InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The King's Mistress ❯ Court Debut ( Chapter 3 )

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Author's Notes: Wow, I can't believe the incredible response this story is already receiving. I appreciate all the wonderful comments you are giving me, and I sincerely hope that you continue to enjoy the story as much as I'm enjoying writing it. I absolutely adore historical fiction novels, especially from the times of ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt…but most especially, I love novels circulating in the times of the Tudors. The mannerisms of the royal court fascinate me, and while I cannot bring all of that to this story because it just doesn't fit the characters, at the same time I hope to be as realistic historically as possible.

In this chapter we'll meet more characters, and start to move forward…just a little…with the plot. At this point, though, I'm still just setting the stage for what is to come. And as for Inuyasha and Kagome, well, I know they're not very fond of each other right now, but give it time…the romance will come, I promise. After all (speaking to my former readers), have I ever let you down in this department? So now I'll shut up and let you all get on with chapter two! Enjoy!

Yami Yasha 4ever: Thanks for the reading suggestion, I'm always looking for new books to devour. And, if you like historical fiction, might I recommend "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Phillippa Gregory? It's about Anne Boleyn, but told through the eyes of her less-then-famous sister, Mary. It's a fascinating read, especially if you ever wanted to know anything about the Tudors…especially Henry VIII.

Miyu6: I would love to write a novel some day…but it's so hard to find a plot that hasn't been used too much, you know? I mean, I have a lot of ideas, but at the same time, they're all kind of recycled. Oh well…maybe I'll write romance (not the sickening gushy stuff, though). Thanks for the review, as always!

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Title: The King's Mistress

Author: dolphingirl0113

Chapter Two: Court Debut

Rating: PG-13 (for language and, at times, implied sexual situations)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, nor do I take credit for several of the historical ideas, facts, and realities I have taken and used.

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Never has a girl felt so humiliated, I am quite sure, as I did that day in the courtyard, surrounded by all the pomp and ceremony, bowing in honor of the King, who was none other then the arrogant, snobbish man I had met in the rose gardens. I wanted to crawl under a rock and hide away forever, and it was all I could do to fight back the blush threatening to warm my cheeks. However, more then anything, I wanted to wring his neck for deceiving me, for knowingly letting me insult his crown.

Surprisingly it was thanks to this anger that I managed to hold on to my dignity and cover my embarrassment, to fall elegantly to my knees and lower my head, much to his uncomfortable surprise…

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Inuyasha was somewhat disappointed. He had expected to see anger in Kagome's eyes, or even embarrassment, but all he had seen was the expected amount of surprise and then…nothing. She had just curtsied low and bowed her head in respect as though nothing was out of the ordinary, as though their conversation in the rose garden had not actually taken place.

"It's not that I expected her to make a scene," he said aloud to his friend Miroku, who was currently moving about his lavishly decorated chambers as though they were his own. "But I can't understand why she didn't even seem in the least bit angry."

Miroku looked up from where he was fingering a rather expensive looking sapphire ring, an innocent expression on his handsome face, his glossy black hair pulled into its usual ponytail at the nape of his neck. "Is she beautiful, like her sister?"

"Keh, whatever beauty Kikyou has I would not wish on any other woman. I've had enough of that type to last a lifetime."

His friend took on a look of sympathy for an instant, knowing how things were between the King and his future wife, before sighing and replacing the ring on the table. "I don't see why you care so much about this girl…what's her name again?"

"Kagome Higurashi. And I don't care about her, I'm just puzzled, that's all."

Miroku laughed. "When a man is puzzled by a woman, that means she has sparked an interest."

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose in a very childlike gesture, recalling their encounter in the rose gardens, and her insulting him as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "Not true," he finally replied gruffly, "I've been puzzled by many women."

"But to the point of discussing it with me for nearly an hour?"

Inuyasha made a face. "Has it been that long?"

"Unless your clocks are faulty, yes."

"Keh, that doesn't matter." He waved the comment away as though to wipe the conversation from the earth completely.

