I don't own Inuyasha, though I wish I did its owned by Rumiko Takashi. I will also be updating every two weeks.


With Miroku and Sesshomaru

When Miroku was done speaking he sat on his bed and placed his head between his hands before he mumbled.

" What are we going to do? Sesshomaru you should have seen him. It was beyond creepy, I mean my whole body was screaming for me to run." Shaking his head he looked up to stare at Sesshomaru who had only turned his back to him. He watched as the older demon slowly walked around the center of his room lost in deep thought and concentration. Without looking at him, for fear that his eyes would display his true feelings, he spoke to Miroku.

" We will keep a close eye on the two and we will not discuss this with anyone else until I deem it necessary. As for Inuyasha we will try to speak with him as soon as we can get him away from Kikyo's hold. Which brings me to our next topic that is Kagome, we will not tell her anything about this incident. At this point she will most likely be pursued by that smooth idiot Hobo Ueda and she will undoubtedly fall for him. The whole kingdom would be stuck with the other one." Turning his head to Miroku, who at that point knew a sweltering anger was bubbling within the royal in front of him, he looked at him dead in the eyes and questioned him.

" Do you understand?" Miroku flinched at the killer tone of Sesshomaru's voice before nodding his head in agreeance. Lifting his shaking hand he licked his lips in order to put his own two cents into the situation only to have Sesshomaru glare at him with glowing red eyes. He could both hear and feel the deep unsettling growl coming from Sesshomaru but no matter how loud his instincts screamed at him to let the discussion die Miroku still managed to squeak out his words.

" Fo-forgive me your excellence bu-but if I may sp-speak freely?" Miroku questioned himself unsure as to what would happen next before Sesshomaru gave him a hand wave to signal he may speak. When he noticed the young man was shaking still he rolled his eyes and toned down the anger inside himself, which in turn seemed to relax Miroku.

" Thank you. Now I swear I will keep this discussion between us and will come for you or drag your brother to you once he's free from the snake's grasp." Pausing he thought carefully as to not anger Sesshomaru before he continued.

" But I do feel as though we should let Kagome know. If not the very least Sango. I mean it was Kagome who took Kikyo head on when she came to save me. And I'm almost certain Hojo would not be able to completely win over Kagome and I do fe- EEP!" Sesshomaru stepped forward as he snarled and snapped his mouth in Miroku's general direction much like an angry dog attacking someone. With his hands in front of him and his whole body shaking Miroku thought it was best for him to stop talking and let the conversation die. Pulling his arms from his face he stared wide eyed at the royal in front of him who exuded power and seem to demand respect from the one stationed beneath him.

" We will NOT be telling Kagome or Sango. I DO NOT want either of them to get hurt INCLUDING my sweet little sister KAGOME. AND SHE WILL MOST LIKELY BE MARRYING THAT HOMO! Do you really think INUYASHA of all people could win the heart of that wonderfully amazing young woman?" With his patience running extremely thin Sesshomaru snapped at Miroku once more before releasing more of his power.

" ANSWER ME!" Miroku flinched once more before letting out a long sigh. He knew Sesshomaru was right and he was just trying to ease his fears but only seemed to make things worse for the both of them. Running a sweaty hand down his face he knew he had to come to terms with the truth. Everyone knew the course of events that would take place well before Hojo had even arrived.

" You're right. About everything. We'll keep the ladies out of this for fear of them getting hurt." Lowering his eyes to the floor and shaking his head slowly he spoke low enough for Sesshomaru to hear.

" She will be marrying Hojo by the end of the month and Inuyasha doesn't have a chance." Sighing loudly Sesshomaru drew in his power and walked over to sit next to Miroku. Running one hand through his hair and placing the other on the young mans shoulder he joined him in staring at the spot on the floor that was now more interesting than their conversation. They knew what was going to happen yet they both managed to have a flicker of hope in their hearts that the truth would not come to fruition.

