"Promises Promises"

By Pixie

Disclaimer: This fics taking so long, I don't deserve to own Inu-Yasha.

Author's Commentary: Ok. I'm ready to be done with this fic. There's no way I'm letting it carry into Finals Week. I have way way way too much work to do then. I want to start a new fic over Christmas break.

Expected Chapters Remaining: 2

Do you guys realize this is the most reviews I've ever had on a story? I love you guys!

Chapter 21:

            Sesshoumaru straightened up going into his "I am the supreme demon, you will obey" mode that Rin had fallen in love with over time. He raised an eyebrow and stared at his father, who caught his gaze brazenly at stared back. Rin noticed the guards in the room shifting uncomfortably all the sudden.

            "Yes. So?" It was a typical Sesshoumaru response, short and to the point. It also quite obviously drove their father insane.

            "What do you mean 'so'!? You're a Prince! Princes marry princesses!" Rin tried very hard not to focus on the yelling and looked around instead. She caught the eye of the Queen, Inu-Yasha's mother obviously, very beautiful and very human. She noticed Rin's look and winked, mouthing the words 'Don't worry' to the young girl.

            "Then I won't be A Prince."

            "That's not an option! It's a birthright…something you're born with!"

            "Then make Rin a Princess."

            "You can't just make some royal!"

            "Then I'll have an illegiamate wife, a bastard son, and that will be just fine when written in our family's history?"

            A silence fell over the room and Rin turned back to the arguing son and father. It was obvious who had just won the fight. A small smirk crept over Sesshoumaru's face, fading quickly, but enough to show he acknowledged his victory.

            "I think a commoner for a bride would be lovely, for the older Prince. It would show a love for the people, and Inu-Yasha will have the royal heir to the throne. Besides…its clear he's in love with the girl…aren't you Sesshoumaru?" The Queen spoke at last. Rin was in awe. The room fell silent at her first word, and it was clear who really held the power in this room. The King nodded in agreement, and all eyes fell on the older Prince. For a moment, an obvious fluster crossed his perfect features, before settling into an unmistakable blush.

            "I-I do." He turned briskly on heel, trying to maintain as much dignity as possible.  Rin stumbled through her curtsy and followed Sesshoumaru out.

            "Sesshoumaru! Sesshoumaru!" Rin caught up, stumbling over her kimono and crashing, undignified, into Sesshoumaru. "You meant it, right Sesshoumaru? You meant what you said about loving me, right?" His piercing golden gaze met hers. Undaunted, she stared up with pleading eyes awaiting his answer.

            "Of course I meant it…" He said with as much dignity as he could muster. Rin giggled with a childish delight over her first love and leapt into the demon Prince's arms. He, of course, caught her and stared at her wondering what on Earth she was doing. He gently set her down, but kept his arms around her a moment longer.

            "Lord Sesshoumaru, you have some paper work you need to sign regarding the Lady Rin."

            This time however, Sesshoumaru simply ignored the toady Jaken, and bent down to press his lips to Rin's, a kiss that quickly became heated with the passion of newfound lovers. To them, it made them feel as if the world was spinning, as the explored each other's lips with their own, each a little shy of taking that next brave step in kissing.

            Jaken, however, just fainted.

            Inu-Yasha sat, sulking in one of the main hallways. Several caring, concerned ladies tried to find out what was wrong with the young prince, attempting to wheedle their way into his obviously pained heart.

            Shippo entered just in time to hear Inu-Yasha suggest to one of the young ladies that she go do something impossibly inappropriate to herself and her wolf-boy. Shippo watched the young red-headed girl storm off, most likely to complain to whatever guard she was most likely dating. Shippo briefly wondered if perhaps, based off Inu-Yasha wolf-boy comment, the young girl could be dating Kouga?

            Shippo marched up to the Prince and kicked him promptly in the shin. "I've got a bone to pick with you Inu-Yasha!" Inu-Yasha said nothing, his only response was to kick the young fox demon across the room, sending him sprawling into a suit of freshly polished armor.

