InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Princess and the Pauper ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

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

Mary Colleen decided to take a walk the next afternoon. The air was warm and the breeze slight. Her ruffled dress swished as she walked. Even though she wore a wide brimmed hat, she carried a parasol to block out the summer sun's rays.

She found herself drawn to the woods where the man she had set free had fled. She thought not of any dangers. In fact, she wasn't sure what she was thinking. Except that her soon to be husband had disliked the thought of her leaving the castle grounds.

Flashback

"But, my lord, my daughter is used to being able to roam the countryside back home in Ireland." her father had protested on her behalf.

"I do not care." Momoru insisted, "These lands are filled with samurai at war. It is not a safe haven for one such as beautiful as she."

While the two men argued, she had slipped out, acting as if she was unaware of the argument.

End flashback

The woods seemed peaceful and serene. And this area seemed unaffected by war. She felt the lord was overreacting. As she walked down a path through the woods, she didn't hear the leaves rustling above the bustling of her very full skirt. Suddenly, fear gripped her as she heard a loud roar from behind her. She turned and saw an ugly creature with four eyes and lots of hair standing behind her, his tongue licking his lips like anticipating a meal. She started to scream when out of no where, a blur of red appeared,

"IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!" she heard.

Before her eyes, the creature split in numerous pieces, blood flying everywhere. She screamed again and backed away only to realize that her savior was none other than the man she had set free the day before. Something instantly quelled her fear,

"Thank you." she said, softly, "For saving me."

He crossed his arms in a huff, "Don't make a big deal outta it. I repaid my debt. You saved me, remember?" he said.

She smiled, "Yes, I do remember. But, thank you just the same."

"Yea. Yea. Whatever.", then he looked at her, his eyes a little gentler, "L ...look, you don't belong out here. Why don't you get back to the castle where you do belong, princess."

"I'm not ready to return. I came out here to take a walk." she told him.

He looked around, "So where are your vassals? Aren't princesses supposed to have servants with them?"

"I'm not a princess. Not yet anyway." she replied.

"Huh? Not a princess? Then what's with the fancy clothes?" he asked.

"It's what we wear in my country." she replied.

"Your ... country?" he looked at her quizzically, "Where ya from?"

"Walk with me and I'll tell you." she replied, coyly.

The two began to walk through the forest, quietly at first,

"So ... you gonna tell me or what?" he asked

She suppressed a chuckle, "Yes I will. I come from Swords, Ireland."

"Ire ...land? What the hell is that?" he asked.

"My country." she replied, "It's where I am from."

"Where is it?" he asked.

"Far, far away from here."

"Is that why you have that weird accent?"

"It's not weird! How rude!" she said, as her eyes flashed and she stamped her foot on the ground.

"Yes it is weird!" he shot back, "But, you have a good grasp of our language." he said, his voice softening.

"I learned in school."

"Sk...ool?" he cocked his head in curiousity, "You have a lot of weird words."

She smiled and relaxed again, "No, not weird. Just different."

"So why are you here in Japan?"

"My father was an archeologist ... he uncovers and studies items from the past, well, anyway, my mother and brother died from the fever." her voice became low and sad, "And my father's business dealings with Lord Momoru went bad. So, to pay off his debt, he offered me in trade ... I am to marry the lord in the spring. Then my father may return home to Ireland." as she said this, she turned away to hide the tears.

"That's disgusting!" the young boy muttered, "HMPH! Your father should deal with the consequences himself instead of pawning off you to the highest bidder!"

"That's just it. I agreed because the consequences were to be my father's death. I did not want that." she turned to look at the young boy with silver hair.

"HMPH!" was all he said.

She wiped her tears and said softly, "Are they real?"

"Huh?" he looked at her, "Are what real?"

"Your ears."

"Uhhh, yea, of course they are."

"May I touch them, please?"

"Uhhh, oh, alright. I guess." he said, as he tilted his head towards the young girl.

She reached up and softly massaged them. He closed his eyes. No one, other than his mother, had every touched his ears. Her soft touch sent shivers through his spine,

"Remove your glove." he said, softly.

"Huh?" she responded.

"Remove your gloves so you can feel it better."

She did as he suggested and returned to rubbing the delicate appendages,

"It's very soft and furry." she said, as she removed her hands away.

He couldn't understand it, but when she removed her hands, he suddenly felt very empty. He felt his body tremble slightly,

'What are these feelings?' he thought to himself.

She looked up at him,

"How very rude of me. I forgot to tell you my name. I'm Mary Colleen, but my family and friends just call me Colleen."

"Colleen? Interesting name."

"Well, I won't have it for much longer."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Because one condition of becoming a citizen of Japan is I must adopt a Japanese name. My lord has graciously allowed me to choose my own name ... but I don't know anything about Japanese names so I'm afraid I'll have to have him choose for me."

The boy looked at her and started chanting softly,

"Kagome Kagome, the bird in the cage, when will you come out? In the evening of the dawn, the crane and turtle slipped. Who stands right behind you now?"

"Huh?" she looked at him strangely, "What's that?"

"A game my mother taught me along time ago.", he said, his voice soft.

"Hmm. I feel like a bird in a cage." she said, then she turned to look into his eyes.

Their eyes met and he was fascinated by the deep emerald green of her eyes. They sparkled fiercly, brightly, even though she was faced with such a bleak future. Her smile warmed him and her eyes held him. He smiled back, unable to stop himself,

"Your name should be Kagome." he said.

"Kagome." she repeated the name, almost reverently, as she smiled at him.

Then she looked at the sky, "Oh my! I've been away much too long. I must hurry back."

"I'll walk you to the other end of the forest ... just so you'll be safe." he offered, as they walked briskly back.

Arriving at the outskirts of the forest, she saw the guards of the castle looking for her. Not wanting her friend to be captured again, she turned around and said,

"Hurry. I'll go alone from here."

Knowing full well he himself didn't want to be captured, he quickly turned and started to leave,

"Wait!" she called out.

He turned and looked at her, "What?"

"You didn't tell me your name." she said.

He furrowed his brows and looked straight into her eyes, "It's Inuyasha." he said.

She smiled and waved, as he ran into the forest,

"Inuyasha." she repeated, as she turned and headed back to the castle.