InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The King's Mistress ❯ The Tower ( Chapter 31 )

FANART! FANART! FANART!

 

I've again had the pleasure of having people send me fanart for this story, for which I'm very, very honored. There are again new artists interspersed with familiar names, so I'm eternally grateful.

 

I am also considering the possibility, in honor of the 2,000 review benchmark, of starting a “The King's Mistress” fanart club at deviantart. Part of the reason for this is so it can all be grouped together, and partly because I keep having people sending me pictures that aren't posted anywhere and thus can't be viewed by anyone else. But I don't think I could manage something like that on my own, so if anyone is interested in possibly helping, I would be eternally grateful. Let me know!

 

Art by Miyu6

http://www.deviantart .com/ view /22215828/

 

Please welcome Shinoru Aki Ameagari to the artistic scene!

http:// img. photobucket. com/ albums/ v104/ Kakeru/ tkmchap29endscene .jpg

 

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Title: The King's Mistress

 

Author: dolphingirl0113

 

Chapter Thirty: The Tower

 

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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In that moment I had never felt happier in my entire life. I told him that I loved him, and he didn't push me away. Instead he swept me up in his arms and left me with nothing but warmth and the sense of security I had been longing for from the moment when we had first been separated. Never mind the fact that he didn't reply in kind…I knew that would have been asking too much. As it was I already knew that the guilt would be quick to follow such joy, knowing my sister was locked away in a cold and unforgiving place designed for hardened criminals, so I didn't ask God for too much.

 

It is strange how life never works out how we would have planned it all out in our minds. When I was young all I could dream about was falling in love with my handsome Prince, and how he would sweep me off my feet from the moment we met and eventually carry me away to his castle, nothing but tenderness in his voice as he told me he loved me over and over again.

 

And yet what actually existed couldn't have been more different…and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

 

No, Inuyasha didn't sweep me off my feet from the moment we met…quite different. He floored me with insults and then humiliated me in front of the entire court when he smirked down at me with that crown on his head, waiting for me to sputter around like a surprised goose. I danced with him, he asked for my opinion, and in the end he hated me for my honesty. He saw me practically naked and showed barely any humility for it, instead throwing about insults about my body. And he always seemed to know the exact wrong thing to say at precisely the wrong time.

 

But somewhere, somehow, that all began to change. I don't know if it was that night when we danced so passionately, for the first time feeling the mutual fire of desire, or if it was before that, when he appointed me the Summer Maiden, or even after, during the joust in the East when I ran to his side and caught him against me, his hair matted with sweat and his breathing short even as he smiled innocently and told me I smelled like roses. But no matter when it happened, things did change, and he slowly morphed into a Prince Charming I could never live without again, despite his sharp tongue and oft childish behavior.

 

Our love, somehow, had remained innocent through it all, despite being tainted at the edges thanks to the outside world, and I thank him for that, because it was his innocence and genuine heart that kept my faith in the people around me. I had thrown away my life for him, betting all on one man…and despite the high stakes and the high price paid, I cannot say, even today, that I regret having cast the dice…

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

When Kagome first opened her eyes she found herself having to sift through the haze of sleep to discern why she was in a strange bed still dressed in her travel clothes, her hair curled and windswept around her face, not having been washed once since she had left the North. Her cheeks were cold, the autumn wind blowing sharply in through the open window placed high upon the wall of the bed chamber, and as another biting gust blew through the room Kagome instinctively burrowed herself down safely under the warm covers, pulling the heavy comforter up around her ears.

 

And that was when she felt the form behind her stir slightly, and it all came back to her.

 

Kagome couldn't help but smile as she felt Inuyasha pull her slightly closer to his sleeping form, his powerful arm wrapped about her waist protectively. He was spooned against her back, offering her his body heat, and his breath was hot on the back of her neck, causing the occasional shiver to run down her spine. His silver hair cascaded over her body on top of the comforter, its color stunning against the deep red of the bed.

 

For a few moments Kagome allowed herself to forget everything save for the man beside her, offering her his comfort and protection, and slowly, carefully, she rolled over so that she was facing him, though it was somewhat difficult because his arm was unwilling to let her go.

 

She sighed, gazing at what she felt was the most beautiful face in the entire world.

 

Sleep had managed to remove the worry lines on his forehead, and the harshness of his frown was gone, instead replaced by a slight smile, his right cheek and half of his face burrowed into his pillow. His silver hair seemed to be everywhere around him, like some kind of angelic halo, and as it glittered with the morning light, Kagome couldn't help but think how lucky she was to have found someone like him.

 

But with that thought came the unpleasant reality that she would not have met him were it not for her sister, and that caused a landslide of pain and longing in her heart as she thought about Kikyou, cold and alone, locked away in that horrible Tower.

 

And just like that, the moment was ruined, her pleasant smile gradually flipping over into a steady frown.

 

Kagome knew she had to somehow get into the Tower to see her sister; to assure herself that she was at least okay physically, if not mentally under a lot of strain and pressure. She had to let Kikyou know that she had come back to help her, and that while the rest of the world may have turned on her, Kagome had not.

 

But what would be the best way to approach the situation?

