FYI, this is an AU (Alternate Universe) story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho!
Lost City
Chapter One
"Inuyasha, why didn't you tell me?"
Kagome sat by his side, regarding him with a worried frown. He had been unconscious for days; his state, hardly changing. His chest rose and fell slowly, the only testament that he was indeed still alive. The healers had told her that he had overexerted himself in his state of illness. Had they but known he was so deadly ill, they would have advised him to take it easy. But of course, he had only let a few people know about his condition and even then, he had not done it by choice.
She let out a shaky breath, resting her chin in her palm as she gazed at her silver-haired betrothed. He looked as though he were sleeping. If only that were the case. "If you had told me you were sick…"
"Beg your pardon for speaking so boldly, but you still wouldn't have been able to do anything if he had told you, Lady Kagome," she heard someone behind her say.
Turning around, she saw her servant, Yukina, standing near the door. When she bowed slightly to her, Kagome waved her hand at her. "I've already told you before, you don't have to be so formal." She turned back to look at Inuyasha. "I just wish he had said something… should've told me at least…"
Yukina came to her side, standing beside her while she, too, gazed at the young lord. "He kept it hidden from us all… He knew what it was and he knew that there's no known cure for this fatal illness. Maybe he didn't want you to feel sorry for him." She glanced at Kagome. "Besides, you weren't on the friendliest terms."
Kagome gave her a small, sad smile. Yes, it was true they had gotten off on the wrong foot… which was a great understatement. Their marriage had been arranged by their parents when both were children so that peace could be brought to their lands, though neither had liked it. However, both could not complain, since it was their job to keep the people happy and calm. Not to mention, neither would go against their parents' will.
Inuyasha and Kagome had met for the first time not too long ago, but the meeting was not a pleasant one. Kagome had tried to be friendly, but Lord Inuyasha didn't even go that far. From the start, he schemed to try and get her to break the betrothal so it would be her fault. It was his parent's wish to have them married and he wasn't about to go against it, so he had tried to find a way to make her leave. She found out about his plans evidentially and was angry at first, then thought of plots of her own to get him to break their engagement.
And so the war of the betrothed had begun. Until it stopped now.
Yukina watched her, wondering if she would reply. Finally, a minute or two later, Kagome spoke. "It's true we weren't very nice to each other, but if we're supposed to marry, he should have…" She cut off abruptly.
If he was dying, they wouldn't be married and what she had hoped for for months would come to pass. Then how come the idea of it made her heart clench? She didn't want to marry him… but not like this. Definitely not like this.
"He can't die. I won't let him. I still have to repay him for all the dirty tricks he pulled on me." She blinked rapidly to stop the tears that were trying to form.
Her servant's eyes softened, though she looked down at the floor, her hands clasped in front of her. "I'm sorry, my la—Kagome. We had gathered our best healers, but none could cure him. We knew that already. This disease has plagued our people for centuries and there is no cure for it. We're just lucky not too many people are affected by it and it is not contagious."
Kagome drew her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs as she hid her face. "…There is one cure for it," she said, her voice muffled.
Yukina's head shot up, her eyes widening as she looked at her mistress. "You couldn't mean…"
Kagome abruptly got up from her seat, heading for the door. She couldn't stand being in the room with him for too long or else… or else she knew that she would begin to cry, which she refused to do. He wasn't going to die, because she wouldn't let him. She wouldn't. So what was the use crying?
She was in her own chambers in a few minutes, though she didn't even bother closing the door. Yukina was there only a few moments after her, closing the door and locking it while Kagome began to pace back and forth.
"You couldn't be thinking of going into that deadly forest, could you?" Yukina asked, suddenly very worried. "You are a very smart young lady, so you wouldn't be thinking of going into such a dangerous place."
Kagome glanced at the girl. "And what if I was?"
A moment of silence.
"I—I would have to stop you," she blurted out.
"Even if it were to save your lord? To save your future king? Once he marries, he becomes king. Would you stop someone from saving him?" The servant girl kept her mouth shut, not knowing what to say to that. "I've seen someone I care about die from that illness before." She shook her head. "Not again."
That sparked her interest. From what Yukina had seen and heard, the two young nobles hardly took a liking to one another. "So then you do care for him?"
Kagome stopped in her tracks and avoided the other girl's eyes. "…We…we didn't start off that well and it didn't get better… but somewhere along the way, I did start caring about him." She gave a short, unhappy laugh. "I guess I didn't realize it until this happened." She met Yukina's eyes then. "Foolish of me, right? Especially since he hates me."
Yukina's eyes seemed to shift nervously then, as though she knew something Kagome did not. Then the unease was gone and Kagome dismissed the odd occurrence.
She began pacing again, shaking her head furiously as she did, making her long black hair whip around her face. Talking mostly to herself, she said, "I couldn't save him, I was too young to understand then. But I'll save Inuyasha. Even if I have to go through that forest."
