Chapter 3

Those first few days Kagome had Inuyasha all to herself, while unbeknownst to them their parents were concocting an alliance that would bind them for eternity.

Kagome raced through the castle and all around the grounds with Inuyasha in tow. She created games for them to play and showed him her secret treasures. Some would say that the little prince was very patient and long suffering with a girl two years his junior, but his family could feel the peace and happiness in the boy. Spending time with Kagome had changed the prince from a shy and introverted boy into an outgoing, strong-willed child.

The Inuyoukai queen seethed watching her husband's bastard child become confidant and defiant. The son of that human whore had forgotten his place in her household and as long as she was in the Eastern Palace there was nothing she could do to correct him. Because of his mother she had become a laughing stock, a mate in name only. Ever since her husband had fallen for that human he had refused to share her bed and had severed their mate bond. It was never strong but the shame that action brought to her could never be forgiven.

She hated that bratty princess. She hated the love the Eastern Queen had for her human husband. And she hated that hanyou mistake her mate had allowed to live.

A plan was growing in her mind that would destroy not only the human woman but her cheating husband as well. She would see to it that her son would gain the throne before Taisho renounced her right to rule beside him. She would never see a human bitch as queen.

...

It was three days after Inuyasha arrived that Kagome heard the castle guard sound the call for an approaching carriage. She perked her head up out of the hole Inuyasha had helped her dig. They had been trying to reach the other side of the world. Inuyasha, covered in dirt from nose to toes, jumped up out of the four foot hole he had managed to excavate.

"What are they blowing those stupid trumpets for," he asked, scowling.

"Someone is coming," she explained, "I really hope it's Sango."

Inuyasha flicked his ears in irritation and Kagome patted his ankle reassuringly.

"Don't worry. You'll like Sango. She is Kanna's personal slave, but she is my best friend."

Inuyasha growled and stalked off in the direction of the gate intent on confronting this Sango's claim on Kagome's friendship.

"Inuyasha," Kagome called, "Are you going to help me out of the hole?"

Inuyasha paused and pretended to conceder leaving her trapped in the dirt.

"Inuyasha, if you don't help me I will make you eat all of my green peppers at dinner," Kagome taunted.

He sighed heavily and turned back to lift Kagome out of the pit. He carried her in his arms as he dashed to the gate and set her down just as the carriage pulled into the turnaround. She hung back with Inuyasha instead of hurrying forward.

As soon as the carriage came to a stop Crown Princess Kagura was out and discreetly breathing in the fresh air. Kagome knew from her last visit that the Wind Youkai was claustrophobic. When Kagura spotted Kagome watching her from beside Inuyasha she smiled evilly. Kagome ducked behind Inuyasha to hide from Kagura's gaze. Inuyasha began to growl.

"Who is she," he asked, not taking his eyes off the Wind Youkai.

"Princess Kagura," Kagome whispered, "She's the oldest daughter of the Northern King and next in line for the throne."

"Why are you afraid," he snarled.

"She is not nice," Kagome quavered.

The last time she saw Kagura she had locked Kagome the the dog kennels overnight. Kagura had enjoyed tormenting her and cursing her mortal father.

Sango followed and bowed as Princess Kanna stepped down. Kagome waived eagerly at her friend who grinned. She would have to see Sango later after Kanna was settled in. Than they could all play together. Kagome couldn't wait, she had really missed her friend.

...

Inuyasha was surly and curt the rest of the day and Kagome could not figure out why. When she asked he refused to give her a straight answer. Finally it was time to reunite with Sango and Inuyasha was nowhere to be found.

"I wanted you to meet Inuyasha," Kagome said, scanning the garden for signs of the hanyou. She could feel him nearby.

"That's OK," Sango replied, "We could just hang out without him."

Kagome, continuing to look for Inuyasha, replied vehemently, "No, we have to find him."

Kagome proceeded to drag a very annoyed Sango all around the castle grounds hunting for Inuyasha. She always felt him just on the edge of her senses and it frustrated her to no end. By bed time Kagome was nearly in tears and Sango was fuming.

"If I ever see this Inu whoever I am going to punch him in the face," Sango declared after a dinner depressingly free of a certain hanyou.

Kagome could not understand why Inyasha was avoiding her. It made her feel lonely and something deep inside was throbbing painfully. It was as if her own soul missed him. She barley heard Sango's threats as they climbed into Kagome's huge, soft bed.

...

Meanwhile, as Prince Inuyasha slept in a tree just below Kagome's window, a dark figure ghosted through the night. She held her cloak close to her face to hide the tell tail glow of her demon eyes as she swiftly made her way towards the forest.

The moon hung low and full on the tree line as the slim woman darted expertly through the forest. When she came upon a moonlit clearing she paused as the stench of poisons rot choked the night air. A black shadow moved like oil on water as a tall man stepped into the light.

"Your Majesty," the man bowed, his voice sending disgusted chills up the woman's spine, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I need something from your master," Queen Kamiko said cooly.

"Of course," Onigumo hissed, delighted, "What can the great King of the North do for the lovely Queen of the West?"

"My husband has become ill and is no longer fit to rule."

"I had not heard," he oozed, "My condolences? What is his ailment?"

"He has lost himself to a human female," she growled, "Our people need him put out of his misery."

"I agree completely, Your Majesty," Onigumo bowed again. "I assume you would like the root of the problem weeded out as well, along with any poisons fruit."

"Of course."

