AN: Weeeeeee'reeeee baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaackkkkkkkkkkkkk:maniacal laughter: Yes! That's right the Emmie and the PoF have struck gold again! Or so we hope, you will be the judges of that, thanks to reviews and commentary- Which will be highly appreciated! Trust us, this is a prologue to an awesome story with many twists and turns that you won't see coming…A real something to enjoy.

The over whole story is rated R, for violence, language and sex. Currently this chapter is simply PG-13.

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We hope you enjoy The Betrothal! Please read and review!

Prologue

As so many stories begin, it happened a long time ago, though in a world not so far away. Dissatisfaction and treason had snuck into the world, shattering it as the world was thrown into a brutal war. One group of demons, led by a cruel warlord, aimed at trying to kill and enslave the human beings. Of course, the human beings fought back, led hand in hand by the demon slayers, a small faction who lived as their name suggested, and the Priestesses, a select group of women who had special powers, one of them being the power to kill demons. Stuck in the middle of this group was a group of demons who wanted to live peacefully as humans. Though they didn't see the
humans as being equals, they knew not to try and execute a mass genocide, thus shifting the powers of the world.

Though, curiously, the leader if this particular fashion had himself married a human as his second wife, and had a son who was half human. They tried joining forces with the humans, and to prove how truthful they were, they had decided to arrange for a marriage. That half-human son was to marry the strongest Priestess in the world, Kikyo.
Sesshomaru, the son of the leader's first marriage, had been ordered to succeed his father, due to his calculating nature, though it would have been amusing to have seen him whipped by a human girl.

Of course, the young man in question, Inuyasha, was hardly happy about this arrangement, but he did want to make his father proud, so he reluctantly followed
his father.

Many stories and legends came out of this particular battle, but this one focuses mainly on how this betrothal went wrong, and how the human race was almost lost completely.

It was dusk. They had chosen this hour, because it was neutral. It didn't represent either side, it was not day, the human's world, nor night, the demon's realm. It was in between, and just at this time, they were going to join these two opposites just as the rain joins the skies and the earth which can never touch.Few representatives from either side showed up: respectable lords, warlords, the so-called brains behind the operations, the leaders, and a few soldiers, fighters. After all, at a time of war, could you really trust the enemy? Even if it wasn't the main enemy?

Like a scene from a dramatic oil painting, matted in all the glorious vivid colors one could imagine how they stood: the head Priestess of the humans, in her Miko outfit of white and red, black hair tied back neatly yet bellowing about her. She looked powerful, regal and beautiful. Her name was Kikyo. To her right, the second most powerful Priestess, who also happened to be her soul sister. Tough of no relation by flesh, their souls were forever bonded. Kagome, dressed in the same outfit as her sister, looked more innocent, less breathtakingly beautiful and somehow, more approachable. Her eyes were softer as though she still believed in kindness and goodness in the world, a warmth which was lacking of late in Kikyo's brown orbs.

To complete this trio of power, stood the "general" of the human army: the headmaster of the exterminator village, Sango. A descendant from a line of leaders, every one an accomplished slayer, the best of each generation, Sango overshadowed even her predecessors. Wearing her tokijin armor, hidden blades strapped to her forearms, sword ready by her side and giant boomerang weapon carved from demon bones, hiraikotsu over her back, she looked like a formidable and threatening being, ready for even one hint of a wrong move to fly into action. Of the three, you could see
she was the least who trusted demons. Behind them stood a human force of skilled fighters, hand picked by Sango. In case anything went wrong, they would protect the Priestesses and kill the demons.

Opposite them, stood the hierarchy of the strongest Youkai family, who were the leaders of the so-called "good demons". There was the father, and both sons. The father, was the powerful demon dog who roamed the Western lands, undefeated and unquestioned.
The eldest son, who stood to his father's right, was Sesshomaru. Born a full demon, from both paternal sides, he looked like his fathers mirror, except for the void apathy in his eyes, and obvious hatred ofhumans. He was a younger, colder, crueler version of
his father. Some suspected that because of this, he may also be stronger, however if that was the case, you could never tell, because he, as all the other demons, bowed and respected his Lord.

On the other side of his father, completing the line stood the younger brother, Inuyasha. He was the mongrel, of human and demon blood, born to his father's second wife, a human Princess who long since passed away. Plain evidence of this was Inuyasha's
features. He was stuck in a half and half state of in between. He looked human enough, with the uncanny good looks of the higher ranking demons who could assume human form, but with the exception of his ears, which were those of a dog. Erect on the top of his head, they twitched to every sound. Canine teeth gave him a reckless rebel and care free look to him, and claws. He, unlike his father and brother who were clad in traditional clothing and armor, with their tails wrapped over their shoulders, wore a red haori, as thick as armor but as light as fabric.

The one common thing between him and his brother was the obvious feeling of not wanting to be there.

