InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Law and The Oath ❯ Tricked ( Chapter 1 )

Author's Note: Special thanks to Niamh for helping me to correct this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

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Chapter One: Tricked

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Inuyasha woke with a start. He sat up in bed, trying to place what pulled him from sleep. His first thought was the pounding headache he had. The next was the warm body laying next to him. He looked at it closely. It was a woman, a human woman. He couldn't remember ever seeing her before, let alone allowing her to sleep with him.

With a growl, he shoved her from his bed. She hit the floor with a startled cry. She lay there blinking, shaking her head to clear the sleep from it. Noticing for the first time she was naked, she covered her chest with her arms and looked around wildly. Spying the irate man leaning over the bed looking at her, she blushed furiously and looked down.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He demanded angrily. Not giving her a chance to answer, he shouted, "Get your clothes on and get out of here!" He was about to lift himself from the bed when he noticed the blood on the sheets where she had lain. He sniffed at it and the growl began deep in his chest, gaining in crescendo, rumbling out of his mouth before he could stop it. He leapt from the bed, and was at her side before she could move. He grabbed her arms roughly. "Who the hell are you and what the fuck were you doing in my bed?" he demanded and shook her.

Tears began to leak from the girl's eyes as she stared at him in fright. "I … I don't know." She whispered. "Please… please…" Her lip trembled and she crumpled to the floor when he released her.

Inuyasha stood above the girl thoughtfully. He was still frowning angrily, but now that he could see her, smell her, he knew she had no more idea of what had happened the previous night than he did. Seeing the girl's clothing laying cast off at the end of the bed, he picked it up and dropped it in front of her. Repressing his anger, as gently as he could, he told her, "Get dressed, and then stay here." He began to dress himself quickly, trying to think of the implications of bedding this woman. He looked at her as she stiffly tied the sash to her skirt, and tried to smooth her hair back. His expression softened.

She was as much a victim of this latest trick as he was and didn't deserve his anger. "There's a chair by the fire. Stay here. I need to speak with someone, and I expect you to be here when I return." He started to walk from the room but turned to her again. "What is your name, girl?"

Not looking at him, head and shoulders bowed unhappily, she said softly, "Kagome, my lord."

He nodded and added, "All right, Kagome. I'll see what I can do." He left without another word.

The girl looked at the door, as more tears ran down her face. She had no idea what had happened, whose room she was in, or why she had been naked. She drew her hand over her eyes, wiping away the tears. She felt sore, her head hurt as never before, she was scared, and she thought something might have happened the night before that would change her life forever. She glanced at the bed and all color drained from her face. From the unaccountable soreness in areas she had never been sore in before, and seeing the scant amount of blood on the sheets, she knew.

She walked stiffly to the chair he had indicated, and curled up in the seat. Her eyes went blank and her lips moved barely speaking. "Mama … what have I done?" The tears came again, and she sobbed quietly into her hands.

*

Upon leaving the room, Inuyasha grabbed the first servant he came to. Pulling the man close to his face, he growled out, "I need you to go to the kitchens and fix a breakfast tray. Take it to my room, and make sure the fire stays lit. There's a girl there. Do not talk to her, do not touch her. Just leave. Do you understand?"

The man nodded vigorously. "Y…yes…s…s, my lord," he stammered. "I'll see to it right away, my lord." He stumbled on his feet as Inuyasha dropped him. Sighing in relief as he watched the great lord storm down the hall, he looked at the door in wonder. 'A girl? Lord Inuyasha?' He shook his head. 'I wonder if Lady Kikyou knows.' He hurried off to the servants' stairs to the kitchen, not wanting to incur the wrath of the lord any more than he had to.

Inuyasha blasted his way into his brother's private quarters, startling the nervous man servant, and causing several maids to scamper out of the way. Seeing his brother lounging on the small sofa, eating off a breakfast plate indifferently, he shouted angrily, "Do you know what the fuck is going on?" His brother simply lifted an eyebrow and frowned delicately. Inuyasha ground his teeth at his brother's silence. "Do you know what the fuck happened last night?"

