Forget it

Rin and Shippo stood in the hall talking in hushed whispers. He wasn't sure he liked what she wanted to do. Visions of large sharp claws flashed in his mind, causing him to visibly shiver. He stepped back shaking his head no not wanting to be part of it. He had no desire to be ripped limb from limb. She tried to reassure him it would be alright, that it was how she woke him whenever they were at the manor.

He only agreed to stand in the room and watch when she looked at him with sad pleading eyes. She could tell he was afraid of Sesshomaru even though she couldn't understand why. Knowing she wasn't going to change his mind they both grinned as they slowly opened the door and peeked around it at the bed.

He had heard their entire conversation. It seemed as if it was always the same when he woke in his room. It was something that was very annoying to him, but it seemed to make Rin happy. He would once again play alone for her sake knowing it made her happy. He was just glad others did not see what they did each morning.

He felt the change in the air as they opened the door. Heard their tip toed movements as they walked. Even with his eyes closed he knew where they each were in the room. Just as Rin jumped at the bed she was caught in the air by Sesshomaru. Her body went crashing down to the bed and the room filled with the sounds of her laughter.

Rin laughed and fought against Sesshomaru as she tried to hold him to the bed. Shippo couldn't help, but to let out a small laugh of his own. It was strange to see someone that gave off so much fear playing. Even more so he was doing it without giving anyone pain. Rin jumped from the bed and landed within inches of Shippo. " Lets go wake up Kagome." With a smile on her face she grabbed his hand and they both ran from the room giggling.

Sesshomaru was glad that with all of her jumping about she had not reveled the facts he had already been dressed. After all much of what he did was somehow involved with ensuring Rin's happiness, even though he wouldn't admit to it. Who was he to spoil her early morning fun. He stopped just outside Kagome's door listening to the laughter that came from within the room. Kagome could feel Sesshomaru's strong aura and looked toward the door, almost expecting him to enter.

As Sesshomaru quickly moved away from her door Kagome didn't miss a beat tickling both Rin and Shippo. He had much bigger things on his mind than playing with children. He had been thinking most of the night of how to tell her about the sons of the other Lords. With breakfast quickly approaching he was still no closer to his answer.

He wondered how it was that one female could cause him such unrest. As well as something he had not felt before, uncertainty. He had always been someone who had all the answer, but it seemed they escaped him whenever it had anything to do with her. For him this was something that was upsetting and irritating to say the least. He knew his unwanted guest would be in the dinning hall and he had not yet spoken to her.

Stepping into his study he quickly called for Jaken. When Jaken entered the room he could tell whatever was happening wasn't good. Sesshomaru's irritation filled the room pulling in all that dared to near him, as if it were some kind of blanket you could wrap around you. The snarl that shadowed the edge of his lips made Jaken nervous as he waited for his orders.

When Sesshomaru finally spoke his orders were short and to the point. Normally he would take great joy in tormenting Jaken, but today even that wasn't going to help relieve his mood and he knew it. The stack of papers that awaited his attention did little to distract his mind as he waited for her to join him.

They were sitting in the dinning hall eating their morning meal when a loud voice echoed through the halls braking the silence. " Like hell I will! You can all forget it!" Those at the table stood, staring in the direction of the doors. Their skin started to itch then they felt it. A powerful wave of energy went through the castle knocking some to their knees. Rin and Shippo looked at each other wondering what was going on.

Sesshomaru stood from his desk his eyes lightly tented red around the edges. " Miko you will control yourself before you purify everyone in my castle!" He could feel the full effects of her Miko powers as his skin burned. Any lesser of a demon would have been on the floor screaming in pain. If he could feel the purifying effect so strongly he could only imagine what the rest of the castle was feeling.

Kagome wanted to blame Sesshomaru. She didn't want to be forced into taking a mate. By damned she wasn't going to let him or anyone else make her do something she didn't want to do. She had already been through that enough. She didn't like the idea of being told she had no choice in something. She quickly stood from her chair, turning her back to him.

Even though she wouldn't say it, she knew he was right. She had to keep her emotions under control. The idea of losing control like she had done when she killed Inuyasha scared Kagome. Taking deep calming breaths she tried to calm herself. The burning of his skin started to ease and he could almost see her Miko powers pulling back within her.

