InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Siren Sisters ❯ Ale Anyone? ( Chapter 11 )

CHAPTER 11: ALE ANYONE?

 

They were so not expecting this. What they pictured was a slow and gradual thing, work up a reputation, take in some travelers cheap, offer good food and drink, and make a humble living. So how was it that the floodgates had opened the first night?

 

Kagome hefted the large wooden tray and almost slammed it on the bar, filled with empty mugs and glasses, a few bowls with some remains of Rin's stew. She wiped the sweat from her brow and smoothed her bangs. Never in Neptune's dreams had she expected this. The place was bustling with people! How on god's green earth had they attracted so many people? Kagome sighed and took the tray behind the bar, emptying it into a barrel of water to be washed when they had time. she took a breather, appreciating the smell of black bread in the brick oven coming from the kitchen. She could just see it. Rin was working her arse off, chopping and stewing the half a lamb in a giant black kettle they had got cheap from an old tavern cook. She marveled at the smell of rosemary and theme, bay leafs tinting the air with them, all herbs Kagome had given her willingly. Hey, you don't discourage Rin's cooking, then your asking for an empty stomach. Dishing out stew, cutting hunks of bread, carting it when Kagome couldn't make it. She wasn't the only one.

 

Sango was behind the bar, dishing out bottles of paid sake (upon granda's advice), pouring whiskey fingers at a time, chugging ale over to tables. A group had come in earlier, and thought it daring to have a whiskey contest, the strange liquor to their liking. Kagome ended up helping the poor men onto the back of cart, the Irish whiskey too much for their inexperienced bodies. Kagome was working the floor, taking orders, giving orders, collecting dishes, making friendly chat, and giving the occasional slap on the head when someone became too cheeky. They had two travelers to fill two of the three rooms, four silver pieces a night, including food and sheets. One had a horse that the girl's fell in love with, so they reduced the boarding fee to one silver from the two silver expense. And least to say, Kagome was handing out a lot of hangover cures.

 

“Alright Sango,” Kagome huffed and grabbed her tray and stood beside Sango, “ I need three whiskeys and one ale.”

 

“My Jesus Kagome,” Sango grinned as she poured the said items, taking quick glances around the warm homey pub. A few sat in front of the fire's blaze, laughing as the flame danced and cracked. Groups of men sat at most the tables, the night finally winding down. Almost all of them had a hearty helping of Rin's lamb stew with black bread, and where now settling over liquor. “How did we become so popular on the first night?”

 

Kagome laughed deeply and took the drinks Sango prepared, “ I don't know, but I'm not complaining in the least. We have enough money to buy a hill and a half!”

 

Kagome skipped over to the kitchen door, the smells over taking her and made her momentarily drool. She pushed the swinging door open with a shove and entered Rin's haven. The said girl was stirring a big pot of steaming brown stew, chunks of carrots and potatoes poking from the brown liquid. Rin looked up and smiled. “Last batch of the night I hope. Be a dear and get the bread from the oven.”

 

Kagome nodded and took the wooden paddle from next to the oven opening, crouching slightly to look into the coal lit depths. She squinted and stuck in the paddle, shifting some and coming back with a steaming loaf of fresh bread. She laid it on the wooden counter that had fresh nicks in it from the cleaver. She dusted her hands and put the paddle aside, retrieving a wooden bowl from under the counter.

 

“Here Rin, another for the lone traveler upstairs,” Kagome held out the bowl and Rin happily filled it. Rin winked.

 

“You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say that sweet boy has designs for you.”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes but smirked, turning to leave, “sorry but I'm smitten.”

 

Rin giggled, “oh yes, Sango told all `bout that little scene in your healer's room.”

 

Rin only laughed at the glare she received for being a pest. Kagome swaggered miffed over to the stairs, getting an eye or two from neighboring tables as she climbed, hips swishing. Her boots thumped lightly on the floor, and she knocked on the first door in sight.

 

“Just a second!” she heard from inside, and some shuffling. There was thump, and maybe a mutter before the door opened. The young fellow blushed lightly as Kagome smiled at him, presenting the stew.

 

“Here's your sup, sir. Enjoy,” she commented lightly. His blush deepened.

 

“N-no, please call me Hojo,” he smiled sheepishly as he accepted the bowl, his light brown hair covering his blue eyes shyly. Kagome wanted to groan. Rin was right, he did have designs. But she smiled nonetheless.

 

“Will do lad, oh sorry, I mean Hojo. If you need anything before the night is done, just come down,” she had it down perfectly, something she'd hope to recite for nights to come. He nodded quickly; closing his door slowly as she turned away, ready to give the drink orders. She sighed. She should have expected this, all the stares. She got them enough in Ireland. Pulling on her smile again, she stalked right over to the table where she assumed guards sat, their armor gleaming in the firelight. She ignored comments as she rested the glasses on the table.

 

“So tell me,” one said, electric blue eyes dancing and a pearly fang shining in his grin, “where are ye girls really from?”

