InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Protector of Her Heart ❯ The Tournament ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4: The Tournament

 

Finally, after two weeks of rigorous preparations and planning, the day dawned when the tournament of knights was to be held. Hundreds of knights all over the kingdom arrived, and every lord that could spare the time had come to watch the greatest tournament ever held in the history of the Human Lands.

 

The tournament was to take place on the massive jousting field, since it had seats enough to hold most of the court. Even early in the morning, it was already a madhouse, with knights young and old alike gathering to find to which division they were assigned. There were to be three events in the tournament—sword fighting, archery, and jousting. Each event would eliminate knights until the last, and most dangerous round.

 

While all the knights crowded around the bulletin erected, assigning them into separate divisions, Inuyasha and Kouga hung in the back of the mob. The noise was already too loud for Inuyasha's sensitive ears, with men calling out names and insults while the few who could read assisted the ones who couldn't. Though they were curious to what division they found themselves in, both hanyou and demon knew that they couldn't approach any further out of the shadows without risking being seen and found out for what they were.

 

“So, how's this going to work, mutt?” Kouga asked. “I signed us both up, but we can't pull that trick with my hair again. I can't keep it down like that during the fighting.”

 

“Keh, right. Wouldn't want you impeding your fighting today, would you?” Inuyasha glared, his dog ears twitching as if they were drawing attention to them.

 

The wolf rolled his eyes. “For someone that didn't want to come, you're surely doing a lot to make sure you don't get thrown out.”

 

Inuyasha growled back at him, “Mind your own business, wolf,” and went back to thinking hard and long about how he could pull this off without being noticed for what he really was—at least, until he had won the tournament. His ears and hair were the main problem, he could probably hide his other demonic characteristics if he was careful.

 

He glanced across the small room that led out to the large open arena, looking for anything that could cover his obnoxious fuzzy ears…when his eyes came across a haphazard pile of armor and weapons lying innocently in the back of the room.

 

Grinning, he nudged Kouga, “He wolf, go get that helmet for me, will you?”

 

Kouga narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

 

“Cuz you look more human from a distance than I do, idiot!”

 

After a small growl, Kouga emerged from their hiding place in the shadows and walked quickly across the room to the pile of armor. No one noticed. Scanning the blunt pieces of iron, the wolf grabbed two helms, each simplistic in its design. He shoved the one that covered his ears on his head, while walking back and giving the full helm to Inuyasha.

 

He stared at what would be his disguise. Unlike Kouga, who only needed one that covered his ears, he would have to have one that would cover his entire face, so not a hint of his unusual hair would get out. It did cover the face, with only a slit for the eyes. Though it seemed restricting, it would have to do.

 

Tucking the helmet under his arm, Inuyasha swept his long silver hair up, and flattened his ears on his head. Then the helm came on, covering everything, save his eyes, from the neck up. Without his ears and hair as a beacon, he looked as human as the rest of them.

 

“So, how you doing, mutt?” Kouga asked, the helmet he wore was at least exposing his face.

 

“Keh, I can't see that well, and my ears are never gonna stand up straight after this. How do you think I feel?”

 

The wolf prince rolled his eyes. “Just don't get knocked out too early, dog crap. After all, I didn't come here just to fight humans, you know.”

 

“Same to you,” Inuyasha muttered, before they walked out into the open, to check their divisions. But before he went to the board, Inuyasha glanced back at the pile of armor in the corner, which still remained untouched, and he supposed would remain so until the tournament began. He glanced down at the sword still strapped to his hip; the blunt, rusty edged sword he only carried with him because it had been his father's. It would be no use in a battle such as this. Checking that no one was looking, Inuyasha picked up the first sword he saw, and strapped it to his waist, before continuing on.

 

 

* * * * * * * *

 

 

Kagome glanced out of the small window in her room, to see the large jousting arena in the distance, with a flurry of activity all around it. She leaned back in her chair and sighed, as Hannah continued to brush out her hair.

