Kagome sighed and wiped a tear from her eye. Sango was helping her prepare for tonight's ball and she wasn't very happy about attending. She looked in her large vanity mirror and sighed. She glanced at her silver gown decorated with silver embroidered roses. Her hair was left down and curled into tiny ringlets which adorned her face perfectly. Sango had touched up just a teeny tiny bit of blush onto her cheeks and that's all that she needed.

"Are you ready, Kagome?" Sango asked. Kagome gave a sad smile.

"I don't really have a choice, Sango" she said sadly. Sango placed Kagome's tiara on her head and stepped back to admire her work.

"You look beautiful, Kagome" she smiled.

"Thank you, Sango" Kagome murmured. "You look wonderful yourself. And I'll never forget you once Naraku and I are married. You'll always be my good friend" Sango wiped away a tear and threw herself onto Kagome, embracing her.

"Your Highness" she sobbed. "How I will miss you" Kagome returned the embrace full heartedly.

"And how I will miss you, Sango" Kagome whispered. "Who will accompany me everyday to the gardens and who will I confide in?"

"Princess!" Sango cried. "I have a grand idea. Perhaps you may ask Naraku if I may be a part of his court"

"Sango what an idea!" Kagome said gleefully. "I will ask him tonight. For, after the wedding I will go with him to the Eastern Lands right away." Sango wiped her tears away and smoothed down her gown.

"They are waiting for us" she whispered. "Come, let's go" Kagome walked out of her room, followed by Renkotsu and Bankotsu, her two faithful guards and Sango at the end. She walked with grace and dignity and held her head high, trying not to show any emotion.

"Her Highness, Princess Kagome!" Jaken cried. People curtsied and bowed as Kagome walked by. Kagome gave a small smile and acknowledged her people by bowing her head and went to bow before the King. The King raised her up and then she sat upon the throne beside her Father. King Higuarshi then acknowledged for the grand ball to start and the people mingled among themselves. Naraku came up to Kagome and bowed deeply but his eyes showed pure lust for her.

"My Lord" he acknowledged. "May I have the pleasure of having this dance with your beautiful daughter?"

"You have my permission" King Higuarshi said, smiling. Clearly he was enjoying himself but Kagome was hiding herself under a layer of pain. Naraku held out his hand to Kagome and Kagome swore she could have slapped him across his face but for her father, she took his hand and let him lead her through a dance. He put his hand on her waist and drew her body against his, holding her tightly.

"You look beautiful, princess" he sensually, his hot breath on her neck. Kagome gasped as he dipped her and he brought her back his face millimeters away from hers. He was just about to take her lips when Kagome heard a voice.

"May I cut in?" the deep voice asked. Kagome looked up and saw it was Sesshomaru!

"Right now?" Naraku snapped. Sesshomaru's gaze was emotionless.

"Yes" he replied. Naraku looked at him with venom and then whispered in Kagome's ear.

"I will see you later, my love" he said and kissed her hand. Kagome then took Sesshomaru's hand and let her lead her into a dance.

"You look divine, Kagome" Sesshomaru breathed onto her ear, drawing her closer loving how her body molded with his. Kagome gasped and looked into his eyes.

"So do you" she breathed as she followed his careful steps. She leaned her head on his shoulder and savored the last moments she had with him.

"Kagome" Sesshomaru said softly. "Let us talk outside." The song ended and the two stopped.

"Sesshomaru" she sighed. "Please don't make this harder than it already is" she laid her head against his chest. "Please" she sighed. But it was too late. Sesshomaru led her outside and the moonlight shone upon the two lovers, bathing them both in moonlight. Sesshomaru laid his hand across Kagome's cheek and brung her face close to his.

"I love you" he whispered and then laid a passionate kiss onto her lips. Kagome pulled back, her eyes still closed.

"You know that I love you too, Sesshomaru but….tomorrow I will belong to Naraku. And I know how he lusts after me and that he only wants me for himself"

"But he will not have you" Sesshomaru argued. "Because I have received news from my Father that he has some business to attend to in the Eastern Lands and I shall be accompanying him so I'll always be at the Palace watching you"

"Oh Sesshomaru" Kagome said happily. "It's wonderful to know that you will always be there with me. But Naraku will not let you come near me"

"I will find a way" Sesshomaru said and then stood up. "I've told you, Kagome Higuarshi. Till death do us part I will always love you" Kagome embraced him and they both went back into the ballroom. Naraku at once smiled and rushed to Kagome's side.

