InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Crossing Swords ❯ Along A Path Of Discovery ( Chapter 6 )

Crossing Swords

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters of the manga. That privilege goes to Rumiko Takahashi. I'm just borrowing them for my own evil devices.

 

Chapter 6: Along a Path of Discovery

 

Kagome closed her eyes, stretching out along her section of seat. So far, the ride in the ornate carriage provided by Inuyasha's father was relatively quiet, a blessing, considering that if her head ached from the bickering between Sango and the priest, she was certain Inuyasha's was pounding. Opening her eyes slightly, she spared a look at the two, sitting as far apart as accommodations allowed, and smiled. Miroku was sporting a vivid bruise across the left side of his face while Sango pouted.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

When Inuyasha first mentioned that his priest friend was…unorthodox, Kagome was uncertain as to what to expect. She definitely didn't picture the attractive young man dressed in navy and purple robes, who stepped out of a carriage led by a very annoyed looking two-headed dragon. The man appeared to be nineteen or twenty, and wore his dark hair in a low ponytail. Twinkling eyes, the same rich blue of his robes, danced over the guards before landing on Inuyasha and Kagome.

 

“Greetings, Majesties. I am Miroku, and I carry with me warm wishes from the Inutaisho and his eldest son, Sesshomaru. He extends his deepest apologies that circumstances do not allow him to come here in person, but he hopes for a change in atmosphere in the near future,” the priest introduced with a bow.

 

King Higurashi did not return the gesture, nor did he take it upon himself to make the introductions. He merely stood slightly ahead of his priest and scowled. The Queen stepped forward and took matters upon herself.

 

“Welcome to the Eastern kingdom, Miroku. Please, do not be offended by my husband's hard-headedness,” the Queen replied, shooting a glare at the King. “My youngest, and only son, Souta. I know that you are well acquainted with Inuyasha; but this is my daughter, Kagome. Her aide, Sango, will be traveling with you, as well. She is an experienced demon exterminator, and will provide protection to both Kagome and Inuyasha.”

 

“Surely, the gods are smiling for me to be graced with the presence of such beauty,” Miroku murmured, kissing the Queen's hand. With a wink in Inuyasha's direction, he released the Queen and headed to the hanyou and his mate.

 

Taking both of Kagome's hands, the priest stared deeply into her eyes.

 

“My dear Princess Kagome, I regret that it was not I who was granted the privilege of becoming your mat-” He was cut off with a blow to the back of the head.

 

“Watch it, bouzo. The princess is mine to protect, including from perverted priests such as you.”

 

Inuyasha turned to face his mate. “Don't worry about Miroku. He's a pervert, but he's harmless. His whole family was like that…at least the men were. From the stories my mother told me, the women in Miroku's family tended to solve the problem by smacking their husbands. Just don't let him walk behind you.”

 

Kagome gave a small smile and nodded, but chose to remain slightly behind Inuyasha. She wasn't quite sure of her impression of the overly amorous, yet polite, holy man, but he had already moved on, and was clashing staff against wooden sword with Souta.

 

“Princess, is this everything you're bringing?” Inuyasha asked.

 

Kagome snapped out of her daze and looked to the small pile of trunks at the end of the walk. It wasn't all she'd wanted, but things could and would be replaced. If Inuyasha had been living in his house for some time, there was little need of furniture or dishes, and he mentioned a large library, so Kagome packed only the books having sentimental value. Still, she felt like she was leaving a part of herself behind.

 

“I believe so. Inuyasha, are you certain I won't need anything else? More bedding, warmer nightclothes; it is still early spring.”

 

The hanyou prince dropped a kiss onto her forehead.

 

“You'll be more than taken care of in the West, Princess, don't worry so much. As for nightclothes…if I have my way, you won't need any,” he smirked.

 

“Inuyasha! I'll be pregnant! I'll be fat and stretched out and…”

 

“And beautiful because it will be my pup. I don't know what human men do when their mates are pupped, but inu-youkai take their mate's comfort seriously. A breeding belly is not something to hide, but something to show and take pride in. So long as you're not ashamed of bearing the pup of a hanyou…” his voice trailed off, ears dropping slightly at the tips.

 

Kagome stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips against Inuyasha's.

 

“Of course, I am not ashamed to carry your child. It will just take some getting used to, that's all. Only a week ago, I was to marry to Prince Houjou, and now everything has changed and I'm leaving home. It's still overwhelming.”

 

“Sango will be with you, and you can talk to me, as well. In fact, I want you to talk to me when things bother you. We won't make this work if we fight all of the time.”

