InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Egypt Bound ❯ Competition is Best Served Cold ( Chapter 2 )

Competition is Best Served Cold

At precisely 6:29 p.m., Kagome descended the palatial marble staircase armed with enough political knowledge to launch a coup. The gray silk ensemble draped across her chest to her shoulders, leaving the remainder of the dress to fall in a bias cut from the bodice down. Her left shoulder drape was accented with a marquisite brooch in the shape of a flying dove. She wore opera-length gloves, also made of gray silk to keep the appearance elegant and clean. Sango fixed her ebony hair into a high French twist, accented with a marquisite hair ornament. For the first time in her life, Kagome felt like a fairytale princess. She made her way to the Green Room and was promptly shown to her seat---right across the table from Lord Naraku. As she lowered herself into her chair, she noticed that several pairs of eyes were examining her-she had to be cautious tonight.

At the very head of the table sat the Duke of Worcester, to his right, the Duchess of Worcester; beside the Duchess sat Mr. Pettigrew, the shipping magnate who owned the Pettigrew and Sons Trade Company; next to Pettigrew sat Lord Naraku; at the end of the table sat Lord Barclay, a member of the House of Lords, who voted on the side of caution and examined every bill with precision-a very tough nut to crack; next was Kagome, who was extremely nervous; then Rin, Lord Sesshomaru's seventeen-year old ward who had a child-like innocence about her; and finally Lord Sesshomaru, Naraku's opponent in Parliament, who debated the necessity of restrictions on illegal trade and an initiative to cease the plunder of Egyptian antiquities while Egypt still remained a part of the British Empire. As Kagome allowed herself to be served, Lord Barclay spoke up, " I do hope everyone here has been properly introduced, " his eyes shot over to Kagome as she was sipping a bit of her water, " But I fear that we have some new faces here, mademoiselle, do allow us all the pleasure of knowing your name." Kagome nearly choked on her water. ` Silly me to think I wouldn't be noticed!' she reprimanded herself.

"My name is Kagome Higurashi, " she paused to allow her dining mates to digest that small bit of information, " and it is my pleasure to be in such fine company tonight." `There we go, stroke the egos, just like Sango said-dear God don't let me screw up!'

"We are delighted to see a new face now and then, my dear, " the Duchess replied, " it keeps the conversation fresh."

"Well said Julia, " the Duke chimed in as a waiter bent to whisper in his ear. "Oh, is that so? Well, we certainly have enough room for one more person, don't you agree, Julia?"

"Why of course! The more the merrier! Garçon do fix a place next to Lord Barclay, he seems a bit lonely down at his end." She raised her voice to address the opposite end of the table, "Don't you Lord Barclay?"

"Yes, my Lady! We can make room for one more down here!" Barclay shouted down the table. The waiter approached Kagome and asked her if she wouldn't mind sitting next to Naraku. She didn't. As one place was being reset, and another set, a woman wearing a dark red velvet gown sashayed into the room.

"Madame Kikyo du Loncre," the maitre de announced. `I suppose it was a good thing I didn't wear the crimson gown tonight. Look at her! No shame at all!' Kagome was shocked at the amount of cleavage Kikyo's ensemble revealed; certainly she was in the market for a husband as well.

"Duchess, " Kikyo's high-pitched, yet sensuous voice sounded above the small chats, " how kind of you to let me join your party! And you are too kind Lord Barclay! Giving up your seat for lil' old me!"

"Actually, it was Kagome who so graciously vacated her seat, Madame du Loncre." Barclay corrected her dryly. Kikyo's dark eyes zeroed in on Kagome, who was seated next to none other than Lord Naraku, pursed her lips and muttered a cold `thank you'. Kagome nodded. In the meantime, the Duchess told a lively yarn about her young nephew's first time on horseback. The diners laughed heartily, except for Lord Sesshomaru, who seldom laughed at all. The Duchess turned to Kagome.

"Do you ride much, Kagome?" She had to dodge this inquiry fast.

"Oh, my mum forbids it! She believes that riding is most unladylike, Duchess." Kagome replied.

"So, " Kikyo cut in sarcastically, " you've never rode before? Does your family own any horses?"

" We sold them after my father died. My poor father was thrown from a horse, and my mum, she couldn't bear the sight of the beasts after he died, " Kagome added in a pseudo-sad tone. This was not going to be easy.