"Hello, my love" he said, seductively. "Shall we go to a little place, more private?"

"Naraku, I have guests. Now is not the time" Kagome said, trying to hold her temper and not strike him.

"But surely, princess your father could not take your place?" he asked.

"Naraku I am a princess" Kagome explained. "And I must be with my people"

"Oh with all due respect, princess but I have already told you what I will do if I cannot have you" Naraku's red eyes glazed over with lust. Kagome sighed frightened and Naraku picked up the scent of her fear. Kagome's hand trembled as she took his. With that, they left the ballroom and up to the chambers that Naraku was staying at, not knowing that Sesshomaru had followed them and was just outside the doorway. Naraku kicked open the door then closed it and gave Kagome a small push. Kagome gasped and looked him in the eye. He started coming closer and closer to her that Kagome started backing away. When her back hit the wall she gasped and saw Naraku pressed against her body.

"Naraku" she said. "What are you doing?" But it was too late. Naraku growled and forced his lips onto hers. Kagome gasped and tried to push him away but he would not budge. Kagome closed her eyes and could do nothing. She moaned softly and then Naraku smirked.

"So you like being with me, princess?" he asked teasingly. Kagome closed her eyes and panted nervously. Naraku pinned her wrists above her head and started kissing his way down to her neck and shoulder blade. Kagome gasped, disgusted at herself for enjoying it but she couldn't stop what she felt. She knew this was wrong but she couldn't help it.

"Naraku" she panted. "Leave me alone" Naraku pulled away and smirked.

"Why?" he asked. "So Sesshomaru's hands may be upon you?"

"I love him" Kagome said. "And I always will. Why can't you understand that!"

"Because you are mine" he said. "And you always will be. Sesshomaru cannot stop me from having you. No one will. You cannot escape me, Kagome" A tear fell from Kagome's eye and Naraku noticed it. He licked her tear with his tongue as she looked at him with hatred.

"Why are you so possessive?" she cried.

"Because I want you" Naraku said.

"Well what you want isn't always what you can have" Kagome responded.

"Well I am used to getting what I want" Naraku said, tracing her hip. "And I usually get it as well"

"Well you're never going to get me" Kagome responded angrily. "Ever!"

"We'll see about that, princess" Naraku teased. "After all you are marrying me tomorrow aren't you now?" Kagome sighed and looked into his red eyes.

"Yes" she sighed sadly. "I am" Naraku shook his head.

"Tsk tsk tsk" he said. "Do not despair, my dear. Marrying me will not be so bad. I will not be a monster to you. I will only make you see that you love me and not that Sesshomaru." Kagome shook her head, as Naraku once again pinned her to the wall with his body. She closed her eyes as Naraku stroked her hair.

"Don't speak" he commanded. "You will see soon enough. I will make you love me" and with that he sealed this with a kiss and then walked out of the room, leaving Kagome in her despair. After some time Kagome realized that the only thing she could do was pray to her long departed mother. She was the one that Kagome always looked to for guidance and it looked like she really needed it now. She clasped her hands together and kneeled.

"Dear Mother please" she prayed. "I need your guidance as of this very moment. I am so lost and don't know what to do with this situation at hand and I was hoping that I could look to you for help. I hope you are doing fine in heaven and I wish that you were back here with Father and I. We both miss you and I know that somewhere you're looking down on me. But Mother, Father plans to marry me off to Lord Naraku, who I am not too fond of. I want nothing to do with him but he has threatened me that if I do not marry him Father would never be king again and that he would force me to go to him anyway." Sesshomaru, who was just outside the hallway quietly opened the door and closed it behind him, making sure not to make any sound. He stood in the shadows and listened to Kagome's prayer. She paused and then continued

"I am much despaired and I know how much being King means to Father so I shall do this for him. But mother, my heart is telling me something different. Shall I follow my heart or follow the rules of duty and honor of a princess? Bankotsu and Renkotsu, my two faithful guards which I hope you remember have told me to follow my heart but mother, aren't princesses supposed to be selfless and sacrifice things for their people? Isn't that what being a princess is? Well, anyways you remember Sesshomaru Tashio I hope? My heart has been shattered because I have realized that I fell in love with him and that I always have loved him and still do. Not a day goes by when I don't think of him. I have waited for his return for a year and now that he has returned I am to be married to Naraku. He tells me that he loves me and I truly believe him. But as of tomorrow I will belong to Naraku and will be bound to him for eternity. My love with Sesshomaru is lost and I don't think it can ever be renewed. He says that he can take care of me but I don't know whether to go with him or to follow my own heart. Help me decide. I cannot do this alone" and with her prayer said, Kagome unclasped her hands and noticed that someone was behind her.