Miroku just shrugged, used to his friend's behavior by now, and flopped down on the King's rather oversized plush bed to think, stretching his arms over his head and savoring the feeling of the down comforter.

They had known each other since they were children, and Miroku had been the son of the former King's priest. Inutaisho had liked the man so much that he honored Miroku's family by promoting them into the world of nobility, knighting the father and giving him the title of Duke. Ever since, if one spotted Inuyasha that meant Miroku was not far off, and vice versa.

Fiddling with his fingers, Miroku raised an eyebrow thoughtfully. "She'll be at the banquet tonight, right?"

"Yes, why?"

"Oh, I'd just like to see what she looks like. Everyone says that the two sisters are nearly identical in appearance."

Inuyasha sighed, having to admit that to be true. "I suppose that's correct, for an instant I thought I was looking at Kikyou when I first saw her."

Miroku chuckled. "Luckily you had Kikyou at your side to remind you of the difference, eh?"

"What?" Inuyasha glanced at his friend in confusion before remembering that he had not told anyone about his chance encounter with Miss Higurashi in the rose garden. Frankly, he would like for that to stay a secret, so instead he had pretended the two had seen each other at a distance before the actual introduction, so that Inuyasha could still vent, but not give away his secret. "Yeah, good thing."

"It must be hard," Miroku continued, scooting up the bed so that only his feet were now dangling off the end.

"What's hard?"

"It must be hard for both of them, having to look so much alike and be so close in age. I've heard they're only two years apart. Is that correct?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "I'm not sure; Kikyou has never been one to speak much about her family." It occurred to him then that maybe that was the reason for it. Maybe she was tired of being compared to her younger sister, and just wanted to break away and be her own person for once.

Thinking about the relationship with his own brother, Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha couldn't help but feel a slight wave of sympathy at the concept. He certainly knew what it meant to be constantly in the shadow of a sibling.

"Well, they can't be too far apart in age," Miroku continued, "Since there is also a son who I know is thirteen, and he is the youngest."

"Yeah," Inuyasha was lost in thought even as he spoke. Thinking about Kagome Higurashi was certainly an interesting pastime.

He had only met her for about five minutes, but she intrigued him. Her reaction at their formal introduction had been such a surprise. But then, he was used to the overly dramatic women of his court, who would sob and weep and yell and laugh at a moment's notice if they thought it would draw attention. She seemed very much into her own needs and desires, not caring what other people thought.

A knock at the door broke his thoughts, and Inuyasha blinked several times to come back to reality. "Enter."

The door opened to reveal a small boy, only about nine or ten years old, with red hair and a fox tail. "Your Grace, the guests are starting to arrive."

"Thanks Shippou," he waved the boy away, and was once more left in peace with Miroku. He was not looking forward to going out there for yet another noisy dinner with people clamoring for favors.

"Come on," Miroku finally insisted, rising from his place on the bed, "We have to go. It's your duty as a King, and it is my duty as the official entertainer."

"Entertainer of the ladies, you mean," Inuyasha replied with a smug look. His friend just shrugged his shoulders as though he didn't care about the implication behind the comment.

Moving toward the door, they exited the private bedchamber and were instantly greeted with the sound of noisy conversation intermixed with the harmony of the string quartet always present for banquets, for after dinner there would be, of course, dancing…Inuyasha's least favorite pastime.

A hush fell over the crowd, however, when Inuyasha appeared, and the musicians played the slow tune that announced his presence. He bowed his head slightly to indicate they could return to what they had been doing, and took his seat at the head of the large table, big enough to hold over fifty people at one time. With slight dismay he noticed the second large throne beside his own, meant for Kikyou, reminding him that he would also have to endure her chilly personality for the entire evening.

"Good evening, Your Grace," a familiar male voice called, and Inuyasha growled in annoyance.

"What do you want Kouga?"

"Is it not appropriate for the nobles to greet their King?"

"Not when their company is unwelcome." Inuyasha turned to face his longtime rival, who was standing before him dressed in an elegant suit, his black hair pulled up in its usual ponytail, his sky-blue eyes regarding everything about him with their usual acute awareness. He smirked.

