InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Shards of Foxfire ❯ Chapter 8

Hi everyone! Sorry it took so long to update, my friend is lending me anime movies/dvds and I haven't had the time! Here's an extra long chapter just for you guys! Oh, yes, the disclaimer:

I don't own Inuyasha, but I own Amari, Iroka, Youjou, Sakura, Nakama, and Naanaami!

Thanks to my reviwers!

Tsume Yamagata: Thanks for reviewing, you're the only one this week! *Sniffle*

When they arrived at the palace, Prince Kuranosuke himself was waiting. As Sango and Miroku dismounted, Kirara disappeared into a ball of flame and reappeared as a cute kitten, jumping onto Sango's shoulder. "I've missed you, Sango." Kuranosuke said, smiling at her. "And you are … Miroku I believe." Miroku nodded. "Welcome to my palace. We happen to be having a festival today and I would like you to come." Miroku and Sango nodded their assent. A festival sounded nice and relaxing. Suddenly, a teenager about the age of Naanaami stepped forward, and extended a hand. "Hello, my name is Tanekabau, and I am Kuranosuke-sama's cousin." They told him their names, and then Prince Kuranosuke said, "Your friends are waiting for you in that room, where you can have lunch." He said, pointing out the direction they should go. Sango and Miroku walked to that room, ready to meet up with the others.

"See, I told you I was right!" Inuyasha boasted as everyone saw the couple enter. Shippo was shocked. "Inuyasha actually did something RIGHT for once?" Inuyasha hit Shippo on the head with a growl. He started to cry and ran to Kagome. "Inuyasha, stop picking on Shippo. It's good that you guys are back!" Kagome said as she finished her lunch, and motioned Sango and Miroku to sit by her. "Feh. I think that that Kurano-whatever guy was afraid that we were just using your names to get us to stay here for a few nights." Inuyasha said angrily. And with that last comment, he had his 9th helping of food in about twenty seconds. Sango and Miroku quickly got their portions, and finished the meal in silence. After they had finished, Sango motioned a serving girl over. "Where should we go now?" Sango asked. The serving girl smiled, and pointed to the two doorways. "Girls go through the one on the right, and boys on the left. You have to get ready for the festival!" Sango nodded her thanks, and directed everyone through the doors, to get ready for the festival.

The room the girls went into looked enormous. It was marble, and had sunken tubs, more like Jacuzzis than anything else. The other half of the room was completely dominated by a huge wardrobe and places to do makeup. "This is nice for the past." Sango muttered, so that only the others could hear her. She went for the nearest bath, and sunk into it. It was nice and warm, and smelled like flowers in spring. There were enough baths for everyone, so they relaxed for a while not talking, just enjoying the feeling of luxury. Some servant girls who were sent to help the girls get ready broke the peace. They got thick fluffy towels for the girls, let them dry off, and then swept them off to the giant wardrobe, letting them decide what outfit they wanted.

Sango was shocked at the quality of the gowns. Just one yukata could keep a whole village of demon exterminators comfortable for a year. "Which one would you like, Miss?" The servant girl attending her asked. Sango replied, "Oh, I don't know. What's your name?"

"Nakama, Miss."

"What a pretty name!" `I must remember to name one of my children Nakama.'

"Arigatou, Miss."

"Just call me Sango, OK Nakama?"

"OK Mi- I mean Sango. So, have you decided on a yukata yet?" Sango shook her head. They all looked so beautiful. Nakama thought for a moment, then brought out a yukata. "How about this one?"

Sango gasped. It was the prettiest in the wardrobe, and most likely the most expensive. It was mainly a pale pink, and had long flowing sleeves. The sleeves and the bottom of the skirt had darker pink flowers, and more flowers were in random places on the yukata. Small green vines threaded through the flowers. The sash was made of some shimmery silver fabric, with pink flowers embroidered onto it that matched the rest of the kimono. The new sandals looked soft and very comfortable, very plain except for the silver straps. Sango nodded her agreement, and Nakama grinned. "Well, let's get you the rest of your outfit, and I'll help you dress." Nakama said as she gathered up everything else that Sango would need to get dressed.

"I think I can dress myself, I've been able to do it since I was five!" Sango said as she took the clothes from Nakama, who simply smiled. After looking at all of the odd contraptions that noblewomen wore every day, Sango said, "Well, maybe I WILL need some help." Nakama laughed as she helped Sango get on the clothes.