 

She raised a brow, “you doubt my homeland?”

 

He chuckled lightly, his buddies talking among themselves, “well, its hard to believe. Three girls from a foreign land suddenly setting up what was it? Oh yeah a `pub' as you call it. Yet you speak perfect Japanese, so how is it your not from here?”

 

She smirked lightly and wagged her finger, “and that is where you mistake us. T'was not us from here, but our Mum, bless her soul. Me Da was from Ireland, taking his family with him. But Mum was from here, in this area, Midoriko Higurashi was her name. Da was breeder of horses, Michael O'Sullivan.”

 

“O'Sullivan?” the man's dark brows rose, pointy ears two twitching, “you mean the world famous thoroughbred breeder?”

 

Kagome pushed down her grin, “you've heard if him have you?”

 

The man barked a laugh, his raven ponytail swishing as he ran a hand through his hair the best he could. He turned to his comrades, “hey Hakkaku, she asked if we ever heard of O'Sullivan.”

 

“Heard of him,” the said man snorted, his growing grin showing his fangs, “hell, his horses are given to the best of the militia!”

 

“That's nice to hear,” Kagome replied, already knowing that many desired the breeding of her father's horses. She cocked her head. “How is it you know so much of my family, and yet I know nothing of you?”

 

The raven-haired demon smiled softly, raising a hand to indicate each said person, “I am Major Kouga of the palace guard, beside me is First Lieutenant Ginta, and across is Captain Hakkaku. Pleased to meet you.”

 

Kagome inclined her head, “ and I you. Hope to see friendly faces as yours in the future.”

 

Kouga caught her hand dramatically, and she resisted the urge to throw his hands off, “of only to see your fair face dear maiden.”

 

His comrades snickered as she raised a single dark brow. Smoothly, she took her hand from his and turned curtly, her peasant gown swishing as she walked away. She didn't notice how Kouga's eyes lingered longer than necessary on her rear. Sango raised brow as Kagome smartly dropped her tray on the bar. Kagome flashed her an overly sweet smile. “Why the face sister?”

 

Sango's brow shot up and she shook her head, “no reason. But I noticed a bit of contact with a certain table.”

 

“The gall of the man,” Kagome hissed, unconsciously wiping her hand on her skirt. Sango just pursed her lips. She knew all too well thanks to a certain monk. A breeze entered as the door opened, and they heard a hush fall upon the pub. Uneasy, Kagome turned to find a cloaked figure in the doorway. The person entered silently, the child closing the door with a thud. The sisters watched as Kouga and his men jumped to their feet, but hesitantly sit back down as the figure turned their head at them. Kagome's caution rose as the figure came her way. It stopped mere feet in front of her. They raised their head a little, and she saw a small-sculpted mouth, bright pink in alabaster white sink. “Are you the healer Kagome?”

 

Kagome stood straighter, “aye I am. May I help you?”

 

They lowered their head again, and the words were almost unnoticed, “is there somewhere where we can…be alone?”

 

Kagome licked her lips, the woman's soft worried tone affecting her. She laid a hand on the figures back and led her to the stairs, “aye there is ma'am, right this way.”

 

The woman took the stairs one by one, proudly stepping from bottom to top, following Kagome to the end of the hall to her healing room. Kagome closed the door quietly and gazed upon the woman. “What is it I can do for you My Lady?”

 

The woman reached up a hand to pulled back her hood, and revealed the refined and beautiful Lady Nialah, smiling sheepishly, “was I really that obvious?”

 

Kagome bowed her head respectively, “I'm afraid Major Kouga gave you away.”

 

Nailah let out a dry chuckle, skimming the shelves of Kagome's herbs with her darkened eyes, now the color of storms in the candlelight. Kagome saw her sigh, the sound tired and stressed. Kagome held out her hand, “would you like to sit or lay down? I can not assess the problem if you are not comfortable.”

 

Nailah nodded stiffly, suddenly remembering why she was here. Kagome took the chair from the other side of the room as her ladyship sat on the bed, folding her small smooth hands in her lap. She avoided all eye contact with Kagome. Kagome coughed. “Tell me my lady, what ails you?”

 

To Kagome's surprise, Nailah blushed deeply, bringing a hand to cover her tight-lipped expression meagerly. She waited patiently as Nailah struggled for words. Her Lady smiled lightly and giggled, “It really is quite silly…I don't even know if you do this…”

 

Kagome smiled reassuringly, “trust me My Lady, I will help you in every way.”

 

Nailah blushed more, “well, I'm not too sure…but I'm afraid something might be wrong with me.”

 

“Oh? How so?” Kagome questioned, the lady's hesitation added to her list of observations.

 

“Well I…you see,” Nailah stared at the hands in her lap, which gripped each other tightly. “Well…you see my lord, he hasn't…he hasn't called or come to me for some time…”

 

Kagome blinked, but kindly held her words when it dawned on her, Nailah continued, twisting her cloak, “and he's said not a word to me about it. So I have suspicions…”

 

“That your womanliness has come into question?” Kagome finished, and Nailah nodded shyly. Kagome nodded sagely, “yes, I've dealt with woman like this. So I must ask you, is there anything unusual?”