 

“And so today is the day,” her maid said, while Kagome continued to glance out of the window. “It seems like it has been planned for years, not weeks.”

 

Kagome nodded, but did not respond. Today was the day that some knight—preferably a handsome one—would win the right to protect her as a prize. Men would fight, and possibly die just for her as the tradeoff. It didn't seem right, like she was chattel to be traded to the bravest fighter. Would be how her marriage would be as well? Trading her off to the man who offered the largest sum?

 

Hannah, like she always could, knew something was afoot. “Are you all right, My Lady?”

 

Shaking her head, Kagome replied, “It seems there's all this fuss about me, just because they fear for my life.”

 

“Well, My Lady…you are the princess,” Hannah reminded her. “You should expect that there should be some fuss over you, or that you are used to it already.”

 

“I am used to it, to some degree,” the princess replied. “But I'm not used to…this much fuss being made. Usually whenever a betrothal is made, there will be a little banquet, but never a full tournament in my name with knights from all over the kingdom! Lords and ladies, some from even the Demon Lands might show up, just because my father's council is worried that some renegade demons may come and attack me. Why not just assign any old guard to me and be done with it?”

 

Hannah stared at her outburst. “My Lady, what has gotten in to you? Are you still upset over Lord Houjou—” By the look Kagome gave her, Hannah knew well enough not to finish that sentence. Sighing, she replied, “A marriage cannot be made in a day, My Lady, give them time and a match shall be found.”

 

“I don't have the time!” Kagome yelled, whipping her head around to look her maid in the eye. “Hannah, every day I grow older, closer to the age when I should be well married, and yet I'm still a single woman! It didn't used to bother me so much, but I know what they call me in the shadows! Every day I hear someone call me the `Spinster Princess' and wonder if I'll end up a dried up old maid with no man at my side because no one would have me!” She shrank back a little calming her temper while speaking, “I don't want to be bothered by this…I didn't used to be, but hearing my name laughed at each day because I cannot find a husband when other woman have so easily is not something I can just live with, Hannah…I'm beginning to wonder if there's something wrong with me because no man, ever since I was young, has ever truly stayed by my side until the day of a wedding.”

 

Hannah could only stare at her mistress with pity. She had always seen Kagome as a strong woman, not to be intimidated by the words of the court. But as time went on and people began to wonder if she would ever gain a husband, she had heard the rumors as well. Words were sharper than knives in this life, and if lesser women could run home in shame over a few rumors, it was amazing that the princess—who was spoken of most often in the gossips of maids—would only have a few tears in private.

 

“My Lady,” her maid began, “your marriage must be one of great care and careful planning. I know it is taking longer than most could imagine, but I am sure it will happen soon. After all, your mother did say yesterday that Lord Bankotsu was already working on an arrangement with a lord from up north.”

 

Kagome shook her head as she sat down in the chair again, now calm. “It will never work out; he's barely more than a commoner, and Lord Bankotsu would rather have no betrothal at all than marry me to someone where there are greater catches to be found.”

 

“For someone who wants a marriage to be found as soon as possible, you seem rather passive about dismissing the candidates. What happened to the girl I knew years ago, when you professed that you would rather marry for love than for duty?”

 

Sighing, Kagome replied, “That girl is gone, Hannah. Now I know that it was nothing more than foolishness. I have to be married as soon as possible, that leaves no room for love. Love only exists between people who cannot possibly be together, I suppose…which explains why there's so many cuckolds and adulterers in this land.”

 

Hannah laughed out loud at that one, before returning to brushing her mistress's hair.

 

 

* * * * * * * *

 

 

The time had come for the tournament at last. The stands were being filled by finely dressed lords and ladies of the court, while vendors selling refreshments called out through the stands. The noise of the crowd was almost too much for Inuyasha, who stared out of the small room dozens of knights were packed in until they were allowed to take the field. Even with his ears folded on themselves to keep his helmet on, he could still cringe at the loudness of the arena.

