Note about the impending death of Sesshoumaru:

I know a few of you would prefer I keep him alive but I am concerned that doing so would weaken the story's premise. Two things I'd like to note: 1) I have every intention of making it a touching scene. I will not simply write "…and Sesshoumaru died and there was much rejoicing." 2) If it bothers enough people, I may consider writing an alternate ending in which his life is preserved, however it will be *alternate*, meaning that it is not the true story.

Onward!

Chapter Four

Inuyasha was relieved to find Kagome wearing a long-sleeved sweater when she and Sango finally met up with him and Miroku. He'd been dreading the reminder of the pain he'd inflicted upon her, moreso the meaning behind it.

"Good timing," Miroku commented cheerfully. "We shouldn't be more than an hour or so away from the borders of Inuyasha's kingdom."

"Yes, perhaps we should take a small break, Lord Inuyasha," Myouga piped up from his perch on the hanyou's shoulder.

Inuyasha growled. "Another break? What's with you people?"

"You misunderstand, Milord. We must go over some matters of propriety before entering the Western lands."

"Propriety? You're worried about OUR behavior?" Kagome shot an amused look at Inuyasha. "If anyone here needs etiquette lessons I'd say it's your 'master' over there."

The flea couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped him, but was quickly silenced by a squeeze from the aforementioned half-demon. "Yes, well, Lord Inuyasha has been away from his father's kingdom for quite some time, and the residents of those lands will be looking for any excuse to reject him as a leader. Your role here is more significant than comrade."

Sango hopped down from Kirara and fastened hiraikotsu to the demon cat's back. "What do you mean?"

"I am Lord Inuyasha's only servant," he began slowly, "but that will look poor in the eyes of the upper crust. We could pass off Miroku as an advisor, though the pure demon element will find that highly distasteful. Sango might be accepted as Miroku's wife, but you should not make it known that you are a demon exterminator."

"Miroku's what?!"

The houshi grinned.

"It will be sufficient to say the words, Sango-sama," Myouga assured the woman. "Ladies of high breeding do not marry for love, thus no more is required of you than your presence and obedience."

"What about Kagome?" Inuyasha dreaded the answer he knew was coming.

"She will have to play the role of your intended."

"No." Inuyasha shook his head forcefully.

"Concubine, then?"

"No!" This time it was Kagome who spoke.

Myouga sighed. "Word of your travels has spread quite far, Milord. Most of the kingdom is aware that Inutaisho's son travels with a strange girl from another land. They will not accept her as a friend of their future leader. They will see her as a concubine or as a mate. And need I remind you, the girl is already mar--" the flea quickly found himself confined in hot darkness as Inuyasha closed his palm over his vassal, halting the sentence.

"Fine, she can be a concubine."

Kagome fumed, but began to relax when Sango placed a consoling hand on her shoulder. "Kagome-chan, we will not be among the public much, right? We're just preparing if anyone asks."

"Fine." She would sit that impertinent hanyou for this…

Inuyasha gulped. She was going to sit him later. "Anything else, Myouga?"

"You must remember your roles, and defer to Lord Inuyasha. Once inside the borders, he is the heir apparent to a large kingdom and should be treated as such."

The three humans collectively rolled their eyes. As if Inuyasha wasn't arrogant enough. Then again, Kagome thought as she realized the weary expression on her dear hanyou's face, maybe that wasn't such a concern right now. She almost felt sympathy for him.

"We should continue," Inuyasha announced.

"Yes, Master. You lead, Miroku-sama should be a step behind. Kagome-sama and Sango-sama should stand side-by-side several paces behind -- Kagome behind you and Sango behind Miroku."

Inuyasha frowned. I don't like the idea of the women being alone in the back. If we should be attacked --

"Kirara will follow," Sango assured him. "We'll be fine."

An hour later they found themselves passing the first small farm on the outskirts of the Inuyoukai's Kingdom. Inuyasha was relieved to remember that that castle stood closer to this edge of the border, meaning their time among gossiping peasants and nobility would be greatly reduced. In fact, the great city sprawled out on the opposite side of the castle. With any luck, they would make it to the castle gates without meeting a single soul.

