InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Devil May Care ❯ To France ( Chapter 8 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 8: To France

"Should go to port at Callais? It is the closest port from England." Inuyasha paced back and forth.
"And, they are the most heavily guarded. If we want to get your brother out alive, those routes are not an option."
"What about the southern route from Provence, that you mentioned before?" Kagome asked.
"That is a good escape route. One of our associates, whom I just call John, is there now. The away route is not the problem at this time, it is getting into the country."
"Si, Madame Monty. The best route I can see is the port at LaRochelle. It is close to Tours and has less security among the most northern ports. We may be able to escape from there as well. Although I would keep Madame John in Provence as a second."
"Madame John?" Kagome asked with a slight gasp.
"I am not the only noblewoman who dresses in men's clothing. John and I had the same instructor as Knights."
"What about Nantes? That port is closest. Besides, I doubt that is any port isn't heavily watched."
"It is a possibility, Inuyasha. Do you know the area around that port? I am not very familiar with it."
"I know it like the back of my hand, Monty."
"Ah I see!" Sigismundo said with a twinkle in his eye. "They will not consider us using the easiest and closest route. They will think we will use a round about way. Yes, that is how they think! No one expected me to tie sheets together to scale down the tower I was held in and, scale and hop over a small wall and leave by the boat dock of the Bastille. I was constantly within the reach of the guards, but they took no notice because they did not believe I would climb down the tower."
"Very well, we well enter France at Nantes and make our way across country to Tours. Sigismundo, you go on ahead of us. Do you have anyone to accompany you while you scout out the port?"
"Si, I have a friend who can meet me there. I do not know the port at Nantes well, but she does. She has my confidence."
"Very well. May the Rose protect you. We will catch up after Miroku's wedding next week."
"I will be waiting."
"Kagome, you and Inuyasha should help the servants around the manor. We should also work in the gardens as time permits."
"Why?"
"We need to rough up our hands a bit. We will be posing as peasants most of the time. One of the first things the rebels look at are the hands. Our hands need to look like we work with them. We will wear gloves at Miroku's wedding, no one there will notice."
"That makes sense."
"Inuyasha, directly after Miroku's wedding, we will have to dye your hair. I am sorry, cousin, but those white tresses stick out like a sore thumb."
"I understand."
Over the next week, Kagome worked polishing silver, cooking meals and caring fro various plants when it was not raining. She found prancing about in peasant clothing relaxing and carefree.
"I wonder why the TON put up with corsets and heavy dresses so much." Kagome said as she pruned a rosebush.
"Because they like to show off their wealth." Inuyasha said as he came up behind her. He was dressed in a tan shirt and worn brown breeches. He braided his hair and wore a straw, wide brimmed hat on his head. A rake was slung over his shoulder. "Even in that rough brown dress, and your hair up in a kerchief, it still does not hide how gorgeous you are."
"And that outfit does not hide how handsome you are either."
Inuyasha threw the rake aside and grabbed Kagome. He whirled her around as he kissed her. "Perhaps we should take some time away from our chores. That threadbare dress makes me want you, now."
"You want me so often because you know we will have little time to make love after we leave for France."
"That too." He said as he lowered her to the ground and started to undo the laces on her corselet.
"Inuyasha! We are in the garden!"
"So, we are peasants right now. This is another freedom the poor are permitted that the rich rarely dare. Peasants can make love wherever they please."
Kagome giggled slightly as she started undoing the laces on his breeches. "I suppose you are right, and this hedge is high enough for a little privacy."
"It is more private in the labyrinth, if that concerns you too much."
"Not too much," Kagome said as she allowed Inuyasha to lift her skirts and remove her panelettes.
They made love twice before a slight giggle broke their bliss.
Two Hindi boys, about twelve years old each, were peering at them through one of the smaller bushes.
"Oh, you two get out of here!" Inuyasha grumbled and he picked up some soil and threw it at the boys.