 

Inevitably, Kagome's eyes drifted over Inuyasha's sleeping face once more, but instantly shook that thought away. It was true, perhaps, that the hanyou had the most power in terms of getting her in and out of the Tower safely…but he would not allow it. He had already been furious enough that she had come back to the High Court at all, and Kagome doubted he would simply allow her to then walk into the Tower voluntarily when in these times it could not be a certainty that anyone would come back out in the same manner.

 

Mentally Kagome ticked off a list of her allies, surprised that the numbers had grown so small…but then again, they were all people she would trust with her life, and she supposed it was better to have a few of that sort than many of whom one was not entirely sure.

 

Yuka, naturally, came to mind first as she was her most loyal servant, and had stuck with her through everything that had happened. But unfortunately, kind and loyal as the woman might be, she would have no influence when it came to getting her into the Tower without causing a lot of trouble, and so Kagome regrettably scratched her off the list.

 

Next came Sango, her dearest and oldest friend. Kagome knew the woman was strong and independent-minded when she needed to be, and had no qualms about speaking out for what she believed to be a just cause…but she, like so many of the people on Kagome's mental list of allies, would still have her friend's best interests at heart, and may or may not be willing to put Kagome in that kind of danger.

 

In the end, Kagome decided to keep the possibility of Sango open and moved on to Miroku. But she knew that the problem with involving him was that word would inevitably get back to Inuyasha. Still, outside of the King, he had the most influence as the King's right-hand man, and would have the greatest potential for success. And besides all that, whether or not word got back to Inuyasha, Kagome would have already gone to see Kikyou, and the hanyou would have no power…only the ability to fly into another rage, which, while a prospect she didn't like, was something she could handle.

 

The problem would come in convincing him. He too had become a good and loyal friend, and like Sango would no doubt not be particularly thrilled about potentially sending her into the snake pit without just cause, and unfortunately, while Kagome may see just cause in the simple fact that Kikyou was her sister, she had a feeling that most of the others wouldn't quite see it that way.

 

Still, in the end she decided that her best chance would lie with Miroku. But now she would have to find him, and who knew where he was at that hour of the day?

 

Casting one last loving gaze at Inuyasha, Kagome felt that twinge of reluctance to leave his side return, as though her heart feared another two-month separation if she walked out the door.

 

Trying to quell such fears and prove to herself that the man before her was real and beside her once more, Kagome leaned forward and boldly kissed Inuyasha's forehead, feeling his skin quiver beneath her lips as he stirred slightly, but did not wake, the smile on his face widening slightly as he tightened his hold about her waist.

 

Ignoring the pleasant sensations running through her body as a result, Kagome instead frowned at that powerful arm that she knew wouldn't let her go without a fight, and began the tedious task of trying to bend and stretch her way free. Several times he moved, causing her to still in fear that he was waking up, but each time he would settle back down, his breathing remaining slow and steady, and each time Kagome would heave a huge sigh of relief.

 

She didn't want him to wake up and ask her where she was going because she knew, after their heart-felt conversation the night before, that she could never lie to him again. She had promised to trust him, and he her, and she intended to keep that promise from that moment forward.

 

Mercifully, in the end Kagome finally managed to step off the large mattress without waking the hanyou, tucking the sheets up securely under his chin as she would have done with a small child before delicately moving towards the door, all too aware of what his sensitive ears could hear.

 

Once she'd moved into the main chamber, Kagome stopped to ponder her next problem, which was getting out of his rooms without being seen by anyone. Unlike Inuyasha, she didn't have the luxury of being able to leap from balcony to balcony, and would instead have to rely on a little luck that no one would be traversing the hallway at the moment she exited through the double doors.

 

Putting a hand under her chin and worrying her lip absentmindedly, Kagome began observing the room around her even as she mentally began forming a plan, walking about in small circles like a wheel that was desperately trying to start turning.

 

She'd never actually been in the King's chambers before, Kagome realized with a start. He had always either come to her, or they had met neutrally in his study. But never, not once, had she come into his rooms…and she had to admit that what she saw put to shame even the chambers Kikyou had been lavished with at their many different locations throughout the country.

 

It was clearly Inuyasha's room due to the fact that his trademark favorite color, red, was everywhere. His couches, chairs, and plush pillows were all either red silk or red velvet, pale ivory fabric outlining it all and softening the harsh color somewhat so that Kagome actually found the setting quite pleasant…almost as much to her liking as her own family colors of blue and white. All his desks were of the richest mahogany, and his impressively large fireplace was polished white marble outlined in real gold.

 

Clearly, Kagome thought, she was in the dwelling of a King.

 

Above the fireplace was the coat of arms of Inuyasha's family, and above that Kagome saw a picture of a man she had come to easily recognize since his face seemed to be everywhere: the great King, Inutaisho. In this portrait he looked particularly regal, with his long white hair tied back in a high ponytail and blowing out on some invisible and immortal wind, his lips pressed together in neither a frown nor a smile, but rather in a look of confidence, the bejeweled golden crown atop his head gleaming in the unseen sun. He wore silver armor and a light blue shirt similar to the style Sesshoumaru seemed to favor, and a large sword was belted at his waist, though it looked like neither of the swords he had bequeathed to his sons upon his death.

 

Upon closer inspection, Kagome realized this portrait had probably been painted in the West, because she recognized the endless sea of green that had immortalized the western lands in her mind sweeping out behind him in all directions, the great mountains of the North nothing more than a slight disturbance on the horizon to his left.

