Firebrand

~*~Hey guys. It's really been a while huh? I'm so sorry for my absence, but after being hospitalized for about a week (the virus here in Japan can be darned annoying) my muse left me for a while and I've been having writer's block. :-( To tell the truth, I'm not even sure of how good this chappy will be for all of you, but I'm still hoping you'll like it. And by the way, I AM really trying on finishing my ALTTT first before I concentrate entirely on this one, but I really don't know. I guess my writing really does depend on my moods and on which story my muse is going. So there, hope I've been forgiven! *puppy eyes insert here*

To foxfire730: Hey, I'm so glad you decided to review again! *hug* This and the next chappy will show you what happens when you try to put fire and lightning together. ^_^ As for Kikyou, I do have my surprises you know *wink*. Hope you enjoy reading this chappy! See you again okay? Love ya lots!!!

To narea: I like your name, i really do. But what I like more is the fact that you did review! *hug* I'm glad you happen to adore my story; I adore my readers and reviewers too. ^_^ I'm so sorry for the delay in my updating (I'm thinking of a compensation), but i hope you get to read this chappy. Drop by again! Love ya lots!!!

To VeRoN: Hey! I do know Kathleen Woodiwiss. In fact, I've read some of her books. But the only story of hers that I really liked is the 'Wolf and the Dove'. Have you read that? Aislinn and Wulfgar's lovestory is simply a must-read; I recommend it. But I'm not really a fan of hers, sorry. I'm more of a Julie Garwood-Elizabeth Lowell type. ^_^ Anyway, thanx for having me in your fav list, and sorry for the cliffies! My muse is wearing her evil hat, I'm afraid. ^_^ Thanx for the review and hope to see u again! Love ya lots!!!

To Shizuka Kaze: Thanx for reviewing! *hug* Sorry I couldn't grant your first request, but here's the chappy you want. ^_^ As for Kikyou and Onigumo, yes they did get married. You'll find out in later chapters how that came to be. And as for the last question, is that Kikyou or Kagome? The answer is no to both. ^_^ Again, thanx for the review and I hope you get to do so again! Love ya lots!!!

To IzumiCagalli: New Reviewer!!! *hug* Thanx for dropping me a line, you don't know how much that means. I hope you'll be a regular reviewer from now on! ^_^ And this is what happens next. Love ya lots!!!

To star: Hi, and thanx for the review of yours. *hug* However, I'd really appreciate it if you refrain from cussing at me. I welcome reviews and criticisms, but I draw the line at cussing. I'm sorry if I don't get to update regularly, but I do happen to have a life and other things to do than just write, you know. I hope you understand. Anyway, this is the latest chappy, hope you like it. Love ya lots!!!

To jess: Is jess short for jessica? kawaii!!! ^_^ Anyway, thanx for reviewing!!! *hug* I'm sorry if I left you hanging for a long time back there, but the story's running now. I hope you don't get disappointed. Anyway, I hope you'll review again okay? Love ya lots!!!

AND TO YOU READING THIS: Wow, 7 reviews! I don't know what to say *smiles from ear to ear*. GOMEN NASAI once again for the really long hiatus of this story, but it really can't be helped. I hope I'll be forgiven soon!

And a li'l reminder again for those lovely reviewers of mine: I'll take your review any way you want me to. You can even say it's crap or whatever and I'll take it in stride. But please don't ever swear at me. That's one thing I can't and won't tolerate. First of all, I've done nothing damaging to anyone so I think it's uncalled for. Secondly, it's not a nice thing to do and not a nice thing to see or hear also. I hope you guys understand! I love you guys, I really do, but it not only annoys me when I see cuss words pointed at me. It makes me kinda mad. So I hope I get thru to you just this once okay? And I hope you won't get mad back at me for this.

Anyway, happy reading to everyone and please send me your thoughts to this chappy.

MISSED YA GUYS!!! LOVE YA LOTS!!! MWAAH!!!~*~


Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha... I share. ^_^




Firebrand
FaTaLfURy


Chapter Seven — Caught

Kagome wasn’t left gawking for too long.

After the door slammed shut after the duke, she mustered all of her anger and directed it towards the poor door. Every breakable thing she could get her hands on broke on it, even the pillows didn’t receive her mercy as it were the only things left to throw about (save for the bed, but luckily she’s not that strong), and so feathers flew around the room, making it even more disheveled.

With all of her energy spent, she slumped down on the floor next to the bed and stared into nothingness. Her anger was now receding, giving way to her shock and anxiety, but she refused to cry.

‘A true Woodbine would never think of crying in times like this,’

If she was going to be a ruined woman, then so be it. She would play the role to the hilt and even sail to her beloved America wearing scarlet. To hell with what people thought of her…

Then a picture of her dear grandfather formed in her mind.

‘But Grandpa… what have I done? How am I ever going to face him again?’

She buried her face in her hands as she willed the tears to stop before they fell. It was no use crying. It wouldn’t solve anything, just like her grandpa used to tell her. She had to have plan.