The two boys giggled loudly as they ran off back towards the manor.
"Well, that ruins the mood."
Kagome started laughing. She could not help it. She was not sure if it was from her own embarrassment or the redness of Inuyasha's face.
"Oh, hush." He said as he stood up, pulled up his breeches, and laced up his shirt.
"I wonder if this is what it will be like when we have children?"
"Probably, if they are boys. Girls seem to think sex is disgusting to watch until they get older." Inuyasha said as he started joining in his wife's laughter.
The chapel at the Saxton Estate was brightly decorated in blues and greens with splashes of yellow. Sango wanted Miroku's clan colors for the wedding, despite protests.
Kagome shook nervously as Inuyasha led her down the aisle at Miroku and Sango's wedding. She was unsure what made her more nervous, the wedding itself or the fact they were leaving for France directly after the reception.
"It will be alright, Kagome," Inuyasha whispered, "I will always protect you."
Miroku was dressed in a kilt of the Sinclair plaid, complete with white fur sporran. He clasped his hands behind his back and tried to keep from shuffling his feet. Beads of sweat slowly poured from his brow. Occasionally, he would take the handkerchief he had in his fist and patted his brow slightly.
As Inuyasha took his place beside Miroku, he whispered, "So is it true what they say about Scotsmen and their kilts?"
"Shut up, Inuyasha." Miroku said through gritted teeth. "I am tempted to run. If I do, you will have your answer."
Two more groomsmen with bridesmaids on their arms slowly filed in to the sound of one of Mozart's sonatas. The musicians smiles sweetly as they played.
"Maybe she should have chose a requiem. If you keep shaking like that, you will pass out dead."
"I told you to shut up."
"Calm down. You will get through this."
"I would have had a longer engagement if it wasn't for Monty."
"You would have been too afraid to do this if not for Monty's intervention."
"Did you know she and Dhamendra had me use an aphrodisiac on Sango?"
"No, why should that matter?"
"Monty failed to mention that it is also a fertility enhancer. I have to marry Sango before anyone notices anything."
"Congratulations. Take a deep breath, here she comes."
Sango walked slowly down the aisle on her uncle's arm. Miroku suddenly calmed at the sight at her. He started fidgeting again as Sango slowed to let her elderly uncle keep pace.
"Oh come on Sango, lets get this over with."
"So are you going to run?"
"No. Now I want her in my bed, as soon as all of these formalities get over with."
"Now there, that wasn't too painful, was it?" Inuyasha said as he poured Miroku a glass. "To Miroku and Sango Sinclair! May they be as blissful as my wife and I are!"
"Here, here!"
"Are you feeling alright, Sango?" Kagome said as she saw how still Sango was sitting .
"I feel fine. I am just sleepy and hungry. I did not sleep at all last night."
"You probably will not get much sleep tonight either, unfortunately."
"I know. I think I will just eat and rest here until Miroku is ready to go inside"
"Aren't you happy?"
"Very happy! Oh, Kagome, don't get me wrong. I just have not had much sleep. Lets just say Miroku and I are already intimate."
"Perhaps he will let you sleep then. "
"Kagome, Inuyasha is motioning for you to give your toast."
"Friends! I am so glad that my dear friend Sango was chosen by my dear cousin. May they always be happy!"
Cheers rang out as the eating, drinking, dancing and carousing continued.
An hour into the festivities of the reception, Inuyasha motioned for Kagome to sit beside him.
"We should be getting ready to leave. I see Sango is tired and Miroku is anxious."
"Where is Monty?"
"We will have to find her. She always like this at weddings. That is why I could not introduce you at our formal wedding. She takes a couple of bottles of wine or champagne and gets drunk in private."
"I can't say that I blame her. All of her dreams have smashed thoroughly."
"Thanks to my brother. Miroku, we have to be going. We have business overseas and we do not want to miss our ship. Take care."