 

And the smells! He nearly wrinkled his nose in disgust at the smell of ale, vomit, human and horse waste, sweat, and other such offensive odors assaulting him. How could people live in a stinking pit like this! He was glad he grew up in the Midlands where if there was a stream, people would take a dip in it instead of professing that baths would let infection in.

 

Humans claimed that they were the more intelligent of their two species, yet of how he had seen them, Inuyasha was willing to bet the demons were much, much smarter. He glanced back at the humans who would be his opponents. Most of them were lounging away, drinking ale and acting they were at a local tavern instead of preparing for a tournament where they would win the right to protect, and associate with, Princess Kagome. Didn't they realize that all that ale would make them tipsy?

 

One man keeled over from a night of drinking right before his eyes. Yep, he doubted it now. He was glad, at least, that Kouga was in another division than him, so later on in this tournament, he would get some real competition.

 

At last, he heard the trumpets sound as the princess was led into the top seats in the arena, reserved for royalty. The largest chair was left empty—the throne reserved for the king of the country. The smaller throne next to it was filled by the dowager queen, while two smaller, and lesser ornate chairs were situated next to them. The one on the empty throne's right was filled by the younger prince, which Inuyasha remembered was called Souta. And as a young woman dressed in perhaps the most fashionable gown of the day was led in with a trumpet fanfare, and took her seat next to her mother.

 

Watching her, Inuyasha was hit with a small shock. It was the very same woman he had seen yesterday, on her balcony, looking melancholy about something. Remembering his earlier thoughts about her the day before, now he couldn't deny that Kouga was right (for the first and last time in his life), the princess was beautiful. She did look a bit like Kikyou, but he concluded she was nothing to Kikyou at all—the princess, while regal, didn't seem to have the full demanding atmosphere that Kikyou did. Her posture was perfect, but it did not demand respect.

 

Pearls and diamonds were in her hair today, and her gown—so different than the one she wore the day before—had more jewels in it that he had ever seen. It was a deep green, with white trim, seed pearls and diamonds sewn into the design. Her sleeves were not long and draping, but tight around her arms and puffed at the shoulders. Even some of her ladies looked out of date compared to her, dressed in the latest fashions brought in from the coast.

 

It seemed some of the other knights had heard the trumpet fanfare and saw the princess as well. “Wow…that's her?” one with a dirty face and a thick accent asked.

 

“She looks like one of those real ladies, don't she?”

 

“Real lady, huh? Guess that means all my plans of what I wanted to do with her are ruined!”

 

Inuyasha gave a silent groan. He had forgotten how crude humans could be, too. Even the “sophisticated” ones, it seemed. At least well bred demons kept there tongue when such a comment came to mind.

 

At last, the princess stood up and came to the front of the top box, and all became quiet. That was their signal to prepare to proceed into the arena. But instead of Kagome herself speaking, another man, with a long braid of hair behind him, stood up and spoke instead. “Friends,” the man said, “I welcome you to what shall be the greatest event that our land as ever known! Today, we present our Tournament of Knights, to watch the Human Lands' bravest knights battle for the ultimate prize—a chance to be the knight protector of the Princess Kagome!”

 

Kagome gave a small smile as the crowd cheered, but other than that did not respond. The man stepped back, and she smiled wider and spoke in a strong, sure voice, “Let the tournament begin!”

 

There was another blast of the trumpet, and Inuyasha, along with many other knights, strode on to the field.

 

 

* * * * * * * *

 

 

Kagome sighed as she took her seat once more, watching the hundred or so knights walk into the arena, sword in hand. She wished she could have brought Shippou, but it had been understood that bringing a demon to an event like this, out in the open could have caused an uproar. She knew he would have been excited, and would have been glad to talk to him like a child, instead of having to watch this throughout the hours, seemingly alone, in a heavy, hot dress that Hannah insisted she wear.