 

It was then that Kagome realized, truly, how much her life had changed in such a short amount of time.

 

A little less than nine months ago, she would not have known how to visualize anything beyond her small world at the Higurashi Mansion, with its large forests and winding garden paths. She could not have even dreamed of the kind of love she felt now, and she knew she could not have fathomed loving a King. And yet, now, she had seen the entire country, had befriended the ruler of the East, had been engaged to the ruler of the North, and had become great allies with the wife of the Lord of the West.

 

“Ah, Kagome, God does work in mysterious ways, doesn't he…?” She sighed aloud to herself, her eyes entranced by the fierce gaze of the deceased and yet immortalized King, his sharp eyes seeming to notice everything about him. She could tell, just by the way the artist had captured his eyes, that Inutaisho had probably been a lot like Inuyasha, with a gruff exterior and a great capacity to love within, but that he had also probably been very serene and apparently without fear, like his elder son, Sesshoumaru.

 

Both his sons carry him in their hearts, whether they realize it or not, she thought to herself. Inuyasha inherited his passionate vigor for life, and Sesshoumaru his infinite wisdom and calm.

 

The thought caused Kagome to smile, for, having seen the two brothers interact, she had a feeling both would strongly protest to such an observation.

 

She was startled from her reverie by the sound of the knob turning on one of the double doors into Inuyasha's chambers, and Kagome froze, fearing the worst in the form of some servant or another coming to wake the King. She prepared to stand up straight and take the scandal with pride, knowing nothing would be the same again…

 

…and couldn't restrain her sigh of relief as Miroku's head peered around the corner before the rest of his body came with him, dressed in a casual morning outfit of a loose purple shirt and black pants.

 

Kagome realized that the sudden adrenaline rush had caused her already exhausted and sore legs to shake, and she found herself leaning heavily against the back of a red-velvet chair as she smiled and shook her head. “Oh, Miroku…thank goodness it's just you.”

 

The violet-eyed man looked her up and down before glancing through the open doors into the other room, where Inuyasha was still sleeping, having rolled onto his back, and smiled that horrible, lecherous smile of his. “Well, this certainly feels familiar…though I suppose I regrettably arrived too late this time, because you're already up and dressed.”

 

At first, Kagome didn't comprehend the meaning behind his words, but the moment she did her face turned bright red as she promptly stepped forward and smacked him across the cheek. “May your tongue burn for such a thought, Miroku,” she whispered furiously, trying not to be too loud. “Nothing happened last night,” she finally added, blushing even more as she recalled that embarrassing morning when the man had stumbled upon her naked with the King in her bed.

 

“Oh?” He seemed somewhat disappointed, though his smile didn't seem to fade even slightly despite the red mark now on his right cheek. “Well…I suppose that's not too surprising. Inuyasha never was a man of action.”

 

Kagome blushed even more at the serious double-meaning of that statement, and whacked her friend on the shoulder for good measure. “That comment alone could have you hung ten times over! Honestly, Miroku…do you ever think about anything else?”

 

Miroku shrugged. “Of course…but Sango wouldn't even dance with me last night because she was worried about you after she heard you had returned. I'm feeling a little deprived.” He winked.

 

Kagome raised an eyebrow curiously. “And since when did Sango ever let you do anything other than dancing?”

 

She was stunned to see, for once, a slight blush come to Miroku's cheeks, though his gaze didn't falter, his voice going deadpan and serious. “Like I said…much has happened since this crisis first began a few weeks ago. Many people are reevaluating what is and is not important in their lives, and Sango and I have taken a much closer look at our relationship and where we would like it to go.”

 

“I see…” It was so funny the way the man before her was trying desperately to remain calm when he had obviously been slightly unsettled by her forward question. But, in the end, Kagome decided to let it go, though more for Sango's sake since she knew the poor woman would be humiliated if she learned that Kagome and Miroku had even had such a conversation.

 

A rustling of covers in the room beside her caused Kagome to suddenly remember why she had woken up and left the side of the man she loved, and her face hardened with determination as she took Miroku's hand and led him back, purposefully, towards the double doors whence he had just come. After all, with him at her side, it wouldn't look at all suspicious for her to be leaving Inuyasha's chambers. It could easily be explained away as an early summons by the King himself after he heard of her return to the court, and at this point if she had any hope of getting to the Tower before Inuyasha woke she would have to act fast.

 

But Miroku protested slightly, clearly having been looking forward to just lounging about in his best friend's luxurious chambers for a while. “Where are we going, Kagome?”

 

She turned to him and fiercely put a finger to her lips for him to be quiet, and he obeyed, though he didn't look too happy about it.

 

Silently and swiftly, they exited Inuyasha's chambers and moved toward his study instead, stepping inside and closing the door to grant them some semblance of privacy, though during the day one never knew whose servants/spies were situated where. A fire had already been lit in the fireplace, and Kagome moved to sit in front of it, extending her hands to warm them, already missing Inuyasha's warmth.

 

Miroku walked up to stand beside her, crossing his arms and leaning against the mantle of the fireplace, looking at Kagome directly with his piercing gaze. “Would you mind telling me what is going on?”

 

“Part of it's payback for last night,” Kagome replied without thinking, meaning it as a joke, but she saw Miroku visibly wince.