Indeed, and odd considering the domain's large population, the first being they happened across was the annoying toad demon called Jaken. He stood obediently waiting at the main hall.

"Lord Sesshoumaru has instructed me to escort you to the main chamber. The servants will see to your companions."

Hesitant to trust anyone in his brother's employ but seeing no other option, Inuyasha gave his comrades what he hoped was an encouraging nod and followed the toad down the dark hallway.

* * * *

Inuyasha remembered this hall; it hadn't changed a bit since the last time he walked on its dark wooden planks surrounded by lush tapestries. Those tapestries told of the glorious battles of his father, his father's father, and his father before him. Inuyasha closed his eyes and breathed in the familiar scent of the only place he'd ever really considered home. He needed to recall the protocols, but remembering when to bow and when to speak meant remembering the ones who taught him those rules. It meant remembering his mother. Cringing, Inuyasha fought to select only the relevant information with some success.

"Inuyasha."

"Sesshoumaru."

They bowed to each other, the forced politeness leaving both with equal distaste. Still, there were courtiers and courtesans watching. Pretense was necessary.

"We shall adjourn for the day," the inuyoukai announced to his advisors before turning to his brother. "Inuyasha, I will see you in my private chambers. Jaken, show him the way."

"I know where to go," Inuyasha snapped before remembering his place. "Excuse me, it's been a long journey." He reluctantly followed his brother's vassal into a smaller anteroom behind the main hall where he was then left in silence.

Inuyasha studied the various wall hangings, recalling some of the stories his mother had told him in his childhood. Others had been passed down through Myouga, particularly when old family foes had surfaced. A particularly bright tapestry hung behind what served as Sesshoumaru's desk. Inuyasha recognized the forboding figure as Ryuukotsusei, the demon who'd killed Inutaisho.

"You avenged our father," Sesshoumaru remarked as he entered the room, noting the source of Inuyasha's studious gaze. "I suppose I should have been grateful for that."

"Spare me, Sesshoumaru. There aren't any spying eyes or listening ears, so let's cut the crap, shall we?"

The elder brother directed a cool glare at his younger sibling. "There are ALWAYS listening ears, little hanyou. Don't ever forget that." He glided over to his desk and sat down regally, indicating that Inuyasha should do so as well.

"We'll skip the pleasantries this time, as there is much to discuss. It is no secret that you and I have disliked each other --"

"Hated, is more like it…"

"-- for some time. In fact, Inuyasha, I never liked you. Father was a fool to breed with a human and I can see already that you are following in his footsteps."

Inuyasha started at this, realizing he was referring to Kagome. He let the comment slide for the moment.

"Regardless," Sesshoumaru continued, "there are those who wait for the chance to take the throne from our family. I will not allow our heritage to be erased."

"You need me then," Inuyasha sneered with barely supressed glee.

"Don't kid yourself, hanyou. I could just as easily take a mate tonight, conceive a pup and appoint a stand-in to rule in my stead. However I would not be there to tell my heir the stories of our father and his heritage. As much as it pains me to do so, I must accept the fact that you are the only male demon left in our family. I expect that you are not completely without honor, Inuyasha?"

Growling, Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "I've fought more battles in my eighteen years than you've fought in your seventy-five, Sesshoumaru. Don't lecture me about honor and duty."

"Good, then you will accept your duty as the second son of Inutaisho."

Inuyasha had no idea how he'd agreed to this, but in his heart he knew there was no alternative. He would be the next lord of the western lands. "Hai."

"We will begin training at sunrise tomorrow."

"Training?"

"In the ways of a nobleman. You were but a runt of a thing when you left the kingdom and from our few encounters over the years, the last year especially, I can tell you will require some lessons in the ways of a great lord. Ruling a kingdom takes more than strength of body and a sword. You will study our history, and learn our traditions and procedures. And Inuyasha, you will take a mate."

"WHAT?!"

"I would prefer you not further weaken our bloodline with that human wench, but you have already claimed her."

