Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.
The maids tittered and Kagome took the time to scratch at the itch in her tightly wound hair. The woman, using demon speed, smacked her fan into Kagome's hand to stop her from bumping her hairstyle. She sat patiently and prayed revenge on Sesshoamru for letting his stupid maids fix her up.
From across the room, she could hear Sango yelling and throwing things at anyone who tried to brush her hair. When three woman held her down, one quickly pinned back her thick brown locks into a pretty braid. The woman was sulking in her chair and only smiled when Kagome made a bad interpretation of the head maid.
When both woman made their way to the main dinning hall, they were stopped by the stylist who demanded for them to wait.
"Why? Food is being served soon." Sango explained before rubbing at the dress she wore. The fabric was thick and covered all of her flesh but the tightness gave glimpses off her slim form underneath. Kagome thought the monk would freak when she walked in the room.
"We did the best we could on your hair because you are guests of the West. All of the noble woman will be flocking in early to catch the seats closest to the available young men. The key to catching men if for them to notice you first." The older youki painted her nails and blew on them before uncovering a basket and handing out platters. The maids were to be tonight's servers.
"So you're saying you want us to become the West's sex symbols?" Kagome questioned, planting her hands on her hips and causing her doll-like appearance to shatter.
"Nothing of the sort!" She hissed, pulling out a stack of cards and placing them on the table. A few of he girls were given hands of cards and while one group talked, they played. "But if you are you be beneficial, we must show them that human woman are just as refined as those of youki royalty."
"That makes sense." Sango muttered and tried to loosen the ties around her waist but soon gave up. After less then a half hour, both girls were straitened and padded off to get rid of any creases in their outfits.
The maids all had left to begin serving but the elderly woman lead them both down hallway after hallway until the main corridor came into view. Together, the two woman padded quietly over to the open door.
All chatter stopped. Men and woman all fell silent to watch the two descend the stairs. Their eyes followed their path to their seat. Kagome could feel her temple throbbing but when words left her mouth, they were gentle and kind.
"Please, don't mind us! A simple error with our outfits." The whole banquet laughed and Sango watched with wide eyes as Kagome stole the show. They sat at the far end of the table.
The noble woman from all across the land had come to the dinner in hopes of snagging a mate, but were angry at the little human woman who had attracted every lustful eye. A few tried to act the part, fluttering their fans and responding to idle chatter with witty remarks only to be sneered at.
Kagome caught Sesshoamru's figure and noticed that he was conversing with the woman from earlier. She could feel her throat constriction and tried to hide it by patting her painted lips with her napkin and excusing herself. As she exited, she glanced up and caught his eye. He was following her progress with his pupils and she turned her head to brake the connection.
Sesshoamru had been throwing glances at her throughout the night, and the youki chatting incessantly at his side wasn't making matters better. His mother was in her corner negotiating with a lower noble over something or other. He wondered what he would do when his mother died and took her unmatched compromising skills with her.
When he looked back to Kagome, she had stood and her mouth was turned down in a frown. She stumbled a bit and he wondered if she had been drinking. Quite a few men offered to escort her to her room. The woman glanced over her shoulder to Kagome and quickly grabbed his hand to bring his attention back to her. She pressed her chest to the table and mentioned a sister and step-mother. He ignored her and muttered a simple good-bye.
She growled angrily when he walked away. Her eyes traveled around the room for the pair, but the band had arrived and the dancing had commenced. The convivial mood made her sick and she grabbed a glass of liquor from a server before grabbing her bra and yanking it up to go along with the shining smile on her lips. She joined the throngs of people flocking to the dance floor.
TUH
"Miko." He said and she gasped when her nickname was called and she spun around and he could see the cross look on her face. She grabbed a shoe from her foot and threw it at him. He dodged it easily and then stared at her like she was insane.
"Why did you have to sleep with her?" She called, her frustrated sigh making him wonder how much she'd had to drink. When he voiced his question, her displeasure increased and she threw her other shoe. This one he caught. "I had this nice little fantasy where you were a knight in shinning armor but really you're a pig!"
"I do not know why a time of day would be equipped in battle gear nor why you would think I'm a boar youki." He was growing more and more frustrated with every word she muttered. "Is your irrational behavior to be blamed on your moon cycle?"
"Damn you!" She called and he grew worried the whole party would hear. He walked forward and she yelped when she was thrown over his shoulder and marched down the hall. She pounded on his back but he remained resolute. "I always thought your hair was pretty."
She ran her hands through the few strands left out of his braid. He wondered how her mood changed so quickly but enjoyed the sensation and let her continue. He knew her room would be completely out of the question. Many males would take advantage of a drunken woman so he pushed the door to his quarters open and walked through the rooms to the bed.
"This isn't my room." She observed, rubbing her eyes like it was just an illusion. When he went to place her on the bed, she clung to him like a child, her hands intertwined in his hair. "I had a dream like this once."
"Really miko?" He asked, no really listening and more focused on his efforts of laying her down without tearing his hair from his head. "Did I kill you?"
"Nope." She muttered and ran a hand over the silken sheets of the bed. With one hand free, the other untangled easily. She sprawled across the bed and when he thought she was asleep, he started to leave. As he was about to exit the bedroom, her voice caught him. "You were my first smutty dream."