Sesshomaru expressed it in his bored contemptuous stare at those opposite him representing the humans. Inuyasha did so being disrespectful, bare feet on the ground, hair blowing wildly around him and nose sniffing the air. He would much rather be out
practicing the use of his new sword, then be here to get… betrothed.

Behind them stood the demon force of fighters, a pack of wolf demons, ready to pounce at the signal. Each wolf was handpicked by the Prince of the Wolves, Kouga.

'We seem evenly numbered,' Sango thought, eyeing the situation. She reluctantly let go of the ivory-hilted sword she had been tapping apprehensively. Sango looked over at Kikyo, and then glanced to the long wooden table that had been set up in the middle of the field, the discussion table, where documents for the proposal would be signed. Her lip curled up in disgust. "Let's get this thing over with."

Kikyo looked down at her. She stood a little taller than Sango, but then, she was also a few years older than Sango. Maybe, in time, the demon slayer would catch up to her. "How is it then you seem so eager to have this agreement over with when it's me who's going to be married?" Kikyo asked, to which Sango shrugged.

The Priestess looked over at the three men who stood opposite the field. "It's the one in red, isn't it? He's rather cute, actually."

Strangely, on the other side of the field, Inuyasha was saying the same thing as Sango as they started towards the table and chairs. Maybe, if this political betrothal would be over as quickly as possible, a whole night wouldn't be wasted and he could get some training time in.

"Take a good look, cur," Sesshomaru hissed, from the other side of their father. "You're getting married to the wench in red and white. Your ball and chain
has arrived, mongrel."

"Sesshomaru," their father warned under his breath, and the older son was silent. "They might not have acute senses such as us, but you must still watch your tongue. The way you pick on your brother is disrespectful. You two are supposed to get along.You are brothers, after all. Blood binds you, whether you like it or not. My blood binds you, and nothing can break that. Besides," he added with a chuckle. "There are two of them dressed in red and white, idiot."

Sesshomaru's face briefly turned into a sulk, but it so quickly turned back into his contemptuous yet somehow emotionless face that only the eyes of a demon could have seen it. Sadly, to his dismay, Inuyasha did have those eyes, and they burned with even more golden fire than normal as he mentally laughed at his brother. Both sons waited patiently as their father sat down first, and then the five younger creatures sat down as well. Scribes rushed forward, unrolling parchments and placing out wells of ink and pens. One scribe even brought out drinks and glasses for the humans and the demons.

Inuyasha looked at the pitchers of water for the humans, and the strong, blood-red wine meant for the demons. 'Good god,' he thought, trying not to hide his discomfort at seeing the pitchers. 'How long am I going to be stuck here?'

Kagome took her seat after Kikyo had settled down. She looked over the three men, slightly shaken. They were all gorgeous, each in his own way. The father looked like a perfect blend of both sons, each son took a different pointer of the father's personality. That was obvious.
Kagome didn't know who Kikyo was suppose to marry, but either one didn't look like such a bad option. "Either way, the wedding night shouldn't be too awful." For that she received a scolding look, and bowed her eyes. She didn't want to be here. She hated these formal settings.

Kouga stood behind the three men, giving his wolves signals as to where they should be stationed. "We are in place, Lord." Kouga spoke through clenched teeth, eyeing the three women. Heh. They didn't seem that powerful.

"Good," the powerful lord said. He began to unfold the first parchment, speaking as he did so. "The first document is for the priestess Kikyo to sign, and says that she will be faithful to my son in everyway, from this moment, until death do you part. My son will sign the next agreement. The next is for the Lady Sango, entrusting that there will be no exchange of fire between my faction and hers, and that any such fighting between the groups will be dealt with swiftly and effectively, and that neither group will be held
responsible for any retaliation made after these attacks, unless the attacks were issued by a commanding officer, in which case the officer will be handed over to the opposing side…"

Inuyasha's father droned on about all the documents and the things the held. He studied the three girls in front of him. Unlike Kouga, he could see that they all held some kind of power. In the case of Sango, he could see the muscles moving under her skin-tight
armor when she reached over and poured herself a glass of water. She subtly hinted for Kagome to do the same, and when the younger priestess scanned it to make sure it was pure, the scent of the magic coming off of her made his nose itch.

He hoped that it was the smaller girl that was the one he was supposed to marry. The other Priestess wasn't even looking at him, but the small one dared to meet his eyes, and she smiled at him when she caught him staring. She wasn't looking down at him or hiding shyly. She was meeting him like an equal, and he liked that. It irked him, that a human woman would dare look at him like an equal, but that was alright. Inuyasha liked to fight, and he wondered if she'd fight back.

Kagome caught the younger demon's eyes several time. They kept scanning each other. She liked him. He looked reckless, and somehow, she didn't fear him. She didn't fear the father either, not only because of the stories that he had loved and married a human female. Besides that, he looked slightly warmer, almost fatherly.

The eldest son looked terrifying. With the armor and those cold eyes, with subtle hardly leashed power underneath, Kagome didn't like him. She tried to keepfrom looking at him. Each time she did, a chill ran up her spine.

