A Royal Pain

Kagome and Luna stood before the kitchen staff who were awaiting orders.

“Now Kagome, I know you know very little about what demons eat, however since your husband is a half demon you will have to order something special just for him since he is one of the honored guests being that this is his first time home in many years.’
“Do you know of a specific dish he would prefer?”

Kagome thought about the ramen that Inuyasha had liked so much. Perhaps they could make something like that here?

“Does the chef know how to make egg noodles?”

Luna pointed to the chef so that Kagome would know who to ask about making specialty meals.

“I have had some skills with creating noodles.”

The chef responded back as he bowed before the Ladies of the castle.

“Inuyasha likes the long egg noodles in chicken broth with vegetables and pieces of chicken. He likes the broth to be a bit salty.”

The chef was pleased since this would be a rather easy dish. It was something that he had made before for Rin although he did not add salt to it since chicken could be salty enough by itself.

Luna than simply stated the dishes that had been done before with roasted glazed hams, rabbit stew, lemon peppered fish, light curried lamb in white rice, fresh melons, and some traditional confections for the humans as well as for the few demons who appreciated such fares.

Then there were the raw meats that needed to be placed out for the true carnivores like herself. Blood soaked rare beef with spice, rich moose steaks dipped in honey, fowl blood cakes, raw osterage eggs that were a gift from one of the foreign dignitaries placed in golden goblets, and finally some sugar covered ginger geese freshly killed and plucked to perfection.

“Now Kagome we need a center pieces for the feast. Since it is the middle of spring I think we should go with some large fresh citrus bowls filled to the brim with oranges and lemons. I think that would brighten up the rest of this feast.”

The cooking staff began to work as Luna walked around a table of dishes trying to decide if they should forgo the gold dishes for the bronze plated ones.

“Finding the right dishes for an event is most important since there is a difference between setting up this place for dignitaries, courtiers, and for the armies we must feed. The evening meals are ones we must have prepared beforehand, but morning and afternoon we usually serve a light fare. Our morning meals are usually the same every day and whatever we do not finish is divided amongst the servants who live here. I highly doubt anything will be left over so the chefs will have to find time to cook for the rest of the staff and they will eat in the kitchens.”

Clasping her hands together Luna looked at the dark walls of the grand ballroom.

“Yes we will need candles, some bright lamps, and the windows to be opened. We will also need some tapestries and entertainment for our guests.”

All the servants were summoned and the whole castle was busy setting up arrangements for when the weary travelers came home.

The barracks were to be filled with both the Inu guards and the guards of other tribes. Then there were the dragon demons who technically were prisoners, but not hostile so they would have a small feast set up for them in a part of the castle that would be heavily guarded.

“Kagome, do you wish to have a theatrical sort of entertainment or perhaps dancers? I do believe that dancers would please the men more, but often the theatrical players can be just as enthralling.”

Kagome had seen neither so she wasn’t sure which ones she would like to see more. However, knowing how guys were it would probably be better to bring out the dancers.

“I think that the dancers would be appropriate for this event. I doubt that tired soldiers and Lords would be able to handle anything theatrical when they return. It may just put them all to sleep.”

Luna smiled. It was the right choice.

“I know this seems to be rather simple, but as you go about your duties as the Lady of the Manor you will find that picking the wrong choice can be seen as a lack of training on your part and your people will look to you less for advice if you do not choose wisely. Lucky for you I will be here to train you for quite some time.’
“My whole castle is being cleaned and I have rooms being built onto it so there is too much noise right now for me to remain there. My advisors will guide my people for now.’
“Now I believe it is time for you to go take a bath, take a good nap, and prepare yourself for this evening since it will be a very long one.”

Kagome bowed and then left with Banzan’s assistant Kaimu. Kaimu was just as handsome as Banzan, but had icy blue eyes instead of the gold of most of the Inu demons had. In fact as far as Kagome and Sango could see there was enough eye candy in this place to make up for all the years they didn’t look at good looking well built men.

As Kagome followed Kaimu she wondered why these demons put up with Lord Sesshoumaru. The guy was so damn cold and at least she had seen some of the warmth when they talked amongst one another. Kagome wondered if that would change when Sesshoumaru got home.

After taking Kagome to her room Kaimu disappeared as if he was never there. Banzan had a habit of doing that too. It was strange how they seemed to pop out of nowhere when you needed assistance in going somewhere. It was like they knew what she and the other humans were thinking.

Entering her chambers the door was closed and her maids were upon her in an instant removing all of her clothing and then guiding Kagome to the bath which smelled of rose petals and rose oil. It wasn’t a strong sent, it was actually quite nice.