Sesshoumaru nodded to the man servant and waved everyone from the room. When the large room was emptied save he and his irate brother, he turned to him and gestured to a chair. "Would you like some tea, brother? Something to eat perhaps?" he inquired politely, in a slightly bored tone.

Sitting himself angrily, Inuyasha tried to gain control over his ire. Upsetting his brother would not do and he needed his help to straighten out this mess. "No, I do not want anything but answers," he ground out in a more controlled tone.

Still watching his brother steadily, Sesshoumaru asked, "So tell me what has you riled up today, dear brother. Another petty rebellion in the works?"

Shaking his head dismissively, he stated, "I woke up with a girl in my bed."

Raising his brow even higher, his lips quirked into a smile. "And this is something to be upset about?"

Pounding his fist on the armrest, he yelled, "I took her first blood!"

A look of understanding and sympathy crossed his face briefly. Gazing expressionlessly at his brother, he said, "You know the law, you took the oath. What could have poss …"

Standing abruptly, interrupting, Inuyasha shouted, "I didn't know! I don't know her! I have no idea how she got into my bed!" He dropped down into his seat dejectedly and continued in an almost flat tone, "I was set up."

Nodding thoughtfully, Sesshoumaru said softly, "It would seem." Shaking his head regret coloring his voice, he said, "There is nothing else for it then. The law is the law, and I quote, 'A demon lord must take to wife the human woman he shed first blood.' You'll have to marry this girl."

Scowling, keeping his gaze on the floor, he asked almost petulantly, "Couldn't you … do something? I mean, you are the king …"

Sesshoumaru drew himself up, and stated with regal bearing. "Inuyasha, you know the law. You took the oath. You would have me break your oath?" As his brother slumped further down in his seat, he continued in a more gentle manner, "I know you were looking to the alliance with Lord Amadol by marrying his daughter Kikyou. Since nothing has been announced, you are bound by your oaths, brother, and nothing I can do will change that."

He stood and bowed sharply. "Thank you for your time, Sesshoumaru. I'll do what I have to do." He nodded once to his brother, and received his acknowledgment to leave.

*

Entering his room quietly, he noticed the girl curled in the chair before the fire. He stood staring at her for some time. She seemed very tiny now, more a child than a woman. His view of her from earlier told him she was more woman, but that didn't keep him from wanting to swear at the cruelty this girl had been plunged into. He had lived with the intrigue of the palace his entire life, and at times reveled in it. This girl was an innocent, and looked no more guilty of doing anything wrong than being in the wrong place. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He would have to talk to her and get matters settled soon. He was sure rumors were already flying all over the castle. It would only be a matter of time before Kikyou would be here demanding answers.

Stepping forward, he pulled up the foot-rest close to the girl's chair. She looked at him with unseeing eyes, tears still leaking from them. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her face gently. She blinked and met his gaze. Blushing, she gasped and sat up, looking away. He handed her the handkerchief and sat back watching her.

"Kagome," he began softly. "I don't know how it happened, but it seems you and I have been tricked into something that shouldn't have happened." The girl turned startled eyes to his, clutching the handkerchief tightly. "You see, unfortunately for you, I am the target of this plot." As he held her attention with his words, he was thankful she stopped crying. He had a problem thinking when girls cried around him. "I was about to enter into an alliance very favorable to our kingdom, and it seems my adversaries took steps to prevent this from happening." He swallowed, and a slight blush crept into his face. "Last night … " He paused, looking towards the bed and back to the girl. "We … I took your first blood." She lowered her head and began to tremble. "By law, by oath, I will have to marry you."

Jerking her head up, the girl showed some fire for the first time. "But you can't!" she cried. His eyebrows rose and he looked startled. "I … I can't marry you!" Her eyes went wide and she added more quietly, "My lord."

Frowning, wishing it could be this simple, he asked, "And why not?"

Looking into his eyes, she said earnestly, "I'm in training to be a priestess, and I cannot marry, my lord."

