Miroku's eyes widened at the sickening loud crack he had heard moments ago. Even though the sound occurred so long ago its sound still echoed through the halls. It still rung in his ears and it felt as if his heart had stopped but he could only imagine what Sango was feeling at this moment. He knew she and Kagome were close and he knew she would need to be consoled. Bringing his thoughts back to Sango he realized something.

' Why hadn't she done anything to stop them? Will she do something now?' he thought to himself. Looking over to Sango he was surprised to find her standing there, back still pressed against the wall with a hand on her katana. It wasn't even drawn she merely had her hand resting on it, not even gripping onto the hilt.

' Why isn't she doing anything? Is she afraid of Kikyo?' these questions and more were swimming in his head. As if feeling his confusion, as well as noticing the contorted look on his face, Sango placed her other hand on his shoulder and smiled when he looked over at her. Her smile didn't seem to ease his confusion it just caused his brows to furrow into a deeper concentration.

As Miroku turned away from Sango he looked down onto the floor, a sudden realization hitting him and his eyes widened in pure panic. The Inu-taisho's would kill him, especially Kagome's number one fans Sesshomaru and Kouga, if they found out something happened to the human on his watch. Knowing full well he would rather die by Kikyo's hands than Sesshomaru's, Miroku decided to take his chances. Removing himself from the wall he started to walk past Sango who looked back at him and shaking her head no while furiously mouthing the word. She needed him to stay where he was or he would become a casualty. Ignoring her warning Miroku placed his hands together where a light started to form. Sango watched as he slowly pulled his hands further apart from each other and noticed something was forming between his hands. It looked like some kind of weapon but it hadn't completely formed. Miroku's hands were pulled so far apart from each other that his arms were now spread apart and out to his sides, much like the formation of the letter "T". A long weapon was engulfed in a bright light and had only dissipated when he grabbed onto the weapon with his right hand. The weapon he had called forth was a long staff. The staff itself was ordinary aside from the large circle that rested on the top. There was a unique golden pattern that ran vertically throw the center of it. The larger ring had six smaller golden hoops that dangled from it. Three on each side separated by the thin golden design that erected itself in the middle of the ring. Sango merely watched him as he walked towards the intersection of Kikyo's hall. He walked with his head down and she could tell he was a little conflicted yet he looked determined to help Kagome but Sango couldn't figure out why. She couldn't do anything but watch the fool who was going to get himself hurt.

Miroku braced himself to face the horror that would await him when he lifted his head to attack Kikyo. He could imagine it now. The blood. The ripped clothing. The poor look of horror and death in Kagome's once beautiful, warm, chocolate eyes that would be staring back at him. With a panicked pant Miroku clutched his stomach with his left hand. The thoughts in his head were making him sick to his stomach. He felt like he was going to hurl. With tears in his eyes Miroku looked up to stare at Kikyo and to behold the sight of Kagome's cold corpse. He gasped in shock. Kagome wasn't dead she was standing her ground against her older sister. They were fist fighting through the hall, punches and kicks were thrown, and he was surprised that the woman he loved like a sister was still alive. He smiled as he let the tears fall from his eyes. Sango smelling him cry walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. She smiled warmly at him when they made eye contact. After some time they looked back down the hall to watch the fight.

Kikyo's face was cold and looked like it always did. She showed no emotion as she attacked her sister who held her own. Thrusting her clenched right hand forward Kikyo tried to strike Kagome who used her left hand to deflect the blow. Taking the chance to strike back Kagome thrust her right fist out to catch Kikyo in the left arm. Landing the blow Kikyo hissed in pain. Kikyo pushed her body forward and threw Kagome off balance. Inhaling deeply, as Kagome was trying to regain her footing, Kikyo filled her mouth with saliva and shot out a large ball of venom straight at Kagome.