The maids started washing her, but Kagome felt kind of self conscious and really wanted to bathe herself so she dismissed them after they washed her hair.

Closing her eyes Kagome relaxed into the warm bath water that was being heated by one of the many large furnaces under the castle. This indeed was paradise in comparison to the cold river and small lake by the village. It was a bit of a walk to the hot springs, but Kagome had preferred the hot springs over the crystal clear waters of the lake.

The only issue with a hot spring was that you always had to check the temperature before getting into the hot water and knowing what she did from the era she was born in a hot springs could erupt any time so they were not exactly the safest places to bathe.

As Kagome relaxed in the hot water she soon was joined by Sango who looked rather upset.

“What’s wrong Sango?”

Sango sighed.

“Oh it is Miroku. Ever since I told him I was willing to share with a couple he has now decided that just anyone will do. He wants that Banzan character to join us tonight and after how that guy looks at me I am not sure I want to anymore.”

Kagome looked rather confused.

“What do you mean by ‘looks at you’? I didn’t think he looks at anyone since he just sticks up his nose and walks ahead of everyone like he is better than anyone else kind of like how Sesshoumaru acts. It has to run in the family since I swear that all these Inu demons are related.”

Sango dunked under the water until the maids came back to wash her hair.

“I mean that he doesn’t look like the kind of guy who cares much for women. Now all of a sudden he looks interested, but that only happened after I punched my husband across the room. He seems to find that interesting and now smiles at me with lust in those golden eyes.’
“I mean I know that demon males like their women to be rather tough skinned and violent at times, but I am not a demon woman. I won’t risk my unborn for someone who wants to do things rough.”

Kagome sighed.

“That is why I am a bit worried about Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha’s mating. What if I have to sleep in the same bed as they do? I mean well what if they……….you know while I am pregnant in the bed? I mean they could be rough with each other and………”

Sango tried to help her blushing friend who couldn’t finish a sentence.

“If you sleep with them both you will probably be given enough room to let them do as they wish. Have you seen the size of these beds Kagome? You could fit almost a legion in them.”

Kagome had to laugh a bit at that comment considering it was indeed true.

“So do you think I should let that Banzan and Miroku have their wish? I was kind of hoping that you and Inuyasha wouldn’t mind being our first. Well you know…….”

Kagome smirked at her friend.

“You know I would Sango. I mean we kind of experimented a bit in the springs when Miroku wasn’t looking. I just think Inuyasha is a bit shy. I mean it was hard enough for him to finally have sex with me and get me pregnant.”

Sango smiled.

“Well now that Inuyasha has been with Sesshoumaru you have to see if he is willing. I mean we are talking about a demon Lord who has probably had sex with every woman and man in this castle. Well except his Mom of course. If I was you and could get into the demon Lord’s pants to see what makes that man tick. I know you are shy around him and fairly uncomfortable, but you are going to have to get used to him eventually. He is probably at least loyal to those he is intimate with. Even if he is not, he has to be experienced. There is a lot to learn from a man who has such skills in the bedroom.”

Kagome sighed.

“You will probably get that privilege if you give him a Lord’s bath if he still wants it. Like I said before Sango, I don’t really want to explore outside of my marriage with Inuyasha. I love Inuyasha with all of my heart and really I couldn’t imagine being like that with anyone else. What we shared was special to me, but it just isn’t the same.”

Sango touched a finger to her lips.

“Well if you change your mind you know I am willing. I just wonder what Miroku is really up to. I mean does he really know what he is getting us into. I don’t want Miroku thinking that this is going to be an every night experience.”

Kagome smiled.

“Well you will have to tell me all about it if you get the chance to. I should say if we get the chance to since tonight we are going to be pretty busy with all the people that are supposed to be coming here. I wonder what time they will all show up?”

At that both women sighed and laid back against the edge of the bath only to have the servants come forward with their towels.

“Do you think I could crash here for a while Kagome? I really don’t want to deal with Miroku right this second.”

Kagome shrugged.

“Sure, you can sleep here with me. I mean Inuyasha isn’t here and I was told this room is mine only temporary since I will be moving into Inuyasha’s room later. They said the bed in there is like almost twice the size of this one so that has got to be huge.”

The two women allowed the maids to dry them, comb their long hair, and then dress them both into silky night gowns as Sango crawled into bed with Kagome.

Sango ran her fingers over Kagome’s long hair.

“Do you mind if we experiment a bit before going to bed? It would help relieve some tension.”

Kagome nodded as Sango’s lips descended upon her own.