‘Grandpa loves me, and so he’ll understand,’

Kagome told herself and fervently prayed that he would. She would go home and hopefully, he’ll still welcome her even though she just happened to ruin all of his dreams in one single mistake.

And a mistake it was.

She would never compound one mistake by adding to it, no matter if her traitorous body still craved for the duke’s touch and her stubborn mind refused to forget about what happened.

She would go home and try to forget she’d ever been to England. She would resign herself to a life of a spinster rather than marry the duke. That would even be a bigger mistake than what they did. He didn’t love her and she…

She stopped at that thought, not wanting to know what she really felt for the duke. All she knew was that coercing him to marry her would not be right.

With that plan in mind and her resolve coming back to life, she was galvanized into action.

She quickly located all of her clothing and undergarments and was in the middle of fastening her gown when a knock sounded on the door.

“Go away!”

Kagome screamed at the door, not caring if she was sounding crazy even for herself. She did not want to see him, not now, not…

The door crashed open.

She gasped in indignation, and expecting the worst, squared her shoulders and got ready to face her adversary.

Only it wasn’t the duke looking so appalled at the room’s shocking appearance.

“What in heaven’s name happened in here? It looks as though a tornado passed through,”

“Your Majesty!”

The Queen turned to where her voice came from.

“Ah, there you are, Kagome. I was beginning to think you got buried underneath all… this. Although the feathers are a lovely touch,”

At a loss to what to call Kagome’s handiwork, the Queen settled for that. Kagome blushed profusely.

“Come, dear. I was only trying to make light of the situation. Are you fastening your gown? Well, you can’t actually do it all the way. Here, stand before me and I’ll do it for you,”

“You can’t! I mean, it would not be proper, Your Highness. I would manage by myself, thank you,”

The Queen gave her a droll look.

“There are but two of us in here, Kagome. No one else would know that I played lady’s maid. Unless you were to prattle about it?”

The Woodbine heiress was aghast.

“Of course not, Your Majesty! Even the thought did not enter my head. I—“

“I know, m’dear. No need to fuss about it. Now come along, Kagome. We’re wasting precious time here. Oh, and that’s an order,”

After that command, Kagome really had no choice but to let the Queen lace her up.

As the Queen worked to get her properly dressed, the inquisition began.

“By the by, how did you end up in Lord Grey’s apartments?”

The direct question almost did Kagome in. She just knew she would die of mortification. She just knew it…

“Kagome dear?”

“Forgive me, Your Highness. I—I honestly don’t know how I ended up in here. But most assuredly, I did not go here by choice,”

“Breathe in for a while, dear. There, is that too tight? Of course I know you wouldn’t have gone here willingly. But still… do you remember what happened before this morning?”

Kagome was glad she was turned away from the Queen. Otherwise, she would see the quick reddening of her cheeks. Kagome knew the Queen wasn’t referring to what happened between her and the Duke of Windshire, but she could not help thinking…

“Kagome?”

She blushed even redder as she found herself daydreaming in front of the queen.

“I’m so sorry, Your Majesty! I wasn’t paying attention and—“

“Pooh, let it go. I know that you have much on your mind because of what happened. But I do think it is rather imperative that you remember what has transpired last evening. It might be the key to unlocking all this,”

Kagome took the Queen’s suggestion to heart. She tried and tried to remember at that moment exactly what happened before she woke up this morning, but nothing was clear. Everything was a blur to her, and other thoughts keep colliding with her memories.

“I cannot do this today, Your Highness. But I’m sure it will all come back to me. I’m only hoping it will not be too late if I do remember,”

The Queen took hold of her hand and patted it sympathetically.

“You poor dear. Well, I think it’s rather too late to have regrets, as I think you also know. I’m sure you have plans?”

“Of course, Your Highness. I was just about to let you know about them,”

The Queen seemed to be taken aback by her answer. She could not imagine why.

“My, but you do think and move fast, Kagome. I was thinking you would be at a loss at what to do,”

Kagome gave the Queen a smile.

“In times like this, Your Highness, some quick thinking has to be done and a plan drawn out immediately,”

The Queen nodded in agreement.

“I absolutely agree, my dear. So come, let’s hear of this grand plan of yours so we could put it to practice immediately,”

Kagome was speechless to say the least. She did not expect the Queen to be that supportive of her, much less help her…

“Do… do you mean that, Your Majesty? You would help me?”

The Queen gave her an enigmatic smile and patted her hand once again.

“Of course, Kagome. I will help you in every way possible. I think of you as a friend now, you know. But of course, with such short time in our hands, we have to make do with what we can, right?”

“I have expected that, Your Majesty. And I owe you so much gratitude already; I don’t know how to thank you. But I really do need your help. And what I would ask of you requires little. I must send for my maid, Emily, right away—“

The Queen stopped her dictates, beaming at Kagome.

“Ah, but there I am ahead of you, dear Kagome. I have already sent for her, and she even assured me that you have a new wardrobe at the ready for such an occasion! Isn’t it grand? And guess what one of your new gowns’ color is? White!”

The Queen’s enthusiasm is such that she even clapped her hands in glee and excitement. Kagome couldn’t help but smile at her antics. Though the color of the gown is beyond her.