"I shall convey your desires to my King," Onigumo said vanishing into the darkness.

Suddenly cold to the bone, Queen Kamiko head back to the castle.

...

The next morning Sango had to be up early to help Kanna get dressed so Kagome made her way down to breakfast alone. When she entered the kitchen she saw, with delighted surprise, Inuyasha munching on a pastry. He was wearing rumpled red silk pajamas and leaves were stuck in his hair. Kagome, too happy to see him to be mad, rushed over and snagged the seat next to him.

Inuyasha ignored her all through breakfast and when she followed him outside. He locked her out of his room while he changed and Kagome raced off to through on her cloths in record time, skidding to a halt outside his door as he opened it. He did not say a word as they were forced to fill in their hole by some truly irate gardeners and he refused to comment when she found a litter of kittens in the barn. But he never left her side until it was once again time to meet Sango.

"Gone again, huh," Sango said as she and Kagome dipped their feet in the koi pond.

"I don't understand," Kagome whined despairingly, "Why doesn't he want to meet you?"

"Maybe he is scared," Sango suggested, "I mean, if my family hadn't been forced into slavery we would be demon slayers."

Kagome giggled, "You can be pretty scary Sango, but Inuyasha isn't afraid of anything."

"Let's just forget about him and have fun today," Sango insisted, "I will have to leave with Kanna in a few days."

"You aren't staying until the full moon," Kagome asked, shocked.

"Nope. Kanna has been summoned by her father, that means we have to go as soon as possible."

"It's not fair," Kagome said, almost crying, "I wish you could stay here forever."

"Me too."

...

That night as Kagome was getting ready for bed she saw a splash of silver in the garden below her window. Recognizing the feel of the youkai Kagome hurried outside.

"Inuyasha," she called softly, shivering in the cool night air. The garden was full of creeping shadows and she hopped that it really was Inuyasha she had sensed.

The hanyou dropped out of a tree startling her and stood with his hands tucked into the sleeves of his pajamas. When she could breath again she scowled. He did not have to frighten her like that.

"What do you want," he asked, his voice clipped with irritation while his ears were trained on her.

"Why don't you want to play with me and Sango," she asked quietly, shifting restlessly from foot to frozen foot her eyes downcast.

He eyed her dejected form in the moonlight and felt a moment of guilt, but it passed when he thought of her hanging out with that girl instead of him.

"Why would I want to hang out with a couple of girls," he snapped, turning his back on her.

"But I'm a girl and you hang out with me."

Inuyasha twitched in irritated confusion, his ears laid back against his hair. Kagome stared at his tensed, defensive shoulders unsure.

"I just don't understand," Kagome tried to reason, reaching out to him "Are you really scared of Sango?"

"I am not scared of some weak human girl," he growled, avoiding her hand, "I just hate her!"

Shocked by his vehemence she leaned away from him, "But why? She's my friend."

"I thought you were my friend, OK," he burst out, flinging his arms violently into the air, "You should play with no one else but me!"

Taken aback Kagome fumed, "I can hang out with who ever I want, Inuyasha. And if you can't deal with that then maybe we shouldn't be friends!"

Hurt and misunderstanding shone in his golden eyes as he said, "I guess not."

He leapt into the air and was gone but she could hear him rustling in the tree branches.

...

Kagome cried herself to sleep that night and woke with the hurt she saw in Inuyasha's eyes at the top of her mind. She liked him too much to stay angry and she had felt something last night. Something she ignored in the heat of her frustration. In that place inside her heart that had seemed to fill up with Inuyasha at that first glowing touch she had felt his confusion and pain.

Hopping to catch Inuyasha at breakfast again Kagome hurried downstairs. The kitchen was bustling and loud but she did not see Inuyasha. Surprised, Kagome ran over to the main dinning hall and one glance at the main dais froze her heart in her chest. It was empty.

Frantic, Kagome sprinted down the hall towards her parents wing of the castle. The whinny of horses drew her to the bay windows in the foyer. Outside the carriage from the Western Kingdom was loaded and waiting. Inuyasha stood with his brother as the Queen spoke with her parents. Kagome wrenched open the front door before the white gloved attendant could reach the handle.

"Inuyasha," Kagome shouted, running towards her friend.

Hearing Kagome's voice Inuyasha turned, his hurt and anger forgotten as the girl dashed across the turnaround. He opened his arms and Kagome fell into them.

"I'm sorry," Kagome sobbed, "Don't leave. I promise I will never be angry again."

Inuyasha squeezed her tight breathing her strangely muffled, but marvelously unique sent.

"I have to go," he whispered, close to tears himself, "My dad is fighting for our kingdom and I have to train so I can help him."

"I want you to stay here," she insisted, "You belong with me."

Gently he leaned back until he could see her tear streaked face. He grinned smugly into her beautiful blue eyes.

"As if I won't hunt you down the second I am knighted."

Her smile was a little strained but she whipped her eyes and stepped out of his embrace. Remembering herself Kagome bowed the to the Western Queen before taking her place at her parent's side. Queen Kamiko did not even look at the princess as she was handed into her carriage.

"Come along boys," she called imperiously.

Sesshomaru did not hesitate to follow his mother into the carriage. Inuyasha lifted a hand in farewell and leapt through the open door. As the horses began to pull her friend away Kagome felt something inside stretch and thin. She let out a strangled sob and her mother put a comforting hand on her shoulder. She turned into her warmth and cried heartbrokenly into her kimono.