After being corseted within an inch of her life, Sango was finally dressed. Nakama looked her over, and then said, "Now, to do your hair and makeup." Sango sat down at the nearest vanity, and Nakama motioned for her to lean back to the basin. `This is a lot like the modern beauty salon.' Sango thought to herself. After pouring buckets of warm water over her head, Nakama poured some perfumed oil over Sango's hair, to make it smell good. She then washed Sango's hair out and then dried it with a towel, another towel draped over her shoulders so that her hair wouldn't mess up the fabric. Nakama brushed it for a long time, drying Sango's hair in the process. She then took out the containers of makeup, and began to apply her makeup. Sango was annoyed that Nakama wouldn't let her see herself, but the servant had promised that she would let Sango look when she was done. Adding some jewelry as a finishing touch, Nakama finally let Sango look in a mirror.

Sango almost didn't recognize herself. The yukata was stunning on her, making her wonder if Kuranosuke had had that dress made especially for her. Her hair was glossy and shiny, and fell to her waist. The only decoration on it was small sakura petals placed in her hair. For once, she wasn't wearing her normal shade of pink eyeshadow, but a lighter color that matched her yukata. She had faint blush on, and some pink lipstick that looked like the flowers on her yukata. Her sandals matched perfectly, as did the rose quartz necklace. Nakama smiled at her handiwork, and then dragged Sango out so that she could see everyone else's clothes for the festival.

Sango was as shocked to see everyone else as they were to see her. Kagome had an emerald green yukata with silvery swirls, and a silver sash. Ayame had a gold yukata with green vines, and a green sash. Rin's yukata was red, and had white flower petals on the yukata and in her hair, and had a white sash. Naanaami had a dark blue one with silver stars and moons, and a silvery sash. Amari wore a white yukata with pale blue flowers and a darker blue sash. The two little girls had simpler yukatas, Sakura in pink with a green sash, and Iroka in blue with a red sash. They all looked really good, and they walked out into the courtyard to meet the guys, who they were sure had been preparing as well.

As the girls came out, one by one, everyone turned and stared. Rin came out first, and it looked like a lot of the village boys were concentrating on her a little too closely, and Sesshoumaru cracked his whip in front of them. They immediately straightened up, and watched for the next person. Kagome came next, and Inuyasha was speechless, as was most everyone else. Ayame followed her, smiling at a staring Kouga. Amari and her daughters followed, smiling before standing next to Kohaku. Naanaami came next, and the whispers of, "Oh, she's a half-breed", and "What a freak" reached her sensitive ears. However, she ignored them and stood next to Koga, who smiled at her reassuringly. Sango came out last; everyone shocked at how good she looked. Miroku and Kuranosuke stared openly, and Inuyasha whispered, "Mother." `That's right.' Sango thought. `Kagome said that I looked a lot like Inuyasha's mom.' (A/N: It's true, just watch episode 5) After Sango was next to Miroku, Kuranosuke shouted, "Let the festivities begin!"

The festival was in full swing. The dinner was delicious, and everyone was in a good mood, except for a few people. Kohaku, who normally would be sitting with Naanaami, had found a group of friends to hang out with, and Naanaami was sitting alone. She had tried to sit with Kohaku, but the entire table had moved, and now she was alone. And, to add to her embarrassment, she was hearing every little thing they had said about her. "Kohaku, you really hang out with that half-breed freak?" "She looks horrible, with those ugly dog ears and mangy wolf tail." Her ears twitched at every insult, and tears began to puddle on her empty plate.

`I'm gonna skin those people alive.' Inuyasha and Koga thought at the same time, and then lunged for that table. Sango reached back and held them back by their hair. "Let Kohaku handle this, ok? If he can't, then you can help, ok?" The two men agreed, and sat back at the table.

Kohaku, noticing Naanaami's tears, turned to everyone else, fire in his eyes. "How dare you insult Naanaami! She's my friend, and I don't care if she's a half-demon or not! And I think her ears are cute." Kohaku said a little quieter, blushing as he went to sit with Naanaami, who instantly perked up. However, the whispers continued. "She's put him under a spell, that hateful freak." Naanaami's ears sagged, and she was about to leave when she saw Tanekabau stand up for her. "How dare you insult an honored guest! Stop immediately, or you will be sent away." And with that, he sat on the other side of Naanaami, who was very grateful for her saviors. Kohaku silently thanked him, and Tanekabau nodded. They started into a conversation, ignoring everyone else around them.