 

Only a small portion of the total number of knights that had come were in this first round—there would be several others until many were defeated and they would proceed to the second part of the tournament. The first round was sword fighting, something they knew every country bumpkin who called himself a knight had basic knowledge of.

 

There was the blast of a horn, and each knight who was pared with another began to fight, with the sounds of swords clashing filling the arena amid gasps and claps. At first, Kagome allowed her mind to lazily wander, until she caught sight of a knight who looked a lot different than the rest. Most knights could not afford full plate armor, and so they wore leather in this round. It was also a lot easier to fence without all that weight. Yet here was one who wore a full helm, and nothing more.

 

Focusing on him, Kagome noticed he fought with relative ease, dodging his opponent's blows and parrying as if he was bored already. His face was hidden from her, but she guessed that if she could see it, it would be set in a smirk. While watching him, she noticed something else odd. The knight fought with a broadsword, as others did as well, yet he seemed to have another sword strapped at his waist.

 

I wonder why he has that, she thought, continuing to watch him. After a few minutes of lazy fighting, perhaps to get his opponent in a false sense of security, the helm-clad knight struck out and sliced the man across the back of the knee, getting him to fall on the ground in pain. A second later his hand shot up, in a signal of surrender. So he was only toying with him, Kagome couldn't help but smile.

 

One by one, other knights went down and yielded, until one half the contestants remained. They were led off the field, while many more came on for the next stage of the first round. This time, Kagome saw another knight wearing an iron helm on his head, yet this one allowed her to see his face. He had clear blue eyes, and as far as she could see, long black hair peeking falling from the helmet down his back. That knight finished his opponent in less than a minute, striking hard and fast until the first blood was drawn.

 

“And so go all those unfit to call themselves knights,” Lord Bankotsu said, watching as the defeated surrendered in shame as the crown roared for the victor.

 

“Perhaps that is not true, Lord Bankotsu,” Kagome replied, making the lord glance at her. “After all, it is not easy to gain the title of knight, so perhaps they were unevenly matched.”

 

“Oh, there goes Sir Jonathan, Kagome,” Yuka, who sat in the box with her said as the knight surrendered after a violent cut to his ribs. “At least he didn't yield after that nasty slice to his wrist.”

 

“I suppose he wanted to protect his pride rather than his body,” she answered, rolling her eyes.

 

As the men being carried off to see the physician grew longer, the clang of metal dimmed until at last, the first round was over, and only half of the men remained.

 

That led the field to being cleared of all blood and into the next, and more challenging event—archery.

 

 

* * * * * * * *

 

 

“You survived mutt?” Kouga asked after the first round, wiping off his bloody sword and sheathing it at his waist.

 

“Keh, you think some measly human could take me?” Inuyasha growled, tossing his sword back in the pile where he found it. He knew without a doubt there was no way he could have lost the round before, he had been trained by demons in sword fighting…long ago. Demons prided themselves on quick and sure movements, having been built for speed, while humans concentrated on distinct parries and forms. Though Inuyasha had never really followed the rules of the strict training, his unorthodox method gave him an element of surprise.

 

“So, archery's next, huh?” the wolf asked, glancing at the targets being set up on the field. “Do you even know how to use a bow, mutt?”

 

“Keh, course I do.” That was only half true. He had learned, but he had never quite mastered the feel, or had any idea on how to hit the target exactly dead-on. Any bullseyes he got were based upon luck. Out of the two of them, he knew Kouga was the better archer.

 

Which meant that if he didn't watch it, he might be thrown out even before he got the final round.

 

Picking up the bows and arrows that the tournament provided, Inuyasha was led on to the field, while the man, whom he learned was Lord Bankotsu, the chief advisor of the dead king's privy council stood up once more. “Welcome to the second round of today's tournament, which will be in the sport of archery.” His announcement didn't get as many claps as the first—many didn't think that archery was as exciting as sword fighting. “The only rules are these—a man is given three tries to hit the target. If he should fail, then he will proceed no further.”

