AN: As promised, here's the IY fic since my Tumblr hit 400 followers. As an extra bonus, I'm leaving in the smut. I just didn't have the heart to take it out (or the time). Enjoy!

Chapter One

Slow beginnings

Kagome's straw boots sloshed in the mud and threatened to stick in the thick muck. The rainy season was nearly over, though, her wide slacks sticking out of her borrowed haori. Her kasa protected her from the light mist that still came down while she trotted along.

Taking the boots off outside, she raced the small distance from the steps to the temple doors. Once inside, it felt as if a layer of ice was melting off Kagome's skin, the warmth of the temple vast in comparison.

Kagome's Mother stood at the altar in deep conversation with the priest. Neither noticed her slow approach.

"It just comes out of nowhere. Such a request?"

Their Priest bowed his head slightly, dodging her Mother's stare. "I understand your hesitation, but it is a fine match."

"Mother?" They both turned and acknowledged her existence. "You told Souta I was to meet you here?"

The grave look on her Mother's face had her worried. "Yes. I have... Priest Obidia has news for you…."

Stepping around her, Obidia now took her Mother's place in her view. "The Lord Tashio has asked for your hand in marriage."

Confused, she laughed. "Why would the Daimyo of the West Province want me?"

"Because your father was a Shogun."

"Father died years ago; Souta was only a babe…."

"It will create an alliance that will benefit us all."

The priest was insistent, and it looked as though she had little choice. Still, she looked to her Mother for answers and advice. "What benefit would come from such a marriage? Why would a Lord ask for me?"

Kagome was pulled away from their Priest and his ears. The back of the temple cooler as they stood near the door. "I'm sure your father's name along with his death makes you a valued candidate. A successful union has promised the town protection and funds. We will become part of the Western Province."

"And what about the Lord Tashio? What does he get out of this?"

Her Mother sighed, glancing back at Priest Obidia, who remained out of hearing distance. "You maintain the status of a Shogun's daughter without your father to make demands on the marriage. Or the laws."

There was a bad feeling in her belly. -a dark worry that was made of nerves and fear. She was already a bit old for any proposals and had planned on becoming a Priestess. Now she was expected to marry some stranger that lived on the other side of the province from Kagome's family.

And the looks she received from their Priest weren't helping. "There are plenty of girls in this village that are daughters of a Shogun. What about Eri? Or Yuma?"

Priest Obidia shook his head. "We need a successful union, and that will only happen with a pure candidate."

"I wanted to be a Priestess."

"And now you get to be the wife of a Lord."

oOo

"Kagome, wake up."

Souta still snored beside her on their bed of hay and cotton while her Mother gently shook her. "What is it?"

"Someone is here to see you."

She didn't understand, but she did as asked, wrapping a kimono of simple cloth over her thick jinbel. Her Mother had already rushed out of the room, but it was easy to follow her, two strange men standing with her. One was tall, rail-thin, and wore small glasses. The other was the exact opposite, short and portly.

The tall one spoke first. "Lady Higurashi?"

"Just Kagome is fine."

They both reached behind, pulling out large square boxes to hold out to her. "Lady Kagome, gifts from Lord Tashio."

She peeked inside but only saw white tissue. "He sent me...gifts?"

The men began opening the boxes for her and spreading out some of the finest and most beautiful kimono she had ever seen. Sitting by her side, Kagome's mother was silent, the two of them looking them over and touching them gently like they might ruin.

"These are for me?"

"Yes." The tall one spoke again.

"This seems highly inappropriate. What man sends a woman not yet his wife kimono?"

The short one finally spoke, "Lord Tashio knows the situation of your village and worried Lady Kagome would not have anything fit to wear on her journey to his home."

It was a kind gesture, but her Mother found it an egregious act. "When did it become custom to send lavish gifts? If anyone in the village sees this, Kagome's reputation will be ruined!"