Sango looked at the happy group, and was surprised to find Miroku's arms around her, hugging her. "You look so beautiful tonight." Miroku said. "Um, Miroku?" Sango asked. "Kuranosuke's staring, and if looks could kill, you'd be six feet under. I'd suggest that you hug me AFTER we leave, ok?" Miroku let go of her, and nodded, sighing.

Suddenly, Kuranosuke grabbed Sango, saying, "Would you like to dance?" Sango nodded graciously, but as she walked off, she gave the group a look of utter despair.

"Prince Kuranosuke?"

"Yes, Sango?"

"I'm feeling a little bit tired after our journey, so do you think I could sit this one out?" Sango could see his disappointment, but he nodded graciously, letting her sit back at her table. Some other princesses that wanted to marry the prince were crowding around him, hoping that they could have the first dance with him.

Sango sighed in relief as she sat back down at the table, where she could have a conversation with her friends. "I'm glad Kuranosuke bought it," she said, "I really don't know how to dance."

"I could teach you." Miroku said.

"Let me finish my dinner first!" Sango said in exasperation as she worked on finishing her meal, which was delicious. Just as she was done eating, Kohaku and Naanaami dragged her to the dance area, where a fast song had started. Miroku followed Sango, smiling, as the young couple ran to the center, dancing faster and more accurately than anyone else. Sango tried to look at other's examples, but she just tripped over her own feet whenever she tried to dance. She nearly screamed with frustration, and then Miroku came up to her, taking her hands. "Here, I'll teach you." Miroku said, slowing down so that Sango could see what he was doing. Sango quickly got the hang of it and the couple went over to dance next to Kohaku and Naanaami.

As the song ended, Miroku went off to flirt with some of the village girls, something he hadn't done in a long time, and Kuranosuke managed to grab Sango before she could leave the dance floor. She accepted, and they started dancing together. The song was fast once again, and was over quickly. Kuranosuke was about to ask Sango for the next dance as well, but someone yelled, "Let's have a tournament!" The audience agreed, and the dance floor was soon replaced with a padded arena. Everyone was scrambling to find someplace where they could change into their battle uniforms. Sango had convinced Nakama to let her wear her cat suit under her yukata, so all she had to do was to take off the yukata and the things underneath, and put on her armor and get her katana. She left her room, and went to the sign-up table for the tournament.

The line was very long, as almost everyone wanted to try for the tournament, for the prize was rumored to be very valuable. As Sango joined the line, nobody looked too surprised that she was going to try for the grand prize. The line quickly became shorter as more people signed up, and then Sango got to the front. The scribes wrote her name down, and she was led off to where her weapons and armor would be inspected. The tournament was all for fun and nobody needed to be killed. Sango's choice weapon, her katana, was coated in wax so that the point wouldn't be lethal, and she walked over to where everyone else who had signed up was.

"So, you guys signed up too?" Sango asked as Inuyasha came into view. As she got closer, she noticed that Miroku, Sesshoumaru, Koga, Ayame, Amari, Kagome, Shippo, Kohaku, and Naanaami had signed up as well. "Do you know what the prize is for winning the tournament?" Naanaami asked curiously. Sango shook her head, and looked over at where the total number of people competing was being written up. "Two-hundred fifty six people? That's a lot!" Shippo said as some of Kuranosuke's soldiers came over to them, showing whom they would fight first. They all went over to the arena, ready to begin.

The first round was pretty well matched, though Shippo was defeated by someone quite larger than he was. He moped for a while before going to Rin for comfort. Kagome was defeated in the next round, though she fought hard. The third round was even tougher; Kohaku and Naanaami were eliminated. The wolf girl was quite depressed for a while, but Kohaku comforted her and she soon was back at the spectator's stand, cheering the rest on. Sesshoumaru went against Inuyasha and lost in the fourth round, and Ayame beat Amari in the fifth round.