' If I hit her she's down. And that pretty little face of hers won't be so pretty anymore. Oh well less competition for me.' she thought smiling to herself. Kagome knew this was coming and had pulled a sutra from her sleeve. Holding it up with two fingers she placed it in front of her to leave it levitating. Pulling her fingers off the back she crossed her arms to brace herself for the venom shot. She smirked at Kikyo who only narrowed her eyes and hissed at her angrily. She knew it wasn't going to affect Kagome in anyway. Her sister was proving to be more trouble than she was worth and she was quickly starting to lose her patience with her useless copy. Knowing full well Kagome had more than enough tricks up her sleeve, literally, Kikyo decided to slither up behind her while she was busy deflecting the venom ball to chop her in the neck to make her lose consciousness. When she had gotten a good spot behind Kagome she lifted up a flat hand to deliver the blow. As she quickly struck down she heard a cracking noise, smiling to herself knowing she made contact. With eyes widened Kagome gasped and let out a strangled cry. She started to fall back and on her way down she made eye contact with Kikyo who smiled wickedly. Cackling she spoke.

" Looks like I win this round sister." her lips pulled back into a sinister smile.

" NO!" Miroku screamed at the crack that he heard at the end of the hall. He started to sprint towards Kagome who was falling back in hopes of catching her before she hit the ground and hurt herself. Miroku was only able to take a few steps forward before he was pulled back by Sango. He snapped his head in her direction angrily.

" Let me go. She needs help. Why won't you do anything? Are you stupid?" Sango just stood there watching him as he continued to chew her out. She started losing her patience and it had finally worn thin when he called her a worthless stray. Tightening her hold on him she growled.

" JUST WATCH YOU STUPID ONE TRICK PONY. SHE'S FINE" Miroku was taken back by the sudden outburst and looked towards what Sango was pointing at. Kagome was still falling which was weird because no one can fall that slowly. Looking over at Kikyo, who must have wiped the smile off her face moments ago, he could tell she too knew something was wrong. Flatting her hand she thrust her hand forward and jabbed Kagome in the ribs. Nothing. No scream of pain. No wincing no nothing. Her face slowly went from confusion to anger.

' This is just another one of her stupid tricks.' she thought to herself as she kept hitting the fake. Her hits weren't calculated anymore. They were sloppy and had no real destination. Now she was really angry. If she couldn't get the real Kagome than this one would have to do. She smiled wickedly and started to throw harder hits releasing all of her fury into each strike. She grabbed onto the hair of the fake and started to punch her in the face. Hard and angry. Her eyes became slits as she continued to pound onto the dummy. And after some time she threw her head back and let out a loud unsettling laugh. It wasn't pleasant and her on lookers were disgusted. Sango and Miroku both knew what she was capable of but this weird aura she was emitting was sickening. They both had to raise their hands to their noses to prevent themselves from inhaling it. It was as if they themselves would be tainted by her if they were to breathe in anymore. Suddenly the fake started to glow and slowly shrink down into a long skinny string. Kikyo, still laughing, looked down at what her sister had planted as a fake. Her eyes widened and she cut her laughter off all together when she recognized what it was. The object laid there thin, white and now speckled with purple dots. Bruises. The panic had finally set in and that was when Kagome decided to show herself. Stepping out from the hall shadows she got her sister's attention.

" This is what happens when you mess with those I care for. Mother and father trusted us to make a good impression on this kingdom before we left home and you have soiled our honor with your actions. You should be ashamed of yourself Kikyo. I did not want to do this to you but you had left me no choice." Kagome's eyes were hard like stone. Her voice was booming and demanding. Her posture was composed and elegant. She looked like a queen. Sango and Miroku watched her in awe as she continued.

" You could have left well enough alone and though our fight was cut short I am letting you know right now I will not back down next time you do something like this. I will not tell Inuyasha what has come to pass here in this hall if you apologize to Miroku and refrain from doing this ever again to anyone in the Inu-taisho household. Do you agree sister?" Kagome looked over at her sister who stood over the poor snake she had abused just moments ago. Karma lay there unmoving and in need of some healing. The snake was still alive but it's wings were broken which meant no flying until it was fully healed. Kagome could see her sister looking down at the poor animal wondering what thoughts were swarming in her head. Clearing her throat and booming once again she had repeated herself.

