Chapter Forty-Two: Royalty Amongst the Dead

"Compromise used to mean that half a loaf was better than no bread. Among modern statesmen it really seems to mean that half a loaf is better than a whole loaf."

-G.K. Chesterton

"Kagome..." He already had the idea he wouldn't be able to change her mind, but it was something that would have to be dealt with in the next twenty minutes before the engagement was announced. She had a horrible sense of when to decide on something she had to have. "come on."

He began walking quickly toward the building, though she had to shuffle like mad in her kimono to keep up with his faster gait he didn't seem to be concerned with that at the moment. He paused just inside the door to lean down to one of the servants there and whisper.

Kagome raised a brow at the frightened look that appeared on the man's face before Byakuya nodded at him solemnly and moved to one side of the doors to stand. The guy only watched a moment before dashing deeper into the grand buildings halls.

"What did you say to him?" Kagome had to admit she was a little curious, she felt a tinge of guilt for the man. "Am I being selfish? No. I deserve to have my family, my friends, there. It's -my- wedding. I have to stand firm."

"I let him know to bring the prince immediately. He is the one that is officially in charge of the arrangement." Byakuya replied softly, keeping his voice low given that passerby that were still arriving were glancing at them as they moved past inside. "Do not speak to him under any circumstance. Keep your eyes down and just wait, this man will not hesitate to kill those that aggravate him."

Kagome started to understand the earlier horror on the servants face, he had been the messenger of bad news to the devil according to that description. She nodded that she understood and when she realized someone was approaching and Byakuya moved her behind him she sent her eyes to the floor instantly.

"Captain Kuchiki." The voice was a rich fluid timbre, obviously male though somehow soft spoken and naturally polite. "What problem could there possibly be at the moment? If the lady isn't feeling well she is welcome to rest in one of the side rooms. I understand if it is all a bit much for her."

"Insensitive jerk." Kagome thought reflexively at his attitude, her body stiffening. "-THIS- wouldn't be happening if you could butt your nose out of -my- life."

She couldn't see him but she could tell he wore a white version of the black robes the rest of the soul reapers wore and he had a tunic similar to the ones the captains did but it was black instead. The invert of the people that royalty would consider commoners. She wouldn't look up to see the rest of him.

"That is not the issue your highness." Byakuya replied cooly, he was also polite but his mannerisms were a practiced and cold perfect. "Kagome has decided that she does have a single request if she is to agree to our union."

"Oh?" The man sounded amused, it was like music had decided to dance when he spoke. "What a shrewd diplomat to wait until things are so late to decide to make demands. What is this single request?"

She could feel his gaze even without looking, he was considering her carefully. The carpet was a pretty deep red with gold spiral patterns worked into it, Kagome was doing her best to appreciate it.

"There is much she is still learning." Byakuya explained with his usual dutiful attitude. "She believed she still had until the event to make her own desires known."

"Good then that she said something now?" The man seemed skeptical but didn't press, he didn't sound angry, he didn't sound bothered at all. His soft singing voice seemed a warm and kind opposite to Byakuya's cold demeanor. "She reacts well, you have been doing well to teach her so much so fast. It is a pity that so many view your house with such shame, hopefully this will change that mmm? What is her request?"

The gold looked a little like branches and leaves sometimes, but in a abstract way. Kagome was doing her best to pick out details and make observations, fighting against her curiosity to look at the man who seemed to be singing to her when he spoke.

"She wishes for the wedding to take place in her own world...so she will be able to have her family and friends there." Byakuya said, though even he seemed somehow doubtful and Kagome couldn't help but frown, her hands curling a little in her sleeves.

"The mortal realm? You would have told her that such a request was impossible, too dangerous." The man was making a statement, not asking a question. "So then girl, is this your way of attempting to defy us at the last moment I wonder. I can't agree to such a request."

"Then I won't marry Byakuya...or anyone else." Byakuya reached back and grabbed her hand to keep her from saying anything further, but she'd already started. "I don't care who you are in this world...prince, king, whatever...I won't do it."

"Kagome..." Byakuya started to say but the other man gestured to him and he fell silent.