 

Kagome smiled. “Speaking of Sango, she should be joining us soon. She only had one more bag she wanted to bring.”

 

“HENTAI!”

 

A crash followed the demon slayer's strangled cry and the group turned to see a red faced and panting Sango pointing her katana at Miroku's throat.

 

“GIVE ME ONE REASON I SHOULDN'T TAKE YOUR HEAD OFF!”

 

“Sango, he's a priest,” Inuyasha supplied.

 

“He GROPED me! What sort of priest walks up to a person and gropes them?”

 

Inuyasha shrugged. “That's the only defense I have for him.”

 

Kagome slapped her mate on the arm. “Inuyasha, be still. Sango, you can't kill him, he's Inuyasha's friend. And I'm not sure how friendly the dragons will be without him. Besides, I'm certain it was an accident.”

 

“It was no accident, Princess. He's a pervert,” Inuyasha whispered in her ear.

 

Deciding that bloodshed would not be the best thing to have on the day she was leaving home, Kagome rushed to her friend and placed her hand on the hilt of the sword. Sango's eyes were flashing dangerously, and Kagome knew the slayer would have no problem removing the offending body parts from a man she didn't know.

 

“Sango, I order you to lower your weapon. Miroku is a representative of the House of Inu and should be treated with respect. What were you doing when he grabbed you?”

 

The demon slayer lowered her katana before giving the princess a sheepish look. It wasn't often that Kagome spoke to her as a subject, but when she did, the slayer felt compelled to obey.

 

“I…I was bending over to pick up one of your trunks, My Lady,” Sango replied, with her head bowed.

 

Kagome looked over at the wayward priest and noticed that while his face was neutral, his eyes were averted from them, and the sleeves of his robes hid his hands. Oh, he's guilty of groping Sango; there were no other motives involved. But she couldn't risk the insult her parents would perceive his actions to be.

 

“Is it possible that Monk Miroku was simply trying to help you move the trunk, and you inadvertently moved into his path when your weight shifted?”

 

Sango fidgeted with her sword before sheathing it. She had no doubt the hentai touched her on purpose, but it was important to her friend that this meeting and departure go smoothly. Besides, she would have almost a week with only the princess and the half-breed watching them. There would be time for payback.

 

“It is possible, My Lady. Houshi, I am sorry that I jumped to conclusions.”

 

Miroku flashed Sango a brilliant smile. “No offense is taken, Lady Sango. Perhaps we had best carry the princess's things to the second carriage together?”

 

Sango nodded. “You carry, and I will sort things into the carriage. Women have a better knowledge of the use of space.”

 

Miroku's smile faltered slightly, but he nodded.

 

Kagome returned to her mother and father's side. Naraku spent the better part of the morning passing the king different articles to give to Kagome, and she spent her time refusing them. Books, she already had, jewelry that was either too gaudy or had such a strong aura about it, even she could sense it. There were a few odd trinket boxes and other “heirlooms” that the princess had never before laid eyes on. She refused everything but that which had already been in her possession for several years.

 

While the Queen chattered on about the proper duties of noble wives, Kagome watched her mate and the priest go through each of the trunks, adding blessed sutras and protection crystals to the contents of the chests or the pages of the books. All the while, Naraku hovered by, twisting and stroking the purple phial through his slender fingers, and muttering to himself over his shoulder when he thought no one was looking. He seemed interested in the types of papers, as well as the varieties of crystals, the holy man chose to do his purifications. His eyebrows practically disappeared into his hairline when he saw the hanyou purify a minor apparition out of an old text of summoning spells.

 

After each trunk or bag was purified and blessed, one of the men would bring it to Sango and she would arrange it into the spare carriage. None of the Higurashi family guards volunteered to assist in the packing. She did not know if it was by order of her father, or simply because they wanted to stay as far away from the aggravated slayer as possible.

 

“Kagome, are you listening to your mother?”

 

The princess blushed and looked back at her mother. “I'm sorry, Mother. You were saying?”

 

The Queen smiled at her eldest. Even in a simple travel kimono and cloak, Kagome practically glowed. The older woman wasn't naïve enough to think that it was love…but it looked possible. She did believe the half demon would treat her daughter well and protect her from harm, and in terms of a husband, one couldn't ask for much better. Still, she was a mother first, and she wouldn't be doing her duty if she didn't offer one last chance for the two to stay in the East a little longer.

 

“I asked if you must make your journey today. I'm sure it wouldn't make much of a difference if you and Inuyasha waited until you both were certain that you were with child before leaving.”