"Is there no way to make you reconsider, my lady? Yes, there might be a cure there, but I'm sure you've heard the stories…"
Kagome recited the words that had long since been drilled into her mind. "'Deep in the most deadly of forests, protected by the creatures of nightmares and lethal curses, is the lost city of ancient times. Within this lost city is held wonderful and terrible magic of healing and destruction, untold secrets, and immeasurable treasure. Many have sought it out, but this fascinating city has only brought death to those who find it. None who journey there come back alive.'"
The noble took in a deep breath and let it out shakily. "Everyone knows the legend of the Lost City. Even me, who didn't grow up in this city, which is near to the forest that holds it somewhere in its depths. Or so they say. Even so… I've been thinking about this for the last few days. It's worth it to try." She stopped pacing and sat down on the edge of the bed, looking at Yukina with vulnerable eyes. "I have to try."
Her resolve was set, Yukina could see that. Still, if she was to let Kagome go through with this… she would make sure she had no doubts in her mind. "You said it yourself, 'none who journey there come back alive'. What good will it do to have you both dead? You can at least spare your own life."
Kagome's eyes took on a somewhat angry look. "I don't want my friend to die! …And I'll do whatever it takes to keep him alive."
Yukina smiled, admiring her strong determination, though could not help the worry she felt. She knelt in front of Kagome, the noble she was serving and her friend. Kagome blinked, unsure what was happening. "Then I won't stop you. And I think I know someone who can help."
Kagome smiled too and hugged her tightly. Something occurring to her, she moved slightly back. "Help with what?"
"Surely you weren't thinking of going alone?"
Kagome looked sheepish for a moment. Seeing Yukina's small frown, she said, "well, I had mostly gotten to the 'okay, I'll definitely go and find the cure' and hadn't really thought passed that."
"You'll need people to go with you, people to guard you since there are very horrible things in that forest." Her face took on a thoughtful look. "Though it'll be hard to find willing people. Everyone knows its reputation."
"Can't I just recruit them, not tell them where we're going, then yell 'surprise' when we reach the edge of the forest?" Kagome asked hopefully. Seeing Yukina's face, she added, "oh, don't give me that look, I was only joking." Well, half-joking, she thought.
"So who's this person that can help?"
She shifted uncomfortably in her chair as a few men glanced at her with looks on their faces that made her cheeks burn. She pulled her cloak closer around her, and not because she was cold, though her skin hummed with a nervousness that did give her a chill.
It was a bad idea, coming to a tavern alone at night, but it had been the only time she could sneak out of the lord's manor. The idea of it had been fine, but as she was actually on her way, her uneasiness began.
"I'm assuming you, my lovely lady, are Kagome?"
A man sat across from her, looking no older than twenty, though there did seem to be a boyish charm about him. He was well built though lean, with black hair that was just long enough to make a small ponytail. Mischievous blue eyes watched her from across the table, taking in her appearance as she took in his.
"Now tell me, how many girls have you said that to before you found me?" Kagome asked dryly.
He had been smiling pleasantly before, but at her words, he grinned. "Only two. And I assume from your response that you are indeed her."
Kagome nodded. "And you must be Miroku."
He nodded in turn as he seemed to look her over once more, though differently this time. Before, he had looked her over like anyone would do to someone they had just met. Now, he looked her over as… well, as a man does a woman.
Her cheeks took on a pink color. Not many had dared do so before, mainly because of her nobility. Perhaps Yukina had told the messenger not to mention Kagome's title? Otherwise he wouldn't dare to look her over in the way he was doing now.
"I see my cousin has chosen a fine wife. You are very lovely and not too skinny, like many other noble women. Your body's perfect for bearing sons."
…or she could be wrong. What kind of polite conversation was that?
Her cheeks flamed red even worse than before, which made Miroku grin. She looked even cuter when she was embarrassed.
She wasn't even sure how to retort, when his first words hit her. "Wait, cousin? You're Inuyasha's cousin?" Kagome asked, and loudly.
Heads turned at the mention of the lord's name and Miroku kicked her lightly under the table, causing her to squeak. "Keep your voice down," he told her in a hushed voice. "There is a reason Inuyasha and I have no living relatives, as you probably found out over these few months you've been here."
Kagome nodded. Before now, she had thought that Inuyasha the only one in his family still alive while in the meantime assassins had tried to give Inuyasha a nice visit with his relatives in the afterlife. There were many people who desired the throne Inuyasha would receive once he married and therefore many people who wanted him dead. …Now it seemed they would not waste their money on assassins once word got out that he was dying.
Miroku continued. "I've only met him a few times when I was younger, but I decided to disappear. Too many people in our family were being killed and I was far from the throne anyway, I wouldn't be missed." He smiled, but it was not at all happy. "I'm not too far away from it now."
She knew what he meant. If anything happened to Inuyasha, technically he was next in line for the throne. But if none knew he existed since they assumed he was dead, he was safe from the danger.