"Who's there?" she whispered, nervously. Sesshomaru stepped out of the shadows.

"It's only me" he said softly.

"Oh" Kagome whispered. Her heart sped up when Sesshomaru came inches away from her. His eyes held no emotion.

"Why do you smell of Naraku?" he asked sharply.

"I-I don't know" she said. Sesshomaru put a hand on her chin and lifted her face up.

"Don't think of lying to me, Kagome" he said. He shook her shoulders. "Why do you smell of him! What did he do to you?"

"N-nothing h-he did nothing, Sesshomaru" Kagome replied, as she shook with strangled sobs.

"He was here though, was he not?" Sesshomaru said fiercely. He put his nose on her neck and sniffed her scent. At once he cringed, as the scent of Naraku came to his nose.

"Sesshomaru" Kagome whispered, her eyes closed. "He did nothing do not attempt to assume anything he did"

"I smell him all over you" Sesshomaru growled. "Did he bite you anywhere?"

"No" Kagome shook her head. She leapt into Sesshomaru's arms and embraced him tightly. Her body shaking with her sobs. Sesshomaru's golden eyes widened in concern and he embraced her back.

"Kagome" he said deeply. "Please, try and stay strong"

"I-I can't" Kagome sobbed. "Not without you. Without you my life has not meaning." She sobbed into his chest. Sesshomaru stroked her hair and kissed her head.

"One day we'll be together, Kagome" he said. "Once I rid you of Naraku we'll be happy."

"I can't live without you" Kagome whispered. "I can't!"

"Kagome, listen to me" Sesshomaru whispered. "Once you reach the Eastern Lands go to the forest near Naraku's palace. I will be there waiting and we'll leave together. Somewhere where Naraku would never find us. Do not tell anyone of this plan and act as if nothing had ever happened."

"I promise" Kagome whispered, her tears going all over Sesshomaru's shirt. Sesshomaru embraced her tightly. He couldn't bear to let her go and he couldn't believe that she would be wed to someone else. Why did she have to be married to someone else? He couldn't understand it. But no matter, Kagome was his whether she was married or not. She held the key to his heart and always would. He would love no other. He remembered the time they shared their first kiss and how he had first fallen in love with her. He never really believed that he was capable of love but Kagome had proven that to him. She had brung out the best in him and showed him what love had to offer. She was the only one that was on his mind every day and every night. He let go of Kagome and Kagome looked back at him with sorrowful eyes. He wiped the tears away from her face and couldn't imagine life without her.

"Kagome will you keep your promise to meet me?" Sesshomaru asked.

"You know the answer to that question, Sesshomaru" Kagome said touching his smooth cheek. The two lovers stood up and then parted for the evening. Kagome hid her pain under a fake smile for her people and at once went to Naraku.

"My lord" she whispered. "I have a question to ask of you"

"Really?" Naraku replied back. He twirled a lock of hair around his finger and drew her closer. Kagome gasped at how close he was.

"May I bring one of my best companions to your court?" she asked. "My best companion Sango. Please my lord, I cannot go without her"

"Very well then" Naraku replied. He stroked her cheek. "I wouldn't like for you to be lonely at my Palace"

"Thank you, my lord" she whispered hastily and then she went and mingled with her people. She at once saw Sango and Miroku!

"Sango!" she cried hurrying over to the girl. "And Miroku too!"

"Your Highness!" Miroku cried smiling sheepishly.

"Miroku, how many times do I have to tell you to just call me Kagome?" Kagome asked, cheerfully.

"My apologies, Kagome" Miroku said. "I was just talking to Sango over here" Sango crossed her arms and looked angry.

"Next time find some other woman to grope!" she cried, smacking him. Kagome laughed and smiled.

"Sango, I bring good news!" she said excitedly. "Naraku has told me that you may be a part of his court and stay at his Palace with me!"

"Oh Kagome!" Sango cried. "And did I tell you that Naraku has asked Miroku to stay at his Palace as well to be a monk"

"Oh that's wonderful then we can all be together" Kagome smiled. The ball soon ended at exactly midnight and all of the guests left the Castle. Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Inutashio were leaving and as they went Sesshomaru took Kagome's hand and kissed it.

"Remember Kagome" he said. "You know what to do" Kagome embraced him one last time before the gates closed behind him………