" I said DO YOU AGREE sister?" Kikyo didn't even look at her, she meekly nodded her head in agreeance.

" Good. Sango lets take our leave. You too Mirkou." The two quickly ran over to Kagome and followed her down the hall to their destination. The dining hall. Miroku trailing behind left in his thoughts. He had no idea how Kagome did that and why she was so good at fighting. When the small group of three left, Kikyo was still on the floor staring at her pet. She didn't feel anything she just sat there. Staring.

" How was she able to do that? I have never seen anything like it." she softly spoke to herself while Karma laid there.

" Are you going to keep acting or are you going to come out of it?" She questioned the snake who lifted its head and hissed. Karma started making a crackling sound. It shed its skin and looked like it was never hurt. Flying up to wrap itself around Kikyo it hissed in her ear. She smiled.

" You're right. That was one hell of a show. With this new information we can easily obliterate her." karma hissed in her ear again in which she raised her hand to pet the snake.

" I know my dear but all good things come to those who wait. Now its time for dinner." She grinned and headed towards the dining hall with her pet.

With Miroku, Sango and Kagome

The three walked in complete silence as if nothing had occurred moments ago. Miroku, bringing up the rear, only watched as the women in front of him walked without saying a word and quiet frankly it was weird. Clearing his throat he decided to break the silence.

" Lady Kagome I would like to thank you for saving me back there. I know a man is supposed to protect the women." Flushing slightly at how unmanly he was back there caused Mirkou to stop talking. He didn't know what to say next so he decided to cut his conversation short.

" Again thank you Kagome." He suddenly bumped into something, or someone was more like it, before they turned around and delivered the scowl of a lifetime. Shaking her fist at him Sango stood her ground. Miroku had no idea the girls had stopped walking. Looking over Sango's shoulder he could tell Kagome was deep in thought.

" Leave her alone will you. She's had an eventful day and all she wants to do it eat. Now if you don.."

" Its okay Sango really. I'm fine." Kagome interrupted Sango by holding up her hand. Turning to look over at Miroku she moved towards him. At first her pace was slow but she had sped up at some point and launched herself at Miroku who was taken aback by her actions. It was like Kagome to be like this so it was nothing out of the ordinary for him but he still managed to blush. Both of her arms were wrapped around his middle and she squeezed him hard against her while she buried her face in his chest. Smiling Miroku wrapped one arm around her waist and the other arm around her shoulders, hugging her tight against him. Sango looked on with amusement. She knew Kagome was worried about him, she just didn't know how Kagome knew he was in trouble.

-Flashback-

After Sango and Kagome had left her bed chambers they happily walked and talked their way towards the dining room. They were sharing their thoughts on the castle and Kagome chattered on and on about how much fun they were both going to were almost to the dining hall when Kagome had suddenly shivered. Looking over at her friend Sango questioned her.

" Hey you okay?" her eyes widened when Kagome started shaking uncontrollably and started to pant hard. Clutching at her chest Kagome looked Sango in the eyes.

" We have to go to Miroku now! He's in trouble Sango. He needs us." nodding her head the girls broke into a run. Realizing they wouldn't make it in time Kagome called forth Kirara who bolted out of nowhere and transformed to transport the two women to Miroku.

" Quickly!" Sango shouted. When Kagome felt they were close enough to Miroku she stopped Kirara and hopped off. Giving Sango the play by play the girls got into position as well as Kirara, who was ready to fight. Kagome bent down and gave her her own set of orders mewing to Kagome that she understood Kirara dashed down the hall while Kagome got ready for a fight.

-End flashback-

And that's when they found him. Crumpled on the floor having a hard time breathing and sweating profusely. Sango watched as Kikyo towered over him smiling as she was causing the young man pain. But now that was all over he was safe and it was all thanks to Kagome. Sango knew fully well how Kagome could have taken that fight in a different direction but as to not frighten Miroku she didn't. She actually gave her sister leniency. She smiled to herself at the sight in front of her. And she could smell what was coming next. Kagome started to cry into Miroku's robes, clutching onto him for dear life. The front of his clothes were soaked and he knew she was worried about him. Putting a hand on her head he tried to comfort her but he himself couldn't help tearing up. So he just allowed her to start sobbing uncontrollably into him.

