InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Egypt Bound ❯ Sailing to Marseilles ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Inuyasha-though if I did, I would be extremely rich !!!

Sailing to Marseilles

"Well, I suppose this is goodbye, Lady Kagome."

"What do you mean Lady Kagome?" her eyes narrowed. "I'm not a lady-"

"Yet." His un-cataracted eye twinkled. "Now you know full well that I didn't slave away and save for years just to see you wed to a pauper, me'dear. Do yer granddad proud and make sure you do everythin' wot Miz Hazel taught ya."

"Yessir." She agreed demurely, as the tall smokestacks of the steamers in the harbour came into view.

"Now, Kagome, this is your only chance for a catch this good-a chance of a lifetime! Yer mum an' Souta are countin' on ya ta bag a good one-an' we both know who that is right?"

"Lord Naraku." They chimed in unison. Uneasiness crept up in Kagome's stomach. She knew that she was her family's only hope for leaving a life of poverty in the dismal mill town of Manchester, England. Thankfully, her grandfather had saved as much as he could to get her this steamer ticket for one of the Cook's Tours headed to THE place for the wealthy and the nouveau riche---Egypt. It was the turn of the century in England, and the height of Queen Victoria's reign, when Kagome was to set sail.

"You should consider yourself lucky me dear, yer goin' on ta a new life, " her grandfather said wistfully, "but make sure ya be thrifty, this is all we `ave." He pulled a purple velvet pouch from his worn waistcoat and handed it to her. She took it, opened it, and gasped. "Grandpa! How-how much is there? I can't take this! This is your life savings!"

"Oy! Pipe down, the carriage driver might hear ya and demand I pay `em more! The bugger! Now ya best take it, `tis 7,000 pounds sterling, and it wasn't all mine neither! Yer mum an' me" he turned his eyes heavenward, " and yer grandma, bless her soul, all worked our arses off an' saved fer ya ta do this. Now ya can do us proud by keepin' yer eyes on tha prize an' comin' back wit' a husband worth more than that, ya hear?"

"Oh grandpa!" she hugged the old man tightly until he began coughing. "Now, *cough* darlin' *cough* ease up eh? We're here." She looked out at the Southhampton harbour. It was a typical English day, the skies were overcast, and the air held a slight chill, but Kagome had a feeling that something good was going to happen.

After they descended the coach, her grandfather gave her trunks to the porter for their safe passage to her cabin, and Kagome was instructed to go to get her tickets for her departure. As she waited in line, she noticed the finery that preceded her; women wore lovely wool gowns in the newest Parisian style, with feathers and taffeta bows upon their hats. She felt homely, although her mother, being the best seamstress in Manchester, stitched way into the night to make sure she had all the up and coming fashions for her trip of a lifetime. Still, being the best guarded virgin in town, she knew she had a role to play, and if she failed, she could never forgive herself.

"Your name and destination, miss?" the mustachioed man in the brown suit asked snootily as he held a book.

"Uh, Kagome. Higurashi, Kagome. A-Alexandria." She said shakily.

"Hmm… Hampton, Heave, Hightower, ahh, here you are! Higurashi!" he made a check by her name. "First class, cabin B12. Here are your boarding passes through to Marseilles. Now, miss, we will be changing ships for the Cook's tour at Marseilles, so make sure your luggage is all in order when we do. Understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Supper will be served in the Green Room at 6:30 sharp. Formal dress only." He sneered as he gave her plain attire the once-over. "We sail on the half hour."

"Thank you." Kagome walked over to her grandfather, who was engaged in a conversation with a porter.

"…So says I to her. Wench ne'er spoke that way ta me again, mark me words son. Ah! Kagome! Sweet'eart!" he quickly changed his tone to meet his granddaughter in a bone crushing hug.

"I'm so scared Grandpa! I'll be so far away from home! What will I do without you all? I miss you already!"