"You'd better be careful," The wolf man murmured so that only Inuyasha could hear, "You wouldn't want to ruin the peace between yourself and my country, would you?"

Inuyasha just chuckled again. "There has been peace between this palace and the peoples of the North for over two hundred years. I doubt you would like to break that tradition now, it would make you very unpopular with your people."

"True, but that is not why I shall allow your snide remarks."

"Oh really?"

Kouga smirked. "As much as you would like to believe that everything revolves around you, Your Grace, in this case my patience with you concerns a young woman."

"A woman?" Inuyasha laughed out loud and snorted at that. "Never mix women and politics; it could be bad for you."

"But this woman is politics," the wolf demon replied. "My future wife is, after all, the sister of your Queen."

At the mention of Kikyou Inuyasha sighed. "She's not my wife yet. But that's right, you are to marry Kagome Higurashi. I hope you aren't too miserable." He smirked at the thought of Kouga having to run away from Kagome's incessant babbling and insults…keh, poor man.

"Why should I be miserable?" Kouga replied, acting like Inuyasha had said something that was impossible. "The woman is extremely beautiful and, from what I've heard, kind beyond all comparison. Not to mention she has never before been to court, which means she has not been corrupted by it."

"Keh, you make her sound like some sort of angel," Inuyasha retorted, though as an image of Kagome smelling that red rose in the garden, a smile on her face, came to his head he knew it wasn't too far from the truth. But, he had to remind himself as he thought of Kikyou, appearance wasn't everything. He'd thought she was the sun and stars, and look what she was now…cold and depressed.

"She may very well be," Kouga replied, his face softening into a smile, "And she shall be my angel."

"You act as though you love her already."

Kouga laughed. "If you had heard about her what I have, you would be too. Everyone who knows her can say nothing but praise regarding her personality, plus I hear she has an adept skill with the violin, and a voice to boot."

"Well perhaps she'll just have to play for us," Inuyasha spat out, sounding very childish. All this talk about Kagome Higurashi made him very bitter about his own situation, and deep down Inuyasha hoped the younger sister turned out to be as much of an ice cube as the older, so that Kouga could know the same misery. Unfortunately, considering the little he'd seen of her earlier that day, that possibility was unlikely.

Before they could banter any more, Kikyou made her entrance, and everyone turned to admire her figure, clad in her previous gown of red and white once more, looking as beautiful and seductive as ever. She flashed smiles in all directions, though they were forced in the eyes of Inuyasha. Several of the courtiers bowed, already treating her like the Queen she had not yet become, and the hanyou King could only imagine what that did for her arrogant, cold sense of self-worth.

Stepping up to her throne, she eyed Kouga coldly, telling the wolf man to step aside, which he did, and then she elegantly moved her skirts so that she could sit, calling for a glass of wine as she did so before turning to survey the mass of people, dressed in all sorts of different colors.

Inuyasha studied her profile out of the corner of his eye, and for a moment felt the old stirring in his gut, the churning of his stomach, as he drank in the site of her. She was beautiful…no one could deny that. In fact, she was possibly the most beautiful woman in the country. How many Kings throughout history could boast about having such a woman for a wife?

Biting his lip, he looked away again with a grunt.

She did, he had to admit, have her kind moments, when he would see a flash of the woman he had known when they had been courting. Of course, she had always been somewhat superficial, clearly not having much of a goal in mind other then marrying well, but at the same time she'd had a kind heart, and when the day was done had always listened to his problems, which is why he had fallen for her in the first place. No one, man or woman, save for Miroku, had ever taken the time to care about his problems before.

But then, looking back, maybe that had all been a ruse as well…he just didn't know any more.

The conversation around them began to lower again, and Inuyasha noticed more people of importance were making their entrance, and he recognized immediately the Marquess Higurashi, with her son, Souta, in tow. The older woman was radiant in a gown of blue, proudly wearing the colors of her family, and her son was richly attired in a new white shirt and blue vest to match.

Inuyasha noticed that the Marquess seemed to carry an aura that commanded respect, because everyone stepped aside, even more so then they had for Kikyou, their future Queen, making it easy for the woman to move alongside the long dining table and take her seat.