            Shippo stood up again, unfazed on the outside, a little dizzy on the inside.

            "Inu-Yasha, you hurt my friend Kagome, and if you don't tell her right now that you're sorry and that you love her, I'll get her and her friends to talk to her parents and get her an arranged marriage to…to…to Kouga!"

            It was clear his little speech struck a nerve. Inu-Yasha sat up straight, then slumped over, resting his chin in one hand.

            "I'm mildly interested. But why should I listen to you pipsqueak?"

            "Cause you love Kagome, and you don't wanna watch her marry someone else!"

            "Whatever….You're fired."

            "Good. It'll give me more time to travel to go see Kagome's parents."  Inu-Yasha twitched slightly…The kid had a point.

            "Ok then, I'll double you're work load!" Inu-Yasha smirked, clearly feeling he had the victory.

            "All right then. I quit."

            "What?!" Inu-Yasha scratched his head, furiously trying to find a way to get out of this. 

            "Fine! I'll do it! But you can't watch!"

            "But I have to make sure you go through with it!" Shippo whined.

            "Whatever…Let's just get this over with?"

            Kagome stared at Sango in shock. Then…

            "OH MY GOSH! Sango, that's WONDERFUL!" Kagome leapt up and hugged her shocked friend, who's face slowly broke into a grin. The two of them started laughing and discussing wild wedding plans, from double and triple weddings to inviting the entire kingdom to live African elephants. Somehow over the chatter, they heard a knock at the door.

            "I bet that's Rin! Ooh…we need to tell her!"

            Kagome leapt up to answer the door and swung it open to see a blushing Inu-Yasha.

            "Inu-Yasha? What are you doing here?!

((you know, I honestly thought of ending the chap here. But I'm feeling generous today))

            "Kagome…I-I-I….Aw crap, I can't do this…" Inu-Yasha hung his head in shame and then all the sudden his face became twisted in pain as he turned around.

            "Shippo! Quit pinching me! That HURT!" He turned back to Kagome, his face even redder at his sudden outburst.

            "What I mean to say is…I'm sorry and I love you Kagome." He rushed out the words, mumbling them together. Sango chose this moment to slip into the bathroom, figuring Kagome needed this moment alone. Shippo also disappeared, scared of what Inu-Yasha would do to him.

            "Inu-Yasha…" She took a deep breath, "I love you too. But…I know about you and Kikyo."

            "Kikyo?" For a moment he looked confused. "OH! I don't know how you know, but Kikyo and I…things just didn't work out. Really Kagome…I'm done lying. I know I'm not good enough for you, but I want a chance to make it up to you. I want to make it up everything to you!"

            "Inu-Yasha…I don't care if you're not good enough for me…if that's true, I don't want someone good enough for me!" She declared. Then Kagome leaned in and gently brushed her lips up against the blushing Inu-Yasha's.

            "For a guy with such tough mouth on him…he sure does have soft lips" She pulled away just for a moment, only to find herself pulled back in by some intoxicating force. But just as the two lover's lips met yet again, a bell was heard off in the distance.

            "An attack? Now?" Inu-Yasha sounded almost whiny. "Stay here Kagome…I'll be back I promise!" And with that he ran off…

            Unwittingly knowing that someone he had once known well planned for him not to return ever to his newfound love's army.

            "Naraku…Curse you, you better have this trap set up." Kikyo stepped outside her shrine, knowing nothing on this battlefield would dare harm her under Naraku's orders.

            Kikyo smiled as she saw the trap in place. The moment Inu-Yasha stepped out that door…And Kikyo made sure it would be him and only him coming out that door…Only he would not see the illusion that the door was covered in rocks. He would run out and an arrow would fling straight into his heart….Even a demon could not survive. A half-demon, even one in love, would have no chance…

            Author's Commentary: Woot! Longest chapter yet! ((It was originally supposed to be two, I put them together!)) One chapter left! The end! Finally, everything will be at peace…Hopefully. ^^