By this time, only sixteen contestants were left, and five of them were from the Inuyasha group. Miroku was defeated in the sixth round, and the others barely won. Ayame lost in the next round, and Koga lost in the round after that. As Sango looked around, she realized that the other finalist was Inuyasha. `Great!' Sango thought. `I don't want to fight Inuyasha. Oh, well.' She stepped forward, and Inuyasha did as well. A cheer arose from the stands. (A/N: Do they even have stands in feudal Japan?) The strongest girl warrior and a half demon fighting, this would be interesting.

Sango stretched for a minute, looking at Inuyasha. "Well, it's you and me, Inuyasha, although there is one difference. I don't have poison or a boomerang, and you're not going to use the Tetsusaiga." Inuyasha nodded. "Let's get this over with, Sango." And with that, he charged with a katana in hand. Sango dodged by rolling to the side, and got back up instantly, charging at Inuyasha, who ducked and tried again to attack her. The battle went like this for a while, and then Sango began to get tired. Every duck was a little slower, and every sword stroke was a little less accurate. Inuyasha smirked, because he knew that she would eventually slip up, and he would win. He ducked her fierce blow and ran toward her, katana outstretched to win, but Sango had another idea. She stood up, and began running at Inuyasha, who wasn't very far away. He stopped for a minute, wondering why Sango was charging him, and then felt cold steel at his neck. Sango had won.

Sango collapsed on her bed, her prize beside her. It was a beautiful dagger, the sheath blank for the moment, but it would be etched with Kirara in flight with Sango and Miroku on her back, fighting a demon. The blade was oddly shaped, but beautifully deadly. The main blade was jagged like a lightning bolt, but the end was curved outward. Sango finished examining the blade, and put it back in its sheath and placed it on her bedside table. She was about to go to sleep when she heard a rustle of rice paper next door. It was Kohaku, and Naanaami was with him. Sango decided to spy on him, and see what they were doing.

"Thanks for standing up for me at the festival." Naanaami said, wearing her yukata. "It's nothing." Kohaku said, and then said something that made him blush. "You look really pretty in that yukata, Naanaami." Naanaami smiled at him, and then sat down, leaning against the wall, about to fall asleep. In an instant, Kohaku was sitting next to her, his arm around her. Naanaami snuggled into his arm, and fell asleep quickly, purring almost like a cat. Kohaku looked at her sleeping smiling face, and her cute ears (Though he could never get the nerve to actually tell her that). Getting an idea from what he had seen Kagome do many times, he started playing with her ears. Her smile grew wider, and her purr got even louder, sounding like a motor. Kohaku smiled to himself as he picked Naanaami up and placed her on his bed, sleeping on the floor next to the bed, as if to guard her sleep.

Sango smiled at the cute couple. She and Koga might actually be related soon! She decided to go ahead and fall asleep, so that Kohaku wouldn't notice her spying. She was asleep almost instantly, so fast that she didn't notice Miroku come into her room. Miroku looked at Sango, who he decided, had probably just fallen asleep. He looked at her sleeping form and caressed her cheek before sitting next to her bed and falling asleep.

Inuyasha and Kagome passed by both rooms, thinking about blackmail. Well, at least Inuyasha was. Kagome thought that it was so cute with Kohaku and Naanaami, and so were Miroku and Sango. Their room was right next to Kohaku and Naanaami's, because there wasn't enough room for everyone to have one room and they shared. Inuyasha carried Kagome inside, and sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard. Kagome sat right in front of him and leaned on him, falling asleep instantly. "My Kagome." Inuyasha whispered as he allowed her scent to overwhelm him.

Koga walked past all three doors, Ayame on his back. "Asleep already?" Ayame asked, and then looked at Koga. "Blackmail." They both said at the same time as they finally got into their room. Koga curled up on one side of the bed, and Ayame curled up on the other. The bed was so comfortable that neither of the two had any trouble getting to sleep.

Sango woke up about half an hour later, looking around the room. Stepping out of the door, she noticed that everyone had gone to bed except for Sesshoumaru and Rin, who were headed in that direction. She closed the door, and looked for Miroku. He was sitting cross-legged on the side of her bed, using his monk's staff to stay upright. She laughed, and decided that he would be more comfortable than a pillow. Moving his staff to the side, she sat in his lap and leaned against him. Instinctively, his arms wrapped around her, warming her up. As she fell deeper into sleep, Sango silently promised Miroku that if he tried anything, he'd be dead.

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