Declaimer: I own the story nothing more (hugs her story) I don't own any of the characters there own by someone else… Thanks for rubbing it in (walks away crying)

Note: 'thoughts'

"Mouths moving"

Flash backs or a dream

A Forgotten Proposal

By: CloudsLover

Chapter Four

Unwelcome Rival

She didn't know how in the world she got herself in this mess but she was finding herself walking down the hall to meet a man she knew she already hated. In the corner of her eye she could see her cousin; she didn't know if she was feeling the same thing she was, or was she happy to finally have someone else to talk too.

"Do not worry the dress you chosen is perfect…" Kikyou said looking her cousin up and down for the past two hours Kagome seemed to not know what do wear she had to persuade her not to jump out the window.

"This dress is showing too much flesh" Kagome said trying to cover part of her upper chest, having her hand slapped away by her cousin. Kagome looked down herself she was afraid if anyone could see down her dress. But how much she loved the color, navy blue dress was one of the first her grandfather had bought for her. 'Your mother loved that color on you, my dear' those were the exact word her grandfather had said when they agreed to purchase it.

"You have to show something off" Kikyou said looking astonished at her cousins' shyness. "Plus wearing pants is more shameful than showing off a little of your… feminine flesh" Kikyou wanted to laugh once she saw the frown on her cousins face.

"At lest I am covered" Kagome didn't look at Kikyou the rest of the way. She was somehow hoping to have a fainting spell that seemed to have worked so much for her these pass few days.

"I wonder if they clean up nicely" Kikyou said before they saw their butler Freddy bow before them she smiled when she saw Kagome smirk at such a ridiculous thought.

"Lady Kagome and Lady Kikyou of the Higurashi family" the young butler said to the small group. Sesshomaru was speechless what he saw was out of a dream. His gaze went directly to the women that couldn't seem to keep out of his mind.

'I kind of prefer her in pants… great legs… get your mind together' Sesshomaru just wanted to kick himself for letting his mind take off like that.

"Please my dears take a seat" Kagome began to walk over to her brother side to take her place beside him. Sesshomaru sat once Kagome was seated he could take is eyes away from her, the girl he meet last night was not the one he saw before him.

"The Higurashi family has been blessed with such beautiful women" Inuyasha said not looking away from Kikyou who sat next to her younger cousin. Souta smiled knowing to well that he had the best seat in the house.

"How many men have you killed?" Souta shouted not caring that his aunt was chocking. Sesshomaru smiled slowly seeing the confused look in Kagome's eyes. "How many men have you lost?" Kagome looked away from the man that continued to look at her; she was finding herself getting annoyed by his mere presence.

"War is not a suitable conversation in front of ladies" Sesshomaru said winking at Kagome who had turn to see him speak. For some reason that had angered her, was he belittling her gender?

"Are you a coward" her aunt and cousin gasped while her brother smiled. The smile that was on Sesshonmaru's face had disappeared and narrowed his eyes at the girl that had minutes before took his breath away.

"I am no coward" he said slowly trying to control his composure. He had forgotten how much of a child she acted, always jumping to conclusions, always trying to get under his skin.

"Then please in lighten us" Kagome said smiling sweetly hiding her laughter. Sesshomaru knew to well what she was trying to do and it was working that's what angered him the most.

"I have killed and lost men, yes" He said leaning back on his seat smiling back at Kagome. Kagome stopped smiling but Souta continued liking the conversation they were now having.

"Have you fought in the rain" Sesshomaru looked at the young Higurashi then back at the girl he still wanted for a wife.

"No" was the only thing he was going to say it seemed so Kagome pushed onward.

"And may I ask why not?" He was taken at back by her forwardness. She was still the same Kagome he knew from his childhood she had not changed.

"Minutes before he had said that he too like the rain just like you my dear sister" Souta smiled he was risking his neck on his matchmaking skills and he hoped that he would be on the winning side.