 

“Kagome, I'm sorry about the way I treated you…I was just, well…everyone's been really tense around here, especially Inuyasha, and I was terrified of what would happen to his raw nerves when he saw you'd disobeyed his command and returned to the High Court. I…” This time he really did blush slightly and falter with his words. “I was also worried, for myself, about what would happen to you when the rest of the court realized that you had returned. You are…” he swallowed and cleared his throat, purposefully looking away. “You are a good friend.”

 

His confession…the pure honesty of it…caused Kagome to blink several times in silent shock. “Miroku…” A smile came to her face, and she felt instantly warmed inside by his words. “You are a good friend to me as well.” She looked away. “Which is why…”

 

Unable to finish right away, Kagome settled for studying her raw and blistered hands, trying to find the right words to say, ands he heard Miroku sigh. “Why do I have the uncomfortable feeling you're about to ask me to do something I won't like?”

 

Perceptive as always, she thought, despite his lecherous mind.

 

Looking up, Kagome tried to smile kindly, but in the end the gesture faltered and returned to a nervous frown. In the end she decided to just plough straight ahead. “I need you to get me into the Tower as discretely as possible so that I can see Kikyou.”

 

For a few seconds there was nothing but silence, interrupted only by the ticking of the nearby clock or the crackling of the fire, but then Miroku let loose in an unusual display of emotion. “No…absolutely not.”

 

“But Miroku…”

 

“I won't help you go to your doom, Kagome…that is just asking too much.”

 

“I wouldn't be going to my doom. I would just be going to see my sister.”

 

He looked at her sharply, and Kagome swallowed what else she had been about to say. “Kagome, you are a prized witness in this whole case. Do you think they're going to take your presence lightly? They may decide it best to lock you away if only for the sake of making sure you don't leave now that you've returned to court.”

 

She raised her chin into the air proudly. “Then that's just a chance I'll have to take.”

 

“Kagome…”

 

“Kikyou's my sister, Miroku, and I can't just let her sit in that horrible place all alone and wondering if I came back to support her like she asked.”

 

“Why can't you just have a letter delivered or something?”

 

Kagome crossed her arms stubbornly. “That's not the same.” Her eyes softened. “Please, Miroku…I came to you because I trusted you to be able to do this for me. I knew Inuyasha wouldn't…”

 

“Damn right he wouldn't.”

 

Kagome ignored his interruption and kept going. “But I trusted that you could see reason because you're not quite as…um…emotionally attached.”

 

“So you think the prospect of you being locked away and potentially put on trial yourself for your hand in all of this is easy for me to visualize and consider?” Miroku's voice, for once, had a bitter edge to it tinged with sarcasm.

 

Kagome realized she'd hurt him with her words, and so stood up and moved to stand right before him, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Please, Miroku? Kikyou needs me…I can feel it. And I would expect no less from her were our situations reversed.”

 

“Hn…I'd expect less of her,” he grunted in reply, surprising Kagome with the tone of dislike, but she remained silent, waiting for him to continue. He finally sighed. “Alright…I'll take you to the Tower. But you must understand that it won't be discrete. Your presence cannot be discrete.”

 

Kagome swallowed, knowing it was the truth but still having to tamper down her nervousness slightly at the finality in his voice. By going with him now, she would be sealing her fate and her role in this whole mess. There would be no going back…and no running back to Kouga if she became too afraid.

 

And, for once, Inuyasha could not protect her. This trial had been taken out of his hands because he was so personally involved, and Sesshoumaru had been summoned from the West to take his younger brother's place as the presiding judge for the courts.

 

Still, all Kagome had to do was picture Kikyou, cold and alone, and it was enough to give her the courage to nod her head. “I understand, Miroku. Take me to Kikyou, please.”

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

The Tower was the most foreboding place Kagome had ever seen. Its shadow seemed to stretch for miles when one stood at its base, and as Kagome followed Miroku through the guarded entrance she couldn't help but pull her blue travel cloak closer about her neck to give her some semblance of security.

 

He had suggested she wear it so that she didn't draw too much attention to herself, also telling her to not change before hand so that to most she would look more like a dirty traveler than the sister of the Queen that she actually was. And now Kagome was grateful for the suggestion, because the cloak, with the hood over her head, provided her with a feeling of wearing a protective shield from outward evil.

 

But even so, she cringed slightly as the two armored guards gave her subtle but thorough glances as she passed through the main gates and doors, her steps hurried and with purpose as she made sure to be right beside Miroku…the only friendly face in such a cruel atmosphere.

 

Inside it was cramped, with narrow stairways leading in three different directions, and Kagome gulped to think that up each flight of stairs were several rows of cells. Absentmindedly, she couldn't help but wonder if the cells up the middle had any windows, and shuddered to think that they did not.

 

Miroku moved without faltering to the right, and Kagome couldn't help but wonder if he had done this already once before, perhaps the day before when Kikyou had been arrested. She followed close behind him, no longer able to walk at his side due to the narrow stairwell, and her nose furrowed in disgust at the smell of mildew and damp limestone. At one point she lost her footing and placed a hand on one of the walls, only to recoil when her fingers were shocked by an icy sensation.

 

Was there no warmth in that place?

