InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bravery Without Love ❯ Dine in Moonshine ( Chapter 5 )

She was awake but had no desire to open her eyes. And yet, she had to prove that she wasn't

afraid, that she wasn't going to hide in her room like a little child. Small beams of sunlight

came through her window and she couldn't help but smile. At least she wasn't at the castle,

where she would have woken up in fear and not determination. With a stretch and a yawn she

got up and started to go through the little chest of drawers. There were simple cotton clothes

and were not fit for a princess. But she had never felt like a princess anyway and happily

slipped on the clothes. After a few adjustments here and there she slid open her door and

stepped into the hallway. It was quiet, the only sounds was the echoing pit-pat of her feet as

she started to walk downstairs. There were a few people in the dining room but it was mainly

empty, looking less gloomy than before. She picked up a small plate of food from a smiling

woman and sat down at a table in the corner. She was silently eating when someone sat down

next to her. She looked up to see Inuyasha staring nervously at her. She put down her

chopsticks and faced her body towards him.

"Yes?"

He looked down at his hands with a frown.

"I just wanted to apologize for making you cry yesterday...."

She turned away and started to pick up her chopsticks.

"It's alright, you didn't know."

"It's just-it's just that Naraku has done a lot of things to the people in this fortress."

"That doesn't mean you should suspect someone immediately. Being cautious is fine, but you

draw the line when you start to verbally attack the person."

"I know I know, I'm sorry ok?"

She looked down at her miso soup for a moment then pushed it away.

"If you really want to make up, why don't you give me a tour of here?" she said, looking up at

his face.

"Fine fine, as long as Sesshoumaru doesn't order me to do something."

She stood up with a clap of her hands.

"Ok, let's get going. If I'm going to stay here I want to know all about the place."

Inuyasha got up more slowly and muttered under his breath.

"Someone's got energy this morning."

She looked around her as they walked into the courtyard. There were already groups of

soldiers about in neat lines. Children were running about, giggling and smiling. Women milled

around the small huts in the fortress, chatting about everyday things. The security of this

place was reassuring from the rather peaceful faces of the people. But also by the strict yet

tactical hand that was behind all of this.

"Do you think he'll let me stay here?" she asked without taking her eyes off the people.

"He?"

"Your leader, Sesshoumaru."

"He'll keep you as long as you're useful."

"Thanks, that helped a lot."

"The most honest answer I have."

"Is he really that kind of person?"

"I've known him all my life, so yeah."

"You must be loyal to stay with him that long."

"Try stubborn, the only thing we have in common is Naraku."

"What did Naraku do to you?"

"More like what he did to my brother."

"Hm?"

"Never mind, forget it."

"What? Tell me."

"It's not my place to tell, besides, if he knew that you know then he'd take it out on me."

The conversation ended just like that and Inuyasha led her all around. The fortress was

extensive and spacious inside. There were places for all kinds of people. From soldiers, to

families, to swordmakers and other weaponry specialists. Wooden huts were placed in even

rows that had a street in the middle. It was very much like a town, even up to the

shopkeepers shouting out bargains. But there were not only people around, youkai walked

about as well and nobody seemed to be bothered by their strange appearances. At one point

a wolf youkai ,dressed in what appeared to be fur pelts, randomly started a fight with

Inuyasha which ended with Kagome begging for them to stop. The youkai gave a curious

glance at Kagome then walked away as if nothing had happened. Inuyasha was in a sour mood

for the rest of the tour and just pointed things out in a gruff voice. He was done by the time it

was lunch but still in a sour enough mood to snap at anybody. The fortress had exceeded her

expectations. The security of those thick stone walls and the impeccable leadership that

made life run smoothly here made her feel safe. It surprised her how just one day within

these walls could make her feel safe from even Naraku's clutches. She was even more

surprised when she was called upon to dine with Sesshoumaru in the evening. The pale girl

from last night whispered in an airy voice that the leader wanted her to join him for dinner

and to dress for the occasion. But before Kagome could ask questions the girl quickly bowed

and left. *Dress for the occasion?* Her question was answered when a rather lovely kimono

was laid out on her futon. It was a cream colored silk with butterflies embroidered all around