"Fascinating creature...she isn't trembling because of me..." It was if he was realizing something that should have been obvious for the first time. "Girl, look at me."

Byakuya wanted to speak up, to intervene, but he'd already been gestured to be silent. He had to hope things would turn out for the best, though he was already prepared to draw Senbonzakura if any threatening moves were made at Kagome.

Kagome gasped out loud when she looked up.

The prince couldn't have been much older than her by his young face, golden hair fell from his head, glinting in the lights above it and seeming almost to shine. He was pale but not sickly in complexation, not a line or blemish on a perfectly elfish face. It was his eyes that trapped her though, a storm raged behind them, a moving churning gray that flashed with lightning now and again. He was downright surreal, he couldn't have come from anything imagined by the human mind and done it justice.

It was frightening and enticing, the air around him seemed alive with a static that didn't effect him directly. She had the urge to reach out and touch him just to see if he was real, though she forced it down with a swallow, the fear that had grasped her earlier returned with sharper claws. Just looking at him she had no doubt he could have ended her without an effort at all. "Is this is what it means to be royalty amongst the dead?"

"Nothing." He laughed at some joke Kagome didn't quite get, while Byakuya was also watching her with a little surprise. "You are quite the creature aren't you young Priestess. Not so much as a shiver. You stand well next to your convictions, however strange they might be. I will grant your request on a condition of my own."

Byakuya fought back the frown, keeping his usual expression.

Kagome nodded slowly, it took her a moment to form even the short reply. "Ask, your hig...highness."

He smiled in a way that seemed both mischievous and impish, a cherub and demon mixed into one. "I would like a kiss."

"Your highness, that is both inappropriate and dangerous." Byakuya interrupted, stepping between them again, fingers twitching with the urge to draw his blade. "It is unkind of you to play with her emotions like that."

Kagome was watching now, she'd already looked at him and protested pretty rudely for a commoner so it seemed silly to go back to critiquing the carpets now. He'd raised a golden brow to Byakuya stepping between them, he seemed suddenly older then. Ages older than Kagome had first thought, there was a knowledge behind those eyes and wisdom well beyond that of a teenager.

Then he outright ignored Byakuya's step and looked back at Kagome, the smile back at once. "It does not have to be on the lips dear girl. I agree that would be inappropriate, but I would like to you to kiss my cheek or hand. It is up to you."

"If I kiss your cheek...you'll let me have the ceremony where my friends and family can come?" Kagome asked, brows furrowed, it was confusing, it seemed too easy. Byakuya wasn't moving or offering her any further advice though. "Okay."

"Good." He smiled in a suddenly delighted way, and it helped to calm Kagome's wildly pounding heart. She was confused and nervous for certain. "Byakuya, be a dear and step back to your place."

"I'm in my place." Byakuya replied icily, still standing between them. His hand had settled on the hilt of his blade, at least there were no direct guards there to see the offensive breach of etiquette.

"Don't." Kagome frowned and pulled his arm down. "What are you doing? You say I have bad manners! Look at you."

"It's like Inuyasha all over again...what the hell got into him?" Kagome frowned as she stepped from around him. "It's okay. I want to be able to go home."

"You don't understand." Byakuya started to reply but then closed his mouth as the Prince gestured him silent again.

"Byakuya, you used to be such a good boy." The Prince observed, still seeming amused like the whole thing was a personal joke. "If I didn't know better I'd say your actions were because you love the young Priestness."

Byakuya remained quiet, looking out a nearby window. Tone perfect, neutral, back to it's uncaring mask in an instant. "Do it if you are going to."

Kagome was still watching the captain to which she was betrothed though. "Could he be right? Does Byakuya really have feelings for me? It seemed like jealousy just then..."is the prince right?

When she glanced to look at the Prince again she ended up jumping back, he'd moved right next to her and she hadn't heard a sound, she still hadn't gotten used to Byakuya doing that...this guy freaked her out worse. He chuckled at her animated reply. "You certainly are an interesting creature if you could melt an iceburg in such a short time."