His lips twisted into a wry smile. "Well then, what happened last night shouldn't have happened either. Am I not correct?"

The girl's face fell. Lowering her head, she nodded slowly, twisting the handkerchief in her hands. "I cannot continue training now."

Feeling a certain amount of protectiveness for the girl, he lightly chucked her under the chin. "We'll deal with later. Right now, I need to know how it came about that you should be in my bed last night. Who are you, and what can you tell me?"

Drawing in a deep breath, looking into the fire, and trying to keep her voice level, the girl began. "My name is Kagome Higurashi. My family lives in a village on your lands, Lord Inuyasha." She glanced at him and looked away. "I live with my mother, my brother and my grandfather. My grandfather runs a small shrine on temple grounds. His family has run the shrine for generations … since before… " She shot another look at him. "Since before the demon proclamations." She took another steadying breath and he nodded encouragingly. "For generations daughters and sons have become priest and priestess for the temple and shrine. I have been studying for years, however …" Her voice choked slightly. "When father died, we didn't have the money to continue my training. So I came here to work." A tear streaked down her cheek and she let it fall to her lap. "I've only been here four days. I don't know anyone." She fell silent as another tear fell.

Stirring uncomfortably, Inuyasha touched her knee briefly. "What happened last night? Do you know how you wound up .." He waved his hand towards the bed.

She looked at him with haunted eyes. Shaking her head, she said softly, "Not really. I mean, I remember after dinner last night, I had been asked to attend a lady in one of the guest apartments. She seemed really nice, and asked me a lot of questions. I just thought she was lonely." She flashed a small smile. "She said she was new to the palace as well, and wanted to know all about me. I … I was lonely, and talked with her." Blinking, she said, "She even gave me something to drink. I didn't like it, but didn't want to be rude to her. It tasted awful."

Inuyasha sighed and leaned back. "She probably drugged you then." He ran his hand through his hair, thinking of who this woman could be. "Do you remember the woman's name? Or what she looked like?"

She shook her head. "I don't remember her name, but she was a pretty lady, with dark hair. She wore it up, like this." She scooped up her hair, and twisted it up in a knot on top of her head. "She also had green eyes, and is very thin." She dropped her hair, and wiped her eyes. She stilled as a thought came to her. Turning to the man sitting next to her, she asked, "What about you? If I was drugged … then what happened … I mean, how could you have …" She blushed and dropped her eyes.

Resisting the urge to chuckle, he answered, "I'm sure I was drugged also. I woke with a bad headache, a sure sign of a certain sleeping drug. As for how the act could have been accomplished …" His brows furrowed. "I'm sure there are other types of drugs which when combined could have brought the desired actions." He wrinkled his nose. "My nose tells me it happened. I cannot deny it was me." He rose and went to the small table to the side. The breakfast tray he had ordered for the girl was there. He noticed nothing had been eaten. Picking up a muffin, he called to the girl, "Come eat something. We have more to talk about, and you must be hungry." He bit into the muffin as he walked to the desk against the far wall.

No longer paying attention to the girl behind him, he took down a clean sheet of parchment and began to write. When he had signed his name at last, he folded the parchment and sealed it with sealing wax and his signet ring. Looking to an internal door, he bellowed, "Miroku!"

"Yes, my lord?" the muffled reply came as the door opened and a startled young man came running into the room.

His lips quirking a smile, Inuyasha stood and handed the document to the man. "I need you to take this to Lady Kikyou as soon as possible. Do not wait for a reply, but come back here right away. I have other business for you."

The young man nodded sharply, and gave a quick bow. "Yes my lord." He walked quickly out of the room, closing the joining door quietly.

Inuyasha looked over at the young woman still sitting in the chair he left her in. Frowning, he rose and walked to the small table. "You didn't eat anything." She looked at him without speaking. "You should eat something. I need you to be able to focus with me here." He brought her a cup of tea and a muffin. "At least eat this." She took his offering and held them on her lap.

"You didn't have to bring these. I am used to fasting, and not lose my focus." She said quietly. She gave him a small smile. "But thank you, my lord. You are kind."