"It was unintentional."

"Regardless, she is now yours. She will need training as well."

"There are things you don't know about Kagome," Inuyasha began, wondering just how much he could safely reveal. "She isn't from our world, and I don't think she will be staying here."

"You would dishonor our family by rejecting your own claim?"

Inuyasha hung his head low and focused on his feet. "I will sort this mess out in my own way."

"You will sort nothing!" Sesshoumaru actually bellowed. Inuyasha felt his heart jump and instinctively grasped at the hilt of Tetsusaiga. "You marked her, she is here in our father's castle reeking of it, and by tomorrow every inhabitant of this land will recognize her as your intended. Mistake or not, she is your mate. Deal with that as you will, but you will not rescind the claim."

Inuyasha said nothing but continued to stare at the ground.

"You are dismissed, Brother, until the evening meal. We will be entertaining some of the more prominent families this evening; I expect you to be in top form."

With that, Sesshoumaru turned his attention to the scroll on his desk before him, leaving Inuyasha to exit the room in foreboding silence.

* * * * *

"I guess we won't be keeping too low a profile," Sango noted dejectedly. The servants had insisted upon sending their charges out into the marketplace almost immediately to seek out appropriate dinner dress, by order of Lord Sesshoumaru.

"Yes, but at least we can have some fun while we're here," Kagome replied happily. She stopped at a booth draped with various colored silks and fingered a soft tasseled purple kimono pattered with white orchids. "I haven't been on a shopping trip in AGES."

Miroku laughed heartily at the girl's enthusiasm. "Kagome-sama, I do wish your joy would rub off on Sango-sama."

The older girl glared at him, but tried to plaster a smile on her face. She had to keep up the pretense of being a loyal wife, after all.

An old woman emerged from behind the wooden booth to regard Kagome. "Ah, you must be the young lord's mistress," she noted with kind warmth. "Do you see something you would like to take home?"

Kagome gazed with longing at the kimono in her fingers. "This is the most beautiful kimono I've ever seen," she told the woman.

"I am glad it pleases you, Mistress. This kimono was made for my daughter's wedding by my own two hands."

"So it is not for sale, then?"

The woman's face fell for a moment. "Hai, it is for sale. My daughter was slaughtered by a raven demon before she was taken in marriage."

"I am so sorry." Kagome wanted to reach out to the woman but held back for fear of violating protocols.

"It was long ago," the woman finally replied, a smile gracing her wrinkled face again. "Please, accept this as a gift from the Usagi family." She lifted the kimono from its hanging place and folded it into a large scrap of paper, finally handing the bundle to Kagome. "We would be honored for a lady such as yourself to wear our daughter's wedding kimono."

Kagome was speechless. She smiled and leaned forward to hug the woman. Protocol be damned.

"You are very kind, Usagi-san," Miroku thanked the woman for Kagome. "We will remember your family to our lord."

Kagome released the woman and hugged the kimono to her chest, following Miroku and Sango down the dusty city street.

"I don't know what Myouga was so worried about," Kagome finally spoke up as they passed several more booths of clothing. "The citizens here seem very friendly and welcoming."

Miroku took a deep breath and surveyed the crowd. "It isn't the peasants he was concerned about, Kagome-sama. In situations such as these, those of aristocratic breeding will look for any sign of weakness to exploit for their own advancement. With your miko powers you will easily detect evil in the hearts of the other dinner guests tonight. I would advise you to remain as silent and unobtrusive as possible, lest you incur wanted questioning."

Noting his serious demeanor, Kagome could only nod in silent agreement. Sango-chan gave the girl a small smile to comfort her. "At least you will have that lovely kimono to wear this evening. I am sure Inuyasha will find you stunning."

Kagome snorted a rather indelicate laugh. "Ha, he wouldn't notice if I showed up in a potato sack."

Sango and Miroku sent each other surreptitious glances over the girl's head, but neither replied.

"We still need to find a gown for Sango-sama," Miroku announced turning toward another booth. "I think you would look quite fetching in red…"