"Calm down, Mother. It was very considerate of Lord Tashio to keep me from embarrassment when I arrive in his home."

"Poetry and letters would have been more appropriate." Mother huffed.

The men chuckled, looking between each other and then back at the two women. "That's not Lord Tashio's style."

oOo

Her fingers were freezing, close to frostbite, but it was her last day in her home. And her last day to hunt for her family.

Souta bounced through the puddles with her, a rabbit in his hands. "So now I'll have to do all the hunting?"

"You're the man of the house. It was always your responsibility."

He looked remorse, so she wrapped an arm around his neck and hugged him to her side. "You'll be fine, little brother. You need to take care of Mother."

The rest of the way home was silent, but their house was far from it. Running for the fire, Souta ignored the houseguests that Mother sat with.

"Ayumi? What are you doing here?"

Her friend rose, beautiful black hair spilling over her shoulders. Yet another person who would have been a more appealing candidate but (for some reason) didn't qualify. Her brother remained seated but wore an unpleasant look on his face. Their arms around each other, she greeted her friend with a firm hug, pulling back but not letting go a second later.

"Is it true, Kagome?"

Looking down, she found a frowning face, barely looking back up at her. "Yes, Koga, I'm afraid it is."

"When do you leave?" Ayumi asked.

"Tomorrow."

"This is ridiculous!" Koga yelled, jumping to his feet. "Do you even know the man you're marrying?! They say he's a demon! Cold and ruthless!"

"That would explain his gift." Mother muttered, but all heard.

"Gift? He sends you gifts?!"

Koga was always a passionate person; Kagome couldn't blame her friend for his overzealous ways. Even if it only made her nerves shorter. "He seems...odd, but I'm sure he has his reasons. And does the best he can. Times are tough for all."

"Do you have to go? Do you have to marry him?" Ayumi wondered with tears in her eyes.

Offering her friend the warmest smile she could, Kagome swallowed her tears. "Yes, I must. It's for the survival of our village. If I don't go, then everyone will suffer. The daughter of a Shogun needs to protect her village. The council needs my lineage and purity…."

"You were picked because you are the most beautiful woman in this village, and Tashio would be out of his mind to refuse you." Koga spat.

"I...I don't know about that. But I will do as asked of me."

No one seemed to like it, but there was nothing anyone could do. It was made clear to Kagome and her mother; the village would fall to famine or war soon. The Lord of the Western Province wanted to expand his territory, and their town needed his protection. As soon as they were married, it had been promised that rice seeds would be delivered to feed the whole village and a few young warriors to defend from neighboring towns in the south attacking them.

Her sacrifice would save all the people she grew up with and cared for. It was hardly a choice.

oOo

Of all the things Kagome expected for her wedding day, a trousseau carrying her into her new town and home were far from her mind. Kagome sat, hidden from the world, when she wanted to take in her surroundings more than anything. However, her kind husband tried to give her a grand entrance.

Traditionally, only a wealthy family would send their daughter to her wedding in such an extravagant manner. Unfortunately, her family was anything but rich, and yet here she was, getting carted through town like a princess. It was nice, but it only made her nerves worse. She fidgeted in her seat, pulling at the delicate kimono she donned—also a gift from her husband.

Her life was changing drastically, and so fast it made her head spin.

The gold dragon that was embroidered on her kimono stood out greatly on the blood-red and dark purple colored silk. She had three layers on underneath but still shivered. It had nothing to do with the cold. Kagome had done her best to be brave in front of her family, friends, and townspeople. Now she was alone, far from the eyes she left to protect, and she was scared.

When she was a young child, her father passed away, and the responsibility was left on her. However, the village helped when they could, and they survived thanks to their kindness.

Mother was too distraught with the loss of her husband. It was then that Kagome swore to herself she would never marry, so she never suffered as her Mother had. So Kagome had planned on giving back by becoming a Priestess, a healer for her village. Years spent training now wasted, but she was still giving back to her town.