"I...don't know what you mean." Kagome managed, it was sort of hard to speak to him directly. "I'm not anybody...I don't even know why you want me here so much. I can't even cast a spell without setting something on fire."

"I heard about that. Captain Kuchiki's library if the report was correct." He seemed as if the whole conversation was the most fun he'd had in years. "You aren't worried about why he's so quick to jump to your aid in a situation so mundane?"

"If you wanted to kill me you would have done it already." Kagome reasoned. "It seems wrong if I can't have my family there. I'm not trying to be disrespectful to you, or to Byakuya. I can suffer through whatever else for what I want though. If I'm going to be a part of all of this I think my family deserves a chance to experience even a small aspect of it. To meet or see the people that will become a part of my life."

"You speak your heart openly young Priestess." He commented. "It is refreshing. I will allow you to have the ceremony in your world, at least in the part you are considering. We will need to move the announcement date back a week but that will leave the nobles something to scramble and keep busy with."

He started to walk away and Kagome blinked after him. "What about the kiss."

He'd glance over a shoulder, stormy gaze flickering with eternal lightning. "I never said it had to be now. If you two don't hurry along then I'll never be able to steal a dance later. Make your decision after Byakuya has told you what it means. When you announce the date I'll know."

His musical voice laughed as he disappeared back into a pair of double doors that seemed to have most of the people assembled for the event.

"Kagome..." Byakuya sighed at her reckless manner. Amazed that she'd agreed without knowing and that he had spared her the pain of his dark lips for whatever reason. "You can't agree to something without knowing what you are agreeing to..."

"It's okay." She smiled at him in reply. "I think I'll be okay...whatever it is he can't do worse than Naraku has done to me. Does something special happen?"

"The royalty has certain...gifts that allow them to function as such." Byakuya answered, still unhappy with her agreeing. "Anyone that willingly defers to them in such a manner becomes similar to a servant. Any orders they give can only be resisted through great force of will after that, and with a great amount of agony."

She blinked a little in shock at him...hadn't he just stepped between them? Had it hurt him? She frowned as she watched his perfect demeanor. "That...is sort of insane. But, couldn't he just make me do anything anyway? He didn't even half to let you tell me. I think it'll be fine."

"I think you have the definition of insanity backwards." Byakuya commented at the way she shrugged off what he was telling her. "If this is your decision I'll abide by it. Though I don't approve."

"It'll be fine." Kagome repeated. "Let's go."

She had gotten something she'd really wanted, so the fear should have been dying down, but when they walked into the crowd of nearly all perfect beautiful people she wanted to run away again. She didn't go through with that urge because Byakuya had his arm around hers properly instead walking inside with him and continuing to wish she could make a mad dash for the doors.

Everyone was so much more beautiful than her. The place was filled with tables of magnificent creatures. All but one table of folks that seemed to be somewhat normal people, captains and other soul reaper soldiers. Ukitake, Kyoraku, Unohana and their lieutenants as well as Renji were seated at a table together, though Rukia was at a table with a lot of the perfect sorts and Byakuya's grandfather.

The Prince had been given a totally separated table at the opposite end of the room from where Kagome and Byakuya were suppose to share one together on a dias a little higher than the rest of the seating area. Kagome was so glad that the make up was very thick, but starting to worry her intense blushing was going to melt it if people didn't stop staring at her.

Once they'd gotten to their seats, Byakuya leaned over to whisper to one of the attendants and they nodded, scurrying off toward a side door as the captain helped Kagome sit. Though he didn't follow suit, speaking loud enough to be heard by the room yet raising his voice just enough to do that.

"We would like to thank you all for attending our celebratory announcement of the wedding. Things are a little more rushed than usual and for that we apologize." He didn't sound sorry, he didn't sound happy, nothing, his usual lack of emotion was in complete control. "In two weeks time our ceremony will be progressing in the mortal realm."

Kagome didn't look at the crowd, she was busy trying to pretend she wasn't sitting in front of a complete room of sculpted supernatural beauties as a lowly commoner. She felt inadequate compared to all the other elegant women sitting in the crowd, like it was somehow insulting that with all the beautiful people he could have by his side he had mundane Kagome.