 

Gripping the rough, wooden bow in his hands tightly, Inuyasha couldn't help but think, I had better pass this round…

 

 

* * * * * * * *

 

 

Lord Bankotsu sat down after his speech, Kagome turning to him and asking, “Each man gets three tries to hit the target, and only one bullseye counts? Doesn't that seem a bit easy?”

 

“Not every man has a natural talent like you do for archery, Your Highness,” Banktosu explained, as the wind picked up. “It'll be tough enough…men who do well enough with swords usually think they don't need to learn such skills. I think you'll see at least more than half eliminated here.”

 

Kagome turned back to see the line of men, instantly pinpointing the knight under the helmet once more, looking very out of place with the bow in his hands, and secretly hoped that he would be one of those that would not leave the tournament after this round.

 

One by one, they watched as men came up to the targets and drew the bow. Some held it in a confident grip, others looked like they had never held such at thing in their lives. Arrows were fired, and more than one missed again and again. Many men whom could not hit the red dot at the center of the target were led off the field in shame, while others who won by a hair were led back to the waiting area in victory.

 

The knight with the blue eyes missed his first shot, but on his second, seemed a bit more confident and hit the target accurately. Kagome saw him grin back at the other man in the helmet as he was led back to the area with all the other victorious knights, leaving the helmed man behind.

 

Finally, after many lost and won, it was time for the mysterious knight to try his hand.

 

 

* * * * * * * *

 

 

Inuyasha could just imagine the nobles laughing at him in the stands as he walked up to the line drawn in the dirt, taking an arrow from one of the squires. He really had forgotten most of what he knew of this weapon, only the very basics. He checked his grip once, twice, and yet it still didn't feel right in his hands.

 

I should have known they would pick archery as one of their events, he internally growled, drawing the bowstring and glancing carefully at the target. Remembering from years ago, he aimed a little higher than the red painted circle, to hopefully help it hit dead center.

 

He released; the arrow flew in the air…to land feet away from the target.

 

Inuyasha could hear the scoffs from behind as he was given another arrow, the breeze causing ripples in the fabric stretched across the hay, the red circle momentarily changing into an oval and back again. He raised the bow once more, triple checking everything he could think of, and aiming a bit higher once more before firing. The arrow seemed to streak towards the red dot, but landed, once more three feet to the left again.

 

The laughing behind him got louder, causing Inuyasha to growl. He wasn't an archer, damnit! How the Hell was he supposed to know how to wield these stupid things? He had one more shot to go, and if he missed again he would be disqualified. But he had checked everything, and was pretty sure his form was right, so why was he missing the target?

 

But as he felt the breeze ripple his shirt again, he could have slapped himself. The wind! How could he have forgotten the wind? This land was a lot windier than he was used to, and he should have known to check the wind before he fired.

 

He aimed again, not even bothering to check his grip as he felt the wind blow the bow slightly to the left. He aimed far right, pulled the string back, and with only a moment's hesitation, let go.

 

The bowstring snapped back as the arrow flew being blown by the wind on its journey towards the target, and Inuyasha hoped it wasn't blown too far—

 

With a shriek through the arrow, the arrow impaled itself on the very edge of the red circle, but it was still legit.

 

Both Inuyasha and Kagome let out a sigh of relief as the next man was brought up and he sauntered off back to the waiting room with the other knights, safe, for now.

 

 

* * * * * * * *

 

 

At last, after many men had lost in the last round, the time came for the final, determining event—the joust. Every one of the last knights, which was now a number under fifty, were given a horse, a lance, and plate armor, since it was a death wish to try to joust without it.

