In the Court of the Sun King by RebaJean

Returns

Disclaimer: Characters based on "Inuyasha" copyright 1997 by Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan, Inc.

Sighing as he made his escape from the ballroom, Roque dela Mirona glanced around the salon to see if any of his friends were in attendance. His aunt had made it quite clear that it was his duty to accompany her to the first ball of the week long festival. She stood in his father's stead as his keeper to enforce the old man's will. So he had danced once with each of the girls to whom he was introduced. At these matrimonial hunting grounds, he was regarded as prime game. He would make a fine trophy for any of the old hags, who were husband hunting for their daughters. He had made his appearance; the court had relaxed since the king had disappeared some hours ago with his latest mistress, and Dela Mirona could escape for a while to more congenial surroundings.

There were none of his crowd visible; they must still be occupied on the dance floor, retired to the gaming rooms, or elsewhere for other more vigorous activities. Scattered clusters of older men conversing, drinking, and dipping snuff occupied the room. Dela Mirona nursed his brandy; it would not do to lose his wits so early in what was likely to be a long boring evening. He was not yet ready to face the feminine hordes in the ballroom again. Turning toward the eastern windows, his eyes caught a flash of gold in the alcove, a tall figure as still and pale as the marble statue his pose mimicked. Clad in gold-embroidered white brocade coat, white shirt, hose and shoes, his long silver hair was pulled back with a gold clasp matching the buckles on his shoes and the molten sulfur of his eyes. The rather strange father of one of his fencing partners would certainly be a more interesting conversationalist than any of the empty-headed dolls being paraded about the matrimonial boutique.

The Lord of the Western Lands, Inu no Taisho, though either title had little meaning so far from his homeland, calmly regarded the soberly dressed young man approaching him. His lips twitched briefly showing fangs in a feral grin, perhaps there would be some relief from this interminable affair his wife had insisted that he attend. Halfway around the world they had traveled in her ridiculous quest for grandchildren. After searching fruitlessly for many years in all the youkai and human courts of the east for suitable matches for her two sons, he had granted her pleas to travel to the west. And so for the last several years she had searched the courts of Europe, while he and their sons had fenced their way across the continent, challenging the most skilled masters of unfamiliar techniques.

Dela Mirona sauntered up to the bored youkai lord near the window. "Lord Sesshoumaru, good evening. I see that Lady Kagome insisted that you accompany her to another of these tedious affairs."

Sesshoumaru merely glanced at Dela Mirona and uttered a noncommittal, "Hnn."

"I fear the latest crop is dismal at best," commented Dela Mirona, dropping gracefully onto the window seat. "My aunt shall depart disappointed yet again; none of the third rate selection here inspires the least amount of attraction, let alone romance. I hope for your sake, that your lady does not berate you for the lack of suitable selections here tonight. I know how eager she is to find matches for your own sons."

One eyebrow rose slightly and a disdainful snort was all the response Sesshoumaru deigned to give Dela Mirona's gibe.

A rustle of satin skirts and petticoats coupled with the scent of his mate caught the youkai lord's attention. He turned and crossed halfway across the room in an instant, leaving Dela Mirona speaking to the empty air.

Kagome skidded to a halt, her chest heaving breathlessly as she fanned herself with a gold fan. Her tightly laced white gown had gold embroidery covering the bodice and the drapery trailing down the sides of her panniers, matching her mate's frock coat. Her left hand stretched behind, clasping the wrist of the lady she had mercilessly dragged into the gentlemen's smoking room.

"Sesshoumaru, look who I've found!" she gushed excitedly, dragging her companion up to her side.

Dela Mirona, forgotten at the window, stood up straight and gaped in shock. The woman accompanying Kagome was exquisite. Tall and slender, her dark eyes outlined with just a hint of kohl, lips rosy, glossy black curls were piled carelessly atop her head with a few tendrils trailing down her neck. Not for her, the absurd powered beehives and towering sculpted wigs, such as Kagome wore. His eyes drank in her slender yet shapely figure, gowned in forest brocade, skirts opening like wings in front to reveal the light pink floral underskirt beneath. Dela Mirona began to cross the room as if in a trance.

Kagome glanced meaningfully at Sesshoumaru. His eyes glowed in response; he too recognized his wife's newly re-found friend. Kagome spoke meaningfully, "Lord Sesshoumaru, I would like to present Lady Sangria de Madeira. I hope that we shall all become as good friends as those we have known in the past."

Dela Mirona glided to a halt silently and bowed low as he caught the ladies' attention. "My Lady Kagome, would you be so good as to introduce me to this most enchanting creature. A woman of such beauty, these eyes have never before beheld."

Kagome giggled at the besotted man. She winked at Sesshoumaru, who smirked at the inside joke. Kagome made the introductions and Dela Mirona whisked Lady Sangria back to the ballroom.

Kagome turned and peered eagerly toward the ballroom, glancing back at Sesshoumaru. She bounced several times and widened her eyes entreatingly. Sesshoumaru sighed, "Would you care for another dance, my Lady? I can see that you want to spy on the reunion of our long lost friends."

An outraged "You despicable pervert!" rang out from the ballroom before Kagome could answer. A flurry of green skirts flew up the stairs to the lady's withdrawing room.

Dela Mirona stumbled to the edge of the dance floor. His eyes gazed bemusedly at the door through which his ladylove had disappeared. He turned to Kagome forlornly, "Do you think I've ruined my chances with her?" He absently caressed the flaming red mark of her hand on his cheek.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Note: This little incident is actually Chapter 2 of a Sango & Miroko three part story, Sayonara, My Sango (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1761015/2/Sayonara_My_Sango). It is a side story to Third Rate Romance, on A Single Spark (or FanFiction.Net.