"Really?" He laughed and she laughed with him. He felt his feet become rooted to the spot and he looked back over his shoulder at her. "Sadly, you are much to young to be mine."
"Goodness, was that a joke? There is hope for you yet!" She called, waving her hands a few times before she wore herself out and fell asleep. He was not looking forward to going back to the party and was saved by the appearance of his mother outside his residence.
"Mother?" She clutched a saki bottle but her eyes reveled how not intoxicated she really was. She smiled and tried to look past her son into the room bit was blocked by his large chest.
"You, my son, are no fun." She muttered, and ran a hand over the door her mate had made for their mating. She sighed, taking a drink and turning around, like she had somehow accomplished what she had wanted to. He waited for her to explain but she was almost gone when she spoke. "Oh, and I covered for you and Kagome. Make sure the only trouble she gets into is yours."
She laughed at her own joke and strutted back into the party.
TUH
"Yuzuki!" Her group raced to help her and stopped short when a dragon stood next to her. They all placed a hand on their weapons and only stopped when Yuzuki smiled and introduced him. The watched him with suspicious looks.
Cho made sassy remarks and now donned a long gut scar. She showed Yuzuki with pride and told her while it wasn't deep and healed quickly, it would scar. She had taken to leaving her over shirt off so her stomach was showing. Katsuo tried flirting with Ryutaro to which the innocent dragon blushed at. Both the twins showed him all their magic tricks and grew frustrated when he figured them all out.
She noticed all of their stances gradually loosen and once they were more familiar with their dragon guest, she planed on dropping the information bomb. When a comfortable silence overcame the circle, she took the chance.
"Change of plans." Her spit was done roasting and they all stilled with their movements to listen. "We are going to lead he dragon refugees back to the West."
Everyone stared at her with a wide mouth. Even Ryutaro who had heard it the first time. He had just assumed she would not keep her end of the deal and just return him to his people only to kill them all.
"That's a few hundred people Yuzuki! Where would you house them?" Kazuki asked, his owlish eyes always thinking of a flaw. She just nodded and thought about it for a second.
"The Abandoned." When they all gasped, Ryutaro leaned forward and asked exactly what that was, to which they all gasped again. "The Abandoned it a large village that borders the West and the North. When the recent Lord went to build his palace, he let loose hundreds of pounds of rubble that destroyed the village at the mountain side."
"We dragons prefer rocks to wood but good luck convincing my people of that. If you think they will go anywhere with the granddaughter of the dog demon that killed my grandfather and their leader, you're sorely mistaken."
"I think you'll have the chance to ask. An army approaching from the East." Takeshi muttered, pulling his sword and letting his lips peel back from his fangs. Cho stood and pressed her shoulder to Katsuo who hefted an axe. Kazuki raised whips and cocked an ear to listen.
When the lines of soldiers came pounding across the canyon floor, their echoes bounded off tall walls. Just as Yuzuki was about to pull her swords, a hand slipped around her waist and Ryutaro yanked his blade from her belt. He raced at the oncoming men and waved franticly. They stopped and their battle cry seemed to become a confused whine. He seemed to be trying to explain something to them and Yuzuki quickly ordered her team to stand down. They lowered their weapons immediately, placing their trust in their leader.
"Talk to her!" Ryutaro pleaded with the men, throwing his arms out in exasperation. The leader of the band came forward and Yuzuki walked forward to meet him. They both stopped less then a few feet apart and bowed to each other.
"My name is Yuzuki." She introduced and then gestured him to do the same. He sheathed his sword and she mimicked his action. He raised an eyebrow at her courteous manners.
"I'm the leader of this group. That is all." He said curtly. "All I wish to know is if you are truly the heir from the future and if you are truthful about wanting to help our cause."
"Well considering I'm pretty sure your cause is murdering my father for some kinda Devine retribution, I can't help with that, but I do want to offer you a place were you can live freely."
"Why?" His eyes showed the distrust and she realized she would have to earn these men's trust. She stepped forward and he bristled, as if preparing for attack. Instead, she lay down arms and kneeled on the grass. She sat with her legs under her and her back strait. Even with her eyes closed, she could feel the open mouths that surrounded her.
"Please do not kneel to me, my Lady, it makes me feel as if I am dishonoring you." He went to grab her arm but she knocked it away and patted the spot next to her.
"Not in the least. I kneel not for one man but for all and if we wish to resolve this peacefully, why not start by showing a little humility?" She said and he was taken back for a few seconds. He looked behind him at Ryutaro. His eyes were steady and he nodded once.
The unnamed man kneeled as well and Ryutaro followed shortly after. Yuzuki's Cavalry smiled at her before following her example. Witnessing the unthinkable, the dragons watched with unbelieving eyes at the woman crouched on the ground.
One walked forward and stopped when she cracked an eye. He waited for a few seconds before puffing out his chest and strutting forward. She smiled and opened the other eye when he got within talking distance.
"I will come." He saluted and now it was Yuzuki's turn to be surprised. When she looked behind the boy, her eyes went wide at the solders, who only minutes ago were ready to tear her limb from limb, now raising their hands to their hearts in a gesture of respect.
She stood and returned it.
Not completely happy with this chapter.