Kikyo was reading over the documents, handing one to each of the women. Kagome reluctantly looked at the writing. She didn't quite understand her duties in all of this. Clearing her throat, she tossed the boy in red a nervous glance before clearing her throat.
"Even though I am out of order, I request to speak." She tried to be as formal as possible, ignoring Kikyo's scolding look. "But my part in this arrangement" she said, meeting the demons eyes directly, unafraid of them, "I don't understand it."

"Of course, a mere mortal with your capacity wouldn't understand such intricate details" Sesshomaru said with dripping disdain, not even bothering to turn towards her. The ultimate slap in the face when it came to respect.

Kagome didn't pay it any attention.

"Leave her alone, Sesshomaru. She's just asking questions," Inuyasha growled. His father silence him, and patiently answered Kagome's questions.

"Your presence here is simple, Lady Kagome. Besides, I am certain, that Sango wanted you here for your powers, you are here to sign as a witness, that way no one can claim that these documents were forged. Secondly, your duty in the betrothal will have no part until later on in the marriage. Should Kikyo and Inuyasha have a child together, the shrine she holds will pass into your care, that way she can be a proper mother."

Kikyo didn't show any emotions about this arrangement. While she agreed with Kagome's thoughts that Inuyasha looked like a nice enough young man, the thought of
having a child was grotesque. Kikyo didn't want to be amother. She was a Priestess, damn it.

Inuyasha, of course, was horrified of the idea of having a kid, but he didn't show it either.

Kagome beamed. "Children are wonderful" Quickly she shut up though. "I understand. I thank you for explaining" she said and looked at Kikyo. With a nod that she understood it all the talks continued. Kagome sat quietly in her seat, feeling out of place here.

Witness? Why her? They had armies here. Kagome thought looking over her shoulder at the lines of troops. And motherhood, she doubted Kikyo had thought about that. Kagome couldn't help but feel bad for both parties, a demon forced to marry a Priestess was disgraceful in their beliefs. But for Kikyo especially, the thought of leaving her duties for a demon broke every code.

And the marriage night, Kagome now understood the hateful glare. She hadn't thought far beyond the signing of the parchment. Then again, this was a betrothal. It was a hand
fastening, not a true marriage yet, simply a promise for one. She hoped Kikyo and the lord—she wondered which one it was—would be happy, or at least manage to get along. Otherwise, this whole alliance would be in danger.

Sesshomaru scrawled on the paper with his nail, a poisonous fume which burnt the paper rippled out as his signature. He couldn't bring himself to speak of this humiliation and disgrace. He was simply thankful that it wasn't him subjected to this vermin-like scum
in marriage. It was so befitting the half-breed to be married to a human, and a Priestess no less. Perhaps she would pin back his ears.

After almost two hours, all of the parchments were signed, and Inuyasha's father looked at him. "Congratulations, son," he said. "You're engaged. Meet your fiancיe, Kikyo."

Inuyasha was dismayed when his father pointed to the cold looking woman. He had to marry her? Why couldn't his father have picked the nice looking girl! 'This is so unfair. I could have married the nice looking priestess, but no, I had to get engaged to the cold hearted bitch!' A growl escaped his throat, and he quickly flattened it. He rose from his seat and walked around to the other side of the table, mentally complaining as he went. 'It's bad enough I have to get married to a priestess. Why couldn't Dad and I have at least picked the same one?'

Kagome stood up at the same time Sango had, both moving to the sides allowing the couple space. "Priestess Kikyo" Kagome formally announced as Inuyasha passed her and came around to Kikyo. "Your promised one" she said and bowed, signaling the
others, the entire force that had come with them to bow.

She caught Sango's eyes and begged her not to growl or curse about bowing to a demon. Sango, however, was more than willing to bow this one time if it meant that they could get an ally. Inuyasha lowered his head as he heard the clinking sounds of armor as the humans bowed politely. He swallowed. He hated such displays of pageantry.
Rolling his eyes only slightly—Kikyo didn't even seem to notice—he reached down and took her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it. "My Lady," he said politely. She still frowned at him, and he tried a bit of humor. "Or should I still call you Priestess,
my Lady?"

Kikyo smiled, and Sango clapped herself on the back.

This looked like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Sesshomaru turned away. "Father, I am going back. I do not need to stand around for this humiliation of our blood" he said, throwing his father an ice edged look. "One human, in the family, was enough" he said and purposefully walked away.

Kouga made room and motioned his wolves to allow him to pass. Doing a quick mental count, Kouga whirled about causing grass to fly about. "Where's Ginta" He growled, and then spotted him. Ginta was sniffing Kagome's crotch as she petted his face. Turning red and flustered, Kouga began screaming at the wolf with such profanities that caused even the wolves to lower their tails and ears.

Sango corrected herself. It was the beginning of an ALMOST beautiful friendship.