InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Secrets ❯ Common Beginnings ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

This idea just came to me on a whim, and I suppose it's totally messed up. I mean geez, Inuyasha fanfic is generally set in Japan or America (so it seems) and here I am setting it in Tudor England with their Japanese names and terms and Henry VIII and family seemingly no one; with Higurashi's instead. Well, kinda. It's a bit of a funny set up. Read on!

Secrets Chapter 1: Common Beginnings

Kagome's POV

The litter was one of the older ones, the kind my women were put in during formal escorts, while the nobles rode on horseback and I in a more elaborate carriage. My gown was one of my finest, heavy green velvet opening onto a satin petticoat. My headdress was simple but modest, tucking my hair up behind my head and framing my face like a bottomless pentagon. It was black; the frame white with gold edging and my jewelry was simple. I was but 13 years old, and immature at that. I hated this finery, and the way my hair HAD to be hidden. The children in front of the palace ran with their hair matted and free, their dresses were simpler and didn't involve corsets that forced the air from your lungs.

The litter drew up in a small courtyard and my mother and I exchanged a glance as the door was opened. We were helped from the carriage by our women, who bustled us quickly into the cool, damp palace.

"Princess Kagome, Lady Okira. You know of your current state?" We nodded; my inclination more curt than my mothers. "I shall remind you even so, so as not to cause... mistake on your parts. Lady Okira, you are no longer the Queen of England - a mere workwoman whore who mothered a Princess and you are not to forget it. Princess, you are last in line to the throne of England, only remaining royalty due to your value as a game piece. If you were to marry abroad you would form a dear alliance." The noble fixed us a stony glare; "You are a Princess only by title, not by state. Be you insolent to the King, you will be treated as a commoner. Do I make myself plain?" Again, we nodded. He affixed a horrific smirk; "Keep that virtue intact, Princess." And with those rough words, the noble exited the hall and left us standing, our women tittering quietly amongst themselves.

With a choked sob, I gathered my skirts into my arms and stormed up a flight of uncarpeted stairs to the first bedroom. Without taking in the furnishings, I threw myself onto the thick comforter, leaving dark tear stains across it, and horrified at what I was reduced to.

"Princess Kagome?" A knock sounded on the oak door. "Kagome, are you in there? It's Sango." I lifted my head from the sheets, drawing in my breath through my now clogged nose.

"Yes, I'm here. You may enter, Lady Sango." I sat up, dabbing my nose with a handkerchief and wiping my eyes. "Do you require anything?" This was custom of me; I hated to be a snob and a perfect princess. I looked different enough; I had black hair and a large fringe, dark brown eyes and pale olive skin instead of the blonde haired, blue eyed ideal image. I had a big heart, and my women were my closest friends.

“No, not particularly Kagome, but your mother wishes for you to go outside. If you are a princess by title only, then she assumes you may go out and perform child behaviors. Now change into your informal things and I will accompany you.” I finally took in her garb - a pale brown dress with no corset and no headdress.

“You intend to go without your under garments?” I asked incredulously, then with a frown as she blushed red.

“No! Never! Just without my corset like the village children. Kagome?” I huffed and gathered my skirts as I stood. And allowed her, Lady Eri and Lady Ayumi to undress me and fit me into a simple beige gown like Sango's. The sleeves were without bells and were close fitting until the wrist where they loosened considerably. Ayumi braided my hair from the front on both sides and gathered the two ropes of hair into a loose cascade that faded into the rest. I wore no jewelry or headdress and looked considerably like my friend.

“Kagome! Such a change! You look far prettier like that!” I looked toward the door of my chamber and smirked when I saw who it was. He had a way of making me happy. I might have been a little more than fond of him if he wasn't so obvious about his intentions.

“Thanks Miroku.” Somehow, dressing differently dashed formality and I could talk and feel like the maids - without, of course, the chores. I hugged him warmly but shied away as I felt his hand on my rear. It had been nice when I first got to know him, but it quickly got disturbing since he took it upon himself to grope me whenever we were near. Sango too, he had a thing; it seemed, for very young fruit. He was maybe 19 or 20 at the time and was quite, built but not bulky. Miroku had a nice face, pleasant and strong, with violet eyes and dark hair that was pulled into a small tail at the back of his head.

He gave a mischievous grin and patted my shoulder before smiling at Sango and nodding to the other two.

“Going out?”

“Yes, into the village.”

“Avoiding formality?”

“You've heard, I'm Princess only by title. I'd be `Bastard Fitzroy' if I was male.” I snapped, using the title meaning “'illegitimate son of the king'.

“Easy! So you're going out like an upper peasant, why?”

“Not sure,” I bit my lip and looked up in thought, “to make more friends, maybe; to explore, to look at boys…” I giggled at the funny look on his face at that. “I joke Miroku, I might look but nothing more. I know my value to my father and suppose I ought to abide by it, but there is no harm in looking while their backs are turned.” He shrugged at me.

“Oh, Kagome! It is time we left if we're to be back by dusk!” Sango said quickly, “Miroku, goodbye.” She nodded at him and walked swiftly out. He came toward me for a hug but I backed up, my hands raised, palms to him.

“Oh no, you don't, letch! And no wishful thinking either, I know what goes on in your head! “ He smirked at that and I turned around to follow Sango down the staircase. “Oh you cheek!” I smacked at his hand that had chosen that moment to grasp my bottom through my skirts and tapped him on his face, though not quite as hard as Sango usually did. “Hentai.”