"I hope to see you both back safe and sound." Miroku replied as he purposely fingered his signet ring.
It took Kagome and Inuyasha nearly an hour to find Monty. She was asleep in a pile of hay next to the stables.
"Oh bloody hell! Inuyasha! I was sleeping!"
"You are drunk."
"That too. Ugh, my head. I knew I should have stayed away from the champagne."
"You can sober up in the carriage. We need to get to London. I have to get to that hairdresser of yours and we need to catch a boat. Remember?" Inuyasha said as he walked Monty over to where the carriage was waiting.
"Ugh, no. No boats. I will loose my stomach for sure."
"Maybe you should ride up top of the carriage with Malik. It might help you sober up."
"Oh no, no, no. He will try to make me drink one of those rancid oil things he uses on hangovers. I will vomit if I ride up with him."
"Well you had better keep your drink down on the ride, then. I am not having Kagome clean that up. And, I won't clean it up either."
"Be nice or I will change my will."
"Like I really care about that."
"You want me to give it all to Percy?"
"I don't care. The only thing I care about with you right now is getting you sobered up."
Dhamendra was already in the carriage waiting for Kagome, Inuyasha and Monty. He smirked slightly and shook his head. "Sister, I told you that you should not get drunk this time. You are going to feel terrible on the trip."
"Dhamendra, tell Inuyasha I will cut him out of my will and give it all away if he doesn't quit being mean to me."
"Why should I do that? He doesn't get that much of your fortune, anyway."
"Some brother you are."
"Monty, look at me. Now, sleep."
Monty grunted a couple of times and murmured something about if her son had survived, then fell fast asleep.
"The power of suggestion works well, especially when she is very drunk."
"Will you be joining us to France?"
"Temporarily. I have some business to attend to. Some supplies I must buy for my laboratory. Then I will come right back. Percy will see you all home."
Two days and several stops later, they reached London.
Monty's London townhouse was spacious. It was appointed with several rooms and plenty of servants.
Dhamendra put Monty to bed before he retired for a short nap.
Kagome went to the spacious library and poured over the many books on French culture and politics that she could find while Inuyasha was getting his hair done.
Inuyasha looked in the mirror at himself. He had never imagined that black hair would look good on him.
"You should dye it again in a few weeks. It is not a permanent dye, Your Grace. It will wash out."
"I do not plan on keeping it, but it does look very good. Thank you, uh.."
"I am called Beth, Your Grace."
"Thank you, Beth."
"Inuyasha!" Kagome said as she entered the kitchen. "I nearly did not recognize you. But, nothing can hide that devilishly handsome face."
"Well the devil may care about this hair color, but I do not. It sickens me the reason I have to change the color is to rescue my selfish brother."
"Believe me, I think this is worse on Monty than it is on you. She has not seen Sesshomaru in years. She needs to face her feelings, for once, and deal with them."
"You're right. She goes so far as to refuse to speak his name. Have you noticed that? She calls him Compte D'Angers, or my brother, or sometimes just 'him.' She has never dealt with that pain. She has never given herself time to think about Sesshomaru in any other way, except drudging up the pain again."
"Ah, the hair color looks good." Dhamendra said as he entered the kitchen and rummaged around for something to drink. "Now you are nearly as handsome as me."
"Dhamendra. How long has Monty harbored her hate for Sesshomaru?"
"Since she lost her child. Kagome. I hope this resolves things. There is a secret I have been hiding from Monty for many years. I grow weary of keep the secret. It breaks my heart to do so."
"If it causes you so much pain, why not tell Monty about it."
"Not until she makes peace with herself. If I do, she will hate me. That is the last thing in the world I want. I may seem aloof, but I care very dearly for my sister. We had best get some sleep. Our ship leaves just after sundown."
It seemed that the storms parted just for the ship. The captain explained to Kagome that the beginning of July was the best time to be traveling south.