it in gold thread. Little pearls were also sewn onto the butterflies and made her very wary of

sitting in that kimono. But all this finery made her feel....cautious. Last night he had looked at

her as if she was some lost love and now he wanted dinner with her? *Perhaps he's planning

something, maybe he wants information on Naraku so he'll seduce it out of me?* She scoffed

at the idea. He may have looked at her with that sad love in his eyes but there was also a

bitter pain as well. Or maybe his intentions were perfectly honorable and he just wanted to be

friends with the girl he had ordered to be kidnapped. She was not betting on the latter. He was

a business sort of man, not one to waste time trying to make friends but one to go directly to

the point. There was a light tap on her door and she opened it up to reveal the ghostly girl

from before.

"I am to be your maid for the night on the orders of Sesshoumaru."

She had a feeling that last part was especially included just for her.

"Right, please come in. And what's your name."

The girl remained silent and held up the kimono for Kagome to step into. With a light shrug

she felt the cool silk touching her skin and a tingle ran down it. An obi was quickly and deftly

wrapped around and tied in a simple knot in the back. Her hair was held back with a cream

colored ribbon. With the candlelight illuminating her face she felt detached as she followed

the girl to Sesshoumaru's quarters. The little girl remained long enough to show her to the

door and slipped away. Her hand raised to knock at the door but she hesitated. Instead she

laid her hand against it and felt it give away to her light pressure. The room was dark, save

one little glow of light coming from the balcony. She followed that light and pushed aside the

gauzy curtains. He was sitting in a chair, looking out at the valley.

"Please, sit." he murmured.

"At least tell me the reason of this invitation to dinner." she demanded.

"Sit." he said, more stronger than before. "And stop being so suspicious, my idea was to

simply dine."

"Then why won't you meet my eyes when you say that?"

He gritted his teeth. He was already being foolish enough, having dinner with this imitation.

What had he been thinking? Inviting her to dinner when the very sight of her brought on fresh

bouts of unhappiness and memories. But he couldn't get that face out of his mind, that perfect

double of Kikyo. If he turned around and looked at her in the eyes....he knew he would not be

able to stop looking.

"Please...just sit." he said softly, bordering onto a whisper.

He could hear the springy cushion as she sat in the seat and he quickly closed his eyes.

"Are you planning on going throughout the whole dinner with your eyes closed?" she asked as

invisible hands began to serve dinner. He opened them and glared at her.

"Are you happy now? My eyes are open, is your heart content?" he snapped.

The glare faded away as he hungrily looked into her star filled eyes that almost glowed like

sapphires. He hastily looked away before she could read what was in his eyes. *Why do you

have to torture me like this? Why did it have to be you? Why couldn't it have been some other

princess?*

"Why did you kidnap me?" she asked, as if she had been reading his thoughts.

"Did we not already go over that?" he remarked, turning his attention to the glass of wine in

his hand.

"If it is not for a ransom, then what is it? Some petty way to deal with a feud between two

lords? To prove a point to your enemy? I am neither his weakness nor his strength and you

would gain nothing from me." she argued.

He didn't answer and just lazily gazed at her face, waiting for her to continue.

"I mean, it is not as if I do not thank you for taking me away from there. But I would like to

know the true meaning behind why I was taken." she stammered.

He still remained silent, twirling the wine in his glass.

"Well? Say something."

"It is not some 'petty' way to deal with a feud, it is nowhere near that. I have bigger plans in

mind for Naraku. And the true meaning to why you were taken...I will reveal when the time is

right."

"If it has to do with me, then I have a right to know." she retorted angrily.

"It ties into your coming marriage with Naraku."

"What about-"

Her mouth closed up and she struggled to open it but something held it in place. She looked

at his face in question and was slightly taken back by what she saw.

"I tire of your questions and I have given you all you should need to know. Leave me."

He turned away from her and stared at a distant castle in the north. He could hear the chair

screech as it was moved back and the sound of her feet gently hitting the ground. She moved

behind him and put a hand on his shoulder, a touch of comfort. Then she left, but her

presence wasn't completely gone. The linger of her soft touch and the tantalizing scent of

jasmine remained behind.

*For those who are confused, Sesshoumaru closed her mouth with magic. And I'm so sorry for the late update!