' If only Inuyasha wasn't such an idiot. Then I would most certainly have the little sister I had always wanted.' Releasing Miroku's shoulder the two men just sat there waiting for the air to clear of the sadness and disappointment that they had allowed to leave their hearts. The one thing that would never leave the air was the unsettling truth about the future queen of the Kingdom.


In the library

" Kagome I know what you're doing. We spoke about this before we had even entered the library." Sango was getting irritated as she continued to follow her charge around the massive aisles and rows of books. They passed by various forms of literature which were appropriate for a young lady to read but they didn't stop to grab anything. Growling low in her throat she noticed Kagome had picked up her pace in order to reach her destination before Sango could grab her arm as they had finished making a left past the mystery novels. When she had a good grip on her charge Sango turned her around and hissed.

"KAGOME! We SPOKE about this already. You must not do this." Kagome knew her friend was mad when she noticed her pupils were now thin slits. Letting out a soft breathe she closed her eyes and spoke with both displeasure and attitude.

" FINE! But let me at least take a few books back to the room and I promise I'll read some poetry." Sango's pupils seemed to go back to normal but she was still growling and holding onto Kagome.

" Pleaseeeeee." Fluttering her eye lashes and letting her blue eyes glisten with hope she knew she won this round when Sango scoffed and mumbled.

" Fine. But you can grab them AFTER dinner. Got it." Rolling her eyes Kagome snorted before pulling a sutra from her cincher.

" I think I'm old enough to make my own decisions Sango. We will be grabbing the books before dinner. You will run them to my room when everyone is distracted and you will meet me at the dining hall on time. Besides I can grab anything I want right here and now in no time flat." Giggling she placed a slim peach colored sutra between the valley of her plump breasts hiding it with her cleavage. If she wasn't so well endowed then surely someone would have seen the top of the paper. Silently thanking the Gods she closed her eyes and spoke.

" Doppelganger." She glowed slightly and giggled when it died down. Raising both her arms up over her head she slowly lowered them to her sides. Arms were left behind on both sides of her body like an after image. With confusion clearly written on Sango's face Kagome placed a finger over her lips in a shushing fashion and winked. Twirling around to stand close to Sango she waved her hands out in front of her as if presenting something.

" Check it out." Stepping aside to get a better look Sango saw a Kagome behind Kagome. There was another after that one and so on until there were eleven of them. Looking over at her friend she let her mouth open and close comically like a fish out of water. Giggling a little louder Kagome started to explain herself.

" These are copies Sango. And one original of course." Bowing in front of her friend she straightened up and dragged her to the copies to take a closer look.

" See. Copies." Poking one she took Sango's hand so that she in turn may be able to feel them. Sango quickly withdrew her hand back and held it to her chest.

" They feel so real." Closing her eyes and sniffing the air she spoke once more.

" They smell real too. Why didn't you just use these instead of putting our clothes on Buyo when we left?" Stretching her arms over her head Kagome answered.

" Well I can only do this when I'm with them. Takes a lot of energy to keep these things running and going too far puts a strain on my body. Now let's get down to business." Turning to her copies she started to point them out.

" Okay ladies let's get started. We are looking for a few books so i'll have nine of you look for anything on the history of the No-taisho's. You know what I like so anything with battle sequences or strategies will do. Got it?" Kagome looked over her copies as they stood up straight and saluted her.

"HAI!" Clapping her hands she smiled.

" Perfect. Now move out." Within a matter of seconds nine of the copies were walking towards various corners of the library. Looking at the last copy she smiled and pointed at her.

" Now you stay with Sango and read some boring lady stuff and I'll go find the book about the battle between the Thunder Brothers and The No-Taisho Brothers. Understand?" Kagome cheered when her last copy had nodded her head.

" Hai." Before she could walk away Sango grabbed a hold of her and spun her around.

" I know this is not what you meant by reading Kagome." Sango's eyes glowed in the light while Kagome tried to swallow the lump in her throat.

