InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Decisions of Love ❯ Dinner ( Chapter 3 )

Dinner

Kagome gave a weary sigh as she threw herself onto the soft blue couch. After that little

argument Kouga had showed her around the immense grounds of the palace. Stables, several

practicing grounds, hot springs, tea rooms, weapon rooms, shrines of ancestors, numerous

tokonoma's that displayed stunning works of art, and the list just went on and on. The rooms

were endless, as were the buildings. And there were several gardens as well. There was the

traditional garden with an ornate bridge over a clear pond and soothing trees and plants. But

there was also a water garden with water type flowers, weeping willow trees, and even a

waterfall! There was a fruit garden that held a variety of fruits from foreign countries. And a

magicked garden that had exotic flowers that would never die. To her happiness the archery

field was large and well kept. Straw targets were placed at the end of the field. There was even

a large building dedicated to everything for archery. Bows, longbows, recurves, arrows, and

other sorts of equipment. But Kouga whisked her away to show her other parts of the palace.

It was near supper that they were finally finished. A servant came for her and led her to her

room. The theme of the room was the ocean. On her shoji doors were carefully drawn

paintings of water crashing on rocks. There were all shades of blue in the room. Her couch

was a soft blue with darker blue cushions. The blankets on her futon were a grey-blue with

herons stitched on. There was even a desk that held perfumes, makeup, and even a small

jewelry box. It was a simple but elegantly furnished room. There was even a large wardrobe

that held many silk clothes.

"Mistress, dinner will be in 15 minutes. If you would dress and tidy yourself up, I will come

back in 10 minutes to escort you."

"Oh, no need, I only need a few minutes to get ready."

The servant bowed and waited outside the room. Kagome fingered through the clothes in the

wardrobe and picked one that was dark blue with golden dragons stitched on. A yellow obi

was tied in a simple bow in the back. From the jewelry box Kagome picked out a sapphire

studded comb and carefully place it in her hair. She opened the door and the servant looked

surprise to see her done so quickly. The servant bowed and led the way to the dining

building. It was quite close and Kagome could see the entire imperial family was there along

with over 20 young women. The servant led Kagome to her seat while she gawked at all the

beautiful women sitting in one room. Perfect large eyes, perfect bodies, perfect pouting lips,

and perfect long hair. Kagome cringed at her own hair which was short in Japanese terms.

Her hair only came down to the bend of her back and wasn't quite as straight and as fine as the

other girls. It tended to have a bit of a wave in it and was impossible to straighten out. She

was seated between two girls around her age. One of them was too busy looking at a mirror to

notice Kagome but the other perked up in curiousity.

"Hello, you must a visiting cousin perhaps?"

The girl wasn't dressed as ostentatiously as the other girls but in a simple uniform that

appeared to be a soldier's kind.

"Um, no, I'm one of the girls picked to be here."

"You? Really?"

"Is it really that much of a surprise?"

"It's just that you aren't dressed like one of them."

She moved her eyes to all the girls around them.

"Oh, they are here to wed the princes too?"

"Every one of them. Of course this isn't all of them. Most of the girls have rotating dinner

schedules so that they eat with the princes at least once every two days. You can tell their

whole existence is based on what to wear and ways to capture the princes' attention. So you

really are one of the girls here to marry the princes?"

"Not by my will. I was quite content to stay at home, but it meant a lot to my family so I did it

for them."

Unknown to Kagome, a certain hanyou's ear was cocked to her direction.

"Really? Wow, you are different from all of them."

"Not you too!"

"Hm?"

"Kouga had been saying the same thing all the way here."

"You were with Kouga, huh? It must have been an interesting trip."

"I guess it was. Inuyasha and him don't get along at all, right?"

"You bet. Those two are always in competition. From fighting, to wrestling, to everything. I

didn't think it extended to girls as well."

"Oh, no no no. They were just fighting and using me as an excuse most likely." she blushed

despite her words.

"I'm sorry about my manners, I'm Sango, one of the captions of the guard around here."

"Higurashi Kagome. And I'm just the daughter of a second rank warrior, nothing special,"

To Kagome's surprise she started to tell Sango all about her life.

"I don't know why they chose me when my father isn't very well known. And I'm not one of

exceptional beauty."

"Kagome-chan, don't put yourself down!"

Kagome grinned at Sango's kind words. *Finally, a real friend!*

The two girls chatted all throughout dinner on every subject except the two most talked

about among the other girls: clothes and the princes. When they were done the two traded

promises to meet each other often and talk. Kagome bowed to the monarchs as they walked

passed but gave a glare to Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru, noticing her angry eyes, almost smiled

from it. Inuyasha made a face at her just as he walked out the doorway. When the doors were

closed several girls flocked to Kagome with questions.

"Where are you from?"

"Why did you glare at the prince?!"

"You better get in trouble for it!"

"Do you have no sense in dressing well for dinner?"

"Especially in front of the princes!"

"They'll probably never pick you."

Bombarded by such rude questions and comments Kagome just smiled, nodded, and quickly

opened the door. She ran into a hard object and banged her nose. She rubbed it and looked

up into golden eyes.

"Inuyasha! What was that for?"

"Hey, watch your mouth girl, do you know who I am?"

*Other than a rude creep with no manners* But she didn't say her thoughts out loud, despite

their truth.

"My apologies, your highness. Now what was that for?!"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"My mother wanted me to apologize."

Kagome gave a sly grin.

"Really? Well...out with it."

Inuyasha almost fell.

"What? How can you demand an apology from a prince?"

"Demand? You just told me your mother demanded an apology to me."

"You are an impossible wench!"

"You are a condescending idiot!"

"Bad mouth!"

"Rude manner!!"

"Stupid girl!"

"Ignorant child!!

"Inuyasha!"

Both stopped screaming at each other's face to look at the queen standing before them in a no

nonsense manner.

"I'm surprised at both of you! Inuyasha, how can you call a young lady such names?! And

Kagome, I expected more from you!"

Kagome's head drooped in shame.

"Both of you go to your rooms to cool off your temper."

Inuyasha stomped off to his room leaving Kagome alone. The queen put a reassuring hand on

her shoulder.

"Kagome, don't worry about Inuyasha. I think you are the first girl ever to stand up to his

rudeness. It is a good thing and don't worry about being in trouble. Inuyasha needs someone

to discipline him. Just be who you are."

"Yes, your majesty."

"Now, you may go to your room and rest."

Kagome gave a deep bow as the queen left. She almost skipped down the hall to her room. *I

can't believe it! The queen said it was ok to yell at Inuyash!* Kagome's happy mood

plummeted to one of annoyance. *That stupid baka! Calling me all those names! Can't wait to

call him more tomorrow! Now that I have permission* By the time Kagome was ready to

sleep, she was thinking life in the palace wouldn't be too dull.

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