He snorted. "Not likely. I'm a selfish bastard, and only care as far as it affects me." He sat in the chair closest to her and watched as she sipped on the tea. "I think our first steps would be to send you back to your family for now." She looked at him, the tea forgotten. "I need to take care of some business, and think it's best if you're not at the palace for the next few weeks." He drummed his fingers on the armrest, staring into the fire. "I'll send you to your family … immediate business should only take a week. Then we'll have the ceremony. After that you can stay at Hanabatke for awhile."

"What's Hanabatke?" the girl asked, and then hurriedly added, "My lord." She flushed, embarrassed.

He smiled with some humor. "Hanabatke is my country residence. I rarely stay there, so it's fairly quiet. You should do well there."

She looked away and fidgeted. She set the cup and muffin on the side table next to her and quietly asked, "What if I don't want to marry you, my lord?"

He frowned. 'Hadn't she heard a word I said?' He thought incredulously. Sitting forward, he growled, "And WHY wouldn't you? You've already said you cannot continue your training. You won't be allowed to continue working here. What would you do? Where would you go?"

Shifting uncomfortably, she laced her fingers together. She said quietly, "I don't know. I could return to my family and possibly find work somewhere."

Trying to keep from getting angry, and wondering why he was forcing the issue, he demanded, "Is it so distasteful to you to be wed to me?"

Startled, she shook her head. "Oh no… that isn't it." She flushed and looked away.

"Then why?"

Quietly, not wanting to answer, but not sure how to keep from responding to his demand, she said, "My lord, I always thought … I believed … if I couldn't continue my training, I would want to marry for love."

He blinked. 'She's serious?' He noted the flush covering her cheeks, how her eyes, puffed from crying, shone brightly, her lips full-looking, and slightly bruised. His thoughts lingered on those lips. 'I wonder if I kissed her. I wonder what it tasted like.' Shaking his head, bringing his mind back to the problem at hand, he laughed, "Love is only for romantic fools. It doesn't belong in the world today."

She looked at him suddenly, crying out loud. "You're wrong!" She flushed and dropped her gaze. "There is love in the world today … m…m…my lord."

He frowned. "Regardless of love or not. You will marry me. My honor will allow no less." He started to feel angry with the girl. 'Who is she that she wouldn't want to marry the heir to the throne? Damn woman.' He cast a glance at her, but she still hadn't looked at him. Instead she sat staring at her hands. 'It's not like she'll be able to marry anyone else, for love or otherwise. Once a woman's been taken, no self respecting man will have her.' He shifted, and jumped to his feet, drawing her attention. "The matter is settled. I'll send you with Miroku to your family." He looked at her quickly and then away. "With plenty of money to take care of you, of course. Then, in about a week, we'll marry." He nodded sharply, ending the discussion. He strode to the bell rope and pulled smartly.

A servant instantly knocked on the door and opening it, walked into the room. "Yes, my lord?"

"Have someone pack and bring all of this girl's possessions back here." He waved his hand to the girl. She stood and made as to leave with the servant. He growled, "Where do you think you're going?" The servant looked quickly between the girl and the demon lord before hurrying from the room.

Kagome stopped, halfway to the door. "I am going to pack my things. … my lord."

Frowning, he waited until the door was firmly closed before he said, "No. You will stay here." At her slightly puzzled look, he sighed. "There are a couple of reasons for you staying here. Certain images are expected to be maintained, for one. And for another," he looked pained for a moment. "You are now associated with me, and as such, you will be targeted. Until I can set a few things up, your movements have to be restricted. You will have to be protected everywhere you go in the palace."

She trembled slightly, and dropped her gaze. "Oh … I didn't know." She said quietly.

Awkwardly, he began to apologize. "There's no reason for you to have known." He went to her, and lifted her chin to look at him. "Listen, I'm sorry you were involved in this. I know this isn't what you want but try to make the best of it." He gave her a smile, keeping in mind how she had been victimized, and her life totally turned around. "I swear you will never want, and I will be good to you."