"Ah, a lover of rain" Sesshomaru said ignoring the glare Kagome was sending her younger brother. She said nothing so he pressed on "Rain can be refreshing… at times" she didn't want to seem to be rude so she was going to play the excellent host.

"The weather is too much of a safe subject… what brings you here?" Kagome smiled knowing to well that her dear aunt was too shocked to speak. Every passing moment Souta liked Lord Sesshomaru even more. Sesshomaru was about to answer her question when her cousins decided to speak up.

"We have yet to apologize for us attacking you the night before" Kikyou said looking shyly. Inuyasha seemed to love her even more.

"No harm done…" Inuyasha said looking into her eyes and running his fingers throw his hair.

"To you…" Kagome began and saw the look of horror on Inuyasha face and continued "Getting the wind knocked out of you… is dare I say… is breath taking" Kagome continued to smile.

"You two are the ones that endangered my sister" Souta said getting of his seat and looked at Inuyasha nervous face. "For a man to hit a woman is… not a man" Inuyasha stood up that the young boys words.

"How was I to know she was female" Inuyasha shouted taking one step forward but stopped when he saw his brother stand up.

"Are you blind or do you not know a woman when you see one" Souta shouted, Sesshomaru began to laugh making Kagome and Souta frowned.

"We apologize … but my brother and I are not…" Sesshomaru turned to look at Kagome and continued "a costume to seeing ladies wearing trousers" Kagome was slightly turning pink.

"Yes… indeed let us forget the past few hours and renew old friendships" Lady Kaede said smiling weakly at the young people in front of her.

"Renew…" Kagome said slowly more to herself than the other, was her dream reality or was she loosing her mind. 'Sesshomaru… that could be the same boy in her dream could it' Kagome was now looking at Sesshomaru trying to make out his face from the one in her dream. Sesshomaru turned too looked at her as well and Souta liked what he was seeing.

"Milady…" Everyone turned to see Freddy the butler standing at the open door.

"Dinner ready" Lady Kaede asked standing up followed by everyone else. Freddy was looking nervous not sure what to do.

"No Milady, there is a gentleman… a Lord Onigumo would like an audience with Milady"

"Naraku…" Kagome said standing up not afraid to show her emotions, Sesshomaru began to frown.

"Brother…"

"We're not far Kanna" Her brother and sister was her life, moving out to the country was finally becoming a reality. But it wasn't going smoothly as they thought it would be the weather was making them stop every few miles since she was unable to travel.

"It's my fault we taking so long" she was about to burst into tears when she felt her older brothers hand on her small shoulder.

"I will have no tears from you, little one" she smiled up at her brother, little one was her nickname given to her once he came back from the war. "An old friend relative is just a few miles away, will ask for their hospitality"

"It's been so long brother…" He turned to look at his older sister and frowned, he didn't like the negativity coming from her voice "All I am saying is: will they remember you?" he let his sisters words sink in maybe he was in over his head, maybe he should turn back and await for the rain to stop so they could soon travel once more.

"I am sure no one has forgotten my brother" Kanna said looking annoyed at her sister and it made Naraku smile. He had been absent in his sisters life that he was afraid that it had darkened there relationship. But from the day that he got back home he was welcome with open harms, he was grateful that he had such a loving family because the nightmares that he went throw in the war was something he wasn't really prepare to live with, not yet and perhaps he will never will be.

"Milord… we have arrived" They heard the driver from above. Naraku sighed and was preparing himself to be turned away.

"Good luck brother I am sure they will welcome us with open harms" Kanna said so hopeful that it made Kagura bite back her tongue. The door to the carriage opened and Naraku stepped out hoping for the best.

"Why this family…" Kanna wondered out loud and turned to her sister seeing her smile and wondered if she knew something that she was clueless too.

"It seems my dear sister that our brother has secrets of his own"

He knocked on the hard wooden door and took a deep breath something in the pit of his stomach was telling him he was in over his head. The door slightly opened letting out some of the warmth of the house.

"Good evening" he called out to the man, he shivered as rain drops began to sink throw in overcoat.