 

They spiraled up for what seemed like hours, but in reality had probably only been about fifteen minutes, occasionally passing a small window giving Kagome a merciful breath of fresh air, also moving past several floors of cells, causing Kagome's blood to turn cold like the stone walls around her. Just how many people were in this place?

 

And then, finally, Miroku stepped off the winding staircase and onto a flat hallway lined with seven cells to the left, and nothing but four large windows to the right. It was different than what Kagome had already seen, where usually there were cell doors on both sides of the hallway, and Miroku hastened to explain.

 

“These are the larger cells, with a few more creature comforts, including larger windows,” he spoke softly, as though he too were affected by the intimidating atmosphere of the Tower. “These are usually reserved for…nobility.” Kagome could hear his voice catch, knowing they were both wondering if such a place had ever housed the likes of a Queen before.

 

Without thinking, Kagome stepped slightly closer to Miroku, leaning against his side for warmth and comfort, and he put an arm around her shoulders, chastely keeping his hands to himself, for which she was grateful.

 

An armored guard appeared out of what appeared to be a small room with a tiny window and a meager cot, and Kagome recoiled at the thought that he lived her. But then she recalled Miroku explaining to her as they had walked towards the Tower earlier that the guards would change duty every two days, and that once a soldier had served in and around the Tower for a month he would not be called back into such a service for several years.

 

Still, the thought brought little comfort to Kagome, and she pitied anyone, criminal or otherwise, who had to live in such a place.

 

The guard had a rough, unshaven face, auburn hair tied into a small ponytail at the nape of his neck, his stride purposeful as he approached, the air disturbed only by his footsteps and by the noise of the keys jangling at his side.

 

“What do you want?” He asked finally, his voice curt but not cruel. Kagome suspected the Tower could turn any man bitter in a very short amount of time.

 

Miroku looked back at the man steadily. “We wish to visit the Queen.”

 

The guard narrowed his eyes slightly. “On whose authority?”

 

“On the authority of myself, Miroku, right-hand man of the King, and on the authority of the Queen's sister, Kagome Higurashi.”

 

The guard flicked his gaze over to Kagome briefly, and she felt herself cringe under his watchful eyes in spite of herself and the courage she kept willing into the very marrow of her bones. She would not back down from this. Not now.

 

But even so, she leaned against Miroku a little more, and his grip around her shoulders tightened as he assured her of his protective presence. She knew that, if he could help it, nothing would happen to her. Yet a part of her still wished that the man beside her had silver hair and dog ears…because she knew he would make her feel invincible, whereas Miroku could only manage to make her feel like she was wearing protective armor like the soldier before them.

 

Finally, after several moments of silence, the gruff man before them seemed to reach a decision and nodded his head as though in reply to something he'd been thinking silently, stepping forward and pulling the keys off their hook on his belt and moving to the cell at the furthest end of the hallway from the stairs. Flipping through the seven rusted keys, he finally decided upon the right one and put it in the keyhole.

 

Kagome felt her heart flip as she heard the unmistakable thud of the lock slipping away, and then, before she could even prepare herself and put a mask on her face so that Kikyou wouldn't see how nervous and afraid she was, the wooden door was swinging open…and there she was.

 

Kikyou was in the process of standing up as the door swung open fully, a hand placed under her obviously pregnant belly in support as she leaned heavily against the stone wall, her skirts still partially caught on the stone sill of the generous window she'd clearly been looking out of a few seconds ago.

 

But the large window was of little consolation to Kagome as she looked around at the sparse room before her…so different from the luxury she'd become accustomed to seeing Kikyou surrounded by. There was a softer, kinder bed than the ruddy cot the guard had in his own small room, though it still looked harsh and uninviting compared to the down mattresses of the palace, and while the window was indeed large enough for someone to sit comfortably, with no bars separating the prisoner from the fresh air like in other cells Kagome had seen, it was still framed only by that harsh gray stone, rather than the mahogany sills framed by the luxurious velvet curtains.

 

A small wooden table was off to one side, opposite the bed, complete with a simple wooden chair, a partially eaten meal resting on a clay plate beside an empty pitcher of water, and there was even a make-shift couch, though Kagome thought it looked like it had seen better days, and altogether the scene brought nothing but tears to her eyes, though she fiercely fought them back, of not for herself then for Kikyou, who didn't need anyone else reminding her of the hopelessness of her situation.

 

“Oh sister…” The words escaped her lips before she could stop them, and she saw a flicker of tenderness in Kikyou's eyes before the older woman shot her gaze pointedly towards Miroku and the guard, still as regal and commanding as ever despite her current troubles.

 

Kagome had never admired her more.

 

Taking the hint, Miroku nodded and silently motioned for the guard to follow him back out into the hallway to wait, shutting the door behind them and giving the sisters a certain amount of privacy.

 

The door shut with a thud, and Kagome couldn't help but wince slightly at the harsh sound before putting all her attention towards Kikyou, who was staring back at her intently, her eyes just as sharp and intelligent as ever, peering at her out of that perfect face, her skin slightly pale but otherwise apparently healthy, her long raven hair pulled back into a simple ponytail at the nape of her neck and held back by a white ribbon, a lock of hair falling over her shoulders on either side of her face in a style Kagome recognized as one Kikyou had worn when they were younger. She was dressed in a simple red and white gown, with no jewelry adorning her body save for the wedding band on her left ring finger…the golden band looking very uncertain of its place…and Kagome could do nothing but sigh, at a loss for words now that she was where she had wanted to be when she'd first received Kikyou's letter over a week ago.