"There, there Kagome dear. You'll be fine. Just remember what yer here for, an' that we all loves ya very much. Oh, wait! Yer mum wanted me ta give ye this," he reached once again into his waistcoat and pulled out a small, silver, heart-shaped locket.
"Oh Grandpa! It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together in delight.

" `Twas yer grandma's. She carried it with her all her life. Yer mum said she gave it to her when she got married, an' now it's yours for yer marriage. Good luck it gave `er. She an' me son had happy times together afore she lost `im in that sodding mill accident."

"Grandpa, such language!"

"Sorry me dear. But this is som'n fer good luck."

"I love you Grandpa. And Mum and Souta. I can't thank you enough for this!" She hugged the old man tightly as the horn began to blow. Tears streamed down the sides of her eyes as she gave her grandfather a kiss on the cheek and boarded the mammoth steamer that would take her to a foreign land.

"Lord Naraku! How grand it `tis to have you aboard!" The concierge bubbled. "Lovely season for traveling! I trust you will be in your usual suite?"

"Yes, Simpson. I shall be in the Oriental Suite," he replied nonchalantly as he fingered the silver head of his cane, "as usual."

" Have we set the table arrangements for this evening? I do not wish to sit by paupers and meddling mothers, mind you."

"Oh no, your grace, I have personally checked this passenger list in order to bring you the most delightful creatures of the season and the cream of London's social crop! I am sure you will not be disappointed," Simpson handed Naraku the list of his dining partners for the voyage, while he tweaked his moustache in delight. Naraku examined the list, his lips curling. "Kagome Higurashi, eh? Who is she? Where is she from? And why the devil did you put Sesshomaru Takamura at my table? You know very well that he is my opponent in Parliament! What were you thinking man?!" Naraku fumed.

Simpson looked for a welcome distraction to escape Naraku's wrath, but found none. He also found it nearly impossible to hide behind a concierge's podium without being missed.

"ANSWER ME YOU BUMBLING IDIOT!" Naraku snatched him by the collar, nearly choking the poor guy. "I-ugh-I th-thought he would make a lively conversation, your -ugh- grace?" Simpson squeaked as Naraku loosened his hold on him. Naraku pondered for a minute as Simpson readjusted his shirt collar and tie. "Hmm…you know Simpson, you may not be such a fool after all…I admire your political acumen old boy. Good work." Naraku's lips curled into what some could describe as a greedy sneer as he tipped his hat with the head of his cane.

She had never seen anything so fine in her life. `Oh my goodness! I can't believe it! Look at this place!' she gasped inwardly. A crystal chandelier descended from the ceiling, bathing the foyer in warm light. The marble staircase looked like something only Cinderella could descend from, complete with a pair of bronze cupids holding their miniature bows. She could see the large, white, banquet hall doors on either side of the cavernous hall. Immediately, she spotted the concierge's podium, and bounded toward it-until she heard Hazel, her etiquette teacher's words in her head: Ladies must never look rushed. Always walk slowly and gracefully, with your shoulders back, and your head forward…no man will ever look at a girl who hangs her head! She straightened up and slowly made her way to the podium-after all, she had to act her part.

But amid all the bustling of the main foyer, she saw that she was not to be the first in line-a man with a black waistcoat and tophat was before her. The concierge, the very same moustachioed man who sneered at her earlier was talking to the man in black. Whoever this man was, he had to be important. His very presence gave that away. Kagome recognized the suit of clothes to be none other than the latest cut (being the daughter of a seamstress helped) of light wool, suitable for warm climates. His shoes gleamed with new polish, and his cane was tipped with a gargoyle head of pure silver. She remembered reading about such a person who was noted for carrying a peculiar cane but she couldn't put her finger on it….

"I will make sure that your stay on this vessel is capital, Lord Naraku," the concierge said assuredly.

`Lord Naraku! That's him? The man I'm supposed to marry? He is so.."

"It bloody well better be, " Naraku muttered as he turned around to find a rather awestruck Kagome. "Oh excuse me miss, I'm sorry I startled you, " his voice oozed like honey to Kagome's ears. "Oh no! It's all my fault! I-I-I …'better think of something fast Kagome!'" Naraku looked down his nose at her. " …was just taking in the beauty of the foyer, I have never been on a steamer so elegant!" Naraku smirked at her. "whew, saved!'

