[Sorry for the late update! I had some family visiting and I had a lot of cleaning to do. :( Please review and enjoy!]
"Kagome-sama. Please wake up my lady."
The child's eyes fluttered open, and she looked up into her hand maiden's face.
"Good morning, Sango-chan. What am I to do today?"
"Firstly you will attend breakfast with the Inu no Taisho, as per his request. Inuyasha-sama has requested a formal meeting as well. You will be meeting some of the nobles' children, who will most likely be your playmates in the future. Then you will have a lesson with me, and the rest of the day to yourself."
The young girl nodded, climbing out of bed and moving to the center of the room. Sango dressed her quickly, her hair braided down her back and the minimum amount of makeup on her face.
"Thank you Sango-chan. Is it time for me to go?"
The older girl nodded, and opened the door for her, giving her to Miroku, who waited on the other side.
"Is the Western Lord nice, Miroku-kun?" she asked as they walked.
"I really can't say. It depends."
She sighed, worry flooding over her.
"What if he doesn't like me?" she asked worriedly.
She looked to her guard for reassurance, but there was none as he gazed down at her, only pity.
"Is he that bad?" she asked, horrified.
"No no. He's just... hmm... either he takes a liking to you, or he doesn't. He's already agreed to have you marry his son, but he could still make life difficult if he doesn't like you."
She gulped, putting on a brave face.
"W-well, we'll just have to see what happens, won't we?" she asked, smiling weakly.
Her guard nodded, glancing at his charge with a new respect.
She entered the room, the general's private sitting room she suspected. The walls were covered in war maps and portraits, and the western lord himself sat at a table, gesturing for her to sit down. She did.
"I'll be honest with you Higurashi-san, I chose you based solely on your political ties. This marriage will be a blessing for the West. But for it to happen, you must prove yourself capable of the responsibility. And my son."
"Of course my lord."
He grunted, "Don't submit so easily, girl. Give me some lip, see if you can."
"With all due respect sir, I'm eight. How am I to prove myself now?"
He gave her a long look, before laughing heartily.
"I like you, girl. You have my favor."
She nodded, "Thank you my lord."
Just then, two servants entered, carrying plates of food.
"Enough talk, let's eat!"
She was to meet Inuyasha next. Sango decided not to change her clothes, and merely touched up he makeup and handed her off to Miroku. No time had been set for the meeting, so she was being escorted to his rooms, to meet under tight supervision. She didn't know why, but she had seen his scowl more than his smile, so she had an idea.
"Miroku-kun?"
"Yes my lady?"
"Does Inuyasha-sama... have a temper?"
He laughed, "Very observant Kagome-sama. Yes, and an impressive one at that. I must warn you, do not make him mad."
She nodded, a sour expression crossing her face. For all she tried to hide it, she had quite the impressive temper herself, and she hated having to reign it in.
"I'll do my best Miroku-kun."
He chuckled as they stopped in front of a door. He knocked on it politely.
"Permission to enter, Inuyasha-sama?"
"Keh. Granted," came a voice from inside.
A servant from inside opened the door politely, and she and Miroku entered. Her gaze immediately fell upon the Hanyou lordling. He seemed to be about the same age as she was, maybe older, and he was dressed entirely in red. His silver hair, long for his age, fell midway down his back, but he didn't tie it back like Sesshomaru did. Instead, it fell in messy, tangled waves. She met his eyes, noting that they were gold, just like his father's and Sesshomaru's.
"Let's get this over with," he muttered.
She felt anger stirring in her, and bit back the remark on the tip of her tongue. Instead, she bowed politely, averting her eyes.
"Inuyasha-sama," she greeted.
"Keh," was all he said.
Grinding her teeth, she straightened, meeting his eyes. Her face made no change, but her annoyance leaked into her gaze, and he noticed.
"Am I annoying you?" he asked, "If so, what are you going to do about it?"
He smiled, positive she wouldn't do a thing.
Instead she glared impressively, her voice changing tone into what her parents had taught her to call The Royal Voice.
"I would suggest, if you value your life, that you refrain from insulting this Kagome. If not, then by all means, continue."
Miroku raised a brow at her from across the room.
He glared, though his was pale in comparison, and pointed to the door.
"Out."
Miroku moved to open the door for her, and she strode out, not glancing back.
When they had moved down the hall, she turned to look at her guard, she was startled to see him laughing silently, shoulders shaking.
"Miroku-kun?"
"Since when-" he managed, "-do you say 'this Kagome'?"
"M-my lady," Sango said in shock after Miroku had retold the story, "You mouthed off the Inu no Taisho's son?"
"Yes," the little girl muttered, still fuming, "He deserved it Sango-chan."
"Please don't do that again," she pleaded as Miroku went back outside to his station.
Once he was gone though, she winked.
"I am proud, my lady. It is good to see a woman get the upper hand over a male. Now; I will prepare you to meet the nobles' children."
[I love it when Kagome beats down Inuyasha!:) Anyway, please review!]