DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha or any other characters from the show/manga.
Kagome stood back and watched her troops train. They were a good bunch but some still needed some work. She had her best on that now. She watched as Sango, Miroku, and Kikyo walked through her ranks making the needed corrections. They were not just her sergeants; they were her best friends and had been for as long as she could remember. She would die for them and knows they would do the same. She kept her gaze locked on her troops as the messenger approached from behind.
“General Higurashi. A message from Lord Masamaru.” He waited for her nod before continuing. “Our Lord requests the presence of you and two of your best men.”
Kagome smirked at the term “men” before dismissing the messenger. “Miroku. Take over.” At his nod of confirmation she continued. “Sango. Kikyo. Come with me.” After they fell in place at her side, she began heading to the Lord’s office where he was awaiting their arrival.
When the guards saw them coming down the hallway, the opened the door to the Lord’s office to allow them entrance. Kagome and her sergeants dropped to one knee with head down and their right arms across their chest. They stayed that way until given the command to rise.
“Stand up my darling daughter and friends.”
Kagome and company all stood and graced their Lord with matching smiles. “Hello Father/Uncle!” They began to giggle at their simultaneously spoken greetings. Lord Masamaru smiled at the girls antics before clearing his throat.
“Alright ladies, time to get down to business.” The girls quickly stopped giggling and stood at attention. “Now, as you all know, we will be expecting visitors from the West later today. I’m sure I do not need to stress their significance to our kingdom. Their safety during their stay here is of the utmost importance. Therefore, I want your team assigned as their personal guards. I do not trust anyone else with this task. Kagome, you and Sango are to guard the eldest. Kikyo and Miroku shall be guarding the younger boy. Kagome and Kikyo, you are to stay at their sides at all times. Sango and Miroku will be in charge of scouting and perimeter checks. ”
Kagome nodded. It was the best way for them to be divided. “It will be done father. When may we expect their arrival?”
“They should be here in about two hours. I suggest you go handle anything you need to with the troops and make yourselves presentable. You are dismissed.”
“Yes father.” The girls bowed before turning and setting out to do as they were told. Sango and Kikyo set out to inform Miroku of their orders while Kagome went to find another officer she deemed worthy enough to lead her troops. Fortunately she knew just the person so it was quickly taken care of. Now she was off to her chambers to prepare.
When Kagome entered her room she couldn’t help but smile. Though she may be a warrior 24/7, she is also a spoiled princess sometimes. Her room was light and open with a few odd and ends scattered about. She had trinkets and bobbles from would be suitors before they discovered her role in the army. If it wasn’t rude to refuse them she wouldn’t have accepted any but over time she grew to like having a few girly things. Then there was her wall that held the things dearest to her heart. A painting of her late mother occupied one half along with a small shrine to honor her. The other half contained all of her weapons and armor except the two swords strapped across her back. As soon as her father caved about her being in the army, he had a set of blades commissioned for her. The twin blades were gorgeous and suited her perfectly. They were simple with just one jade stone in each hilt. They never left her side.
Kagome shook herself out of her musings before setting to the task at hand. After a quick bath she began searching for a suitable outfit. It was always tricky. She had to dress as the warrior she was but she also had to dress as the Lord’s daughter. After some digging she found the perfect thing. It was a simple blue kimono she had specially made for her and the other females in her team. When standing still it appeared to be just a normal kimono but when she walked you could see the four slits that reached just above mid thigh. There was one in the front and back and one on each side allowing for maximum movement. A matching pair of hakamas completed the outfit to keep it from being indecent, though they were hardly noticeable unless the wearer was engaged in battle. Quickly donning the outfit, she went to go grab her team to meet with her father.
She headed to Sango and Kikyo’s quarters only to be met half way by her two friends. Quickly glancing over her companions appearances she noted they had all had the same thought when it came to choosing outfits, although where hers was blue, Sango’s was pink and Kikyo’s was purple. With a quick smile in their direction, the headed to the entry hall where her father would be waiting for them.
As she approached her father, he looked over the three women approaching him. “You look lovely my dears.”
“Thank you my Lord.” Kagome flashed him a quick smile and nodded at Miroku before continuing. “Have you heard news of our guests?”
“Hai. They should be here any second.” No sooner had the words left his mouth, the doors began to open and in walked the two guests and their small entourage. Kagome stepped forward to take her place next to her father while Sango and Kikyo stood flanking the two and Miroku took his position in the rear.