 

What could she say?

 

There was so much between them. So much love, so much hate, so much admiration…how could Kagome possibly put into words the emotions roiling within her breast at that moment? How could she possibly tell Kikyou how much it killed her to see her reduced to such a horrible condition, or how much she admired her for keeping up her strength and confidence in spite of it all?

 

In the end, she settled for allowing her actions to speak louder than any words ever could, hoping Kikyou would understand the implications put forth by her mere presence. And so, slowly, almost as though afraid the moment would disappear and turn out to be nothing more than a dream that she would wake from to find herself still in the North with Kouga at her side, Kagome pushed her deep blue hood off her head, her ebony hair falling over her shoulders as she hoped to show Kikyou that she was indeed real, and not just an illusion.

 

Then, continuing to move with soft, slow footsteps, she moved forward, her hands beginning to shake as she wondered why she was struggling so while Kikyou looked just as impassive as always save for her eyes, which showed all the love and gratitude she was feeling in her heart.

 

Finally, when she was naught more than a foot away, the hems of their skirts brushing against one another, Kagome stopped and looked at her steadily, refusing to look down and see the obvious reason for her arrest in the form of her enlarged belly, though she'd seen enough of it already to know that Kikyou was undeniably pregnant. It was the belly of a child approximately three months old…small enough that she could probably have hid it with draping clothes, but not small enough that people wouldn't notice upon closer inspection. And now, in the Tower, it seemed she felt no need to hide at all, because her gown was tight save for the small pooch of her stomach.

 

Swallowing, Kagome met Kikyou's deep brown eyes and, shakily, managed to smile slightly. “I…I got your letter, sister.”

 

Kikyou smiled genuinely at that, the gesture for once reaching her eyes since she had no one to put on an act for, and she reached out and touched Kagome's arm with her right hand. “I know, Kagome.”

 

And that simple exchange broke the bubble of tension, Kikyou's beautiful, velvety voice washing over her as Kagome collapsed to her knees, the harsh stone biting into her skin and chilling her body despite her layers of clothing, but she didn't care. All she could do was wrap her arms around Kikyou's waist and sob openly for several still minutes, her cheek against that belly that was proving to be Kikyou's undoing.

 

Through it all, Kikyou did nothing more than run her hands through Kagome's soft hair, and so they remained for nearly ten minutes. And yet it was exactly what Kagome had needed, because by the time the tears began to ebb and die away, she was feeling warm and safe, recalling how she and Kikyou had comforted one another in such a manner many times before…many years ago, when innocence had still been their friend and the cruelty of the court had not been able to reach them.

 

Finally, feeling she'd cried enough, Kagome pulled back and rose once more to her feet, feeling her legs protest, still sore from all those days of riding. She met Kikyou's gaze directly, and asked the one question she'd needed to know since she'd first received those two very cryptic letters. “What happened, Kikyou? How did this all come about?”

 

The older woman sighed and turned around to look back through the window as she settled herself once more on the stone sill, her skirts falling elegantly over her legs and covering her delicate feet, which were dressed in boots far too simple and unrefined for a woman such as herself.

 

“I should have thought that by now you'd know exactly what happened.”

 

Kagome sighed. “I know what Inuyasha and Miroku told me…but I want to hear the entire story from you, Kikyou.”

 

Kikyou sighed. “It would seem that this was all a part of Naraku's plan from the very beginning…that's what happened. You and I were both tricked and used like mere pawns on a chess board, and now that he's checked the King, there is nothing we can do. Inuyasha is powerless to stop the trial, and he can't protect me even if he wanted to.”

 

Kagome felt some semblance of irritation grow as she realized Kikyou was avoiding the question. “First off, Inuyasha would rescue you from all this in a heartbeat if he could, and second, you're not answering my question. I deserve to know, Kikyou, since I have come here and risked my own safety for you.”

 

The Queen sighed once more and flicked her gaze towards Kagome. “Do you regret it now, sister? Do you regret coming to help me now that you've seen the truth of my situation and the reality that you are now also in danger?”

 

Why was she asking this? Kagome expelled a slightly irritated breath. “Stop talking nonsense. Of course I don't regret coming here. But I will soon if you don't just answer my question.”

 

Kikyou shrugged her shoulders and looked back out the window, which provided a wonderful view of the town and the castle…all a part of a world that Kikyou had been removed from. “Naraku planned this from the beginning. He is mad, Kagome, that's all there is to it. And all of this is the result of the workings of a mad man.”

 

She rose to her feet and began pacing back and forth. “He told me how he survived the Tower before and still managed to look so healthy. He made a deal with the devil and accepted the energy of demons into his body to give him strength and the will to survive. But that also brought about an unexpected result: it meant he now had split personalities, with Onigumo remaining as he always had, but also being trapped inside the heart and mind of another more powerful being: Naraku.” She shuddered. “He told me that even as he seduced me, he used and abused Onigumo's old personality to his advantage, all the while feeling the man I loved screaming to get out and save me, and how he was punishing us both for being so stupid.”

