Last Time:

Sesshomaru rose an eyebrow at this before looking up at the sky. "It will be dinner soon," Sesshomaru said.

"Yeah," Kagome said, "I can't believe we've spent the entire day out here in the gardens. It has been so peaceful."

"Indeed," Sesshomaru said. "Allow me to escort you to your room."

"Why thank you," Kagome said with a smile and looped her arms around Sesshomaru's left arm again.

Chapter Twenty-One - "I Hate To Lie"

"This is going to be the longest dinner of my life, isn't it?" Kagome asked herself in her bedroom mirror. She gulped and began to shift. She was waiting for Vee to come and get her to escort her to Sesshomaru so that she and him may walk in together to the dining room.

Nervousness was definitely getting to her. She couldn't stop moving no matter how much she tried to stop and stay calm. She couldn't bring herself to just sit there when something could go wrong or she could forget what to do or-

"Miss Kagome?" A squeaky voice called from her doorway.

Kagome jumped. "Vee?" Kagome blinked in surprise. "Sorry, I didn't hear you knock."

"Miss Kagome," Vee said with a bow. "I knocked three times, but you were so lost in your thoughts that you didn't hear."

"So I see," Kagome said with a nervous laugh. "Vee, you know you don't have to bow to me."

"Oh it is my place, Lady Kagome," she said, straightening herself. "You wear the clothes of the Lord's mate."

"Oh," Kagome said.

"So it is true then?" She asked, sounding much older than what she looked. "You are to be my new mistress?"

Kagome could only nod her head with a shy smile. She hated to lie to the girl, but in order to make everyone believe that they were to be mated, she had to act the part. She couldn't let anyone believe that it was just some sort of deal to get them to leave Sesshomaru alone.

Kagome stood from her seat and gave Vee a hug. She didn't know why, but she just felt like doing it. Besides, it would calm her nerves if she did something. "I'm so nervous."

"It is quite alright, Miss Kagome," Vee said, hugging her back. "Everything will be okay. You have to stay strong in front of a lot of people. I have, not once, seen you as weak as a ningen."

Kagome's face saddened for a second, and Vee caught it. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Please come and sit for just a few minutes so I can tell you," she said. "We won't keep anyone waiting. I promise."

"What is it you wish to speak about?" Vee asked.

"First of all, I used to be a ningen," Kagome said without stutter.

Vee gasped, "I'm so sorry, Lady Kagome," she said, "I meant no offense."

"It's fine," Kagome said, "I used to be the Shikkon Miko, and before I had been changed into a youkai, I was just a normal ningen. Literally. I didn't know how to use my powers and I didn't know that youkai even existed. I come from a place where there are no youkai. There was never any threat.

"Until about a few weeks ago, my friends and me have been hunting down Naraku and once we had him in our grasp, we took our chances and killed him. When we got the Shikkon back, Inuyasha made his wish and I changed to this. Other than what Sesshomaru has taught me, I don't know anything else about being a youkai.

"As for me being mated to him..." Kagome gulped. She just knew Sesshomaru was going to blow a hole. "It's just a rouse for the council. We are going to try to make them think that he wants to mate with me so that it would keep them at bay and not force a mating on Sesshomaru. It would also keep all of the females off of him."

"Oh, I see," Vee said with a nod. "So you are trying to make everyone believe that you are going to be mated to him in order to keep everyone from him."

"Yes," Kagome said with a smile. "I hate lying to you and my friends, but at least I could tell someone so that I don't have to keep it to myself anymore."

"Okay," Vee said with a smile. "Your secret is safe with me. I will never tell anyone, Lady Kagome." She stood up with a bow. "Now, shall we go to meet Lord Sesshomaru in the main hall?"

Kagome nodded with a smile and took the little girl's hand. Her nerves finally in check, she strode out of her room with confidence.

Everyone was already seated and now waited for the Lord of the Palace to arrive. Everyone was getting pretty antsy and anxious. None of them could stop long enough to just relax. When the doors opened, it revealed Sesshomaru and a woman hanging on his arm. Kagome smiled at them all.

Sesshomaru escorted Kagome down the long dining room and towards the head of the table. She was seated directly next to Sesshomaru's right. She sat down elegantly and smiled at everyone as she kept her posture as perfect as possible. Sesshomaru took his seat next to her and the food was then served.

The air was definitely tense. The air was so thick it was insane. Kagome noticed that her friends were seated near her, and they all gave her reassuring smiles and nods. She smiled at them, relaxing herself into a calm. At least they were there with her and she didn't have to go through any of this by herself.

A plate was placed in front of her and Sesshomaru, and when Sesshomaru took a bite, everyone picked up their forks, only to be stopped by a glare from Sesshomaru. "You will wait for my mate." He growled out, his voice carrying over the table.

Everyone looked at Kagome. Kagome stood firm and gently picked up her spoon and put it into the soup. Carefully, she brought it to her lips and took a sip. It was delicious. Her eyes sparkled - she wanted to gobble it all up like usual, but if she wanted to help Sesshomaru out, then she had to play the part.

Sighing softly, she continued to eat slowly, forcing herself into a slow rhythm. She could feel the heated glares of several females and males in the room. She could also feel several hostile presences. Whispers could be heard throughout the room, conversations being taken place in random spots across the table.

And that's how it stayed. Intense and not at all comfortable. At least. Not for Kagome. Too bad there was still more to come.

Okay, yes, a throw-in chapter. I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long! I lost internet this past week and we never wen to the computer this week. Some other teacher got the computer lab this week and nearly drove me insane...we just got the internet fixed this morning! Which, for me, worked absolutely perfect.

Well, there's still more to come, I promise! I'm thinking about adding some fluffiness is in here...probably in the middle of the table or something...I don't know, but now I've got more than one idea flowing into my head right now.

Also...am I going too slow? Should I just skip the feast and events that I was thinking about doing, or should I just continue with the way I am doing it? I don't know...I have a tought time with decision making, so depending on how many people want me to do something, then I will decide. If not, I'll continue to go at the same pace.

Alright, well, hope you liked it! Review!