Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Inuyasha or the plot of Pride and Prejudice
The Higurashi household was taking breakfast when Mrs Hill the housekeeper came in to deliver a letter to Miss Sango. She thanked her and frowned down at the letter.
"I hope it is not from Mr Miroku!" exclaimed Kagome.
"If it is you must tear it up straight away!" agreed Mrs Higurashi.
"Maybe he wants to apologise," suggested Rin hopefully, earning a fond smile from her Grandfather.
Sango opened the letter and scanned the contents, the whole room waiting in interest.
"It is from Miss Kikyo," Sango informed them with relief. "She apologises for her brother's behaviour, and invites me to dine with them tonight at Netherfield."
"She is such a kind, gentle woman!" exclaimed Kagome. "I am exceedingly jealous!"
"I had much rather you come with me Kagome, you know that."
"Yes, but since she asked you so particularly it would be improper. She must wish to further make your acquaintance, which would be difficult with me there chattering away the whole time!" said Kagome, giggled.
"You are too harsh on yourself, sister!" Sango laughed.
"I hate to interrupt, but I'm afraid the carriage is in a state of disrepair and will not be fixed until the morrow," said Grandpa.
"Hmm, and it looks like rain too," added Mrs Higurashi, looking dejectedly out the window.
"It is no matter, I will go on Nelly," insisted Sango.
"But, my dear, it will not do..."
"It will do very well, mother," interrupted Sango stubbornly. "It would be rude of me to decline this invitation over something so slight as the possibility of rain."
Her mother and grandfather smiled wearily and shook their heads.
And so it was that Sango approached Netherfield soaking wet and freezing to death, her numb fingers gripping Nelly's mane for dear life. Miss Kikyo received her at the door.
"Oh! My dear Miss Sango! Somebody fetch a towel!"
After her coat had been taken and a towel wrapped about her shoulders, Sango was ushered through to the dining room. She curtseyed and was met with bows, curtseys and a startled look from Mrs Naraku.
"Good heavens, dear! Does your father not own a carriage?"
Sango blushed and corrected her as they all sat down to dinner. As dinner progressed and Mrs Naraku interrogated her on her family background, Sango began to lose concentration and feel weaker and weaker. Finally her head collapsed onto her hand in a slight faint. Mr Miroku, who had been watching her, jumped up in concern and Kikyo called for assistance. Sango was conveyed to a spare room and a doctor was sent for.
The next day Kagome marched over the fields separating Longbourn and Netherfield, anxious to see her sick sister. She paid no heed to the wisps of hair escaping from her hairdo or the mud that was caking her boots and petticoat. She was nearing the house when she crossed paths with none other than Mr Inuyasha.
"Mr Inuyasha," she greeted him, curtseying coldly.
"Miss Kagome," he replied, reddening slightly and bowing.
"I am come to enquire after my sister. Would you be so kind as to take me to her?"
Inuyasha nodded and offered her his arm, which she politely took, though she was very glad to part from him at the door to Sango's room.
"Oh, Sango!" exclaimed Kagome. "What a sorry sight you are!"
Sango smiled weakly up at her.
"I'm sorry, sister," she whispered.
"Well, I suppose it can't be helped," said Kagome, eyebrows raised sternly. "I shall have to endure Mr Inuyasha's company until you are better."
"There's no call for that," Sango protested half-heartedly, knowing there was no use in arguing. "So you have met him on your way here?"
"Yes, he conducted me right up to this door and did not speak a word!"
This caused Sango to smile and laugh a little.
"Perhaps he is embarrassed," she suggested.
"And so he ought to be..."
Kagome was cut off by a knock on the door. Miss Kikyo came in, greeted Kagome warmly and insisted that she stay until Sango was recovered. For the next few days they attended to Sango together. Whenever Kagome was obliged to socialise with the rest of the household she was constantly attacked by Mrs Naraku's snide comments, ignored by Lord Sesshoumaru and inundated and irritated by Miroku's enquiries after Sango's health. Mr Inuyasha said nothing but she often caught him looking her way. All in all, she was frustrated beyond measure by the time Sango was well enough to return home.
As the carriage drew away to take them home Kagome waved to Miss Kikyo and sat back in her seat with evident relief.
"I'm sorry to say, Sango, that, notwithstanding the excellent Miss Kikyo, I have never been so happy to leave a place in my life!"
Sango merely laughed and looked out the window, lost in her own thoughts.