 

Kagome blinked, trying to take in what sounded like an absolutely ridiculous story, and yet was no doubt the truth. Naraku was a mad man…she'd known that all along. “So you've spoken with Naraku? How? When?”

 

“I went to visit him just after they arrested him.”

 

“You what?”

 

“I had to, Kagome. I had to understand why he had done this to me. I had to understand why he had changed so much and seemed like such a different person…only to discover that, in reality, he really was a different person, and that Onigumo was just as much a prisoner and a victim as I.”

 

Kagome tried to dampen her rage at the thought that Kikyou had done something so careless as visit Naraku in the Tower. Finally, once she was sure she wouldn't say anything she would later regret, she took a deep breath and spoke again. “So his plan the whole time was to seduce you, get you pregnant, and then get you locked up in the Tower for treason against the King?”

 

Kikyou smirked. “Actually, the pregnancy had never been a part of his plan. He'd simply thought to accuse me of treason by sleeping with him; he'd never thought fate would be so kind as to beget me with a child after just one night.” She looked down at her hands. “I prayed to God so often for help…but perhaps He isn't as forgiving as they say, or else he would have helped me in this.”

 

Kagome frowned, unsure of how to respond to that. “But…” She swallowed. “Doesn't Naraku realize that by confessing to such a thing, he'll be tried and potentially killed for treason as well?”

 

“I suppose so, but he doesn't really seem at all phased by it. Like I said, he's a mad man, Kagome. Who knows if he really values his own life any more, or if his soul purpose in being born was simply to make sure I died with him?”

 

It was such a sick, twisted possibility that Kagome felt herself shudder and had to resist the urge to vomit. She couldn't understand how anyone could be so careless with life, their own or otherwise, and felt the unfamiliar sting of hate blacken her heart. How dare he think it was within his rights to manipulate anyone in such a manner! How dare he use and abuse her sister, and then leave her to this fate!

 

If she had been like Inuyasha, she would have growled and bared her fangs at that moment, but since she had no fangs to show, she instead settled for a deadly glare, clenching her fists tightly at her sides. “He will pay for this, Kikyou…and I'll figure out some way to save you from all of this. Whether or not it was wrong for you to do what you did, no one is perfect, and men have been forgiven for far more in the past.” She looked at her sister directly. “I swear that I won't let you walk up the steps of the guillotine and to your death.”

 

She had expected the usual show of gratitude in response to her heartfelt declaration of faith and support, but instead Kagome was surprised when all Kikyou did was sigh and look the other way as she moved back to her seat on the windowsill. She remained impassively silent for several minutes, and Kagome began to wonder if she had said something wrong.

 

“This time, little sister, you can't help me,” Kikyou finally said, and Kagome felt her jaw drop.

 

“But…”

 

“This is my battle to fight, and just as you couldn't stand it if I were hurt, I could never forgive myself if you were put in the cell next to me as a conspirator.” She smiled. “You don't belong there, Kagome. Your heart is too kind.”

 

Kagome felt herself flare up in anger at that. “What, and you're telling me that you do belong here? You're telling me that suddenly you believe yourself to be the criminal that Naraku has made you out to be? I don't believe that for one second!”

 

Kikyou sighed. “I don't expect you to understand, Kagome…” She clasped her hands calmly in her lap, and for once Kagome wanted to smack that serene mask off her face. “But it's time that I finally accounted for my sins in life. Four years ago I allowed an innocent man…a man I had sworn to love all my life…to be put into the Tower and into a life of misery. I am responsible for what he has become, and it's time I realized that and faced my demons…” She smirked, “Both literally and figuratively.”

 

“But…but you…” Kagome stammered, and then felt her rage grow once more. She was becoming too much like Inuyasha, a part of her thought wryly. “You wrote to me, Kikyou! You asked me for my help! And now, suddenly, you're telling me that you don't want it? That you don't need it? What, did you realize that as a Queen you're now above my help?”

 

That seemed to spark a small piece of rage in Kikyou, because her mask slipped momentarily as she sprang to her feet with surprisingly agility given her condition. “I'm saving you, stupid! Can't you understand that? For once I'm going to protect you like you protected me for all those long and painfully dark months before the wedding!”

 

“Well this is one hell of a time for you to suddenly turn noble, Kikyou! Your life is at stake this time…not just the crown on your head! Don't you understand that?” Kagome felt her voice falter.

 

“Of course I understand, Kagome.” Kikyou's voice slowly began to calm. “But I also understand that if I involve you, I will not only risk my neck, but yours as well, and I could never live, or die, in peace knowing I had also hurt you, or even sentenced you to a death you didn't deserve.”

 

“But Kikyou…” Kagome felt her voice lower to naught but a whimper. “I'm already in this up to my ears because I helped keep your secret. At this point it doesn't matter…my life is already on the line, so I may as well help protect you. We can…” She stepped forward and put her arm on Kikyou's shoulder. “We can protect each other.”

 

But the older woman stiffened and moved away from Kagome's touch, standing up and straightening her back regally, her chin proudly in the air. “No, Kagome. For once I'm going to keep you safe. I…” Her voice wavered only slightly before her mask of calm slipped back into place completely. “I've been thinking about it a lot since my arrest yesterday, and I've decided I'm going to tell the courts when it's my time that I alone knew of what happened. I will not mention your name once, and in that way no one will ever know save you and I.”