"Hmm…" Kikyo murmured. The tone of the conversation was going south, and Kagome knew that if she allowed Kikyo to ask too many questions, she would be found out. So, she did what anyone would do in a tight spot-she changed the subject.

" I wonder what the weather in Egypt will be like," Kagome said dreamily.

"Hot." Naraku replied with a mouth slightly full.

"And dry, " added Sesshomaru.

"I take it that you have never traveled to the Middle East, Kagome?" Naraku inquired, smirking.

"No, Lord Naraku, I regret to say that I have not,"

"Well, my dear, you are in for a treat. Egypt holds more wonders of human achievement than you can imagine."

"Oh come now Naraku, don't be so romantic about it, " Sesshomaru scoffed.

"No, Lord Sesshomaru, I'm sure you will agree that climbing the pyramids are second to none! Or standing at the foot of the Great Sphinx?" Sango had told Kagome about Naraku's opposition to the antiquity legislation that Sesshomaru was attempting to pass in Parliament, and she predicted that Naraku would try to bait Sesshomaru and berate his agenda.

"Naraku, I do agree with you on that point, but I do not believe it is safe for Miss Kagome or anyone else for that matter, to be climbing up the pyramids," Sesshomaru said coolly.

"Perhaps she would rather see Cleopatra's mummy in the Cairo Museum, or visit Saqqara?" Naraku smirked again to spite Sesshomaru.

"You know full well that Saqqara is being excavated by Petrie, and that tourists would only complicate matters-the area is already a prime target for robbers, as you may have been informed, Naraku," Sesshomaru spoke dryly as he patted his lip with his napkin. Once again, the Duchess intervened.

"Gentlemen! Now, we are all anxious about what Mr. Cook has in store for us on our tour! Let's not sour the evening!"

"She is right gentlemen, " Kikyo chimed in, not happy to be ignored, " perhaps you could tell us about the pyramids after supper, in a more… intimate gathering." Kikyo smiled warmly.

"Yes, Lord Naraku, I'm sure that your stories would keep us entertained for hours, " Kagome piped in brightly. She smiled.

"Maybe even days, " Kikyo cut in sharply. This woman was not to be outdone, Kagome thought. As the servants cleared away their dishes, the maitre de passed out dance cards to each member of the dining party. Kagome was happy to see that she was reserved for Naraku during the waltz. She glanced over at Kikyo, who seemed to not be so amused with her set of partners.

It wasn't until eight that the guests were ushered into the ballroom, where Kagome drowned in the sound of "The Blue Danube" issuing from the orchestra. She was so overwhelmed by the atmosphere that she almost didn't feel the tap on her shoulder. She turned her head and saw Naraku standing there, his red eyes taking her in.

"May I have this dance?" He asked, his voice like honey.

"A-Allow me to check my card, your grace," Kagome replied shakily. Ironically, he was not first on her list, but who was she to deny him a dance? Didn't she want to become Lady Hamilton? Nope, refusal was not an option.

"It seems that you are my first partner of the evening, Lord Naraku. I must warn you, I have not had an experienced partner in quite some time, " she quipped.

"Well, Miss Higurashi, I would be deeply grieved if I did not measure up to your standards!" She giggled at his remark and took the arm he offered.

The pair glided across the dance floor effortlessly, but not without notice. Men observed Kagome's pretty, youthful face and her petite figure, as women swooned over Naraku's gothic good looks. All in all, the two made a lovely picture. Except to Kikyo, who fumed everytime she passed them on the floor. Naraku leaned down to whisper in her ear, which tickled with each breath. "You look absolutely lovely tonight, Miss Higurashi." His very voice sent shivers down her spine, and made her feel a chill for some unfathomable reason.

"You are too kind, my Lord, " she said, her cheeks flushed. He pulled her closer.

" I do not hand out compliments lightly, Miss Higurashi, you should feel grateful that I find you so attractive out of everyone here, " Naraku looked her straight in the eye. She averted her gaze, because, as Kaede said, men find modesty attractive. As the waltz ended, she glanced down at her card and read the name of her next dance partner: Sesshomaru.

"I-I trust that we will share a dance again?" she stammered nervously.

"I have no doubt in my mind that we will," he took her hand, "until next time, " he kissed the back of her hand softly as she spotted Lord Sesshomaru making his way toward her.