 

Kagome smiled at her mother before looking over to her father and Naraku. Her steely gray eyes narrowed as the priest whispered in the ruler's ear.

 

“Yes, Mother, I think it would be best for all involved if Inuyasha and I put some distance between us and the East while I'm with child.”

 

The Queen was no fool, she knew of the tensions between her daughter and the most trusted member of her husband's court. She just didn't understand why. What did Kagome see in the man that everyone in the palace missed? Naraku had been nothing but helpful, if somewhat insistent in his ideals, since coming under the kingdom's care.

 

“What will you do without me near? Especially when you begin experiencing morning sickness and fatigue?”

 

“I wouldn't worry too much, My Lady,” Inuyasha assured, wrapping both arms around Kagome from behind. He was more comfortable now that the bags and trucks were considered clean and Miroku was otherwise occupied with the two-headed dragon's introduction to Sango's firecat companion. He would only relax completely once the three day journey to the border was completed, and he was no longer in hostile territory.

 

“Remember, my former nursemaid is a human. Kaede has delivered her share of human and demon children, and has a good deal of experience raising a hanyou pup.”

 

Kagome smirked. “So, in simple terms, you were a troublemaker.”

 

“Keh.” Inuyasha rubbed his cheek against Kagome's hair, but also used the gesture to observe Naraku without his knowledge. Miroku confirmed his initial assumption; the man was human, his aura being pulsing with a strong magical presence. The only thing neither could figure out was how his aura seemed to emanate from around him, rather than within him.

 

The phial filled with liquid purple light was the obvious choice, but when Miroku shook hands with the fellow priest as a means of introduction, he couldn't pull any direction for Naraku's power. The man was very careful not to allow anyone to touch the glass container, however.

 

Queen Hirgurashi ran a hand over her daughter's hair. Her husband was going to be stubborn to the bitter end, and that was going to prevent her from being with her baby when she needed her mother the most.

 

“Darling, if this is what you want, then this is what you must do. By all rights, you are a married woman now, and must obey your husband; but you are going to be so far away. You most likely would have been married by now regardless, but at you would have been closer to home.”

 

Kagome frowned. “And most likely a pawn in Father's folly, as well as miserable with Houjou. No, Mother, I'd rather be far from home and able to speak my mind, than trapped beneath the ideals of three men.”

 

“I take it none of you care what I think.”

 

King Higurashi timed his approach for the end of his wife and daughter's conversation. He'd taken time alone with his daughter, and when she was in the presence of both her mother and the half demon, but attempts to convince her to bring any of the tracking artifacts with her to the Western kingdom proved futile. Naraku's confidence that the girl was too far gone for their pleas to reach her held true, and the only choice remaining was their trust in the magics and the gods.

 

Kagome felt her mate squeeze her more tightly, but he kept silent. This would be her battle, her decision, on how to part terms with her father. She didn't know whether to be thankful, or wish he would take charge and decide for her so she could just be angry with him later, but not have to worry now.

 

“Father, I love you, but you took no consideration of my feelings when you arraigned my engagement to Prince Houjou. You didn't care when I told you he was nothing more than an acquaintance, a passing friend. You wanted your guarantee for an ally in war, even at the cost of your daughter's freedom. Will you do the same to your son when he is of age?” She drew a deep breath before continuing.

 

“So, in answer to your question, Your Majesty, no, I do not care what you think. I will conduct myself with the utmost respect in your presence, and in all negotiations between the East and the West, but I will not change my mind about this.”

 

The king nodded. “As you wish. Then I've done all I can here. Naraku? Is everything in order?”

 

The priest took one last look at the top of the secondary carriage and nodded. He'd been staring at it the entire time the royals were having their discussion. He'd thought everyone would be engrossed with the exchange between the king and princess, but he failed to notice the priest friend of the hanyou eyeing him.

 

Miroku could sense nothing from either carriage, and it was beginning to unnerve him. He'd asked the slayer if her experience yielded any other results, but she sensed less then he, her area of expertise consisting mainly of corporeal demon entities. Ah-Uh, the two-headed dragon that would not only be leading the main carriage, but also serving as added protection for the new mates, was a bit more agitated than normal. However, that could easily be attributed to being around so many armed humans. Still, Miroku felt that keeping his guard up would be best.

 

The goodbyes lasted as long as the Queen could make them with her husband's pacing. Souta wanted a definite promise from the hanyou that he would be invited to see the Western lands and meet the great dog general. He even managed to convince both his sister and mother to allow him a moment on the dragon's back, once Sango grudgingly admitted he was no more dangerous than Kirara in her battle form.

