InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Decisions of Love ❯ Royal Palace ( Chapter 2 )

Royal Palace

Kagome opened the curtains all the way to see outside. The gates were already open and

some guards were by the doors questioning all who came in. Upon seeing the royal colors on

the carriage they saluted then went back to work. Crowds moved apart to let the carriage

through while the commoners gazed into the carriage to see who was inside. A few caught

sight of her peeking through the small window and pointed, talking to their neighbors.

Kagome was too caught up in sightseeing to care as her eyes absorbed everything. There

were cloth sellers selling beautiful and colorful bolts of cloth. Jewelers holding up beautifully

carved jewelry. And there were people of all kinds here. Rich, poor, foreign, warriors, and

even a few high nobles. She could tell them apart from the rest by how many servants carried

their things and the style of their clothes. The style of the women's obi was one only high born

women were allowed to wear. Kagome, being the daughter of a second rank warrior, could

never have that privilage unless she married into a high rank family. And the men simply

from their haughty attitude. She was so busy looking at the people around her she never

noticed that they were approaching the palace till Kouga pointed it out. She gasped out loud,

it was enormous. The walls surrounding the palace were red too except that it had gold edges

with statues of golden dragons at every 20 feet. Even the doors were ornate, clearly showing

the wealth of the royal family. When the gates opened for the carriage she gasped again. The

palace was so large and spread out and there were trees growing everywhere. Warriors were

walking around in orderly lines. Servants were tending the trees and welcoming the carriage.

In her excitement at observing the city, Kagome had forgotten to change into a nicer kimono.

So when a servant opened the door for her to get out, she groaned. She was going to meet the

royal family in just her favorite yukata? As the servant led her through hallway after hallway,

she burned with embaressment at the stares of young men and women. Finally the servant

stopped in front of a pair of doors more decorated than the rest. The doors opened by

themselves and showed a spacious room with several people in it. Kagome tried her best to

walk in with her head up and proud. In front of her was a man and a woman that was seated

above the rest in silk cushions. Kagome got on her knees and bowed, giving the right respect

for the king and queen. She lifted her head after bowing and sat kneeling. She didn't meet the

king and queen's eyes, afraid to cause offense.

"Child, look at me." said the queen.

Kagome lifted her head and stared at the queen.

"My my, well, you are the first girl I've seen with such blue eyes. And you are dressed quite

sensibly too, not overdressed like all the other girls. What do you think dear?"

Kagome blushed at the queen's compliment. Receiving praise from the kingdom's most

beautiful woman was very status worthy. The king looked at her and gave a gruff nod. The

queen spoke for her husband.

"Guards, send for my sons please."

Two guards left the room and slid the door quietly. A few minutes later it opened again to

reveal the two princes. The two most eligible and most handsome men in the kingdom. They

walked toward their parents and bowed. Kagome could see that they both had long silver hair

and the famed golden eyes. But the taller brother was more graceful and cold while the

younger one was rough and energetic.

"Father, mother, you called us?" said the taller one.

"Here is another girl to choose from, she comes from one of our 2nd rank warriors." the king

pronounced.

"Kagome, the taller one is Sesshoumaru. The shorter one is Inuyasha. In a few weeks from

now, one of them might be your husband." said the queen. Then she clapped her hands and a

servant appeared. The servant bowed and the queen beckoned the servant to come closer.

She whispered something in the servant's ear and the servant backed away and bowed again.

"Kagome," said the queen," follow the servant to your room. She will be your maid from now

on. Anything you need, as long as it's not too big, you can ask for and it will be given."

"Excuse me, your majesty, but would you allow me to work in your archery field?"

The king gave a surprised look.

"You can use a bow?" he asked.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Very interesting."

Kagome almost leaped with joy. The king thought her interesting! She knew she had no

expectations to be chosen, but receiving a compliment from the king made leaving her home

almost worthwhile. She couldn't wait to write home and tell her mother what the king and

queen said to her. Honor would surely come to her family's name!

"I'm sure one of the princes will be please to show you to the archery field. Sesshoumaru?"

"Father, I will be leaving on a mission to the southern kingdom soon. I'm afraid I will not be

able to escort her around."