 

Now Inuyasha would get no more strange looks since all knights wore the same as him. Each knight was parried off with another for their first jousts, and looking at the charts, it seemed that Inuyasha and Kouga weren't fighting each other again. “Looks like I won't be fighting you, huh, mutt?”

 

“Keh, just wait,” he assured him. “I'll see you soon enough.”

 

Now instead of the chatter among the spectators that had occurred during the archery, there was no more speaking for the final event. Everyone knew that jousting was the most exciting, and the most dangerous of all sports. One wrong move, and a man could break his neck, or be impaled on a lance.

 

Even Bankotsu made a wild announcement when it came time for the event, getting a cheer of applause as the first knights mounted their horses and took up their lances, preparing to charge.

 

With all the men wearing full suits of armor, it took Kagome a minute to see where the knight who had worn the helmet the entire tournament was. But she knew who was him by noticing after all the crashing and men flying out of saddles, one who had a sword still strapped to his waist saddled up. Most men took off their swords for this, as they would only get in the way, but it seemed this knight wanted to keep his on.

 

Kagome held her breath as she watched him charge against another opponent, holding his lance firm and steady. The knight he rode against was inexperienced—his lance bobbed up and down, no where near him while the other popped him out of the saddle quickly. This knight she had watched early on was no ordinary knight—he seemed to be an expertise at all this, having the strength of a dozen men.

 

If only she knew them how close to the truth she was.

 

After the first joust, Inuyasha watched as others charged, and some fell, glad that he had made it through his first round all right. He was no natural with jousting, as he was with sword fighting, but being half demon, he had the strength to hold the heavy lance steady and to stay in the saddle. Against full demons he might have some trouble, but against humans, he was easily the victor.

 

Charge after charge went by, Kouga and Inuyasha winning throughout every round they went in, until at last, the two knights who would compete in the final joust would announce.

 

And it seemed that Inuyasha and his rival would get their chance to fight against each other after all.

 

“You got this far, mutt, but you're no match for me,” Kouga scoffed, as they donned their armor again, ready to head out to the cheering crowd.

 

“Keh, just wait. You'll be flying soon enough,” Inuyasha muttered back, and they stepped out into the arena, parting and heading in opposite directions to mount their horses. As Inuyasha saddled up, making sure to check the straps of his saddle (one man he had gone against fell out because he had forgotten to tighten the straps and the saddle simply slipped off) before mounting. As he took the lance from the squire he could see the princess better from this angle. And when he saw her, he could tell her eyes were on him as well.

 

He turned back, and their gaze held for a moment, before Lord Bankotsu announced the start of the final round. “We come at last to the final round, where one shall be the victor, and given eternal honor and glory, while the other shall only be remembered as the one that lost on this great day.” There was a roar of excitement from the spectators, until a trumpet was sounded. Their stand-off had begun.

 

Inuyasha could just see Kouga at the other end of the field, knowing that his mouth would be set in a smirk, while the hanyou growled at the very thought. He lowered his lance, giving Kouga no polite salute. The wolf seemed more interested in making a grand show of saluting the princess instead. But she wasn't watching, her eyes were still on Inuyasha.

 

Even if Inuyasha didn't care about the girl and only wanted to be her knight so he could steal the Shikon no Tama from her…for some reason, it warmed his heart a bit—just a bit—knowing that the princess was cheering for him.

 

Kouga faced him again, lowering his lance slowly, intimidatingly, and finally, there was a trumpet blast and they both kicked their horses into a run, charging faster and faster, the lance pointed straight at each other's shield.

 

But the first charge was successful for neither. Inuyasha's lance hit the shield, but shattered into tiny fragments when he caught it on the edge. There was a great sigh of disappointment as both riders rode back to their starting point, and Inuyasha was given a new lance.

 

He lowered the lance once more, making a mental note to hit dead center, and once again the horn was sounded and they charged. The horses hooves echoed in Inuyasha's flattened ears, all he heard beside his panting breaths, all he could see was Kouga's shield in front of him, eager to send his sometime friend and longtime rival out of the saddle.