 

Finally, the foursome and firecat piled into the lead car and started out on the three day journey to the Borderlands, none the wiser to the gray ball of fur and teeth clinging to the top of the second car.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome shifted her head slightly on her hanyou's lap, burrowing her nose into the rough fabric of his hakama. Within moments, she felt clawed fingers slip under her riding cape and scrape gently over her kimono. She smiled, wrapping one arm under his knees and the other over his firm thighs, and squeezed.

 

“Careful Princess, we have an audience,” Inuyasha whispered, moving his hands to her hair and undoing the elaborately done knots.

 

“Please, pay us no mind, Inuyasha. After all, I am only a humble servant of the gods, and would never dream of begrudging a mated couple their right to be as one,” Miroku said with a grin.

 

“HENTAI!” Sango raised her hands and began pelting the priest about the head and arms. “How dare you say such things in front of the princess?”

 

“Sango, don't hurt him!”

 

Sitting up so that she was leaning against Inuyasha's shoulder, Kagome eyed the two across from her. She'd known Sango for two years, and Inuyasha had known Miroku for ages, but none of them really knew each other. Sango hadn't taken much time to talk to Inuyasha, except to confirm some of her demon training, or to lecture him on `tainting' Kagome.

 

“Monk Miroku, why is it you went into service to the gods? I would think you better suited to working in a position with more… feminine contact,” Kagome inquired.

 

The monk laughed. “Please, Your Highness, I am simply Miroku to my friends. All of the men in my family were born with a strong grasp of the magics. It was natural for us to become priests. I may be called either a monk or a priest, but since I am considering finding a wife, I will take on the formal title of priest after my marriage.”

 

Kagome frowned. “So an unwed servant to the gods is a monk, while a married one is a priest?”

 

“Normally, yes. You find that strange?”

 

Inuyasha caught on. “King Higurashi's most loyal advisor is spoken of as Priest Naraku.”

 

Miroku nodded. “Yes, he introduced himself to me as such.”

 

“But Naraku has no wife,” Kagome continued.

 

“Princess, perhaps the priest's wife passed away before he came to the East. He is older, not beyond bachelor age to be certain, but old enough to have been married once,” Sango supplied.

 

“I'm sure Father or Mother would have mentioned a detail like that to me, especially since I'm not fond of him. I find him overbearing, under informed, and entirely too biased,” the princess insisted

 

“I doubt either of their Majesties would have thought it information necessary for you to know,” Sango answered back.

 

Kagome bristled. She was well aware of how women were looked upon in her society, but Sango was trained as a demon exterminator. If anyone should have an open mind, it would be her. However, Sango seemed entranced by the rules of noble society; the clothing, balls, etiquette, and she couldn't understand why Kagome wanted to challenge that. Kagome blamed her Father for teaching her to read in the first place. He'd wanted to employ her nanny in another household position and thought if Kagome was more independent, the woman's hours could be cut back. He ended up with a fiercely curious and independent daughter instead.

 

“I don't know why. I understand perfectly well how politics and trade work. The only difference between men and women are the way they are created.”

 

Miroku stared up at the ceiling with a dreamy expression on his face. “Thank the gods for that…” he murmured.

 

Inuyasha chuckled, startling the monk out of his moment. “And why is that, Bouzo? Enlighten us.”

 

The corner of the young man's mouth began to twitch uncontrollably. Under no circumstances could he say what he meant before two ladies, and expect to survive unscathed. As it was, the slayer surely left marks. He felt a familiar burn deep within his gut when she hit him, her cheeks flushed in anger, and he decided he would have to investigate the phenomenon further. Right now, he had to think fast.

 

“Ummm, it is just that…were males and females to be similar…what I mean is…ahem, if the male and female body were not so complimentary, then there would be no births to speak of, and the world would die out,” Miroku stammered, quite pleased with his explanation.

 

The group laughed comfortably.

 

“Nice save, Miroku, very nice save,” Inuyasha choked out.

 

They spent the majority of the hours laughing and getting to know one another, questioning the two Westerners about the lands and markets, and learning of the differing traditions between the East and West.