And marrying a man she never met was nothing like what her mother and father had.

The veil over Kagome's head did nothing for the cold as she exited the trousseaus, but it did hide her from the many gathered to greet her. She focused on her small family, finding Mother and Souta quickly enough at the end of the procession. The only other faces she knew belonged to their priest and the other elders who set up her marriage. It appeared they came to watch their investment and make sure nothing went wrong. But nothing would; she would be the dutiful bride and wife they needed.

Kagome's mother took her arm, and Souta took the other, walking into the large villa that was her new home. So large and beautiful; she would have to inspect the place later, steered towards what she knew was the grand hall of the house.

Perfectly painted screens surrounded the room as she peered inside. People also filled the room, those here to witness the union from the groom's side. It was then that she got her first look at her new husband.

He stood at the end of the hall with his back to her. Tall and broad, she was most intrigued by his hair. Long, it was braided down his back. But that wasn't what caught her eye; it was the color of it, as it was pure white. It had Koga's words ringing in her ears about him being a demon. With his odd colored hair and overbearing stature, the rumor seemed more like fact.

It was time for her to enter, the crowd growing still. Alone, she forced her legs to carry her out on her leather zori, the binding pinching her toes. Kagome kept her head down, watching the path instead of looking at the many eyes on her, including her groom.

Standing beside him, she still had her eyes glued to the floor, the light-colored wood filled with knots and swirls of grains. Then, turning to face him, she stared at his feet, large appendages covered by white tabi. Kagome's eyes were drawn to the hands that gripped the hem of her veil, going towards the movement.

Fingers wrapped tightly; she watched as they lifted her covering in slow motion. Slow and yet, before she knew, Kagome was staring at the face of her groom. And he was staring back, her lungs constricting and blocking off her air. Because beautiful gold now held her captive, his eyes widening as he took her in. His face held nothing else as far as emotion past that, and it was fleeting.

His mouth set in a line; Kagome searched his face for something, anything, while he searched hers. The lack of emotion he held would scare or worry most women. But Kagome was almost thankful for it.

The last thing she ever wanted was to fall in love with her husband.

oOo

His most trusted advisor had Inuyasha pacing and honestly considering throwing him out. "No. No!"

"I'm afraid it's the only way, my Lord."

"Feh! It's ridiculous! And I refuse."

Miroku shook his head, "it's already been done. You started this by saying you wanted to get married. And when your choice fell through, the council picked you a bride."

"What?! How could they do that? Who gave them the right…."

"Your people did! They lack confidence in you, sir, and it is far past the time for you to select a wife. So they did for you and did so to your benefit."

Unable to stop his feet, he glared back at the monk. "So I'm supposed to allow some stranger into my home? Into my bed? Who is she?!"

"She is from a small village on the southern edge of our province."

"Oh, so this is all a ploy?!"

"Why not marry in a manner that benefits all?"

He couldn't take it anymore. He needed air, stomping out of his office and into the frigid winter afternoon. Miroku followed diligently. "So some poor country girl has agreed to marry me? How advantageous for her!"

"And for you! You will now have their village under your rule."

"And what do they have to offer?"

"They do well in ivory."

He paused, looking back at his shadow. "Ivory, huh? Then they have a lot of trouble with the south, don't they?"

"They do."

Sighing, he began moving again but much slower. "Then we should send a few men to the village as well for protection."

"So my lord is warming up to his predicament?"

"I don't have a choice, do I?"

Miroku grimaced, showing the monk knew the next thing he said would not go well. "You should send her something."

"Who?"

"Your bride!"

"Keh. Like what? I know nothing of her."

"Most men send letters about themselves or poetry?"

Inuyasha growled at his man and picked up his pace again. "A poor country girl has as much need for flowery words as I do. No, what she'll need is...send her kimono."

"That's...against custom…."

"She'll need them. What's wrong with that?"

