So.

Here we are.

This story isn't off hiatus. I just couldn't resist.

Curse my hyperactive imagination!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

"She is too young," Sesshomaru said, looking at his father and mother with an indifferent expression on his face.

The lord of the West shared a look with his mate before turning back to his son. "Sesshomaru, we know she's young, but that doesn't change the fact that this is the best decision for the West. She's the heir to the Eastern Lands and if you mate, then one day the East and the West will combine into one kingdom, separating the North and the South, both of which are our enemies and each other's allies."

"Not to mention the fact that she's the Shikon miko," his mother offered calmly. "That power would be magnificent to have."

"This one does not care for her power."

His mother's lips pursed.

"You're mating her, Sesshomaru, and that's it. She and her mother and father will be over in a fortnight. Acclimate yourself to the idea."

Sesshomaru stared at his father, before turning around and exiting the study.

Kagome sat in her chair and fiddled with her chopsticks, sneaking peeks at her betrothed from under her eyelashes. He was tall, indifferent, powerful, and, most importantly, completely uninterested in her.

It showed in the way he carried himself, in how dismissive he was of her. His very aura screamed, "you're meaningless and I don't care about you." And then, once it screamed that, it whispered, "you don't register on my scale and I'm ignoring you because you don't even really matter."

At first, she had been put off and quite offended, but after she had considered everything going on in her very complicated life…

Her musings were cut short as Lord Toga cleared his throat and addressed her.

"Lady Kagome, I know this situation must be very awkward and uncomfortable for you…"

Kagome blinked and cocked her head. "Why would you assume that? I'm actually quite pleased with how things turned out. My parents are engaging me to, quite possibly, the only male in the world that doesn't want me at all; the whole thing is perfect."

Everyone stared at her, her parents, the parents of her betrothed, and even her betrothed himself. She felt a bit of pride at that; he seemed like a disinterested person, and to catch his attention was probably a great accomplishment. She smirked, almost cynically.

"Whatever do you mean?" Lady Mitsuki asked.

Kagome looked into the golden eyes of her future mother-in-law and began her explanation with the air of one explaining something the other should already know.

"My life is a bit hard, you know? And men are always after me, be it for my powers as a miko, the Shikon no Tama, my position, my wealth, my looks, because they're obsessed with me, or even because they love me," she said this last bit with a completely cynical tone, a pained look in her eyes, and an out-of-place wistful smile. She blinked away the expression and continued.

"The best path is the path I'm on: marrying the only male who couldn't care less about any of that stuff. He's perfect for me," she said.

She ate a bit of rice, ignoring the surprised looks of her future in-laws and the raised eyebrow of her intended.

"Kagome," her mother began. "We hadn't suspected that you would react so well."

She looked her mother, her lips twitching as she read between the lines. "I do know how to be rational when I have to be," she drawled. "And I recognize that this is one of those times. My life is in more danger than ever now. With each passing day Naraku grows bolder and stronger. He's attempted to assassinate you and father, and he's tried to kidnap me multiple times. If I fall into his hands, that could mean the destruction of Japan. However, if I'm married to Lord Sesshomaru, he couldn't touch me. So, this marriage will protect me and everybody else from the evil that Naraku represents, and I'll be protected from the horror that could result from a marriage where my husband actually desires something from me. Other than children of course."

Her blunt monologue made her mother both blanch and flush. She opened her mouth to speak, but Kagome wasn't done.

"I know that's not what you and Papa had planned when you arranged this marriage; you guys were thinking about the political benefits of being connected to the powerful house of the West. Still, your motives don't change the fact that I've been hoping to a husband as well-suited to me as Lord Sesshomaru."

Kagome smiled brightly. "I did tell you I could be practical, right, Papa, Mama? But neither of you ever believe me."

Her expression was a mix between a pout and a scowl. "Ah, well, it doesn't really matter. Say, when is Shippo getting here? I miss him."

Everyone stared at her.

Her parents had been anticipating yelling and a temper tantrum; that was what Kagome did.

Her in-laws and her future husband had been anticipating… well, not what she had turned out to be.

With all of their expectations dashed, they sat in silence, unable to comprehend the sense of foreboding they all felt.

For some reason, they suspected that this was really going to turn out for the worst.

They had no idea how right they were.

But things always got worse before they got better.

Right?

Hmm…

I was doing Kagome's little speech in my head while I was cleaning the bathroom. It's never good for me not to have my mind occupied. It starts to wander to weird places…

T.N.T!