' This is nice. The man who she ends up with would be one lucky son of a b-' Miroku was dragged out of his thought by footsteps. Looking up from staring down at Kagome he noticed it was just Sesshomaru and Inuyasha who both stared at him. Sesshomaru shot him a death glare, while Inuyasha just stared at him. Straightening himself up to tower over Miroku Sesshomaru lifted his fist ready to strike. Miroku's face paled and he released Kagome who started rubbing her eyes.

' She looks like a small child. She's so cute.' Inuyasha thought as he blushed slightly. His heart started to pound furiously in his chest when she turned around to look at the two who had just arrived. The two she assigned Kirara to retrieve if things should go south with the fight between her and her sister. Though it was a slim chance Kagome wanted to make sure all of her bases were covered. With her eyes still red she slowly walked over towards Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. She was still sobbing and hiccuping and was showing no signs of stopping. Holding her arms out for a hug, and some more comfort, Kagome headed towards the brothers who were a little sad themselves having to watch such a beautiful woman cry.

With tears streaming down her face she continued to walk and sniffle. Holding his arms out to receive her Inuyasha was ready to hold her in his arms. He was going to make up for the way he treated her before. He was going to make sure he would stop her from crying. He'll hold her for as long as he needed to. He would rub her back. Stroke her hair while making soothing sounds until she stopped crying. She didn't deserve sadness only happiness. He was determined to make her smile that smile he loved the day he saw it. He was going to comfort her the way her future husband would. Like he would do if she ever got hurt again for he was determined to make her his. Everyone was right. Who cares if she's human. She was beautiful. She was perfectly imperfect and he knew at that point that she would be his and that he would make her his.

' You will be mine Kagome Higurashi.' he thought to himself. With determination on his face, and his arms spread out wide to welcome her, Inuyasha opened his eyes to find Kagome gone. Looking side to side he followed her scent to notice she was behind him. Turning around he noticed she was in his brothers arms crying her eyes out. Similar to Miroku, Sesshomaru had one arm around Kagome's shoulders while his other hand was stroking her hair. Hoping to soothe her he started making shooshing noises and other soothing sounds which seemed to be calming to the girl. Her crying had stopped and she sounded like she was calming down. Inuyasha stared hard at his older brother. He was pissed.

" Hush now Kagome. It's okay. Sesshy is here. Nothing is going to happen to you now. You're safe. It's okay. I'll protect you. Everything is fine." Inuyasha continued to stare at the scene that was unfolding before him. Who the hell did his brother think he was stepping all over his toes like that when he was the one who held out his arms to comfort her first.

' THAT BASTARDS MARRIED!' he thought angrily.

" Sesshy." Kagome spoke snapping Inuyasha out of his angry state. Staring at the girl he watched her as she spoke. Her cheeks wet with lost tears.

"What's the matter honey?" Sesshomaru lifted his hands to wipe away the wet stains on the young woman's face. Inuyasha growled at his older brother angrily who didn't even acknowledge the whelp.

" Thank you. I feel better now. Miroku's safe as am I." She smiled at him which melted his heart. He really did love her. She was like a little sister to him now. And he really hoped she would actually became his sister in law if Inuyasha knew what was right for him. Looking over at his brother he could clearly see he was fuming. His face was red in anger and twisted in jealousy. He smiled back at Kagome knowing Inuyasha had decided to give her a chance. Sesshomaru leaned down to give Kagome a kiss on the forehead and that's when he heard it. Inuyasha had clearly blown a fuse and started to growl loud and hard. All eyes were on him but he didn't care.

All he cared about was his brother kissing up on his future mate. Thrusting his arms forward Inuyasha pulled Kagome away from his brother and got in his face. His eyes turned red and his pupils shrunk to small blue orbs. His fangs grew. And purple stripes started to form on his cheeks. They were thick and there was one on each side of his cheeks. He snarled loud and ferociously.

" ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME! I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE ONE TO COMFORT HER! I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE ONE TO TELL HER EVERYTHING IS GOING TO AND WILL BE ALL RIGHT! YOU'RE MARRIED FOR FUCKS SAKE! STAY AWAY FROM HER YOU CREEP!" Inuyasha was pissed and his brother knew it. He knew he had feelings for her and if this is what it had taken for them to surface then so be it. Sesshomaru laughed and patted the top of Kagome's head.

" I know brother but don't you think she would be better suited for someone else. She would make some man very happy someday." Smiling he looked over at his brother who was still mad. Tightening his grip on Kagome and holding her closer to his chest he glared at his older brother. At this point Kagome was blushing like crazy and figured he wouldn't be letting go anytime soon so she decided to get comfortable by snuggling into his chest.

" HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT! SHE'S MINE AND NO MAN SHALL HAVE HER BUT ME!" Inuyasha growled hard at his brother once more before he noticed his smile wasn't faltering. Turning his body slightly so that Kagome was somewhat hidden from his brothers gaze he held eye contact with Sesshomaru who was starting to laugh.

" What's so funny?" He questioned. His brother was one for games but he didn't even fight with him which was weird. Sesshomaru would never let him get that close to him without knocking some sense into him or knocking him yards back.

" Nothing. I just thought you'd want to know that someone has just asked for Kagome's hand." Sesshomaru continued to smile while his younger brother stared at him. His brows knitted in confusion he started to calm down. His markings slowly disappeared from his face and his eyes went back to normal.

" Well duh stupid. That's why she's here." Inuyasha smirked at his brother and looked down at Kagome. He smiled when she looked at him but quickly looked away with a blush on her cheeks. She was so cute right now and all he wanted to do was hold her.

" No you fool. Another prince has just become old enough to marry. Kagome and Kikyo are the only princesses available to marry. Which means he's coming here to woo her." Inuyasha looked at his brother wide eyed while he pointed at Kagome.

" He's heading this way now and he should be here by tomorrow morning. After all tomorrow is his birthday. And the present he desires is Kagome. Now if you'll excuse us we must be heading down for dinner. Shall we Kagome?" holding his hand out to the young woman she looked up to Inuyasha before nodding her head in Sesshomaru's direction. Taking his hand he led her away to the dining hall. She turned around and smiled at Inuyasha and thanked him low enough for only him to hear. His ears twitched at the angelic sound her voice made and smiled when she flashed him the smile he loved.

' Maybe she's not that bad for a human.' he was brought out of his thoughts of Kagome being a proper wife when someone cleared their throat. Turning around he noticed Miroku and Sango were still there. Sango was smirking and Miroku was smiling.

"What?" he questioned.

" Nothing, but it seems to me that you have taken quite a liking to Lady Kagome. Just hope you don't lose to the other prince." Miroku looked over at Sango who scoffed.

" Tsch, as if dog breath has a chance. Apparently the other prince is very handsome and very smooth when it comes to talking to the ladies." Sango elbowed Miroku who in turn started smiling and wiggling his eyebrows. Walking past Inuyasha the two set out towards the dining hall for some dinner. They were both starving and they were looking forward to finally eating. Inuyasha was the last one left in the hallway. He was confused. Why had no one told him another prince was on his way here. Why would another prince show up at HIS family home for a princess. There were two of them after all. Why specifically Kagome? It just didn't make any sense. Feeling a hand on his shoulder Inuyasha jumped up and was taken by surprise by Kikyo who only smiled. If you could really call it a smile.

" Are you okay Inuyasha? I was just on my way to the dining hall but I seem to have gotten lost. Do you think you can walk me there?" Inuyasha nodded and placed his hands in the over sized sleeves of his robe. He didn't say anything to her he just walked while she followed. She was the one who took it upon herself to jump up and grab onto his arm.

" Oh thank you Inuyasha. You are so kind. I bet you must be a gentleman." shuddering at her closeness Inuyasha just gulped and nodded. This is creepy. He just wanted her off but he didn't want to offend her in anyway. They just walked on in silence towards the dining room. As quickly as he could.