Those in the dinning room breathed a breath of relief when the burning tingling sensation eased then vanished. Many didn't know what had just happened, but Shippo did. He had recognized her voice and knew something must have made her pretty mad for her powers to surge like it had.

" How could you do this Sesshomaru? I refuse to be forced into take a husband." As she spoke she turned to face him. Her face full of anger and both hands were tight fists. At that moment she wanted nothing more than to cause him a great deal of pain. What he said next only added to her anger.

" You are to blame for this, not I. If you had not denied my claim you would not have this problem. You are a powerful unattached demoness. They are winthin their rights acording to demon laws." Until then he had been looking her in the eyes. He quickly turned his back to her as he returned to his chair. " I had nothing to do with their presence here. They would leave if you were to announce I am your intended." He said as he sat back down.

A light growl bellowed from deep within her. She could see the smug look in his eyes even though it didn't show on his face. " I'll find a way. I don't need them and I damned sure don't need YOU!" She jerked the door open and slammed it behind her. In the time it took for her angry voice to stop echoing through the halls, he could feel the headache starting to build in his head.

As Sesshomaru was unwillingly finishing up talking to his rivals, Kagome was talking to Sango and Miroku. She was at a loss and didn't know what to do. Time slipped away as they sat quietly trying to think of something. When a smile spread across Sango's face everyone looked at her as if she had lost her mind. " Beat them at their own game Kagome." Sango said with a smile.

" What are you talking about?" What was happening was no game to Kagome and she couldn't see why Sango would say it was.

" Sesshomaru is right about what the laws say. Any female who is of age must greet all those who show interest. Unless she already has an intended. You remember what I told you about courship rituals. It could take months with four of them and in that time your not going to have any privacy. I hate to say this, but maybe you and Sesshomaru could make some kind of deal." Sango's smile grew as she looked at Miroku. Kagome didn't know about the meeting Sesshomaru had with her friends or that he had asked them to help with her choice.

Kagome's mouth hung open as she stared at Sango. The idea she would even suggest she do such a thing was just outrages. " Ohh no. No way I'm doing that. You can forget it! Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? There has to be another way! There is no way I would even think of giving into him Sango!"

" Just saying it and doing it are two different things Kagome. Just say it long enough to get rid of them. That's all."

The more she thought about it the more panicked she became. With the need to move around Kagome went to her window and stood looking out it. She wished she had just stayed in her chair with what she saw. There in the gardens below her window was Sesshomaru helping Rin and Shippo out of a blossom tree. She saw Rin look up at her window then back to Sesshomaru. A sad look crossed over her small face before she looked to the ground.

Kagome made a mental note to ask Shippo about what she had just seen. " You just don't understand Sango. He has already tried to hold me to something I said when he brought me back from death. He would try to force me into it for real not just for show. I refuse to be with someone so cold. I want someone who will love me and be able to show it. That is something Sesshomaru would never do. I doubt he even knows how."

She quickly turned around to face her friends. " Don't you see Sango?" Taking a deep breath she paused and looked back out the window. " I'll just have to deal with it and get rid of them myself as fast as I can." Shippo waved up to Kagome when she looked back down at them. Time moved on as it always does and soon slipped away from them.

Sesshomaru sat on his throne as Kagome walked into the room. Motioning for her to stand beside him, Kagome shook her head no and crossed her arms. She stood with her back to the doors. Her eyes closed and her breaths deepened when she heard Jaken starting to anounce the unknown quest.

" Introducing Prince Kain. Son of Lord Oren Ruler of the Eastern Lands." The room echoed with only the sound of his foot steps being heard.

" Lord Sesshomaru. My Lady." He greeted with a bow.

" Introducing Prince Fayou. Son of Lord Chou Ruler of the Southern Lands." She could heard a difference in the steps echo. Unlike the first who entered his steps seemed almost graceful, making very little sound.

" Lord Sesshomaru, My Lady. My father sends greetings and he hopes all is well." Kagome was surprised someone of his status had such a soft sounding voice. Sesshomaru lightly bowed his head in respect of the mentioning of Chou's name. They had been long stand acquaintances and had gone to each others aid many times.

" Introducing Prince Shanglou. Son of Lord Shani Ruler of the Northern Lands." Jaken bowed as he hurried out of the room. Hearing his name flashs of the night before went threw her mind. Her nails lightly dug into her arms in anger.