 

“What?” Kagome felt her voice reach a desperate pitch. “You can't be serious! If you think I'm going to let you face this storm alone and die a martyr, you've got another thing coming!” She marched up to Kikyou and put her hands on her shoulders, shaking her fiercely. “I'm your sister, and I love you! I won't abandon you to this alone!”

 

“Kagome…” Kikyou's voice softened even as she allowed her younger sister to shake her body vigorously from the shoulders up. “Don't you know how much I love you too? Can't you accept that it's because I love you that I want to keep you safe? You've sacrificed enough already…now it's my turn.”

 

“But Kikyou…” Kagome's eyes misted over with tears once more. “This time you're potentially sacrificing your very life, not just your reputation.” Her gaze hardened even as the tears flowed. “I won't let you do it alone! I won't let you do this! I won't let you! I love you too much!” She pounded on Kikyou's shoulders with every word, feeling more helpless than she had even in the North, far away from everything dangerous and treasonous.

 

“Kagome…”

“No! You can't! I won't…we are…I…” Her pounding ceased as Kagome simply sagged against Kikyou in a weak gesture of submission, realizing that this was a losing battle and that Kikyou Higurashi could be just as stubborn as her. “I love you.”

 

Kikyou smiled at that, and wrapped her arms around Kagome in a strong embrace akin to the ones they'd shared when they were younger, moving them both to sit on the hard mattress in the corner of the room. “Oh my sweet, wonderful Kagome.” She ran her hands through Kagome's hair once more, resting her cheek against the top of her head in a gesture painfully similar to Inuyasha. “I love you too. More than you'll ever know.”

 

“Then why won't you let me help you?”

 

“Because I love you too much to let you sacrifice your life on the mistakes of someone else. Believe in me, as I've believed in you.”

 

“Kikyou…” But Kagome couldn't finish what she wanted to say, turning and instead simply burying her head in Kikyou's shoulder, savoring the warmth of her beloved older sister…a sister she couldn't be sure she'd ever see again like this. It was a strange feeling, contemplating the possibility of never feeling Kikyou's arms around her again, or hearing her voice offering her comfort and wisdom.

 

In that way they remained for the next half hour, just savoring each other's company, trying to imprint the memory into their hearts and minds as they knew it could be their last sisterly embrace if things went wrong in the trial.

 

They were so alike and so very, very different…and their love was so strong that at times it frightened them both to consider. They were both prepared to sacrifice everything for the each other, and Kagome found a small amount of comfort in the proof that she had been right all along by insisting to others that their love was equally powerful and strong.

 

“I can't live without you, Kikyou,” Kagome finally whispered as she heard Miroku and the guard begin to stir on the other side of the door, knowing she had been granted more than her fair time. And, surprisingly, she meant it. She didn't know how she could live if Kikyou were to die.

 

Our stars really do complement each other more than I ever thought possible, she realized, reflecting back on her mother's words in response to Kagome's jealousy so long ago.

 

“I know, little sister,” Kikyou replied. “Nor can I live without you. Those years we were apart killed me inside. I'd find myself gazing out a window and thinking of you more than I'd care to admit to myself.” Kagome felt her smile into her hair. “So perhaps there is one small piece of comfort in all of this: we were reunited. I suppose I should be grateful to God for that.”

 

“Kikyou…” Her voice caught. Kagome refused to think that this was the last time they would be together.

 

The door suddenly opened, and Miroku appeared, trying to be subtle and respectful even though he was clearly intruding on an intimate moment between two sisters bonded by their looks, their rivalry, and their love.

 

“You'd better go,” Kikyou finally stated simply, her mask slipping back into place as she spotted Miroku in the doorway.

 

Reluctantly, Kagome pulled away from that comfortable warmth she'd known all her life, refusing to believe that this could potentially be the last time she would be alone with Kikyou. Things wouldn't be that way. God wasn't that cruel. He just wasn't. And she didn't care what Kikyou wanted her to do…she would not let her die if there was something she could do to help.

 

But Kagome would hold back for now and let the dice be cast before revealing her hand. That much she would do.

 

Taking the hood off her back, Kagome once more pulled it over her head, feeling her own mask slip into place again as the fabric partially hid her face from view. Moving over to Miroku, she turned around one last time to see her proud sister sitting poised on her modest little bed in the corner of a lonely cell on one of the top floors of the Tower. In that moment, Kagome thought she had never looked more like a Queen, and felt admiration mix with pride that this woman was her sister.

 

Never mind the fact that Kikyou had taken Inuyasha from her…in that moment all Kagome could feel was admiration for this woman who could look like a Queen whether she was dressed in coronation robes or a simple gown that couldn't hide her traitorous pregnancy.

 

“You'll survive this, Kikyou,” she said suddenly, believing it as some part of her knew it to be true. She was too strong not to.

 

Kikyou looked up and, for the briefest instant, smiled as her mask slipped, before she looked away once more. Taking that as her sign to leave, Kagome just nodded her head as though in response to some silent challenge, sealing her pact with Kikyou to weather the storm together despite what the older woman had said. And then, allowing Miroku to put an arm around her shoulders once more in silent support, she stepped out of the cell and listened as the guard closed the wooden door with a thud behind her, causing Kagome to feel like her very soul was being wrought in two.