I got into a fight and ended up with a black eye, the b--h who started it came out much worse for the wear and tried to press charges on me! Thank goodness there were witnesses to prove that she got in my face and punched me before I retaliated so no jail time for me, just a fine for disorderly conduct. I didn't press charges so she just had to sit in jail over night and pay her fine too. I almost feel bad for beating the crap out of her... almost being the operative word. Anyway, on with the next chapter!

Chapter Twenty-four

No more lies, who are you and how did you know Kagome was missing? Are we really going to do this right now Sesshoumaru? Kagome is out there with Naraku, possibly being killed! We need to focus our attention and energy on finding her, after that I will tell you everything you want to know. Sesshoumaru walked over to her balcony and sniffed the air. The person who had taken her had used a charm to mask their scent, but they had not used the charm to hide Kagome's. He jumped down to the ground below and started running, following the trail of her sweet scent.

We're coming Izayoi, please hold on just a bit longer.

--

Kagome shrank away as Naraku came closer to her. "What is wrong Kagome? Are you afraid of what I could do to you even in my weakened state? You are the most pathetic miko I have ever seen, always getting yourself into situations you cannot get out of without the help of those around you, but who will help you now? Lord Sesshoumaru is oblivious to what is going on right under his nose and by the time he figures out you are missing you will be dead, your body nothing but a mangled mess." He let out an evil laugh and caused a chill to go up and down Kagome's spine. "Now shall I torture you then kill you, or just kill you and let the demons feed on your flesh? They are getting quite hungry."

A curious look crossed her face as Kanna stepped out of the shadows. "Naraku, someone with great power approches. He is very near the fortress."

Naraku turned to Kagura who still sat against the wall where he had left her. "YOU! You led him here! I gave you the other charm to hide her scent trail!"

Kagura stood and shrugged. "I suppose I forgot, silly me," she said monotonously.

As Naraku came towards her, eyes filled with rage and hatred, a loud growl came from the doorway that caused him to freeze in his tracks. "Naraku..." was the only thing heard from the growling, angry demon.

His red eyes burned through the darkness and he narrowed on Kagome, who was now struggling to stand. In one swift motion he laid her down checked for any wounds. "I'm fine," she said, her voice betraying the strength she tried to show him.

"Do not speak." His voice was cold, his eyes filled with bloodlust. "Rest now."

Kagome nodded as she closed her eyes. Her body couldn't fight anymore, knowing he was there was all she needed to let herself be carried away into a dreamless sleep.

Naraku was now near the door, trying to escape while the demon tended to his mate. Before he could even blink Sesshoumaru was in front of him, his red eyes burning holes in the hanyou in front of him. "Lord Sesshoumaru... I can explain. Kagura kidnapped Kagome, I had no idea she was doing it until I can in and the girl was lying on the floor."

"Do not lie to me half-breed. The funny thing about fear is that when one is frightened their whole soul can be seen in their eyes and I must tell you, the smell of your fear is intoxicating."

Naraku backed away. In this condition he couldn't even attempt to fight off the Lord of the Western Lands. He pushed Kagura into Sesshoumaru and ran into the maze of halls. Kagura looked up at him, fear filled her features. "I..." she was speechless. Naraku had left her to die while he escaped.

"Where is the child?"

"Who?"

Sesshoumaru growled. "Do not toy with me woman. Where is the child, the one that carries Naraku's human heart?"

"He resides in the upper level of the east wing."

Sesshoumaru pushed her to the side and headed up the stairs. "Take the miko back to my home, if you hurt her I will kill you." If I cannot find Naraku then I will crush his human heart. And if that doesn't work? Sesshoumaru growled. Fine it will work.

He sniffed the air, the stench of fear was easy enough to follow. Naraku had gone to direction Kagura had told him he would find the heart, which meant he was trying to protect it. He reached the room and opened the door, Naraku stood in the center, protecting the child. Sesshoumaru glared at him menacingly. "And what do you mean to do by standing there Naraku? Do you think I will not strike you down right here and now?"

"You are an honorable demon Lord Sesshoumaru, you would not kill an unarmed opponent."

Sesshoumaru sneered at the pathetic hanyou. "For you I will make an exception."

That night all of the western lands heard the tortured screams of their Lord's prey.

--

"Miss Kagome! Miss Kagome I am so very sorry, this is all my fault!" Kyla said rushing around trying to prepare her mistress for the ceremony.

"Kyla, please just call me Kagome! Besides it's not your fault, I'm the one who slept in," Kagome replied waving off the servants concern.

"After a night like last night I am surprised to see you are even alive..." came Lady Angel's cold voice from the doorway.

"Perhaps I would agree if I could recall what happened."

Angel stepped forward and gave a look to Kyla that meant 'get out'. "All you need to know is that last night Sesshoumaru proved how much he really cares for you..." She looked away in thought and her eyes glazed over in memories of the past. "There was a time when I would have killed for Sesshoumaru's attention. It seems like so long ago now, we were children when our parents arranged our mates... I was to mate the hier of the Okami and he was to mate the hier to the panthers. They decided it was best to solidify the alliance of the lands. Sesshoumaru and I became great friends, we were even lovers for a time..." She looked at Kagome and saw that the girls eyes had darkened. "That was long ago... Nearly three centuries. He would patrol the lands with his father and we would meet when he reached the edge on my fathers lands. Then one day he never showed up. I had taken to waiting for him and time after time he never showed up.