She has decided to wear red, if she had any at all…

“I doubt if the color white is appropriate, Your Majesty,”

Kagome said wryly. The Queen was startled at her statement.

“Whyever not, dear?”

“As seeing the predicament I am in, I think scarlet would be more fitting. Have you perchance asked Emily if I had a gown in that color?”

“Scarlet!? Now, Kagome, I do understand the need for creativity and originality, but doesn’t that seem like overdoing it? Pooh, I know your sentiments, dear, and I do sympathize. But scarlet just wouldn’t do! I’m afraid you’re going to have to put up with the white one,”

The Queen told Kagome teasingly, and they laughed together for a moment. Eyes sparkling, the Mistress Woodbine delivered a rejoinder.

“Very well then, Your Highness, if you insist. But I do not think it makes any difference at all,”

“I do insist! And it DOES bring about a lot of difference, believe me,”

Kagome cleared her throat to gain the Queen’s wandering attention.

“About the other plans, Your Majesty…”

“Oh yes! Do tell,”

“Would you kindly please send someone to the docks to inquire about an available ship—“

Kagome ceased as the Queen suddenly sprang to her feet.

“A ship? Now this is where originality comes in. Your idea is wonderful and novel, Kagome, but I don’t think it would do. We are pressed for time as you know—“

“I do know, Your Highness, that is why we need to move fast. As soon as Emily gets here, I will pack all of my belongings and bring them to the ship—“

“But there’s no need of that, dear. Just some of your things will do,”

Kagome felt as though she’s walking in circles just talking to the Queen, beloved lady though she is. She honestly didn’t know why the Queen would want her to leave some of her things behind…

“Very well then, Kagome dear. I will see what I can do to make sure your plans are somewhat laid out. There will be difficulties, of course, but I am after all, the Queen of England. I’m sure my King husband would be delighted to assist also—“

‘Oh, but I seriously doubt that,’

“—in making sure that you have everything you would need to have a beautiful wedding. He and Lord Grey are in conference right now to see to some important matters concerning it,”

Kagome stopped listening after the Queen’s suggestion of the King’s assistance. She got busy pulling on her gloves that she almost missed the fast and matter-of-fact comments of the Queen.

After hearing the word ‘wedding’ and the King and the Lord Grey ‘in conference’, she whirled around, face ashen and asked the Queen:

“Wedding!? What wedding!?”

The Queen looked perplexed.

“Why, yours and the Duke of Windshire’s wedding, my dear. Surely you have not forgotten the name of your husband-to-be?”

Kagome was now actually reeling. Her mind seemed to be erupting in thoughts and panic threatened to make her sick.

‘I have to get out of here now,’

“Kagome!”

She turned away from the Queen and started running to the door. She blindly reached for the doorknob and jerked it open.

She was just bunching up her skirts to free her ankles and make her escape faster when she suddenly tumbled headfirst into a brick wall.

A hand shot out to steady her. Opening her eyes, she realized she didn’t run into a wall.

It was a chest—a solid and well-muscled chest at that. Daring to look further upwards, her eyes met that of the owner.

Brown stared wide-eyed into gold.

“And where does my lovely bride think she’s going?”

For the second time around, the heiress to the Woodbine riches fainted.

Again.


=======================================


Inuyasha caught his bride in his arms.

He gathered her up to his chest and tried to ignore the warmth that suffused him at merely holding her.

“Kagome!”

He saw the Queen running regally towards him.

“Elizabeth Rin? What on earth are you doing?”

At the sound of her husband’s voice, she changed directions and went to him. She was waving her kerchief in front of her face, trying to catch her breath as the King wrapped his arms about her and steadied her.

“Oh, Sesshomaru, am I ever glad to see you. Look, the poor girl has fainted. She must’ve had a bit of a shock and excitement as well—“

“Slow down a bit, my love. What exactly happened before we got here?”

Before the Queen could answer, Inuyasha intercepted.

“Perhaps we should discuss this inside, Your Majesties. My bride’s getting heavy,”

The duke interjected smoothly, gesturing slightly at the servants fluttering about them. The King took his hint.

“I think you’re right, Lord Grey. Come love; let’s open the door for the duke. I see his arms already falling out,”

The King was already signaling to his personal guards when the Queen shook her head no.

“I don’t think Lord Grey’s bedroom is the best place for this, My Lord. You won’t find a place there to put her in. We’d best go to Kagome’s bedchambers—it would help that she’s in a familiar place when she wakes up. Come along then, Lord Grey. You can suffer a little more,”

The three of them were walking down the corridors to Kagome’s bedroom when Inuyasha remembered the Queen’s remarks about his room.

“What happened to my room, Your Highness?”

“It got torn down by a tornado. We must put you into another room, by the way,”

The Duke of Windshire groaned inwardly. That meant Kagome happened to it.

He looked down at the lovely bundle he’s holding, looking so peaceful and angelic in her slumber.

‘A firebrand for sure. Who would think she could turn into a hellcat and destroy a room in the blink of an eye?’

He found himself smiling at the thought.

It’s going to be a hell of a wedding.