"Inuyasha will show you then."

"Father, I-"

The king gave a stern look and Inuyasha closed his mouth. He gave a low bow and started to

leave the room.

"Kagome, you can follow Inuyasha to the archery fields, you can practice there whenever

you feel like it."

"Arigato."

Kagome bowed deeply to the king and queen and followed Inuyasha outside. He was walking

with long strides and Kagome had to almost run to keep up.

"Your highness, could you please walk slower? My legs aren't as long as yours."

He didn't respond but his strides became shorter. Kagome frowned. *This is suppose to be

one of the famed princes? Courageous, kind, and handsome? He is one of the rudest men I've

ever met!* They finally came upon a wide field with archery circles at the end of the field.

There was a long storage shed that appeared to hold all the bows and arrows.

"This field is mainly for men, I doubt you'll even hit the target."

She fumed. *So he thinks I'm just one of those noble ladies who don't do anything but care

about clothes? I'll show him!*

"Well, excuse me, your highness." she replied, putting sarcasm in her voice when she said

highness, "I doubt you could even hit the target if you tried."

"Want to make a bet out of it?"

"Yes, if I beat you then you have to admit that women are just as good as men when it comes

to warrior arts."

"Fine, we'll see who comes out as victor. Go pick a bow."

Kagome walked into the shed and look for a good bow. She saw recurves and crossbows, but

the one she was looking for was a long bow. She picked each long bow up, testing it's balance

and strength. She found one in the corner that appeared to be very old. She picked it up and

found it's balance to be perfect. It was huge too, taller than her by a few inches. She strung the

bow and picked up a quiver of arrows. When she came outside Inuyasha already ready. He

gave a surprised look when he saw that she held a long bow.

"Where did you find that?"

"In the corner, I can use it right?"

"Yeah, but, I don't think you can pull it."

"We'll see about that. You ready?"

"Yeah, I'll go first. Whoever gets the most near the middle wins."

Kagome nodded and watched as Inuyasha released one arrows after another. They became a

steady stream of arrows that hit very close to the middle. After he was done he wiped sweat

from his forehead with his sleeves. Kagome took her stance and notched an arrow. Soon she

was releasing arrow after arrow even faster than Inuyasha. She was done in less than a

minute. They both walked to their target. All of Inuyasha's arrows were close to the middle

but only a few hit bull's eye. They looked at Kagome's target and Inuyasha's mouth dropped

open. Every single one of her arrows had hit the middle and they were in so deep that

Inuyasha had to pull it out.

"Where did you learn to shoot a bow?"

"I taught myself."

"You taught yourself?"

"Yes, you make it sound like it's an impossible thing to do. Now, say it."

"Say what?"

"That women are just as good as men when it comes to the warrior arts."

"Fine fine, women are just as good as men when it comes to the warrior arts."

"Inuyasha, I thought you said that all women are weak and annoying?"

They turned around to see Kouga walking up to them.

"Kouga-kun!"

"Kagome-chan, you already met with their majesties?"

Kagome walked closer to Kouga to talk to him, leaving Inuyasha out.

"Yes, they were very nice."

"I didn't know you were interested in archery. None of the women rarely come here, at least

the ones that the princes are suppose to wed."

Inuyasha looked back and forth at the two while they were chatting.

"Oy, you know him?"

"Hm? Oh, Inuyasha, I forgot that you were there for a second."

"You...forgot...that I was here?? What kind of woman are you?"

"Inuyasha, don't insult Kagome!"

"Kouga, stay out of this!"

"Why you.."

Kagome could see that blows were about to be exchanged and quickly stepped in between

them.

"Boys, boys, um, why don't we take a tour of the palace? I've never been here before and it

would be nice to know my way around."

Kouga took Kagome's arm and started to lead her away from Inuyasha.

"I'll give you a tour, Kagome-chan. Better than dogbreath here."

"Oy! My mother told me I was suppose to show her around."

"Hm, well Inuyasha, you think women are weak and annoying right? I'm sure you don't want

to show an annoying woman around. Let's go Kouga."

Kouga stuck his tongue at Inuyasha as they walked away. Meanwhile Inuyasha was close to

throwing a temper tantrum.

*Review please!!!