[Hey guys! I don't have any more homework for the school year, so hopefully I can update more often. On that happy note, please review and enjoy!]
After breakfast Kagome was sent back to her room. She had a small while before she had to go to the gardens, and she decided to slip out to the balcony. Sango was cleaning, and she had nothing to do, so she sat out on her little cushion on the balcony. She steepled her fingers on the table and looked out onto the horizon. It was late spring, and she shivered slightly at the cold air.
"Lady Kagome?"
She turned to see Sango in the doorway.
"Yes Sango-chan?"
"It is time to get ready."
"Alright."
The little girl stood up and went in, her bare feet making little sound on the cold floors.
"Do you think you could dress me warmly, Sango-chan?"
The elder girl nodded and began her work.
When Sango finished, Kagome was dressed in a few more layers of kimonos, and she had a light cloak over them to protect from the cold. The outermost kimono and the cloak dragged on the ground behind her, giving her a slightly elegant look, and her makeup was slightly heavier than before. Sango had allowed her hair to fall in waves down her back, and it was untouched. She had thin woven gloves over her hands to keep her warm, and she looked as warm as she could have been.
"Kagome-sama?"
Miroku knocked on the door.
"I'm ready Miroku-kun!"
"Very good. After you my lady," he said as he moved aside for her.
She stepped out the sliding door, gazing in awe at the garden. It was filled with flowers, elegantly arranged to form shapes and patterns. There were cherry trees all around, filling the air with the sweet smell of the blossoms. Each time the wind blew, blossoms flew with it, and the effect coming together beautifully, to form something indescribably wondrous.
She tore her eyes from the garden when she heard the door slide open behind her. She turned to see Sesshomaru, and she bowed silently.
"I take it the garden is to your liking?"
"It is beautiful Sesshomaru-sama."
He nodded in agreement.
"I suppose I should say hello properly. I'm Kagome Higurashi, though I'm sure you already know that."
She glanced up at the eleven year old in front of her, and thought she saw a spark of amusement in his eyes.
"Perhaps you would appreciate a tour."
"Oh, yes please! I get lost so easily."
He chuckled, "Follow me."
By the time he had completed the tour, it was time for her lessons. She called a hasty goodbye to him as Miroku rushed her to the lessons she was running late for.
"Miroku-kun, why didn't you tell me how beautiful the gardens were?"
He chuckled, "It was a surprise my lady."
She stuck out her lip for a moment, then grinned once more.
Sango opened the door just as Miroku reached for it.
"Miroku! How could you make Kagome-sama so late?!"
"I didn't I-"
"Don't bother," she said, guiding Kagome inside and slamming the door behind her.
"The nerve of that man."
Kagome giggled.
"Alright Kagome-sama, let us begin your lessons."
When her lessons finished, she had the promised time to herself. The only problem? There was nothing to do! She paced the room a bit, played pretend on the balcony, and even tried to nap, something she absolutely hated, but she couldn't find any way to occupy herself.
"Sango-chan?" she asked after a while.
"Yes Kagome-sama?"
"Would it be proper for me to visit Lady Izayoi?"
"Oh? Hmm. I suppose so, as long as you don't barge in or anything."
The girl nodded.
"I'll be going then."
Her hand maiden nodded absently, focused on her cleaning.
Kagome opened the door to find Miroku outside.
"Miroku-kun? Can you please walk me over to Lady Izayoi's room."
The guard nodded, "This way my lady."
She skipped along happily, having removed many of her previous kimonos in the heat of the castle.
When they reached Izayoi's room, she lifted her voice slightly.
"Permission to enter, Izayoi-sama?"
She heard the Western Lady's clear voice reply, "Granted."
She opened the door, walking in and bowing politely.
"Yes?" the woman smiled down at her.
"Do you think, my lady, that I could play a game of Shogi with you? My mother used to always play with me."
"Of course," the Lady replied, "We'll have something more fun for you to do once you're settled in, but for now, Shogi it is."
"Thank you very much Izayoi-sama!"
"You're very welcome, my dear."
When Izayoi, inevitably, had work to do, Kagome returned to her room, but had been allowed to bring the Shogi board with her. Miroku played with her, responding to Sango's protests with, "It's much easier to guard her if I'm in the same room."
"Miroku-kun?" she asked after a few hours, "How much longer until dinner."
"Ten minutes."
"WHAT?!" Sango cried, startled out of her cleaning daze, "Oh Kami!"
She gently pulled Kagome from the Shogi board and slipped kimonos over her once more.
"No time for makeup! Hurry Kagome-sama."
Kagome nodded, and she followed Miroku out the door, listening to Sango ranting to herself behind them.
Luckily for her, she arrived at dinner just in time. Sliding quietly into her seat, she prepared herself for dinner, realizing with a faint blush that her hair hadn't been done.
After dinner, the exhausted girl half-stumbled to her room, until Miroku eventually had to carry her. It had been a long day, a lot of new things to get used to, and a lot of work at that.
He handed her off to Sango, who sent him outside as she prepared Kagome for bed. And as she tucked Kagome into bed, she could swear she was smiling.
[Well? What do you think? Please review to let me know! Reviews are candy to writers! Thanks for reading. Byeee!]