A range of whispers burst out in the room at the comment about the 'mortal realm' she was glad she couldn't make out any specifics. She didn't really want to know what insults were probably being tossed right now.

When Byakuya cleared his throat the room went quiet again and he continued. "We do not have exact details at this time but they will be sent to you when they are available. Please enjoy a meal and evening with us."

It all seemed way -to- formal to be something they were actually celebrating. Low voiced conversations begin to break out again after Byakuya had taken his seat and the servants began to carry in plates for the dinner.

Kagome waited until it seemed like most of the room was distracted to chance a look. She recognized the girl they had seen at the spa and what was likely part of her family at one of the many tables though she wasn't looking at them. There were a few women here and there that would send her dark glances now and again and it wasn't long before she went to just looking at the nicely set table in front of her.

"Don't let them bother you Kagome." Byakuya didn't speak as loud as usual, lowering his voice just a little so it would be more difficult for any would-be eavesdroppers. "Many of the women are simply jealous."

"Of me?" Kagome looked up at Byakuya in a skeptical way but as she met his slate eyes, and looked carefully at his handsome features she knew why. "Oh. I stole you away."

"That is likely a part of it." He commented as the food was delivered. "This isn't as formal as the actual event normally tends to be but I figure you just arranged to destroy common wedding procedures. I'm not sure how we will manage a wedding in your world, don't such things normally require a lot more notice."

"Yeah." Kagome blinked some as she thought about that. Though having a new topic to stress over helped her forget the crowd she was already nervous about. "Oh man...I'll have so much I'll have to do...mom and grandpa are going to flip out completely..."

"It will all be managed." Byakuya said simply with a shrug. He wasn't bothered by the change of events, it was the girls wedding and she deserved to have her family there if it was the one thing she desired out of the whole debacle.

He still didn't want to give in and marry the girl but Kagome would be angry with him if he walked away from it all now. With Aizen remaining well shielded that option to freedom was lost to them, not that he had nearly the amount of followers given their consistent deaths sense the war had ended.

The party went without much incident, there was some dancing but it was all very formal. Byakuya didn't apparently like to dance and Kagome was too worried she'd trip over feet to get up herself so they both just sat at their table through the night's events - which lasted entirely too long for either of the pairs tastes.

Kagome was just glad to be back in her room and de-makeup-ed so she could crawl into her bed and sleep just when the sun was beginning to rise. Muttering to herself as she drifted off. "I'll have to ask about formal dance lessons."

ooooo ooooo ooooo ooooo ooooo ooooo ooooo

It seemed as if something wasn't right.

Yet, the gathering was festive, formal, most of the people seemed to be smiling. Grandpa and Souta were arguing over if he should be able to have a little sake and Mom was blushing at the advances of the white haired captain that usually seemed ill. Byakuya and I were heading out to dance, I figured he would make a complete fool of me.

Some of the other people I'd seen but didn't recognize were already on the floor, a few more drunk than others though the night still seemed as if it were young. The moon shining down on the open area, it's silver light mixed with the yellow glow of the florescent bulbs hanging along the edges of the dance floor.

Then at the edge of the woods near the clearing where the event was taking place I saw the Prince, he wasn't suppose to get to close to the normal mortals or his presence would scare them...then I saw the sword burst through his chest from behind him. A brunette man with short hair sporting a wicked grin as he cut through the royal without mercy, a burst of dark light enveloping the whole party as people began to turn to dust around us.

Kagome burst up from her bed screaming at the nightmare, falling to the floor in a tangle of sheets, blankets, and her limbs.

End Chapter

I have a fasciation with gold hair, I'm not sure why, it's smexy though! Hope folks like the Prince. I was fighting over where to introduce him for a while now. Be curious about what he can do I suppose, you won't find out just yet. I'm surprised at how little I get comments for all the people I know that read this. Shame on you non reviewers!

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Slee72 - Yeah, Rukia didn't really help alleviate any fear.

Ayjah - Sometimes it gets her into trouble. Like now.

Evil RULZ & Lovelywitch - I agree, and Sesshy might be there... ~.~?