Basic background: The lands in the feudal era have been divided into four parts, the North, the South, the East, and the West. Powerful lords rule each of the lands, and the land has been peaceful and prosperous, until Naraku became heir to his late father's throne…Naraku is a cold and heartless man, and he is also very greedy. He would stop at nothing to gain more power and wealth. His wife-Kanna is well known throughout the lands to be a ruthless and merciless woman, the reunion of the two brought about two daughters, Kikyou and Kagura. Both of which have been trained since young to be great warriors of the dark arts (courtesy of Ursuae their teacher), who in the near future would be a great asset in their father's plans to dominate all the kingdoms. Naraku through many years, have succeeded in poisoning the girls' minds into thinking that his plans are for the good of everyone, besides, his daughters never dared to defy their father, as defiance always led to cruel punishments. As the children of the Northern lands grew up in such harsh conditions and rigorous training, the princes in the West are also undergoing training of their own too. (Basically physical training on arm combat) Lord Taisho, ruler of the Western lands is a strong and forbidding man, and he is very strict when it comes to disciplining his sons-Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. Their mother however, is a kind and gentle creature, which in some ways, balances the harsh and somewhat cold nature of their father. Now, in the Eastern lands, Kaeda oversees it, ever since the death of her husband. Souta would rightfully become the new ruler, if he hadn't been too young to step up to the throne and undertake the responsibilities of running the kingdom. Souta's older sister Kagome leads a pretty much-sheltered life, she was taught the basic subjects by her tutors, and Kaede occasionally would teach her how to use her miko powers when she is free. In the Southern lands, everything is pretty mysterious, all is known is that the new ruler is Kouga, and that is all. Now, somewhere along the line it seems, there are a few run-ins between the lord of the North and the West, and the land that lies in the Northwest is the last straw that led to the actual eruption of war between the two kingdoms. Of course Lord Taisho tried to evade the war, but Naraku is just begging for it, in fact Naraku view the battle as his first step to conquering the whole land.
Northern kingdomNaraku is at his desk, viewing through the most recent report of the battle with the West. He glanced through the report, and the smile instantly faded from his lips. 'My troops have failed?' After three wins, Naraku is now faced with defeat. 'Well, they may have won this battle, but they will never win the war…'Naraku reassured himself. 'After all, if things turn nasty, I could always send my special weapons-Kikyou and Kagura…but for now…I shall wait…'
Eastern kingdom"Your highness, I believe it will be wise for you to marry princess Kagome to lord Kouga, as the marriage will tie our two kingdoms together and make us a stronger power." The advisor said.
"I know that, but, I do not wish to force Kagome into the marriage…" Kaede said.
" But one must think of the kingdom first, with the war going on between the North and the West, I fear that the brute Naraku would attack our small kingdom soon, and given our weak army, we would be bound for defeat, unless… the princess marries Lord Kouga."
"Well… that is true, but…"
"I know you are concern for the princess's happiness, but Lord Kouga is a nice guy, a real gentleman too, you've met him before, I am certain the princess would grow to love him."
"Kouga indeed is quite a nice fellow, but Kagome does not seem to like him… whenever I brought him up, she will try to change the subject."
"She will change her mind when she gets to know him better."
"Very well, I shall leave you to arrange this marriage."
'I just hope that Kagome would understand…'
While all this is taking place in the study, Kagome is out in the garden with her loyal servant and best friend-Sango.
'I love this garden, it never fails to lift my spirits… how I wish things could remain this way forever' Kagome sighed. Sango noticed her best friend's silence, and she started to prod.
"A penny for your thoughts?"
"…"
"Hello, anyone in there?" Sango said, waving her hand in front of Kagome's face, and effectively bringing her out of her daze.
"Huh? Sorry, did you say something?"
"What's wrong? You've been staring into space for the past fifteen minutes. Is something bothering you? It's about the marriage to Lord Kouga again right?
Kagome merely nodded.
"He seems like a likable guy, why won't you accept him? You might like him you know?"
"I wish, but I just don't feel that way about him…I know he's nice and all, but…"
"Well… you could always keep you fingers crossed, and hope that your mother would not agree to the marriage."
"Thanks… I think."
"Anyway, if you are really against marrying him, you could tell your mother, she will understand."