 

The tiny nightmare was busy, as well. It tested the strength of the wards and blessings, scuttling from bag to box, disappointed to discover that even the slayers belongings had been warded against both spiritual and non-spiritual hijackers. If only the priest had worded the sutras differently, worded them to protect against those who meant harm…

 

The nightmare made a face that should have resembled a smirk, it meant no harm, it meant no good, it was simply curious about the power that made Naraku think that he could take over the entire void. Settling in on a bare spot of floor, it slept, knowing that the two-headed beast could somehow detect it. It would wait until they stopped, until they were free from the safety of the priest's charms. Then, it would see what was inside.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“What do you mean we can't stay here?” Sango raged. “Do you have any idea who she is? This is Princess Kagome, daughter of King Higurashi, and the Crown Princess to the Eastern Lands! She could have you arrested!”

 

The balding man tugged nervously on his spectacles. “Yes, I understand, and I sympathize with Her Royal Highness's need to rest for the evening, but my orders come from a source higher than even she.”

 

“WHAT?!” Sango slammed both hands on the wooden desk, and Kagome could swear she heard the wood creak.

 

“T-t-the King…his…his Majesty sent word to all, that Her Royal Highness and the hanyou Prince were not to stay at any of the inns in the kingdom. They were to travel straight on to the Western domain.”

 

“That's absurd! I can't beli-”

 

Kagome touched Sango's elbow. “Sango, let us simply leave. I'm sure that Miroku has thought ahead and has a plan for us.” She turned to face the innkeeper. “I'll be sure to let the King know that his subjects follow his orders without thought.”

 

The man bowed, but stopped partway down, his face scrunching up as he caught on to the Princess's insult.

 

“Fucking human piece of…”

 

Kagome could faintly make out Inuyasha's cursing as they headed back to Ah-Un and the carriages. His body line was tense and his ears were plastered tightly to his head. When she laid her hand on his shoulder, he flinched away.

 

“What is it?” he growled.

 

Kagome stepped back, startled. “Nothing. I was just seeing if you were alright.”

 

“I'm just fucking fine. Wonderful. The fact that this is the fourth stop we've made since the sun set hasn't escaped your notice, has it? Or doesn't it bother you that no one wants a half breed in their presence.”

 

Miroku and Sango stopped just outside the door and waited. Kagome understood that Inuyasha was upset, but that didn't give him any right to take his frustrations out on her. She was just as much an outcast as he was.

 

“Well, if you're fine, then it shouldn't be too much of a bother to talk to Miroku about finding us a place to stay for the night. Or perhaps Sango would be a better bet, since she knows these lands better than either of you. Of course, you can always complain and force the dragons to walk all night. That should make everyone happy,” the princess snapped back, before heading into the safety and relative warmth of the carriage. The wind was picking up and spring nights were on the cool side.

 

The hanyou drew a deep breath before stalking after his mate. His youkai side was practically vibrating with the challenge she was presenting to his authority. It didn't matter if Kagome was right, she talked to him as though he was a cranky child, and she did it in the presence of others.

 

“Listen here, bitch, in case you don't remember, the male is in charge of the relationship for youkai. And I may only be half, but I will not tolerate your disrespect in front of those who are below us,” he snarled, leaning against the door.

 

“Below…” Sango sputtered.

 

Miroku put out a restraining hand. “Sango, I would wait. Inuyasha is not acting like himself. I've never seen him behave in such a manner, and I've known him since we were children.”

 

Meanwhile, Kagome and Inuyasha were still going at it, not paying any attention to the small crowd that was gathering.

 

“Below us! How dare you! And I hate to be the one to inform you, but this relationship is going to be equal, if it is going to be anything. I am NOT going to be a vessel to produce sons, or did you not pay any attention to anything I've said to you this past week? Has everything been a lie to get me with child?” Kagome screamed, close to tears.

 

“Bitch!” Inuyasha lunged forward with the intent of getting next to the princess, but the moment he crossed the threshold of the carriage, he cried out in pain and clutched his head, curling into a ball on the floor and whimpering.

 

Anger momentarily forgotten, Kagome crouched down next to her mate, struggling to bring him upright in her arms.

 

“Inuyasha, what happened? What's wrong?”

 

“My head! My head feels like it's splitting open! I can't - can't even see straight.”

 

“Miroku!” Kagome cried out. “You have to help me! I can't get him up. He says he can't see!”

 

While the humans struggled to figure out what ailed the once feisty hanyou, the gray nightmare picked itself up from the dirt with a growl. It hadn't been expecting the ward on the main carriage. Foolish. But it was impressed with how easily it slipped inside the half breed's mind. Considering demons were creatures once limited to the void, it shouldn't have come as a surprise. But it was limited. The hanyou's human half would not allow it entry. It didn't matter, though. From the demonstration with the princess, the hanyou's mind would prove most beneficial to discovering the secrets to the lost jewel.