Firebrand

Firebrand
FaTaLfURy

Chapter Eighteen, Part II - Out Of The Pan And Into The Fire

"Now there's the Miss Woodbine I remember. That's more like it. I never would have married you to him if you were 'tame-able', believe me,"

"Yes, Inuyasha needs to have challenge in his life. Forgive me for saying this, but Kikyou never would have made you a perfect wife. A good wife maybe, but then boredom would have settled in eventually. She never did pose a great challenge to you, did she?"

Inuyasha and Kagome had different reactions at the mention of Lady Winters' name. Kagome stared fixatedly at the tabletop as her husband averted his eyes. The King and Queen looked at each other knowingly.

"Are you still at odds over this? For the love of["

"That is a private matter we do not wish to discuss. Please drop it, Your Highness,"

The King took Inuyasha's measure before he nodded. Kissing his wife on the cheek, he told her and Kagome that he and Inuyasha had some important things to discuss and took Inuyasha off with him, leaving Kagome in the care of the Queen.

The moment the men left the room, the Queen turned to her earnestly.

"So? How is married life to you?"

Kagome had to smile at the Queen's apparent eagerness.

"It agrees with me at times, Your Highness. Other times... not so much,"

"Are we talking about marriage or your husband?"

Kagome caught the twinkle in the Queen's eye and had to laugh.

"Both, I think, Your Majesty,"

The Queen leaned over and patted Kagome's hand once more.

"I know of what you mean, dear. My earlier days with my husband was also the same. Come to think of it, it still has its' moments even now,"

Kagome only smiled at that. The Queen suddenly cleared her throat.

"Well dear, did Inuyasha tell you what to expect in court?"

Although she was taken aback by the Queen's straight-forwardness, Kagome appreciated it.

"Yes, Your Highness. He told me we're going to be the main attraction now,"

"What an apt description. Inuyasha really is a perceptive man. You will be that and more, I'm afraid. My husband has this 'scheme' of his. No doubt that's what he and Inuyasha are talking about now,"

Kagome's curiosity was piqued.

"What 'scheme', Your Highness?"

Making doubly sure they were alone, the Queen glanced around before whispering conspiratorially.

"The King wants the instigator of that 'incident' found. For the palace to have been the scene of such deceit is an insult. My husband wants to make an example out of whoever was behind it. Once found, he will be at the King's mercy,"

Kagome was puzzled. She understood the need to find out who was behind the plot, but she wasn't sure what role she was going to play in it. Half-afraid to ask, she knew she had to anyway. The Queen gave her a direct answer.

"Well, dear, you're supposed to be the bait,"

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Inuyasha walked with the King to his study. No one would dare to disturb them there. The King motioned for Inuyasha to pour them a drink and sat down on the chair behind the desk. He waited until Inuyasha was sitting across from him before speaking.

"I didn't disclose the entirety of my request in the letter I sent you as I didn't trust it wouldn't be read by anyone else. Does your wife know how to read?"

Inuyasha snorted as he took a gulp of the brandy in his hand.

"Better than me, probably. But she never would have told anyone of what the letter contained even if she read it. Kagome's loyal,"

The King levelled him with an amused look.

"To you or to me?"

"As much as I hate to admit it, probably more to you. She's not very happy with me at the moment,"

"Because of Kikyou?"

Inuyasha looked away before nodding jerkily. The King sighed.

"Give her up, Inuyasha. She's married now, and so are you,"

Inuyasha looked at him angrily.

"Don't you think I know that? I want to do that. Badly. But my guilt wouldn't let me. I can't just forget her,"

King Sesshomaru looked at him stonily.

"Guilt will not serve you very well in this matter. You had best tend to your own marriage before it disintegrates. Don't you care about Kagome?"

Inuyasha stubbornly kept his mouth shut. The King raked his hand through his hair in frustration.

"Enough of that for now. Let's get on to your mission,"

"What mission?"

"As you know, I've been itching to kill the bastard who dared to mock me inside my own house. I need you to find out who it was,"

"I'm listening,"

"We have a suspect already. Due to the undeniable fact that there is a great resemblance between Kikyou and Kagome, Norfolk would have swapped his ward with your intended. That is the only logical assumption we have,"

"That, or Kikyou's step-brother was behind it. I don't think Onigumo has the brains or the guts to think of a plan like that,"

The King looked at him speculatively.

"You may be right. But why? He knows he's a dead man if he crossed you. Why make such a desperate move?"

Inuyasha scowled darkly.