"What business do you have here" a boy not older than seventeen called out to him. He narrowed his eyes was he going to have to stand outside to plea his case, when the butler opened the door to let him pass. He walked in and welcomed the warmth.

"I would like to speak to Lady Kaede" the butler without knowing it narrowed his eyes. Naraku tried to give one of his warm smiles to the young boy to try and reassure that he meant well.

"And who may I ask is calling" the butler began to take his overcoat; he wasn't sure if he should keep it sense he would have to go back and retrieve his sisters.

"Lord Onigumo" the young butler went still and Naraku could slightly see the young boy blush of embracement.

"Right away Milord, please wait here while I tell Milady of your request" the butler bowed and walked away leaving a now warm and nervous Naraku.

"Naraku…" Kagome said standing up not afraid to show her emotions, Sesshomaru began to frown. Her childhood friend was here she could believe it she was truly wondering is she was dreaming. She turned to see if Kikyou had also remembered and by the look on her face she was please.

"Please, lead Lord Onigumo in" Lady Kaede said smiling at Freddy who straight away did what he was told "Gentlemen do not mind"

'Bloody hell I do mind' Sesshomaru wanted to shout but sat back down and smiled at Lady Kaede "The more the merry"

"Lord Onigumo" Called out Freddy and in entered someone she thought she would never in her endless dream think she would see again.

"Milord, they await your presents" Naraku was taken back by the 'they' part but he followed the young lad anyway.

"Lord Onigumo" they young butler called out and when he walked in he wasn't sure to jump for joy or cry from pure happiness at the girl that stood before him.

"What young man bring you to my home" Lady Kaede said after what seem forever, Kagome and Naraku couldn't seem to keep their eyes off from one another, which was angering Sesshomaru beyond compare.

"I apologize of the inconvenient but it seem that my sisters and I have been caught in the rain and would like to request for your hospitality" Something in Lady Kaede's eyes made him think that he was going to be turned away but then she smiled slowly. He was so relieved that he let out the breath that he was holding.

"Your sisters did you say" he turned to the heavenly voice he now remembered from his childhood. Kagome began to blush seeing the look at Naraku was sending her.

"Yes, Kanna and Kagura are in the carriage awaiting for my return… so will you excuse me" He bowed and turned to leave when he felt a hand stop him, as quickly as she placed it she took it away.

"Could I join you" in the corner of her eyes she could see Sesshomaru's hand tighten and that's what made her smile.

"It would be my honor" Naraku afford his harm and she took it "Excuse us" he said turning to nod towards Lady Kaede.

Souta turned to Sesshomaru and smiled "A little rivalry never hurts"

"Who is that accompanying brother?" Kanna said looking outside of the carriage window, pulled back by her sister she frowned on the look of surprised on her face.

"That can not be… why it is Lady Kikyou" Kagura said with so much pleasure she didn't wait for her brother to reach the carriage, she walkout into the rain but stop when the person she believe to be one of her dear friend was one of her worst enemies.

"Lady Kagura" Kagome bowed under the umbrella Naraku was holding up for them. Naraku seeing the horror on his sisters' face smiled. He handed the umbrella to Kagome who moved next to Kagura to shell her from the poring rain. "The weather is endearing but I am sure your brother does not wish for your ill health" Kagome smiled sweetly at a very uncomfortable Kagura.

"And… you risk your own for my brothers company" Kagome smiled and looked ahead to see Naraku help his younger sister out of the carriage.

"Yes I do" Hearing what Kagome had to say Kagura walked in the house socked and wet leaving a very confused Kagome standing alone.

"What ever the matter" Kanna said looking up at Kagome amused, Kagome smiled down at the young girl.

"Must have been something I said"

To Be Continue!

A/N: Yes another chapter revised & edited on a roll, I like this chapter because… (Looks at Naraku, Kanna and Kagura) it's always fun to add new people anyways much love you guys.

P.S: I would like to give thanks to all those who reviewed this chapter. You guys kept me going! Thank you.