' How am I supposed to get out of this one?' Thinking of every possibility that could possibly work she found that she couldn't use any of them due to the fact they just made her feel guilty about lying to her best friend. Knowing she was beat she slumped her shoulders and faced Sango eye to eye.

" Guh. Fine. I'll read some boring book." Turning to her copy she gave her a command.

" You find the book about the Thunder Brothers and The No-Taisho Brothers. Okay." Nodding once more her copy started to roam the halls looking for the book leaving the two young women alone. Waving her hand Kagome had doubled back to where they came from before taking a left turn to find the book she wished to relay to Sango. Crossing her arms Sango knew she had taken charge of the situation before anything could go wrong.

" So what are you reading today Kagome?" Sango questioned for she didn't know the library that well.

" We're going to read a few of my favorite poems." Sango knew something was up when Kagome smirked and wiggled her eyebrows. She only saved that look for when she felt mischievous and that was what had made Sango question what her friend really had up her sleeve. Sighing to herself she shook her head and spoke.

" NO tricks Kagome." Eyeing her carefully Sango continued to follow her before she had noticed Kagome raised her hand to her mouth and laughed.

" No tricks. I promise. Now hurry I want to read a decent number of them before dinner in a few hours." Picking up the pace the young women walked passed a few more shelves of books before they found a sitting area in a darkened section of the library that gave the young women the privacy they needed to read aloud. Unbeknownst to them a very desperate young man was trying to find them in the large library in hopes of spending time with Kagome.

Hojo had been searching high and low for Kagome and cursed his very existence when he had a hard time finding the young woman of his dreams. To him she was breathtakingly perfect and he had wanted to know more about her. What she liked, hated, and loved to do in her spare time. Not to mention her figure was just amazing, both curvy and plump. Just thinking about her made his heart race and a swirling heat of desire pool in his stomach. His breathe seemed to become stuck in his throat as he thought about her.

' She's beautiful and nothing like her sister. I really wish I had a patch of her face so that I can stare at her at all times of the day. She must become mine.' His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed long dark hair peek out from behind a row of books. She was on the move and he actually found a trace of her. Clutching the flowers to his chest he sped up in hopes of "bumping" into her. Rounding the corner he noticed she was about three rows down before she had turned into one of the long aisles. Quickly he ran to catch up to her but noticed she had seemed to disappear when he entered the aisle she had just walked into moments ago.

' That's weird. She was just here. There is no way she's that fast?' He was confused on how she had avoided him so easily until he felt her walk right past him. Turning quickly he saw her heading in the direction he had just come from with a thick silver book in her hands. Being dragged out of his stupor he decided to grab a random book from the shelf closest to him and follow her.

' Maybe I can catch up to her and see if she would allow me to read with her.' With a confident smile on his face he broke out into a light run in order to catch up to the ethereal beauty that was Kagome Higurashi. Grinning like a fool he closed his eyes for a moment and didn't notice that he was walking right into a pillar until it was too late.

BAM! Hojo was now a crumpled mess on the floor holding his nose which hurt like all hell at the moment. Cursing under his breathe, while he reprimanded himself for not watching where he was going, he heard a giggle and looked up to see Kagome staring back at him. His eyes were caught up in the deep sparkling blue that were her eyes. Waving to him in a good bye fashion she turned around and continued down the aisle. The young man just sat there in a daze before his mind was screaming at him to get up and get the girl. Pulling himself up from the floor he dusted himself off and picked up the book that lay discarded on the floor. Double checking the condition of the flowers in his robes he nodded in approval when he noticed that they were okay. Taking a deep breathe he puffed out his chest and turned into the aisle only to find that she was gone once again. Running to the end of the aisle in hopes of finding a trace of her he scratched his head when he found he couldn't.