The two men that were obviously the princes were somewhat startling to look at. Kagome had been around demons all her life and knew most were gorgeous to say the least but these two were rather… unsettling. The taller and obviously older one was almost painfully beautiful. His long silver hair had a graceful sway that made Kagome a little jealous. ‘My hair never cooperates or looks that good. Definitely not fair.’ She continued her inspection and noted that under his billowing outfit was definitely a toned body. She could see it in the way he carried himself, utterly self confident and aware of the effect his looks had. His clothes were a pristine white with not a speck of dust to indicate the journey he had just made. ‘I would be filthy. Again, not fair!’ Her gaze continued up and noticed the most startling shade of eyes. They were like honey, though she noted they would be even more spectacular if they weren’t so cold and calculating, like at this very moment he was formulating a plan of attack. Kagome couldn’t blame him if she was. She had already done the same. The younger of the two was equally gorgeous but in a more rugged way. His hair did not seem to have the same silken texture as his companions but was still quite gorgeous. His body was also obviously toned under his baggy clothing. The clothing itself looked a little worn and ragged but more in a comfortable way than being old rags. Kagome glanced to his face and noticed that his eyes were similar but seemed to be more sun kissed than honeyed.
“Greetings Princes of the West. I am Lord Masamaru. Allow me to present my daughter and General of the North, Princess Kagome, and her sergeants, Sango, Kikyo, and Miroku.” Each nodded as their respective names were said. Lord Masamaru began to continue. “We are honored-.” Lord Masamaru was quickly cut off by loud obnoxious laughter.
“Y’all weren’t kiddin’ about needing help! A woman in the army, let alone a general?” Kagome began to silently fume as well as Sango and Kikyo. The man continued to speak. “That is the stup-.” He was quickly silenced by a well placed hit to the head that left him unconscious. While Kagome approved of the other man’s actions, she silently wished it could have been her to do it.
“My apologies Lord Masamaru. The half-breed is rather simple minded.” A mumble from the floor that sounded suspiciously like asshole was all that was heard before Lord Masamaru let out a small chuckle.
“I believe the apologies should be given to the women insulted.” The man looked at the three women. “Hn. And the half-breed shall do that as soon as he has the ability.” Everyone glanced at the man still lying on the floor. He looked up and rolled his eyes before issuing a mumbled apology that no one bought.
The older man fought the urge to roll his eyes before continuing with the introductions. “I am Prince Sesshoumaru, General of the West. This is my brother and sergeant, Inuyasha” he said while gesturing to the young man pulling himself from the floor.
Lord Masamaru nodded his head in acknowledgment before beginning to speak. “As I am sure you would all like to freshen up, I will have your personal guards for your stay show you the way.” At the Lord’s nod, Kagome and her sergeants moved to their respective places. As Kagome moved over to Sesshoumaru, she couldn’t help but be grateful she did not have to guard the rude, loud mouthed one. She would have surely ended up doing something to the boy if he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. She could already here him grumbling about not needing a guard yet alone a female.
Kagome turned to face the demon Prince that was to be her charge. “Allow me to show you to your rooms Prince Sesshoumaru.” At his nod of agreement Kagome and turned to lead the way, noting that Miroku was doing the same. Kikyo had wisely taken the back seat until she could put the hanyou in his place. Kagome shot a sympathetic glance in Kikyo’s direction and got an eye roll in response. Kagome stifled a giggle before continuing on her way.
As they headed to the royal guest hall, Kagome glanced over at Sesshoumaru before inquiring, “How would you prefer to be addressed Prince Sesshoumaru?” Sesshoumaru slid his eyes over to the human at his side for a moment before focusing back on where they were headed.
“You may address me as Prince Sesshoumaru or Sesshoumaru-sama.”
Kagome fought a shiver at his deep baritone voice. “Hai Sesshoumaru-sama.” Kagome continued forward, pondering her reaction to his voice. She got so wrapped up in her thoughts that she missed that he had spoken to her.
“Human. This Sesshoumaru asked you a question.”
“I have a name you know.”
“And if you had been paying attention instead of day dreaming you would have heard me inquire as to what you prefer to be called.”
Kagome felt a light blush creep on to her cheeks. “My apologies Sesshoumaru-sama. You can just call me Kagome.”
“Hn.”
‘Well, he has a stunning vocabulary.’ Kagome stopped her mind from wandering too far. She had more important things to do. Upon arriving at the room her father had appointed as the eldest’s, Kagome opened the door and stepped inside and gave the room a quick scan. Sensing no danger, she stepped to the side to allow him entrance. He brushed past her and surveyed the room. A slight nod showed his approval of the room. Kagome took her place just inside the room next to the door while Sango took a spot on the outside of the door and watched as Inuyasha was showed his room. She felt sorry for Kikyo. The hanyou was still giving her a hard time and Sango could see Kikyo’s patience was wearing thin. It would only be a matter of time before Kikyo showed him exactly why she has her position.
Sango smirked at the thought before resuming her job of scanning the hallways for danger. The kingdom was a peaceful one but there were always those few that would take any chance they could get to rid the world of one more demon, especially one as important as the two they were guarding. She had been one of those people before Kagome. Kagome thought everyone equal and Sango soon followed her lead in those thoughts. She would follow Kagome until the day she died. She was her general, best friend, and sister. Sango nodded as if to affirm he thoughts before she noticed the servant coming towards her.
“Speak.”
“The evening meal is about to be served Ma’am.”