But the most unexpected reaction of all came when the final guest for the evening appeared, and everyone turned to see Kagome Higurashi making her first entrance at a royal banquet.

She was radiant in a gown of pale pink frilled with white lace, still sporting the old-fashioned, draping loose sleeves that reminded Inuyasha so much of his mother. Her hair spilled over her shoulders and down her back in elegant curls, her lips touched with color and her cheeks barely displaying any makeup, instead allowing her natural lively color to shine through. Her eyes, dark and mysterious, but still full of kindness, were radiant, peering forth from her face like innocent orbs. Moving across the floor gracefully, with poise but without the air of arrogance Kikyou carried, everyone turned to watch as Kagome took her seat beside her mother.

Slightly unnerved, Kagome glanced about her with uneasiness, unsure of what she was supposed to do. Everyone was watching her, and now she wished more then ever that she could have been allowed to enter with the other guests and just blend in. To follow Kikyou, the future Queen, meant that everyone was staring.

"Well done, sweetheart," her mother whispered in her ear, and Kagome couldn't help but smile slightly at the praise. At least she hadn't done something foolish like trip.

A bell rang out, and everyone took their seats, the musicians striking up a pleasant tune meant as background noise for the meal, and Kagome opened her eyes wide in surprise as a hand appeared and placed a large bowl of fruit before her. Not sure what else to do, she picked up her fork and started to eat.

Everyone stared at her in shock, and Kagome realized instantly that she had done something wrong. Blushing, she put the fork back down, feeling a strong pair of eyes on her and turning to see the King glaring at her from where he sat beside her sister.

Kikyou, for her part, just looked embarrassed.

"What did I do wrong?" Kagome whispered frantically once things had returned to normal.

"The King is supposed to signal the start of the meal by taking the first bite," Her mother explained, and Kagome slumped her shoulders in defeat. She was not meant for this sort of life, she could tell already.

Thankfully, the rest of the dinner proceeded without incident, and while the tables were being cleared and moved out of the way to make room for dancing, Lady Higurashi took her daughter's hand and led her meaningfully up to a rather handsome looking young man with a ponytail of jet-black hair and stunning blue eyes. He gave her a warm smile, and Kagome, for some reason, felt herself instantly relax in his presence.

"Kagome, this is Lord Kouga," her mother began, and Kagome felt herself blink a few times, unsure of what to say to the man she was going to marry in six months. She felt nothing…not hatred, or scorn, or frustration…all the emotions that had been rolling around in her chest were suddenly gone, as though they had never existed.

He saved her the trouble of having to formulate a response by taking her hand in his and kissing it. "Heaven must have lost an angel the day you were born," he commented in a smooth voice, and Kagome couldn't help but giggle at the flattering statement. No one ever talked to her like that.

"Please, I don't like flattery, my lord," she replied, though her voice was kind. "Honesty is what I value above everything else."

"But my lady, I am being honest." His eyes were sincere as he spoke. "You are by far the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and I can tell by your eyes and your soft smile that you are kind."

He was clearly trying so hard to endear himself to her that Kagome couldn't help but give him her warmest smile. Perhaps, after all, her mother was right, and things would work out in the end.

"Thank you, my lord," she replied, deciding to just accept the compliment rather then argue with it, like she usually was so inclined to do. After all, it wasn't every day a handsome man such as Kouga complimented her in such a way. Frankly, she hadn't had much interaction with any men other then her brother and the occasional messenger up to the moment she came to court.

Together they turned and watched as couples began to move about the floor to a waltz, the musicians off to one side seeming very involved with their instruments. Kagome watched as the violinist pulled his bow across every string, creating beautiful chords.

"You are unhappy," Kouga stated simply after gazing at her for a few moments, and Kagome blinked in surprise at his forwardness, turning her eyes away from the instrumentalists. But she couldn't deny it.

"I suppose the idea of marrying a stranger is not my first choice," she replied, trying to be kind. He laughed.