The girl nodded bravely. Keeping her eyes fixed on his chin, she asked with a slight blush, "Is there … could I take a …a bath, please?"

He laughed lightly, his eyes softening. He wondered again if her lips tasted as good as they looked. A sudden desire flared in him, and he struggled to keep from acting on it. His voice dropped low, deep in his chest, almost growling a response, "I'm sure a bath can be arranged." He still held her chin in his hand, and his nose picked up her scent that still carried the sex they didn't remember having as well as her first blood. He lowered his head and brushed her lips with his, a soft tentative kiss, hinting at the desire rising in him. He raised his head, his breath quickening. She stared at him, wonder and a trace of fear in her eyes.

Releasing her, he stepped away, regretting his loss of control. Turning his back on her, he gestured to another interior door. "You can take your bath through there," he said gruffly

The girl hesitated, unsure of what to do. She watched as he went back to his desk, and picked up a parchment to read. She touched her fingers to her lips and blushed. She had never been kissed before and somewhere inside her a small flame had lit when his lips touched hers.

"If you're going to take your bath, I suggest you get to it," Inuyasha said, not turning. "I want you out of here and on your way by noon, bath or not." She hurried to the door he had indicated.

Inside the room, she found a large tub with knobs and a spout. Casting a fearful glance at the door she had just shut, Kagome tested the knobs and found one allowed hot water to flow, and the other allowed cold. Thick towels lay folded on the shelf in the corner. Plush rugs carpeted the floor, warm and comforting under her feet. The tub filled quickly, and she removed her clothing.

She sighed in contentment stepping into the tub, and easing her body down into the water. 'If only I could stay in here forever.' She thought longingly. The girl picked up the wash cloth and soap and began to wash. She found several bruises on her legs, arms and waist she didn't remember having the day before. Whether they were from the events from last night, or rough handling while she was drugged, she didn't know. Her thoughts returned to the kiss. 'I wonder if it's like that …' Kagome thought and blushed hotly. She had no business thinking this way. After all, she had been training to be a priestess. 'Oh but now I'll be a wife.' Tears began to well in her eyes at that thought. "What am I going to do?" She whispered to herself despondently.

*

Inuyasha watched as the girl fled the room. He exhaled in an effort to relax and bring his emotions under control. The girl's lips were better than he had imagined, and it had taken all his resolve to not take more of her. He couldn't afford the complications at that moment.

His ears twitched as he heard the water running. He tried not to imagine how the girl would look nude, water glistening on her skin. He groaned softly and closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he closed his ears to the sounds he heard coming from the bathroom.

"Lady Kikyou, you cannot go in there." He heard Miroku's voice coming from the corridor just outside his room. He frowned and moved towards the door as it flung open.

Kikyou, the lady in question, stood in the doorway, his letter in her hand, flaming color high on her cheeks. Her hair looked as though she left while it was being pinned, and part of her usual outfit seemed to be missing. She drew in a deep breath, shaking with the rage she barely held in check and screeched, "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS??"

His ears twitched and flattened against his head. He had hoped Kikyou wouldn't have read the letter until after things had settled some. At least the girl wasn't in sight. He hoped she had the sense to stay in the bath until after this scene finished. He drawled in what he hoped was a bored voice, "Kikyou. It is good to see you, but so early? That's unlike you."

Her eyes flashed dangerously and she moved into the room itself. "Where is she? Where is the little bitch?" She looked around the room quickly and fixed her gaze on Inuyasha.

Inuyasha waved a dismissive hand to Miroku adding, "Stay close. I still have a job for you to do."

Miroku said as he backed out of the room, and closed the door, "Yes my lord."

He turned to the woman who looked ready to tear him to pieces any minute and steeled himself for the battle to come. "Kikyou, if you are referring to the girl I will be marrying, you must refrain from calling her names."

The woman sputtered inarticulately before saying, "Why, Inuyasha? Why? I thought … I expected you … " Her voice trailed off, and her tears started.