 

But instead, he felt a great jerk as he was thrown back. Kouga's lance had been a second ahead of his and he had been hit. With the jerk, he felt himself nearly fly off, and all his weight shifted to the side. Off balance, he was seconds away from falling off, and the first one to hit the ground lost.

 

Inuyasha gripped the reigns, straining himself not to fall over the side, but with one arm holding him against nearly eighty pounds of armor plus his body weight, he was fighting a loosing battle. I can't lose now…I can't lose now…I have to win! For that stupid jewel, damnit!

 

Thinking about the jewel and what he would gain if he won, he found the strength, somehow, to pull himself back securely in the saddle, and back into the game. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the princess sigh in relief as well, seeing that he also was in danger of falling that moment ago.

 

Inuyasha was now panting in exhaustion as he took up his lance once more, and knew that if he didn't end it quickly, he'd lose by passing out. Before the next pass, he lowered his lance, and focused only on the center of the shield, a trick he had learned long ago. He hardly heard the trumpets sound for their charge, having kicked his horse the second it sounded. He and Kouga charged, but Inuyasha kept pushing his steed, going faster and faster. If he couldn't win by form, as Kouga had used, then he could go for sheer strength.

 

All sound left as he made impact, his lance hitting dead center of Kouga's shield. The wolf seemed surprised for a moment, his blue eyes opening wide as Inuyasha passed him, and with one thrust with the lance, Kouga was pushed back on the saddle, lost his balance and fell, landing hard on the ground.

 

With the roar of the crowd sound returned to him, Inuyasha barely realized what had happened after it did. He had done it. He had defeated Kouga. He had won.

 

Still covered in that infuriating heavy armor, he nearly stumbled out of the saddle while the crowd cheered, not caring right now much about anything but a nap soon afterwards. But only after he saw the princess standing up and applauding and smiling, did he allow an arrogant smirk on his face. Glancing back at Kouga, scowling as he stood up and removed his helmet, Inuyasha knew he was never going to let him live this one down.

 

But it was only Inuyasha had turned away that someone noticed Kouga's ears and began telling others.

 

The crowd still clapped for him as he was led up to the top box, where the princess smiled at him with a warm grin that sent Inuyasha's stomach into an uncomfortable jolt. “We have our victor!” Lord Bankotsu spoke to the crowd.

 

“What is your name, you?” Banktosu quickly asked, with Inuyasha muttering his name back. “I give you Sir Inuyasha!” he announced, the crowd cheering louder and some calling his name.

 

Some men lived for this, the final victory in a tournament, and Inuyasha couldn't be more uncomfortable. As was expected, he knelt before the princess, catching a whiff of a gentle scent coming from her that made that uncomfortable jolt only intensify. There was something odd about her, and he couldn't quite place what. “Sir Inuyasha,” Princess Kagome smiled softly, reaching her hand out while Inuyasha took it in his gloved hand. “Do you swear fealty?”

 

Sighing, he spoke as he knew he had to, “I swear that I shall promise to protect—” he began but stopped suddenly as he felt something odd happen. Tessaiga, the sword at his waist, suddenly pulsed. It had never done that before. Huh? What the…?

 

“Hey, take off your helmet before you address the princess!” A bald man next to Lord Bankotsu requested. “Have some respect for royalty!” More followed in his protests, and sighing, Inuyasha knew he had no choice.

 

Here it comes, he thought, rolling his eyes, as he reached up and removed his helmet—causing many to give shrieking gasps. “A demon!” many called out. “There has been a demon in the tournament!”

 

While Inuyasha continued to seem annoyed by the yelling and gasps around him, Kagome could only stare with wide eyes at the recognition. It's him…she thought, remembering the man she had seen yesterday.

 

If the scene hadn't been so hectic, she would have wondered why her heart was suddenly racing once more.