 

“Unusual?” Nailah looked up, eyes curious.

 

Kagome licked her lips. This was most certainly not comfortable for her ladyship. “Any…oddities? Swelling, lumps, redness, soreness? Do you…bleed oddly?”

 

Nailah widened her eyes with comprehension, and blushed to the roots of her hair, shaking her head no. “no, no such things have happened.”

 

Kagome blushed slightly, but reminded herself that she's done this before. But it was just so weird asking her lover's mother, “if you want…I could give…a personal examination, but only if you're okay with it—“

 

“No! It's quite alright dear girl!” Nailah laughed dryly, slightly disturbed at the thought this young innocent girl has…well best not to think of that. “I don't think you'll find anything that I don't know myself.”

 

Kagome nodded again, a relief lifting her shoulders. But she coughed, “then my lady, are you sure you're the one at fault? Can it not be your…mate?”

 

Nailah blinked and looked away, slender fingers rubbing her chin. Come to think of it, her lord Inutaisho has been acting odd lately. “It could be possible, but he would never agree to the hand of a healer. But…”

 

“I only need see him,” Kagome assured, a small smiling tugging her lips, “many things can be seen by a healer's eye.”

 

Nailah nodded sagely, considering what this could mean. If it was not her, then his lordship could possibly be at fault. But it wasn't only that…he, he didn't really, mind her at all. It's like he's ignoring her, his attention no longer caught. Nailah felt the sting of tears behind her eyes and cleared her head of all thoughts. She was being foolish, he was probably protecting her from becoming sick of some sort. But there was still this nagging feeling…”you would mind to stop at the palace and see for yourself?”

 

Kagome shook her head, “not at all my lady, tis my duty to heal those in need.”

 

“Yes, yes indeed,” Nailah covered with a smile and rose from her spot, Kagome following her example, “thank you kindly for taking this time to see to a foolish woman's thoughts.”

 

“Think nothing of it,” Kagome pronounced strongly and guided her to the door, “it's a bonus when I can ease people's minds as well as bodies.”

 

Nailah smiled as she took the door handle, opening it slightly and covering her head. She turned to Kagome with a gleam of mischief to her eyes, “also…”

 

Kagome raised a brow and nodded for her to continue. Nailah grinned lightly, “my son…Inuyasha, he seems to have been stricken by something as well. If didn't know better…I would say it was love. Do you know anything of this?”

 

Kagome's jaw was working but not her voice. This just confirmed what Nailah already knew. Nailah just shook her head and waved to Kagome farewell, holding her chuckles ot herself. Kagome was left staring stupidly at the door. Then she grinned. His mother…oh, she was a sly one, that she was.

 

&-------------------------------------------------------&

 

Inuyasha fell to his bed with a tired sigh. His body might not have been taxed, but it felt like it. He had been wired the whole time, restraining himself from hitting anything near by in frustration. Was it fit that gods saw to curse him? Was this his karma or something? Just as he found happiness, some shit has to be thrown into the mix.

 

Lady Kikyou. Try lady pain-in-my-ass. He had spent the whole day seeing to her, upon “request of his father”. What was that anyways? He's been acting really weird lately, not really himself. He's been almost ignoring his mother, which is horrifyingly strange considering he tried his hardest to escape his responsibilities as much as possible to be with her. His father always saw to his mother as much as he could. But now…he could see it affects his mother too. She's been quiet, withdrawn and thoughtful, often sneaking glances at Inutaisho when she could. And the strangest yet, his father has been spending time with Kikyou. Like in whispered conversations, exchanging looks when they think no ones looking. It might be hard to consider, but Inuyasha had a feeling they were up to something. And he didn't like it one bit, that he didn't.

 

Inuyasha sighed again and turned his head, his silvery hair splayed out beneath him. he could see the strengthening moonlight whisper across his silk sheets, highlighting his fingers as they curled into the fabric. He felt so lonely here, in this giant palace of properness and high society. He had to put on a mask everyday, only showing his true self to the chosen few who really knew him. but there was only one person he wanted to see right now, one who could make him forget for a while cause he's lost in her scent.

 

He didn't have a chance to stop by the pub that night, his father had made him stay home to “look after lady Kikyou”. He snorted lightly, burying his face in his soft pillows. What he would do to be rid of the wench. Seriously, they were wasting time trying to make him see she was a proper wife. He didn't want a proper wife, or mate, he wanted the one he loved.

 

“Kagome…” her name was feathery soft on his tongue, and the image of her luscious chocolate orbs came to his mind, drowning him in their dark depths. That first kiss still lingered on his lips, and he licked them now to taste of her what he could. Her lips had been soft, warm with a fire in her, yielding to let him taste her richness, sweet as honey and hot as coals. He groaned as he felt his body tingle in response. Oh what he would give!