"Indeed, putting it that way doesn't sound very appealing to me either. However," he put his face closer to hers, "I hope to know you much better before we are married. And I promise you this now: at the end of six months, if you are not satisfied with me as a potential husband, then you can decline the marriage."

Now that was something she had not been expecting, and Kagome backed away slightly. She had prepared herself for every possibility; of disgrace, unhappiness, and even despair. But never, not in a million years, had she imagined one of her options would be declining the marriage all together. "But…but what of the Queen? She has arranged this marriage, and it would be offensive to her to not follow through."

"Begging the future Queen's pardon, but if she is to be offended when others do not marry, then she needs to find a life of her own." At that comment Kagome couldn't stop the laughter from bubbling up in her chest, causing Kouga to smile, and a certain King to look their way.

Inuyasha had been watching the pair from the moment the Marquess had led her daughter over to meet her fiancé, and he did not like what he was seeing. For some reason, he was hoping Kagome would perhaps slap Kouga, or worse. In fact, he had expected her to be rude, as she had been with him in the garden, for at that moment she had certainly not been happy about the idea of meeting her future husband. Actually, as he thought about it more, she had been almost horrified at the thought that HE was Kouga. The thought only made him more flustered and angry, accustomed as he was to women fawning over him, and clambering for his attentions.

At the sound of her laughter, however, all other thoughts had faded save for the one telling him that Kagome Higurashi was possibly the most angelic woman he had ever seen. Everything about her spoke of innocence and, he hated to admit it, Kouga was right when he said the woman was practically wrapped in a cloak of kindness.

But Kagome was oblivious to the King's eyes, instead focused on the man before her and the fact that she was enjoying his company much more then she had ever thought she would.

The sound of music suddenly caught the air, and Kouga looked at her with purpose in his eyes, bowing low as he took her hand. "Would it be rude for me to request your first dance as a lady of the court?"

Kagome smiled again. He had a way of making her laugh and feel giddy in a very childlike way. "As my potential future husband, I think it is only too appropriate," she replied, giving him her other hand as he whirled her onto the floor, leading the other dancers in the second waltz of the evening.

All eyes were on the young couple as they moved about the floor, and Inuyasha was surrounded by comments about how graceful they were, how handsome the man was, and how beautifully his partner smiled and laughed. Growling to himself, Inuyasha leaned back further on his throne and took a long draught of his wine, eyeing the pair with disdain. He hated Kouga for getting a beautiful bride in every respect, and he hated Kagome for being everything Kikyou was not and everything he himself secretly wanted in a wife.

And not only that, he was still smarting from her quick tongue earlier that day in the rose garden. It was amazing that she had been so fiery with him, and now was as docile as a lamb. I guess I just bring out the worst in women, he decided with a dejected sigh.

Kikyou was eyeing him purposefully, and he raised an eyebrow as though to say `what do you want now'?

"Shall we dance, my lord?" Her voice was deep and sultry, and Inuyasha found himself drawn to it, despite his foul mood. She smirked meaningfully. "It should not be my sister and her future husband leading the others; it should be us, the King and his future Queen." Her voice had a slight inflection as it passed over the words my sister, but other then that it appeared to be a request without a motive.

"If you wish to dance, Kikyou, then we can dance," he finally sighed, deciding it would be better to be among the gaiety of the evening rather then just watching it from the sidelines. He heard that beautiful laugh again, and jerked his head to the left as he led his future wife into the fray of dancers, spotting Kagome with her head thrown back in laughter as Kouga dipped her low to signal the end of the waltz.

"The King shall dance! The King shall dance!" everyone exclaimed, as though it were the most wonderful thing in the world. Inuyasha just groaned inwardly as he took Kikyou's hands in his and nodded to the musicians, wishing the guests would save their meaningless flattery for someone who truly wanted it.

At the mention of the King, Kagome turned to see Kikyou and her future husband whirling around the floor with poise and grace, their steps matching perfectly.

"They certainly look royal," Kouga commented, at her side offering her a glass of water. She accepted it, and as she drank observed the couple.