“Thank you. You are dismissed.” Sango sent the servant away before she could find something to gossip about. The castle servants were notorious gossipers but then again, what servants weren’t? Sango knocked on the door to inform Kagome before stepping across the hall to inform Miroku.
Kagome reclosed the door and turned back to the man sitting against the wall. He had spent the last 15 minutes staring at the same place on the wall and if Kagome hadn’t had the training she had, she probably would have been fidgeting from the silence. She opened her mouth to inform him of the evening meal but was cut off before she even uttered a sound.
“I heard. Shall we depart?”
Kagome nodded. ‘Of course. Demon hearing. He probably knew before I did.’ Kagome opened the door for the Prince before following him out and shutting the door behind herself. They waited just a few seconds to be joined by Inuyasha and his guards. The brothers walked next to each other though they did keep a good amount of distance between them. Kagome and Kikyo walked next to their designated charge while Sango took point and Miroku took the rear. It was, after all, his favorite spot.
They reached the dining hall with no incidents and entered to find Lord Masamaru already seated and waiting. They each headed to their respective seat: Kagome was to the left of her father, Sesshoumaru to her left and Sango to his left. The seat to Lord Masamaru’s right was empty and had been since his wife’s death. Next to the empty seat sat Inuyasha followed by Kikyo and Miroku.
Dinner had been progressing quite nicely minus a few remarks on Inuyasha’s behalf. That was until Lord Masamaru began discussing the troops with Kagome. “How is the training coming Kagome?”
“Quite well father. There are still one or two that could use some work But Kikyo and Sango have been spending extra time with them.”
Inuyasha let out a loud laugh. “Like that’s gonna do them any good. They need a man if they ever wanna get better.”
Kagome felt her eye begin to twitch at the hanyou’s audacity. “Are you implying that my sergeants are incompetent?”
“No, I’m SAYING that women are. They should be off playing dress up and whatever else nonsense y’all do.”
Kagome replied with a rather satisfied smirk. “Just because that is what you grew up doing does not mean that all women are suited for such.”
“Hey! Are you callin me a woman? I outta…”
A pair of hands slammed on the table. “ENOUGH!”
Everyone looked to where Kikyo had risen to her feet. “I have had to listen to your chauvinistic comments since your arrival and I am done with it. I, Kikyo, hereby formally challenge you, Inuyasha, to a duel.”
Kagome let out a small chuckle at the sight of the hanyou staring at Kikyo with his jaw on the floor, slowly nodding his acceptance to the duel.
Sesshoumaru let a small smirk grace his features. “I suggest you close your mouth before you catch flies little brother. And perhaps you should head to the dojo now and brush up. I’m sure you wouldn’t want you to lose.”
Inuyasha shot his brother a glare. “Shut up you fluffy asshole.”
“I am merely stating that it will be quite a disgrace if you were to be beaten by a woman, especially a human one” Inuyasha flipped him the bird before storming out of the dining hall and to his rooms. Miroku rushed to catch up while Kikyo merely strolled at her own pace, in no hurry to be stuck with the loud mouthed jerk.
“Pardon me Sesshoumaru-sama,” Kagome began in her sweetest voice “but did you just imply that a human woman besting a demon is disgraceful?” Her voice had dropped in to a serious tone that held a hint of a threat.
“No. I implied that men are stronger and better suited for battle.”
Kagome’s eye resumed it twitching before she continued. “Well then perhaps tomorrows duel will show you otherwise.”
“Hn. I doubt that. My brother is incompetent and is not proper representation for such a battle.”
“And I suppose you believe yourself to be adequate representation for such a duel?”
Sesshoumaru raised his eye brow at that. “I am more than adequate for such an event.”
Kagome nodded her head. “Perfect. Then I, Princess and General Kagome, hereby challenge you, Prince and General Sesshoumaru, to a duel directly following your brother’s loss.” Kagome smirked at the shot she had managed to squeeze in while still being formal.
Sesshoumaru glanced at the woman to his right before responding. “This Sesshoumaru accepts your challenge.”
“Good. Now, if you have finished your evening meal I shall escort you back to your rooms or perhaps give you a short tour of the castle and grounds. Which would you prefer?”
“You may give me a tour.” Kagome and Sesshoumaru rose from their places, followed by a still slightly fuming Sango, and headed out to get a quick tour before the sun finished its descent from the sky.
Now alone, Lord Masamaru let out a long sigh before shaking his head. ‘Those girls may be the death of me yet. Hopefully this does not put our treaty in danger but I know interfering would have just been another shot to those girls’ pride. They have received enough grief and hardships for their roles. I’m just glad there wasn’t a third brother for Sango to challenge. I doubt that one would have survived.’
Lord Masamaru sat there a while before retiring to his own chambers, somewhat dreading the day to come.
AN: Hope you all enjoyed the first chapter. All reviews are welcome. Flames are pointless. I have a flame retardent suit. ^_^ Also, I named Kagome's dad Masamaru cause it sounded cool but it also sounded familiar so if anyone knows where I may have heard it from, let me know so I can get everything straightened out. THANK YOU!!!!