"Well, my dear girl, I trust that this is not your first time on a ship of this caliber," he smiled, and the sheer radiance of it could melt butter.

"No sir, it is not. I have traveled before," Kagome replied, seemingly unflustered.

"Where, pretell?"

"Oh, to London for a season, then to Normandy and the White Cliffs of Dover, " she lied. Naraku smiled crookedly.

"May I have the pleasure of knowing your name? I'm quite sure you have a Christian name," he inquired. Her eyes canvassed his face, starting from his pale lips, to his blood-red eyes and high cheekbones, stopping at his wavy wisps of midnight black hair. She could get used to seeing such odd beauty each day, she thought to herself, although his eyes were a bit creepy.

"Kagome. My name is Kagome," she replied in the round, tones that Hazel made her practice day in and day out to rid her of her cockney accent. He took her small hand and raised it to his lips. Kagome felt the coldness of his lips upon her hand, and it sent shivers through her spine.

"I am always pleased to make the acquaintance of lovely ladies such as yourself. Lord Naraku Hamilton at your service mademoiselle."

" And I am especially honored to make the acquaintance of a such a distinguished statesman, such as yourself Lord Naraku. I do hope this meeting will not be our last." Kagome flashed him a smile as he took his leave. `Good job girl, eyes on the prize. Now what was I here for? Oh yes, my room!' She addressed the concierge, " I need to know which floor my cabin is on, sir."

"Second floor on your right, miss. And supper is in thirty minutes."

"Thank you."

Once she was in her cabin, she had no time to ponder how richly decorated it was- she had a dinner to get ready for. She headed to her trunks and searched for the perfect gown to make her entrance into high society. As she was searching, she heard a soft knock on the door. "Come in!" She shouted. The door opened and a young woman in a maid's uniform stepped in.

"I'm here to help you with your toilette, ma'am." She stated as she shut the door.

"Splendid! Now which gown do you think looks the best? The crimson velvet or the gray silk?"

"Gray silk ma'am. Makes it not so obvious that you're nouveau riche."

"What? What did you say?" Kagome was taken aback by the maid's words.

"I've dressed many ladies like you, ones who are trying to get a leg up in society."

"How did you know I was…"

"You asked my opinion. Normally the aristocrats don't bother and wear whatever. But don't worry, I can help you if you help me."

"And how's that?"

"I will give you the inside scoop on every dame, lord, and duke on this voyage as long as you get me off this bloody ship." Kagome's eyes widened in shock. This girl was no ordinary ladies' maid. Her eyes narrowed.

"What's your name?"

"Sango."

"And why should I trust you?"

"Because we're alike. Both of us have goals to achieve. I could tell you weren't an aristocrat from the moment I saw you at the dock."

"Is this blackmail? "

"No, not quite. I just figured that since your grandfather paid to get you on the list for Naraku's table that I'd give it a shot. Only the select few get to dine with him."

"He did what??" Kagome was in shock. How much money could her family have possibly invested in her marriage prospect? "So I suppose I had better go along or risk being found out, is that it? And how do I know you're as good as your word?" Kagome said skeptically.

"Because if I can pull off a courtship between a divorcee and Lord Chamberlain, I can certainly make you look like a million pounds."

"It was YOU that got them together? I thought it was fate." Kagome was surprised. ` I guess the society papers were wrong.'

Sango chuckled. "Fate nothin'! She was as poor as a churchmouse when her last husband divorced her and took all her money. Luckily, she wasn't too old, or too stupid, or too fashionably inept for me to help her. She got married and I got a nice chunk of change for my efforts…so whaddya say?" Kagome sighed.

"I guess I have nothing to lose, "`Except my family, that is' "Okay, deal!" she shook Sango's hand.

"Okay, now let's get you into that dress." Sango chirped.