"Understand? She's not as understanding these days… it's all about the kingdom this and the kingdom that… I wish father never passed away, that way she would not have to deal with the responsibilities… and father would have found a better solution to whatever problems there are without promising my hand in marriage to a Lord…"
"You should think about the kingdom too you know, you have led a good life so far, and all that you want you get. You are very lucky compared to many others."
"So does that mean I have to give up my life's happiness? And are you implying that I am a prim and proper little princess! So much for being friends!" Kagome spat out.
"Hey, hey, cool it will ya, don't go venting your anger on me… anyway… you are quite the little princess you know. In fact, I can't even be sure if you could survive a day outside the castle walls…" Sango teased.
"Why y-you…" Kagome sputtered, and then fled back to her room, leaving a stunned Sango there.
Western kingdomSesshoumaru stood silently at a corner of the library, while Lord Taisho read his report of the battle. The stoic man nodded his approval.
"Well done my son, you have proven that your training have not been in vain."
Sesshoumaru nodded, his father is a very honorable man, and he holds him in high respect, and receiving his father's praise made him all the more determined to do a better job next time. He was pleased, however, his facial expression showed utterly no emotion as he left the room.
As Sesshoumaru was making his way back to his room, a happy Rin (his ward) bounded towards him.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, where have you been? Rin misses you. But now that you are back, Rin is happy again!" Rin said all that in a rush, as she danced around Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru patted the little girl's head, and sent her off to bed, before retiring to his chambers for the night.
Eastern kingdom"A prim and proper little princess eh?" Kagome muttered, as she pushed open the double doors to her bedroom. 'I'll show her yet!' she thought darkly, as she flung herself forcefully onto the sea of pillows on her bed. 'I am not some weak and fragile thing…I am a miko! Although I have not been very well trained in that aspect, but I will survive. I surely can defend myself, and even perform some basic healing, if I ever was to get injured…'
"Knock! Knock!"
The noise started Kagome out of her train of thoughts, and she barely had time to sit up on her bed when the doors are pushed opened. Kaede swept elegantly into the room, and sat herself down beside Kagome. They sat there for a while, watching each other in silence. Finally, Kagome broke the silence with a light cough.
"What brings you here mother?"
Kaede paused as if contemplating the question, 'how should I break the news to Kagome gently.'
"So?" Kagome asked, getting impatient.
"Well, it's about Kouga… you will be marrying him in a week." Kaede said, as she steeled herself for the bout of screaming that is bound to follow.
The news hit Kagome like a ton of bricks, although she had prepared herself for this situation, the confirmation of her fate by her mother had nevertheless dealt a heavy blow to her heart. 'How could she do this to me, her own flesh and blood nonetheless!' Kagome shook with anger, tears of frustration threatening to spill forth.
"How could you do such a thing? How could you promise my hand in marriage to Him behind my back?" Kagome ground out, as she struggled to keep her tempers in check, which is proving to be more and more difficult by the minute.
"Kagome…try and understand…" Kaede said, with pain in her eyes.
"I do not want to understand!" Kagome screamed.
"Lord Kouga is a nice guy, you will be happy with him."
"Don't tell me what I will and will not do… you are not me! You won't understand how I feel! If you like him so much, why don't you marry him yourself!" Kagome bit out vehemently.
"Kagome…" Kaede warned.
"Don't Kagome me…you are the worst mother, and I HATE you!" Kagome burst out before she could stop herself. She knew her words stung, but it is too late to take back what she just said.
Her words struck a cord. "Young lady, that is no way to speak to your birth mother!"
"…" Kagome turned away from her mother, refusing to meet her gaze.
"You will marry Lord Kouga, and that is final." Kaede said flatly, before turning to go back to her study. 'That child is getting more rebellious. She will learn her place when she marries Kouga! It is for the best!'
When Kaede is out of the room, tears immediately flooded Kagome's eyes, blurring her vision. 'Why? Why am I so cursed?' Kagome thought, as she fingered her raven locks forlornly. She knew her fate is sealed, and all hopes of freedom were crushed in that instant. 'Have I lost my right to choose when I am born a princess?' "Perhaps…" she whispered to herself, as she looked at the bright full moon hanging outside her window. 'Such a beautiful night…a night for lovers… too bad I will never get the chance to meet my prince charming, I will be marrying Kouga soon…' that single thought brought forth a fresh round of tears, and Kagome had to bury her head in her pillow to muffle the sound of the heart-wrenching sobs that raked through her entire being.
