Disclaimer: I only own the story, not the characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi! Although any characters I throw in are also owned by me!

The choices we make

Kagome followed her mother quietly to a small study and sat down on a small pillow. Her mother followed suit.

"Kagome...What am I going to do with you?" asked her mother with a sigh.

"Ummm... Love me anyway?" Kagome laughed meekly.

"Do you know what the servants have been saying? They were talking about finding a man in your bed chambers. You. An unmarried woman! How shameful! Do you know what you did?"

By now Kagome's mother was pacing the room in a circular pattern until she came to an abrupt halt with her last question. Looking sternly at her daughter, she waited for a reply.

Kagome did not know what to say so she kept her head down and fidgeted her hands on her lap.

With a loud sigh, her mother sat gracefully down on the pillow adjacent her daughter, "You do realize what we have to do, do you not?"

"Tell the staff to keep their big mouths shut?" Instantly, Kagome knew that a sarcastic comment was not the most appropriate thing to say.

"You, young lady, have two choices. The first would be to be sent to a monastery and live there as a miko, and the second would be to marry the man that has tainted your reputation so shamefully."

Narrow eyes now watched as Kagome fidgeted even more with such a heavy decision. She knew she did not mind living as a miko but she also knew that she wanted children and a life as a miko would not grant her such a thing.

After a few minutes of silence, her choice was taken from her.

"You will not see Prince Sesshomaru, unless with a chaperon, and as soon as his...situation is fixed; you will be sent to a monastery in the northern mountains."

Kagome was left stunned at the final words that her mother had spoken. She was left in the study alone to contemplate what her future life was going to be. It was not a life, it was prison.

An hour had passed and Kagome was still in shock as a knock firmly resonated in the small room. The person who knocked, did not wait for a reply before opening the door.

Her only sister came into view and sat on the pillow that had once been occupied by their mother.

"I heard." Kikyo stated plainly.

"..." Kagome did not even look up to see her sisters face. If she had, she would have seen a look of pity written plainly in her eyes.

"I'm sure that with time, mother and father will change their minds. Then you can come home." That statement left no room for truth, it was a false hope and they both knew it.

"Thank you, Kikyo. I'm sure that you can come and visit me after I am settled there as well." Kagome added to the false hope that they so desperately clung to.

Neither wanted to admit the harsh truth that after Prince Sesshomaru was healed that they would never see each other again. The Northern mountains were known for being cold and stormy, even through out the summer season. No one willingly went to live there and no one ever returned. It was in all essence a place of banishment.

...

Sesshomaru was getting a little agitated with the sudden presence on the guard that now was supposed to follow him every where. He had been told that by the orders of the Lord and Lady of the house that his reputation was to be protected at all times, so as to not 'tarnish' the Western Lands. Scoffing at the idea of his reputation being tarnished, Sesshomaru ignored the guard all together.

He soon grew board with nature and left to find the woman that had caused all this: Kagome. His second shadow followed a few feet behind him.

Using his superior senses he followed Kagome's unique scent. Soon Sesshomaru was standing in front on a dark wooden screen that blocked his way into the next room. He could sense two people in the room and knew that it was wrong to eavesdrop but he could not help himself.

"It will be nice up in the mountains...you always did like the snow." a murmured voice said.

"That is true. I am sure that I can find peace in this decision." A broken voice that sounded like Kagome muttered dejectedly.

"See? Something to look forward to. Besides, you will meet friends there and you will grow to love them as you do the people here."

"Yes, you are right, we should probably get going to supper. I do not want to be in more trouble then i am already in."

Sesshomaru heard the gentle rustling of silk and the padding of feet heading towards the door he was next to. Feeling like a child caught with his hand on the cookie platter, he rushed down the hall to make it look like he was not eavesdropping.

He had just leaned up against the wall a good ten feet away when the door slid open and Kikyo stepped out first.

Kikyo gave a startled gasped and clutched the top of her kimono just above her heart as if to stop it from beating to fast. Kagome walked right into the back of Kikyo shoving her farther out into the hallway.

Looking up from the ground, gold met blue. Kagome blushed slightly and looked down hurriedly at the ground, muttering an apology, she rushed down the hallway. Sesshomaru watched her until she turned the corner and then turned his gaze to her sister who was attempting to sneak away aswell.

"Why is your sister acting so...childishly?"

Kikyo stopped but did not turn to face the man who asked the question.

"This is your fault. You should be the one punished, not her."

Not being able to get a reply in, Sesshomaru merely watched as Kikyo stiffly walked down the hall and disappeared into another room. Confused, Sesshomaru shook his head slightly and followed Kagome's path down the hall. He would get to the bottom of this.

A/N A BIG, HUGE, GINORMOUS thanks to the people who did review. It's nice to know my work is appreciated!

KEEP IT UP AND REVIEW!