Sighing, Inuyasha tucked his hands deep in his sleeves, and said "I have to, Kikyou. I believe it to be a trap set by Naraku." He looked away, his face hardened. "I took her first blood. It's the law."

Her tears stopped, and she demanded, "It must be a lie then. She's trapped you. You can go to your brother and stop this."

He shook his head. "I went to Sesshoumaru the first thing. He's backing the law." He glanced at the woman. "The girl is innocent in this trap as well."

Kikyou stood glowering at his back. Her face twitched in her fury. She almost had what she desired most in her hands, and now it was gone. Inuyasha was not going to be hers. The power, the status, and the possibly the Royal Consort title was gone. Her body shook, and her fingers crushed the letter she held in her hand. "What do you intend to do?" she forced out from her lips in a more civil tone.

Inuyasha turned to look at her, and could see the pent up anger barely held in check. His sensitive ears swivelled as he heard the girl stepping out of the tub. This interview had to end. "I will marry the girl."

The woman's eyes swept the room, looking for some sign of the girl who had stolen what was hers. She spotted the unmade bed with the telltale blood spot. Her eyes widened as her lips tightened. She took a step towards it, stopped, and looked back at Inuyasha. "You really did!" She stepped closer. "You did it … you really did it!" She had reached him and began to pound her fists against his chest and arms. "You fucking bastard! After all you said, you went out and fucked the first girl you came across! How could you?!"

He caught her wrists and forced her away from him. "THAT"S ENOUGH!" he bellowed. As she settled down some, he continued in a calmer tone. "Kikyou, it's not what I wanted, and I meant what I said. Unfortunately I cannot follow through on that now." Seeing the tears begin to well up in her eyes again, he said softly, "I have to. It's the law." He began to lead her to the door, and she allowed him to, unresisting.

The bathroom door opened at that moment, and Kagome stepped out, combing her hair with her fingers. She was trying to hurry thinking the noise she heard meant it was time to leave. She stopped. Startled to see Inuyasha holding some woman, and that woman looking half dressed, and very upset. She looked from one to the other and dropped her hands to her sides.

Kikyou pulled herself from Inuyasha's grasp and took a step towards the girl. Her lip curled in derision. "Well well well … aren't you …cute." Her eyes took in the simple unadorned gown the girl wore, with it's plain sash, and girlish length. "So country." She looked closely at the girl's face. "Why, you're nothing but a child." She cast a churlish look at Inuyasha. "A girl, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha opened his mouth to tell the woman to leave, but shut it in surprise when he heard the girl's voice. "I am old enough to do my duty. And yes, while I have come from the country, I assure you, I am no fool." He looked at her, and she stood straight, her head held proudly. "However, I do thank you for your concern on my behalf, my lady." She inclined her head lightly with a small smile on her lips.

Shaking with suppressed rage, Kikyou stormed to the door, and yanked it open. She swirled to look at the girl and then to Inuyasha. "Our alliance is off. I do not know what I was thinking to believe you demon lords have any honor!" She slammed the door behind her, leaving the room's occupants in a stunned silence.

Kagome let out the breath she had been holding, and held tightly to the back of the chair, her knees going weak. "Who … who was that, my lord?" She asked quietly.

Still looking at the door, his ears ringing from the noise, he answered just as quietly, "The woman I was supposed to marry once the bans had been announced, and the alliance approved."

"Oh." The girl gasped. She collapsed in the chair, her eyes filled with sorrow. "I'm so sorry, my lord. I should have been more understanding. I shouldn't have said what I did."

Turning from the door, Inuyasha frowned at the girl. "You said the right thing. If you hadn't, she would have never let you live it down."

Seeing the girl on the verge of tears again, he said, exasperated, "It wasn't as if we were in love. It was more of a business arrangement! She was going to get the status and title she wanted, and I was going to get the alliance the kingdom needed."

Drying her tears quickly, the girl stood and smoothed her skirt. "I am ready to leave whenever you are ready."