For the next few days, Kagome was caught up in the buzz of preparation for her up-coming marriage. Servants constantly interrupted her peace and privacy, as they barged in and out of her room to take her measurements for the wedding gowns, or present her with some gift or another from the dreaded Lord Kouga. Kagome sulked through the entire process, and tried to be as uncooperative as possible. Her signature smile had been replaced with a deep scowl that creased her delicate features. During her meals at the dinning room with her mother and brother, Kagome stubbornly refuse to look at or speak to her mother. She only acknowledged Souta's presence, and is only willing to converse with him. Souta could sense her sister's distress at having to marry Lord Kouga, but he could do nothing about it, all that he could do is to lend Kagome his ears, as she pours out her grievances to him.
That day, after dinner, Souta escorted Kagome back to her room, and he took up his usual spot at the end of her bed to listen once again to her complains.
"I can't believe I have to marry Kouga in two days time." Kagome sighed.
"Do you really hate marrying Kouga that much?" Souta ventured.
"Are you kidding? I would do anything to be rid of this marriage!" Kagome cried.
"Well… I may have a simple solution to your woes…" Souta began uncertainly.
"Nani!" Kagome asked hopefully.
"Tell me the solution! Tell me! Tell me!"
"Umm… you could just run away…although mother would be furious with you…"
"Run away… Why didn't I think of this before? It is so simple! Souta, you're a genius!"
Kagome smiled, hugging her brother tightly.
"Baka…it's nothing, if you hadn't been so caught up in your 'It's the end' crap, you would have seen it."
"Why you little…" Kagome gritted out, before hitting the backside of his head.
"You sure know how to show your savior your gratitude…" Souta grumbled, as he rubbed the back of his head.
"But, before you get uppity about escaping, you should know that it is dangerous for a girl to be out in the
wild… Although you are a miko, it does not mean that survival out there would be a breeze for you, not to mention the fact that there is a war going on out there..."
"You worried about me little brother?" Kagome asked, a warm smile gracing her face.
Northern kingdom"Kikyou, my dear daughter…" Naraku smirked.
"Yes father, you require my presence here for?" Kikyou inquired, bowing low.
"As you know, our enemies have won yet another victory under Taisho's eldest son's command…" Naraku began.
"That son of his is Sesshoumaru is he not?" Kikyou queried
"Yes… a formidable foe he is indeed… therefore I shall require your skills to lead the next troop in the approaching battle…"
"I shall await your victory."
"Yes father." Kikyou said bowing low, before leaving the library to prepare for her battle.
Kikyou went to the weaponry room to retrieve her prized silver bow and arrows, and ordered her servants to bring her her combat suit. She changed into the snowy white suit completed with her spiked armor, before securing her long flowing hair with a simple white ribbon. 'I'm ready…' With that she glided through the gates to her awaiting horse and troops. With a slight wave of her hand, the troops followed her lead to the battlegrounds.
Western kingdom"Sesshoumaru-sama, wait for me Sessho…" Jaken cried, as he hurried to keep up with Sesshoumaru's pace.
"What is it Jaken." Sesshoumaru stated, as he continued toward his library.
"It's Rin…" Jaken panted.
Sesshoumaru came to an abrupt stop, causing Jaken to come crashing to his feet.
"Gomen Sesshoumaru-sama…gomen gomen…" Jaken cried frightfully, as he bowed repeatedly.
"What about Rin."
"Gomen…gomen…Sessh-…"
"Jaken…"
"It appears that Rin is sick my lord…"
"…"
Sesshoumaru suddenly veered to the right, changing course to Rin's bedroom instead. Worry was evident in his eyes, although his facial features betrayed none of that anxiety.
'Rin…she has never fallen sick before... so why now?' Sesshoumaru thought. With that he entered Rin's chambers, only to find the usually cheerful little girl lying in bed with beads of sweat on her forehead. Her eyebrows were creased together as though she was in pain, and she whimpered ever so softly. Sesshoumaru swept to Rin's bedside, and felt her forehead. 'Hot. She's burning up'
"Jaken, send for the healer."