"It sends a bad message. Like you are buying her…."

"Ain't I? Her village picked her because she was willing? No, they sold her for my protection!"

"It almost sounds like you care for a girl you've never met?"

His response was to growl and briskly walk away. What choice did he have in this? And it was just as bad for him as it was for his bride because she would be uprooted from her home and then forced into his bed -no way the council would allow them to be without an heir for long. And they would expect them to consummate quickly.

Did the girl have any clue what she was getting herself into?

oOo

All Inuyasha could think was to make all of it 'better' for his bride. Kagome Higurashi has a Shogun bloodline but was fatherless and lacked a dowery, so no wonder she was so easily picked for this. He did feel sorry for the girl, but he had as much choice in this as she did. He had less because Kagome could have said no while he would just get partnered with another girl.

It was the day of her arrival, and the sun was getting low. Any moment now, her trousseau would enter the town and would have all the attention, which was why Inuyasha was surrounded by the council being badgered.

"She is a lovely girl, my lord."

He glared back at the elder Onji. "Oh yeah? You've met her then?"

"We have the particulars of her." Said Yons.

"Her father was a Shogun and passed away years ago, so you'll never have to struggle with her patriarch."

"So that's why she was selected? A girl with no dowry and no father?!"

"And she was planning on becoming a Priestess," Yonz stated as if it was some kind of prize.

All Inuyasha saw was a girl torn from her hopes and aspirations. And even worse, she knew nothing of the world of men. Or maybe she did? It would explain her eagerness to be a part of this deal. This girl, this Kagome, was fooling everyone but him.

He was pushed into dressing because, even knowing they were getting tricked, there was nothing he could do. Inuyasha didn't care if the girl was pure or not. He just didn't know what to do with a virgin. All his experience was with loose women.

Or women who were already married.

It would have been nice if his wife was his and only his. Indeed that's what the council had expected as well.

oOo

His grand hall was full of people, most from his world, while a tiny portion from his bride's. Inuyasha kept his attention to the front, away from all those that watched him expectantly.

How many knew the truth? That he was being forced to marry some stranger? He knew it was expected that someone of his title and age takes a wife. But it was easier being alone.

The crowd grew quiet, telling him his bride had arrived. Slow to turn, he didn't know what to expect, but he was surprised to find her covered by a veil. She was sticking to her story with the whole virgin thing. It made Kagome look even more like a sacrifice.

One Inuyasha would be running through with his sword tonight.

He shouldn't be thinking like that, not now, not while beside a Priest. But that kimono Kagome had on was eye-catching, and it fit her well. Whoever picked it out knew what Inuyasha liked.

Now beside him, the only thing between him and her face was the veil, so he set upon riding her if it. Kagome was stiff, and he only had to assume it was a mixture of fear and nerves. He understood the nerves but what did she have to be afraid of?

Taking his time, so he didn't startle the poor dove, he finally got the veil up to her neck. It was long and slender. And her skin was white like the porcelain her village was flush with.

Rudy red lips met him next. Red beni on her mouth matching the color in her kimono. Seeing her nose, he was yet to see anything on her he didn't like. So in one final move, he threw the veil back and off her face. He struggled to breathe, the pale beauty before him taking away any ability Inuyasha had to fill his lungs.

She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

Aside from that, she had the brightest blue eyes. Inuyasha watched as green swirled inside them, making them look teal. Something stirred inside him, a new feeling he had never had before. Possessiveness threatened to overwhelm the longer he looked at Kagome. Steeling his expression was the best he could do, but now that he had seen his bride, he never wanted to share her with anyone. For once, he wanted something to be his and no one else's. He would forgive her for any transgressions she had before him, as she was far too beautiful to be untouched. The thought enraged him, and he still had to make it through the ceremony.

Signing her name into his registry made her his family, another thing he hadn't had around him in a long time. So long he forgot what it was like. And he found himself oddly ready to remember with his new wife.