through any problems, that you will keep me calm, that I will be there for you, that we can raise Shippou, and any other children we might have..." I smiled at that particular thought, peering downward at the white wedding kimono Kagome had been placed in.

"That we will be happy." I said, raising my eyes to Kagome's.

She smiled, before leaning even closer, till our noses touched. Her eyes bore into mine, and I felt myself soaring.

"Wish granted."

Fin.