He might have gone on, but a woman came to the table, giving Kagome her drink and effectively ending the conversation. Kagome wasn't sure what her drink was when she had asked for it, but it was warm and tasted good, so she did not care. She sat there, holding the mug between her cold hands and taking a sip every now and then while Miroku flirted with the woman.
The woman jabbed him in the shoulder playfully before leaving, off to get Miroku's drink. He turned his head to watch her walk away, forgetting Kagome was even there until she cleared her throat.
He turned back to her, not even seeming the least bit embarrassed about watching the girl. "So let's get down to business. What do I owe the honor of meeting with you?"
Kagome set her mug down, keeping her hands on it as she gazed into the liquid. "I… I'm in need of some people to go with me. Guards, or something like that, to protect me."
He raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure you have many guards at the palace. Actually, I'm surprised you got here without any tagging along. Why do you need my help?"
She shook her head. "No. I need… special people." She frowned while in thought. "The guards at the palace… they would either stop me or be too afraid to go… It's a tough job. Few would want to accept it."
Miroku sighed heavily. "Stop dallying around and just say it. It'll be easier that way."
She took a deep breath and looked up, meeting his eyes so that he could see the resolve in them. "I'm going to the Lost City."
At first, he searched her face as though trying to find the humor in her words. When he realized she wasn't joking, he gazed at her as though she had just sprouted a second head. He spoke the only words that came to mind. "You're insane."
The woman came back, all smiles and her voice light as she gave Miroku his drink. Neither heard her words or acknowledged her in the least. Their eyes were locked, neither moving. He dismissed the woman without looking at her, no longer in the mood for playing around. She looked put out, but left the two alone.
"I've heard many strange rumors about you and dismissed them, but this…"
"Please, I… I have to go!" Kagome blurted out urgently.
"So many have gone… no tried to go there, and none have returned! Why would you willing go into that forest? Do you have a death wish?" Miroku asked her.
"I don't care how dangerous it is!" She paused. "Well, I do and that's why I need people, but it doesn't matter. I have to get there."
"You'll be eaten alive in a matter of hours, if you're lucky enough to last that long."
She had a stubborn look on her face. "Oh? And how do you know? Ever go in there?"
"No, but—"
Kagome shook her head. "People say a lot of things, who knows what is true and what is just superstition?" He had no answer for her. "I have a good reason for going."
"And what's that?" Miroku asked. He wanted to know what would make her so crazy as to want to go into the forest while knowing its reputation.
She looked around the half-empty tavern before leaning over the table toward Miroku. Feeling compelled and curious, he met her halfway, leaning over his side.
"What I am about to tell you, you can't tell anyone," she murmured. He nodded, but she shook her head, "your word. I need your word."
His face lost the look that said 'I think you're out of your mind' and became serious. "I promise."
"Inuyasha… Inuyasha is dying," Kagome confided, her voice so soft that even he, inches away, could hardly hear. But hear he did. His eyes widened considerably. "He has contracted an illness… the one that has no cure. Except…"
"Except one said to be in the Lost City," Miroku finished for her. His eyes softened when he looked at her. "Seconds ago I thought you were insane. Now I understand and admire your determination and strong heart." He shook his head in admiration. "I envy the man you marry."
She looked away. "I don't love Inuyasha."
Miroku looked at her in surprise. "Then why do this for him? Risk your life for someone you don't even love?"
"I may not love him… but I at least think of him as a friend. Besides, if he dies—and since no one knows you are alive and heir to the throne—then I have a bad feeling that the people who take over won't be as kind as your family has been. Save Inuyasha, save the people."
He shook his head once more "You will make one man very happy someday." A lecherous smile came upon his face. "Would you mind it being me?"
She kicked him under the table, though not too hard since she knew he was joking. Or at least, she hoped he was.
"So will you help me?" she inquired, her eyes hopeful.
He sighed. "I don't entirely agree with this and I don't think you should go. But I already know I can't change your mind. The least I can do is find you a team that can protect you and keep you alive as long as possible."
As long as possible, Kagome thought, musing over his last words. If that doesn't inspire confidence, what will?
Leaving her sardonic thoughts behind, Kagome finished her drink and stood up, her head buzzing slightly. Miroku stood up as well, putting money down to pay for both their drinks. He began to walk away before Kagome called to him. "Where are you going?"
He turned back slightly to regard her. "To go get some recruits, of course. The night is still young. I could find you a whole team by daybreak."
"I'll come too," Kagome informed him. When he opened his mouth to protest, she continued. "If these people are going to journey with me, I'd like have some say in who stays and who goes."
He walked out of the tavern without another word to her, Kagome tagging along not too far behind.
"This should be interesting," Miroku murmured to himself.
A/N: This will not be an Inuyasha/Kagome story. Some aspects of it will be, but not overall. There's going to be someone else for Kagome (smile).