" I could have sworn she was here?" As the young man rubbed his chin trying to guess the direction she walked in he didn't notice her slide down the ladder and walk in the opposite direction he was standing in until he heard the rustling of pages. Turning around hastily he spotted her with an over sized blue book open in her hands. She was flipping through the pages as she made a right at the end of the aisle. Looking around the aisle to comprehend how he had missed her his eyes had landed on an extremely tall ladder which in turn had made the young man face palm.

' She didn't make it down the aisle she was just looking for a book on the upper shelves.' He felt silly for he couldn't even keep up with the woman that he so fervently desired. It was like she was taunting him, which he knew to be impossible because she was just looking for reading material. With eyes closed he performed some breathing exercises in order to collect his thoughts as well as himself so that he may get a better handle his situation.

' I will find her even if it takes me all day.' Clutching his hand into a fist it shook in determination. His eyes were blazing with the desire to spend time with Kagome and he swore to himself that he will do so before dinner. Hojo quickly tried to find a window to calculate the time only to find he had already wasted hours trying to find her. He only had twenty minutes left before dinner started and he was not going to waste it. He did the only thing that was left for him to do, he shouted for his servant.

" ONIGUMO!" Within minutes he was by his masters side. Bowing he listened for his next command.

" Take me to Kagome Higurashi. Quickly." Onigumo straightened himself up and laughed.

"Kukuku. Yes young master." Standing close to his charge he summoned a purple cloud and raced them to their destination. As quickly as they had started their journey it was now over. Leaving his young master a few aisles away he pointed to the person his master desired.

" Right that way master. And good luck. Kukuku." Without another word Hojo nodded and thanked his servant before heading to Kagome slowly and carefully. He heard her sweet voice reading but he couldn't hear her words properly just sounds for his heart beat too loud in his ears. Calming himself as best as he could he walked closer to hear her better.

" Lo! Death has reared himself a throne

In a strange city lying alone

Far down within the dim West,

Where the good and the bad and the worst and the best

Have gone to their eternal rest."

Turing to face Sango Kagome smiled wide when she noticed Sango had only glared back at her while she crossed her arms over her chest. She knew she had gotten to her and it was too amusing for her to stop. Smiling innocently at her guardian Kagome continued reading as she slowly paced the room.

"There shrines and palaces and towers

Time-eaten towers that tremble not!

Resemble nothing that is ours.

Around, by lifting winds forgot,

Resignedly beneath the sky"

Kagome raised her hand into the air to exaggerate her reference to the sky. Placing her hand back on the page she continued not knowing she was attracting a new audience member.

"The melancholy waters lie.

No rays from the holy heaven come down

On the long night-time of the town;

But light from out the lurid sea

Streams up the turrets silently

Gleams up the pinnacles far and free

Up domes, up spires, up kingly halls

Up fanes, up Babylon like walls."

Kagome spun in a slow circle and waved her hand to indicate she was referencing the library they were currently sitting in. Regaining her composer she continued, still not paying any attention to her new comer who stared at her as she read the bitterly beautiful poem she seemed to relate too. Swallowing in order to moisten his throat he stared at her as she continued to read.

"Up shadowy long forgotten bowers

Of sculpted ivy and stone flowers

Up many and many marvelous shrine

Whose wreathed friezes intertwine

The viol, the violet, and the vine.

Resignedly beneath the sky

The melancholy waters lie.

So blend the turrets and shadows there

That all seem pendulous in air."

Flicking her wrist gently she picked up her dress slightly to get a little more comfortable. Her little honey golden shoes made no sound as her hips swayed while she walked around. Sango, who had closed her eyes to focus on what a fool she was to believe that her friend would actually read something that didn't contain any trace of war or despair, sighed to herself while she waved her hand for Kagome to continue. The young woman giggled happily and obliged for she knew what her friend was thinking.

"While from a proud tower in the town

Death looks gigantically down.

There open fanes and gaping graves

Yawn level with the luminous waves;

But not the riches there that lie

In each idol's diamond eye

Not the gaily-jeweled dead

Tempt the waters from their bed

For no ripples curl, alas!"