Inuyasha could have swore Dhamendra had something to do with the odd stretch of good weather, but he was loathe to mention it.
Dhamendra had his hands full. Monty was sick.
"I told you to refrain from besotting yourself so soon before the trip, but no . You never listen to me, although I am nearly eight years your senior."
"Oh shut up, and hold me so I do not fall overboard."
Kagome had her hands full as well. She tried to keep her distance from aall of the sailors save the captain. Kagome could have sworn the scallywags had not seen a female in months.
The ship, The Highland Heather, belonged to a group of privateers in Monty's employ. It was on its way to India to 'procure' goods. Kagome was not sure whether that meant they would steal the goods or pick them up at port.
"Are ye doin alright lassie?" Captain Brodie said to Kagome as he saw her staring off into space.
"I am doing fine."
"Doona be so concerned about me men. They're only jesting with ye. If ye have any trouble, doona hesitate to call on me. I have no qualms about placin the offender in irons."
"Is Monty always this sick when she travels by ship?"
"Nay. She got herself drunk too soon before the trip. Between the waves and the hangover, she stays sick for a might. She will be fine long before we reach Nantes. If this weather holds, we should make it in another fortnight." Brodie said as he turned to take the wheel from his first mate. His read coat flapped in the wind, as did a plaid sash he had thrown over his shoulder and buckled around his waist.
"Does the Scotsman upset you?" Inuyasha asked, as he put his arms around her waist.
"No. Actually, out of all of the men here, he is the nicest."
"Good. Brodie has a strict code of honor against harming women, despite his sailors' fears for having women on board. Lucky for us, the crew thinks Dhamendra is good luck."
"I can't wait to get off of this boat. I know what we are doing is very dangerous, but I can't help but be excited about it."
"I understand. I am about as excited as I am afraid."
"Hang onto me, Inuyasha. I will not leave you, ever."
Sigismundo met them at the docks. His face was ashen and his manner frantic. Monty had never seen the Italian so upset.
"You must come quick to my house! We have a serious problem." Sigismundo waited for Monty and the other to gather their things and les them quickly to a run- down hovel at the edge of Nantes.
"Now will you tell me why you are so nervous, Sigismundo."
"Oh! Madame Monty! It is terrible. The Bastille!"
"Quit babbling and tell me what is wrong."
"A mob in Paris stormed the Bastille! It has fallen! The riots and violence have gotten worse. Many of the nobles and the bourgeoisie have been arrested and shot! If we do not get to The Compte quickly, he will be transported to Paris!"
"My God! I never imagined it could get this bad! Kagome, I want you to go home with Dhamendra as soon as he is finished with his business."
"I will not abandon Monty!" Kagome looked at Monty's face. Monty was close to bursting into tears.
"How, How could they?"
"Calm down, cousin. We will get to him before anything happens."
"Do you know where he is being held, Sigismundo?"
"In a farm to the west of what was his estate. So far they have not tried to move him. My lusty lady says that they are keeping him there because they are looking for something. The Compte refuses to tell them where his legacy is."
"Legacy? My god, they are looking for the swords!"
"What swords are you talking about, love?"
"Kagome. My father was entrusted with a pair of swords. The templars brought them back from the holy land four hundred years ago. They supposedly belonged to a pair of Roman soldiers who showed Christ sympathy as he carried the cross. As a reward for their kindness, God put a blessing on the swords. One sword is said to have great healing power. The soldier who carried that sword supposedly slipped water and bread to Christ while imprisoned before his procession. The other sword ensures victory to any leader. That sword was carried by the soldier fought off the ones throwing stones at Christ."
"Oh my God! Inuyasha! We can not let the rioters get their hands on those swords!"
"Certainly not!" Monty added, "Who knows where they will stop? Who is to say that once they have those swords they will stop at France? In the hands of a tyrant, those swords could allow the terror to spread around the world!"
"You are right. Let us get ourselves in order. We have to get those swords as well as my brother."