"Yes," she finally replied, "Royally formidable." They both chuckled, and Kagome put her hand under her chin thoughtfully. "But they don't seem at all happy with each other."

"What makes you say that?"

"Just look at how stiff the King is, and my sister looks as though she would rather be elsewhere…or at least with a different partner."

Kouga looked at Kikyou, at her smiling face and elegant figure. He noted the way her body oozed flirtation down to the very pores in her skin, watching as her lips curved upward in a seductively beautiful smile, her head cocking from side to side as her body moved. In all honesty, she looked like a swan…a delicate, but perfectly sculpted swan.

"Your sister looks like she's enjoying herself to me," He finally replied with a shrug.

Kagome raised an eyebrow and sighed inwardly. "I did not think you would be taken in by her false charm."

"What?" He looked bewildered.

Kagome gestured freely with her hand towards the moving couple. "Kikyou has always been able to put on her courtier's face, even when we were young. She always acted so mature for her age, and often tried to teach me to be polite and proper when in public." Kagome eyed Kouga out of the corner of her eye. "What you are seeing now is most definitely her courtier's façade. She is no happier about what she's doing then the King is."

Kouga arched an eyebrow curiously. "Are you implying that they do not love each other?"

Kagome rolled her eyes, recalling her encounter with the King in the gardens earlier that day, and his comments about watching her tongue. "I know, I shouldn't say that since that and everything else in this place is considered treason." Kouga laughed, and she gave him a puzzled stare. "Are you making fun of me?"

"No, my lady, I'm agreeing with you. And I want you to know that whenever you want to voice your treasonous thoughts, you can come to me, for I won't tell a soul." He leaned in to whisper, "I certainly have enough of my own ideas to share with you."

Smiling, Kagome nodded and returned her attention to the couple on the floor. Kouga was right; they did look royal, Kikyou in her red and white velvet gown, and the King with his golden crown and handsome face. But still, something seemed off, and she couldn't put it from her mind.

"What is his name?" She finally asked.

"Who's name?"

"The Kings?"

Kouga looked at her in surprise. "You don't know the King's name?"

"Should I?"

"I just assumed you would, since he's engaged to your sister and you've lived near the court all your life."

"For one thing, my sister tells me nothing, and has not for the past three years since she ceased returning home to visit, and for another just because I've lived near the court does not mean I have taken any part in it."

"You're very frank, aren't you?"

Kagome smiled, having heard that comment before many times in her life. Any more, she wore it as a badge of honor. "I am as I was taught to be."

"By who?"

"My mother and father."

Kouga nodded. "Well, I see your mother, but where is your father? I should like to meet the man who allowed his daughter to be so independent."

A look of pain crossed her face. "He died ten years ago, when I was only six years old."

"Oh," Kouga looked a little embarrassed, like anyone who asks the wrong question and then feels stupid. "I'm sorry."

Kagome shrugged. "Don't be, you didn't know. I hate it when people feel sorry for just trying to have a conversation. It's not like we can be perfect all the time." He laughed at that, and they fell into a comfortable silence as Kagome watched her sister continue to dance with the King. For some reason, she had a strong desire to talk to him, like she had in the garden.

As the dance ended and all the couples bowed to each other, Kagome turned to Kouga. "You didn't answer my question."

"What question?"

"About the King's name."

"Oh, his name's Inuyasha."

"Inuyasha," Kagome played with it on her tongue, for some strange reason thinking that she liked how it felt when she said it.

Shaking her head, she set down her cup on a windowsill and, smoothing her gown slightly, walked over to the royal couple, who were now once more sitting in their places of honor at the head of the room.

Kikyou eyed her coolly, while the King had a look of confusion, but also curiosity, and Kagome put on her warmest smile. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her uncomfortable in his presence after their little encounter that afternoon.

"Your Grace," she said humbly, curtsying low before rising and looking at her sister. "And Kikyou…how are you?"

Clearly annoyed that Kagome had not remained bowed for her as well, Kikyou frowned. "Well enough sister, and you?"

"Very well, thank you." Kagome then returned her attention to the King and his glowering face, knowing that what she was about to ask was bold, but nonetheless asking the question anyway. "Your Grace, would you honor me with a dance?"