Kagome clutched her chest tightly and passionately in hopes of getting a giggle from Sango. Who didn't seem too amused at that point but Kagome was determined to get at least a smile from the young woman who was openly disappointed with the author she had chosen to read from.

"Along that wilderness of glass-

No swellings tell that winds may be

Upon some far-off happier sea

No heavings hint that winds have been

On seas less hideously serene.

But lo, a stir is in the air!

The wave- there is a movement there!"

Kagome leaned back and placed the back of her wrist to her forehead with her eyes closed. Like a drama queen in despair she leaned on the arm of the chair Sango was sitting on. She smiled and cracked an eye open when she noticed Sango shake and smile knowing she was hiding her laughter. After all Sango was supposed to be mad. On the other hand Hojo had almost choked when she leaned far enough back for him to get a good look at her plump rack. He felt his cheeks heat up as he tried to remain calm so as to not draw attention to himself. Quickly he thought of gross things such as a very old and very naked man to stop his urges and the heat from settling on his cheeks. Shuddering at the thoughts and feeling the heat leave his face he knew he was in control of his desires. Shaking his head violently he continued to stare at the young woman who started to walk around the room once more.

"As if the towers had thrust aside,

In slightly sinking, the dull tide-

As if their tops had feebly given

A void within the filmy Heaven.

The waves have now a redder glow-

The hours are breathing faint and low-

And when, amid no earthly moans,

Down, down that town shall settle hence,

Hell, rising from a thousand thrones,

Shall do it reverence."

Her voice was soft and sad when she had finished her poem. Closing her book she let out a tiny sigh as she looked over at Sango with a pained look in her eyes. This dark and eerie poem seemed to resonate within her some how and Sango knew exactly why. Standing to hug her best friend she finally heard the young man behind her inhale loudly as though he wasn't breathing moments ago. Turning quickly she stared at him hard until she realized who he was. Bowing she tried to speak but was stopped when he held his hand up and shook his head. Placing his hand in his shirt he pulled out the bouquet for Kagome before walking towards her cautiously as to not scare her away. She looked frightened and he spoke softly to ease her fears.

" That was beautiful Kagome. I'm sorry for eaves dropping but I was quite interested in the poem. It was chillingly enchanting." He smiled warmly to her before speaking once more.

" I hope you don't mind but I got these for you." He urged the flowers to her slowly and calmly in hopes she would accept them. Looking over at Sango who nodded she turned and placed the book on the table with the others that seemed to be in a decent pile on a small desk. Reaching her hand out warily she grabbed the flowers tightly enough to grab them from him but not enough to destroy them.

" Um thank you Hojo. They're beautiful." She smiled at him which only managed to make a slight blush creep up his cheeks and bridge across his nose.

" You- you're welcome." Rubbing the back of his neck he tried to think of anything to talk to her about before his eyes landed on the books.

" Ah. Um I see you enjoy reading." Following his gaze behind her Kagome had stiffened for not all of those books contained poems. Trying to distract his eyes from reading the bindings she pulled a fan from a pocket in her cincher and waved it in front of her face so that he would only be able to focus on her eyes. The young man became distracted instantly by the beautiful cherry blossom fan Kagome had as it had seemed to illuminate her deep blue eyes. Throwing a look at Sango she nodded her head in the direction of the books. Taking the hint Sango stood up quickly and effortlessly which caused Hojo to look away from Kagome. With a sigh of relief Kagome closed her fan with a snap to gain the young man's attention once more. Jumping slightly he turned to her and smiled when she looked at him.

" Sango would you mind returning the books to one of the book "carts" at the end of the hall please. It makes it easier for Kamaji to put them away." Turning to look out the window she grinned.