"The next time we went to the western lands I could tell he had changed... He was cold towards me, I didn't understand and it broke my heart. Later my father told me that he had found out about our 'affair' and warned Toga that if Sesshoumaru continued to see me it would mean war between our families... The arrangement for me to marry the Okami hier, Prince Kouga's father, was called off because I was 'tainted' and my name was soiled. The only reason I became Lady of our house is that my mother was never able to produce another hier. It took until just the last half century for me to clear my name and prove myself as leader of my clan.

"As for Sesshoumaru's mate... The panthers attacked and his father killed the Lord of their house, obviously this caused hostility... the arrangment was called off and a war waged with no victor. Until yesterday I held hope that someday Sesshoumaru would come back to me. I am truely sorry for my behavior. I see now that you and Sesshoumaru deserve eachother, you both deserve happiness and I believe that you will find it in each other." With that last statement she walked out of the room and left the miko to think.

A few minutes later Kyla reappeared and helped her finish getting ready. As she looked at herself in the mirror she smiled to the reflection. This was no longer the weak girl Inuyasha toyed with. She was dignified, happy, and in love. She looked so much more mature then before, she was sure her friends wouldn't recognize her anymore. Kyla painted her lips a pale pink and stepped back. A slight gasp escaped her lips, in the short time she had known the girl she had watched her transformation and now it seemed Kagome was noticing too. "Miss Kagome, we have to go now, the guests have arrived and are waiting."

Kagome nodded and softly smiled as she followed Kyla down the maze of halls. As they reached the ceremony chambers Kyla bowed and disappeared. A hand slipping into hers made her look down, standing next to her in a beautiful white kimono was Rin holding a basket of cherry blossoms in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. She handed Kagome the bouquet and ran off toward a side door.

Her eyes closed as the melody of a flute entered her ears, the song was an old lullaby her grandmother had hummed to her when she was a child, she wasn't even sure the song had words. She opened her eyes as the door in front of her opened and everyone stood and turned towards her. Her heartbeat in her chest as she took the first step forwards, after the first it seemed her feet took on a life of their own, slowly inching her towards the front and her love. Her eyes never left his and it seemed as though they were the only two people in the room. When she reached him the old miko chanted an ancient blessing and looked at the couple with pride. When Kagome snapped out of her trance and looked up she was surprised to see the miko presiding over the ceremony was Kaede. She looked oout over the faces of the guest and tears came to her eyes as she saw Sango, Miroku, and Shippo all sitting in the front row. 'Thank you' she mouthed to her mate who nodded gently. The ceremony was much like a wedding with an exchange of vows and promises to one another. The only real differences Kagome could tell was that there was no exchange of rings. Through the whole thing she and Sesshoumaru saw only each other, nobody else mattered.

After the ceremony they were led to the main dinning hall. Kagome gasped as she looked around. There were more people then she'd ever seen in one room and right in front was a table with two high back chairs. Sesshoumaru led her to the table in front and helped her sit in one of the chairs then took a seat next to her. As she looked out over the crowd she squeezed his hand nervously.

"I will be by your side the whole time," he spoke softly and looked in her eyes to reassure her.

Sango, Miroku, and Shippo were the first to walk up to the table to give their congratulations. Miroku looked at her and for once was speechless. "You look so... happy," Sango said as she looked at her dear friend.

"Thank you," Kagome answered softly. "I am."

Shippo lowered his eyes. "Are we going to get to see you again?"

"Of course! I'm sure Sesshoumaru will let you visit anytime you want!" she exlclaimed unnoticebly nudging Sesshoumaru.

"You are welcome in our home anytime."

"Thank you Lord Sesshoumaru, please take care of our Kagome, she means alot to us," Miroku said bowing to the couple before the group left.

The rest of the evening was spent with guests offering their congratulations and gifts to the couple. By the time the event started winding down Kagome was ready to call it a night.

Sesshoumaru stood and cleared his throat to gain the attention of the guests, whose numbers had dwindled drastically. When the room went silent and all eyes were trained on him he spoke. "My mate and I want to thank you all for coming to this very special event. As much as we hate to call an end ot the festivities it is getting late and we will be retiring to our chambers now. Please feel free to continue you merryment. Thank you again and we wish you all the best."

Kagome smiled and bowed to the crowd as sesshoumaru led her out of the room. As soon as they reached the hallway he pulled her close to him. "You did well miko, now it is time for the fun to really begin."

She stood dazed in the hall as she watched his retreating back. Snapping out of it she ran to catch up to him. "WAIT! Come back here you arrogant youkai!" When she turned the corner confusion washed over her. Where was Sesshoumaru? "Sesshoumaru... are you there?" she called walking down the hall. She let out and 'eep' as she was pulled into a room. "Let go of me you bastard! SESSHOUMARU!"

"Silence miko, it is me," he whispered against her neck causing her to shiver. "I have a gift for you." He opened his hand and Kagome gasped. It was Naraku's piece of the Shikok Jewel.

"Thank you," she said putting the jewel around her neck.

"I will warn you now it is going to hurt when I leave my mark." Kagome nodded and shivered again as his lips caressed the juncture between her neck and shoulder. Pain shot through her body as he bit down and she had to stifle a scream. When he released he licked and kissed the area. She could feel it starting to heal already. "Now my little miko," he said seductively. "You belong to this Sesshoumaru."

--

A/N: OK! Well we learned alot in this chapter. I know I kind of left it hang on the part with Naraku but I'm not good at writting battle scenes so it's SUPPOSED to imply that Sesshoumaru killed Naraku and Hakudoshi and let Kagura and Kanna go. This is it folks, all that's left is an epilouge, which will be posted within a week. I hope you've enjoyed this trip we've taken together, I know I have! Please review!