Noticing her dress for the first time, he frowned again. 'Another thing to take care of. I'll make sure Miroku addresses it as well.' He walked to the connecting door, and opening it, called out to the young man. "Miroku, come in here."

Miroku followed Inuyasha back into the room. His eyes widened as he took in the girl and her slightly damp condition. They lingered on the rumpled bed, no doubt having heard the outburst from Kikyou a few minutes prior. Bringing his wandering eyes back, he noticed Inuyasha's eyes held some humor. Having worked for Inuyasha a number of years, he knew his lord's humor was a fickle thing, and for some reason, Miroku's devious ways always brought the humor out in him.

"If you are quite finished …" Inuyasha said with an inclination of his head. At his retainer's nod, he said, "I need you to take Lady Kagome to her family's home. Take care of expenses, and leave plenty for her well being. Do what has to be done." As Miroku nodded, he continued. "Take a page with you, and send him back once you arrive. I'll follow within a week, and then we leave for Hanabatke." Looking at the girl, he added, "Find someone to take care of things she'll need."

A knock at the door halted the conversation. Miroku opened it, and let the servant in, carrying a small box. He bowed and said, "The girl's belongings, my lord." Miroku took the box, and closed the door after the man. Looking from the box to Inuyasha and then the girl, he set the box on the small table, pushing the breakfast tray aside.

Discreetly, Miroku asked, "Do you want me to pay her off, my lord?"

Resisting the urge to rap his knuckles on his head, Inuyasha said "No. I want you to do exactly as I ask." He tossed him a small bag filled with gold coins. "This should take care of both your needs. If you need more, find the nearest accountant. You know how it's done." He handed him a sealed scroll. "Use that if you need it." He looked at the girl and back. "Send someone in to clean up this room, and bring lunch for both of us." He walked to the bathroom door and stated, "I'm going to take a bath. I expect everything to be ready when I get out, understand?"

"Yes my lord." Miroku replied calmly. As the bathroom door shut, he winked at the girl and said in a loud whisper, "We'll talk later, my lady. But don't worry, I'll take care of you."

Kagome smiled at him. He was the first genuinely nice person she had met since coming to the palace. "Thank you … Miroku?"

He nodded grinning impishly. "You're most welcome. I have to run. It doesn't do to keep the lord waiting!" He skipped from the room, and she could hear him singing the words to a bawdy tune as he went.

*

Feeling refreshed and quite a bit calmer after his bath, Inuyasha walked back into his room. He smiled to see the girl had combed out her hair, and it lay drying fanned out on her back. His hand itched to stroke it, knowing it felt silky soft. Clenching his hands into fists, he joined her at the small table, now set with covered dishes and glasses for lunch.

Indicating the food with his hand, he said, "Eat. You have a journey in front of you, and food is always chancy at inns." He smiled kindly at her.

"Thank you, my lord." She said quietly.

He watched while she ate, noticing that she hardly touched the meat on her plate, but chose to eat the vegetables and the sliced fruit instead. While he poured himself a glass of wine, she declined his offer and sipped from her water glass instead. He was finding it hard to concentrate on eating his own food watching her.

Wanting to break the silence and to hear her voice again, he asked abruptly, "So how old are you?"

His question startled her, and she dropped the apple slice she was holding. "Oh!" She looked up at him, her eyes wide. Blinking, she gave a hesitant smile, "I'll be 17 next month, my lord."

The color drained from his face. He closed his eyes. 'The girl is too young. She's never going to survive living here.' He shook his head. It couldn't be helped now.

Watching him, she asked a little apprehensively, "Is something wrong, my lord?"

Opening his eyes, he gave her a warm smile. "No, Kagome. Nothing that can't be helped." He glanced down at his food. No longer hungry, he pushed his plate away. "I want to apologize again for what's happened to you. You are so young, and too innocent."

She touched his hand gently. "My lord." When he looked up at her, she added, "You said we both were victims of some awful trap. No one can make last night not happen, and we can only move forward." She blushed but did not drop his gaze.

Nodding, he squeezed her hand softly. "You're right. We can only move forward."

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