' Its finally time.' At that exact moment a purple whirlwind appeared out of nowhere. Miroku stood before the two of them with a smile on his face and a little Shippo tucked safely underneath is arm. Looking over at the pair he noticed the flowers in Kagome's hands and looked at Hojo questioningly before waving his hand in front of his face to distract himself from Hojo's progress with the young princess.

" I do apologize Kagome but it is time for dinner. Shippo and I were sent by-" Looking over at Hojo once more, who seemed to not be paying attention and staring at Kagome from the corner of his eyes , caused Miroku to smirk inwardly at a marvelously wicked idea.

' I know just how to keep him from staring at her. You know just to keep him from spending too much time with her.' He continued smiling even wider now.

" Master Sesshomaru." Watching Hojo flinch and stare at him in fear at the mention of the older man made what he was about to say all the better. His fear was delicious. Licking his lips in a playful manner he had handed Shippo off to Kagome who was happy to accept the small child. Turning her attention to the distraction in her arms she looked away from Miroku who was now sporting a Cheshire cat smile.

" I fear Sesshomaru misses you Kagome. Just a few hours ago he was roaming the halls in hopes of finding you so you can read to him like you used to. Who knew you were already ten steps ahead of him. And reading to another man of course. Why, you would have broken your dear brothers heart." Clutching his hand over his heart while sporting a frown Miroku turned around quickly to stop the laugh that was threatening to spill from his lips. Hojo at that point was white as a sheet. If that man would have shown up personally and saw him watching Kagome read then he was certain he would have been a dead man.

' I would have been dead. NO! Scratch that I would have been beyond dead. He would have beat me to death, resurrected me and done it again repeatedly until he was satisfied.' Hojo had violently been shaking at this point before he heard Kagome giggle before she spoke.

" I do apologize Miroku but I was reading to Sango not Hojo. He just happened to pass by when I was reading. I was so caught up in reading that I didn't even notice him. Besides Sesshomaru knows I hate an audience unless it was someone I was close to and only if they had asked to sit in. I promise I'll read to him before bed tonight." She smiled at the memory of him reading to her when she was younger. He always loved reading and she was certain he was the one who had gotten her to be such a book worm. She played with Shippo as she started to lead the group towards the dining room. She knew this library like the back of her hand.

" Remember when he used to put me in his lap as he read to me?" She laughed lightly and continued speaking to no one in particular.

" I'm almost certain he was always trying his best to make me comfortable in a home that was not my own. And I must say it worked wonders." She rubbed Shippo's head as the others started to follow. Miroku turned to Hojo who still hadn't moved. With a glint in his eye he walked to him and whispered behind his hand into the young man's ear.

" Be careful I hear Kagome has a lot of past suitors who, though they may be married now, still want her for themselves. I'm pretty sure Kouga mentioned it to me years ago but I never believed him. As a matter of fact two people actually went to war over her a few months back and I'll tell you their wives were not happy. True the war was over quickly but only because they called a truce and joined forces to poison a new comer from a different land. Poor guy didn't even see it coming. You better watch out bud." Miroku laughed loud and hard when he placed a hand on Hojo's back only to have him jump and continue to sweat profusely. Turning he walked with Hojo out of the library.

' My job here is done. Now if Inuyasha could pick up where I left off then we should have no problem with this Hojo fellow.' The two continued to walk until they came upon the dining room. Hojo noticed Kagome, Sango, Shippo and Onigumo had waited for both him and Miroku. He smiled to himself when he noticed she still had the flowers in her hand. Kagome opened the door and the group was basked in a bright light. They were engulfed in the noise that was the dining hall along with the smells of delicious food. Licking her lips Kagome walked inside while the others followed suit.


Will Hojo manage to spend more time with Kagome? Or will someone step in? Hope you enjoyed the chapter. And remember to enjoy the rest of your day Inu lovers. On a side note Kamaji is the spider spirit from spirited away. I thought it was fitting given the extra appendages and how he worked his way around the bath house in the movie. The poem Kagome read out loud is entitled the city by the sea written by Edgar Allan Poe.