His eyes widened in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"Well, you are, after all, to be my brother in law, so I do not think it inappropriate to get to know you better."

She was looking at him meaningfully, and Inuyasha, unsure of what else to do, found himself nodding his head. "Very well."

He rose from his chair, leaving Kikyou alone, and took Kagome's hand, leading her out onto the floor. Everyone parted and stared, shocked that the younger sister of Kikyou would have so much gall as to ask the King to dance.

No one ever asked the King to dance…the King asked you.

The music began, and Kagome allowed the King to put his arm around her waist, leading her about the room gracefully. He was certainly a good dancer, despite the fact that he seemed to have a miserable time doing it.

"You've already made a great impression, Miss Higurashi," he commented once the guests had begun talking again enough for their conversation to not be overheard.

"Really?" Kagome raised her eyes thoughtfully, blinking several times in an image of complete innocence. "I was thinking I have not, considering what I said earlier today in the garden to a certain nobleman I had not met before."

Inuyasha cocked an eyebrow. "Is that so? And would this be an apology for the way you behaved?"

"Not at all," Kagome chuckled, and Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "I behaved as I would have to any man, and it is not my fault you did not reveal to me who you were so that I could treat you with the proper respect. I only hope you were not too offended."

Offended? No, he hadn't been offended; he had only felt his entire mood shaken by her presence, his temper suddenly shortened thanks to her. But he chose not to tell her any of that. "Believe me, it takes a lot more then a few words from a young, naïve woman to offend a king."

Kagome bristled at the way he called her naïve, and gave him a hard stare. King or no, she would not be talked to that way. "You don't know me well at all if you consider me to be naïve," she hissed, and Inuyasha opened his eyes wide in surprise at her boldness. Even now, when she knew he was the King, she continued to talk to him as though she were his equal.

"What would you call it then?" he snapped back.

"Misinformed, perhaps," she replied haughtily. "It is not my fault that I have never before been to court, and thus had never seen you before. But that does not make me naïve. I understand very well the ways of the world."

The seriousness of her voice told Inuyasha she meant what she said, and he made a mental note to not call her that again, though he would never admit that he listened to what she said at all. "People are staring at us," he finally commented. "Is that what you wanted? To earn the attention of the entire court?"

She grinned slyly at that. "Are you always this paranoid about the people of your court?"

That ruffled his nerves a little, because she had understood his meaning so perfectly. "Keh, you didn't answer my question, woman." To hell with proprieties, he thought.

Kagome shook her head. "I only wished to speak with you, Your Grace, and make sure you had no intention of sending me to prison for anything I might have said this afternoon."

He snorted, not believing for an instant that she was actually sorry. "Something tells me you would act the same way again."

"And you would be right."

"Then why bother to say what you just did and act concerned at all?"

"Because it is the proper thing to do."

Inuyasha chuckled at that in spite of himself. She intrigued him, with her quick tongue and honest personality. She certainly wouldn't keep anything from him, and he decided to test that theory. "You said earlier you did not believe me when I said I was Kouga, and that you knew somehow that I would not intentionally hurt you. What else do you see in me?"

Kagome looked at him for several seconds, as though seeming to decide something, before shrugging her shoulders slightly. "I think you are unhappy."

It was as honest an answer as she could have given, he could see it in her eyes, but that only caused Inuyasha to feel his temper stir slightly, his voice no more then a growl when he spoke. "What did you say?"

"I said I think you are unhappy."

"And what would you know about it?"

"I am merely answering your question, Your Grace."

"Well why do you think I wanted you to tell me that I am unhappy?" Damn her, damn her a thousand times for reading him so well!

"I don't think you wanted to hear it, but I do think you needed to hear an honest opinion," she replied, not even flinching at his signs of bad temper. "And if ever you want to hear meaningless flattery to boost your ego, do not come to me, for you shall not receive it."

"Keh," was all Inuyasha said in reply, and that was the last of their conversation for the dance, and for the rest of the evening, though each secretly watched the other until everyone retired for the night.