"Ye-yes, my lord" Jaken cried, hurrying out of the room.
Jaken was back in an eye blink, and with him was a neko youkai.
"Hiyoma at your service my Lord, how may I help?" the neko youkai said, bowing low.
"The girl." Sesshoumaru said, his eyes motioning towards Rin.
Hiyoma nodded in understanding, and hurried over to Rin's side, he conducted a few basic tests on the girl, his brow furrowing in worry with each test he conducted.
"Well." Sesshomaru said.
"This does not brood well for the girl…I'm afraid she is under some kind of spell. However, I am unable to determine the nature of the spell, so until I can figure it out, there is visibly nothing I can do…except to give her some medicinal herbs to bring her fever down…"
Upon hearing the news, Sesshoumaru frowned.
"You will find the cure, and if you are to fail…I shall have your hide…" Sesshoumaru growled, with that, he left the room.
Eastern Kingdom
Kagome sat in her room beside her dressing table, scissors poised over her long raven mane, 'just cut it off Kagome, a quick snip and you'll be free.' Taking a deep breath, Kagome tried once again to cut off her hair, only to draw back at the last minute.
"Damn! I can't bring myself to cut it!" Kagome cursed.
"Well…it's ok for guys to have long hair you know…" Sango started, "but, it's just too bad that you look so feminine…so I guess you'll have to cut it off after all." Sango sniggered. (Kagome had told Sango of her plans to runaway earlier, after all, they are best friends.)
"Hey! That's very helpful of you…I'll like to see you cut off that pony tail of yours." Kagome pouted.
"Alright, alright…no need to get all banged up over it." Sango said, raising her hands up in mock
surrender.
"Sango, is there any other way about this situation without cutting off my hair?" Kagome whined.
"Hmm…let's see, you could hide your hair under a hat, but that would be difficult since you have such a thick mane. Perhaps there is some kind of spell to make long hair appear short…"
"That's it! A spell!" Kagome cried.
"Yeah right, like who would come up with a dumb spell like that! I was just talking rubbish, such a spell probably doesn't even exists."
"Well, I'm going to try and find that spell!" Kagome cried resolutely. "And you are going to help." With that, Kagome grabbed hold of Sango's hand and dragged her to the library.
Southern Kingdom
"Ah…such a lovely emerald necklace. It's perfect for my beautiful Kagome…Ginta, get this wrapped and sent to Lady Kagome." Kouga said.
"Right a way Lord Kouga." Ginta said, bowing deeply.
"How's the wedding chamber's preparation coming along Ayame? I want everything to be perfect for my Kagome."
"They are coming along fine Lord Kouga. I'm sure the Lady will be pleased with the new designs." Ayame said with a smile.
"Great! Keep up the good work Ayame!" With that, Kouga left the room to oversee the other preparations.
Battle grounds
The Northern and Western troops arrived from opposite sides, the leaders of both sides staring at the other, sizing up their opponents. Tension builds with each passing second, like a ticking time bomb that may explode at even the faintest of movements. Sesshoumaru let out a low and menacing growl, and the battle begun…
Sesshoumaru and Kikyou charged at each other. Sesshomaru called forth his poison whip and took a lash at Kikyou, she dodged the whip, but her stead took the fatal blow, forcing Kikyou to take the fight to the ground. She landed gracefully beside her fallen horse, her eyes narrowed, and she sent a dart laced with miko energy at Sesshoumaru, grazing his cheeks lightly. A tint of red ringed Sesshoumaru's eyes, and he leaped off his horse, and charged at kikyou with his poison filled claws. Kikyou dodged the swipe, but Sesshoumaru lashed out with his other set of claws, catching Kikyou by surprise.
Kikyou winced in pain as the poison penetrated her armor and made contact with her shoulder. She narrowed her eyes with hatred, while clutching at her wounded shoulder. Sesshoumaru took the opportunity to lash his poison whip at her, slashing her across the stomach, before moving in to take another swipe at her prone form with his claws. Kikyou has been waiting for this chance, and when her enemy came close enough to her, she tossed the small bottle of potion at Sesshoumaru, just as his claws hit her chest. After that, everything became a blur for Kikyou, as she slipped into an eternal sleep. The last few words that escaped her lips were…"I have done what I have come to do, you will die too Sesshoumaru…."