" Lord Sesshomaru. My Lad...." Was all he was able to get out before Kagome turned around and looked at him. Shanglou's face turned a pail gray as he stared at Kagome.

" As I said last night Prince Shanglou you should know to whom she is before demanding her to be punished." Sesshomaru was enjoying Shanglou's reaction of seeing Kagome.

" Surprise you arrogant ass." Kagome said and smiled. Prince Shanglou swallowed hard as Kagome walked toward him. When she stopped in front of him he could do noting but stare at her. He knew what was coming and didn't look forward to explaining to his father. " I know why you are all here." She looked at the other two then back in front of her. " You Prince Shanglou can leave now. I would never have anything to do with someone who abuses those around him."

Kagome turned to walk away, but stopped when he decided to speak. " I have a right to be here. To prove myself worthy."

" You have no rights. I have refused you. Therefore you must leave. That is my right and I am enforcing it." When Shanglou made no move to leave, Kagome turned to Sesshomaru smiling. " Lord Sesshomaru I have refused his interest. He has been asked to leave and has not done so. Would you have him removed please?" Even though Sesshomaru was not on her favorite persons list. She would not forget the fact she was in his castle and with such had to show some respect wether he decerved it or not.

Outside Sesshomaru was calm and unemotional as always, but inside he was laughing. With a nod of his head he called for his guards. As Shanglou was being escorted out the others watched and laughed inside. Kain and Fayou had always thought Shanglou was a royal pain, but they had never seen anyone who would tell him so. They had each wondered how long it was going to take before he was forced to leave. Now they knew and in record time to.

Silence filled the room as they glanced at each other. No one wanted to be the first to speak. The tension that started to build quickly got to Kagome. She looked from one to another till she had looked at each of them. My God 3 men and no one has the guts to say anything. What am I their theripist? I don't think so! " When you people decide what you want to say, let me know." Kagome said and rolled her eyes.

She left the formal hall, leaving Kain and Fayou looking at each other confused. Sesshomaru had figured she wasn't going to make anything easy for any of them and he was right. He had always admired she spit fire aditude when she was upset or mad about something. With the stress she was under now he expected to see alot of it in the next few days.

As Kagome walked back toward her room her mind raced trying to think of anything to do. Stepping into her room a smile spread across her face when she saw Rin and Shippo jumping on her bed. With her hands on her hips she asked her question. " How would you two like to help me with something?" Both Rin and Shippo were overjoyed with the idea of helping Kagome, even though they didn't know what it was. With her friends in the room Kagome told them all what she had planed.

As the day went on Kagome refused to leave her room. She didn't want to run into anyone that was male. This was something that was noticed by those who were there because of her. That night at dinner Kagome walked into the dinning hall, her friends by her side. Rin and Shippo giggling each time they looked at each other.

Sesshomaru didn't know what was going on, but he was sure he would know soon enough. To many times he had heard Rin's giggles and for him it was easy to recognize. As they ate their meal Kain and Fayou tried pulling Kagome into conversation. She would speak to them, but always seemed to make their conversations short. Sesshomaru on the other hand watched them all carefully, waiting.

He saw the quick glances between Kagome and some of the others. His eyes narrowed as he watched her pick up a small piece of fruit and smile at Shippo. The strange glancing look went from Shippo to Rin. From Rin to Sango. Sango to Miroku then finally making its way back to Kagome. All at once fruit was flying through the air hitting all at the table.

Kain and Fayou both jumped away from the table trying to knock the food particles from their clothing. Sesshomaru only shock his head, wiped his mouth and left the room. He had known she was up to something and now he knew what. He wondered what was coming next. As food flew all around the room Kagome closely watched Kain and Fayou. She could see the anger as it grew each time they were hit.

Dinner quickly ended as food lay all around the dinning room. She completely ignore the two who were still trying to clean their clothes. The children ran from the room laughing, filled with the excitement of their first food fight. Their giggles continued all through their baths. Even in his study Sesshomaru could hear their laughter as it fill his castle.

Even though he should have been upset with the mess they had made, he wasn't. Somehow it made his castle feel warm and alive. A silence fell over the castle as sleep took it over with hopes the next day would be better. But in Kagome's room much was being said in a hushed covnversation.

When she felt Sesshomaru's aura finally pass by her room Kagome put her plan in effect. She left the castle, leaving only a note laying on her bed.